4 Books On The 4th To Help You Appreciate Your Freedom
First off, Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans! I hope you all are planning on doing something fabulous today such as fireworks or barbeques, or something else equally as fun. We’re of course going to our favorite fireworks show that we go to every year. It’s always a blast. Except of course the one year where someone messed up and there were sparks hitting us! Not fun!
Anyways, for all of those out there who are taking-it-easy today with a good book, I dedicate this post to you.
I think as Americans, we often overlook what the 4th of July means on a daily basis. We often don’t appreciate the fact that we can have our own opinions, and earn our own way, and do whatever we like (within reasonable means). That’s what I love about the 4th of July. It gets us all thinking about how important our Independence and the freedoms we exhibit every day are to us, even if we take them for granted most of the time.
So in light of today, I thought I would round up some books that will have you stepping back and taking a hard look at the wonderful lives we live every day. Of course I’m talking about Dystopian books. I find that the thing I love most about the Dystopian genre is how much it leaves me appreciating my life and my country. Things truly are not as bad as we sometimes make them out to be.
So without further ado…
Here are FOUR books sure to get you appreciating your freedom today!
Definitely an oldie, but definitely a classic.
This book will surely help you to appreciate not having cameras watching you at every moment, even in your home.
I’m sure you’ll also appreciate not having to wake up every morning to a drill sergeant-esk workout instructor. Not optional.
You’ll be happy to know that if you don’t agree with something the government says or does, you will not become an Unperson.
Of course you’re allowed to show affection and love to someone you care about…and not worry about being arrested.
I think you’ll appreciate not having the English language changed to a degree that one day you won’t even be able to form a single creative thought.
But most of all, I think you’ll be grateful that you don’t have to attend the mandatory “Two Minutes of Hate” every day…and be brainwashed enough to love every minute of it.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
2) The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
A modern day classic that will first and foremost have you appreciating the absence of the The Arena in our society. *shudders*
Next I think you’ll agree that it’s nice not having to worry about going to said Arena between the ages of 12 and 18 to fight other kids to the death.
Now that I mention it, I think you’ll appreciate not having to go to said Arena and fight your peers to the death, while being televised for the entertainment of the masses.
On the same note, I think you’ll agree that it’s kind of nice not to have to be forced to watch our friends and family fight to the death on live television.
I may be alone here, but I sure am happy I don’t have to be a Katniss Everdeen, who is somehow forced into the role as the face of the revolution because our country desperately needs one.
Finally, I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s nice to know that there’s more to the world than our own country. The borders of the world do not end at New York and California.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
A newbie, but a goodie. I think you’ll agree that this book will have you first appreciating having the opportunity to balance our lives. We may not be good at all the character traits, but hey at least we can give em’ a shot!
I for one am pretty happy that I didn’t have to choose who I was, not just what I did, at the age of 16. Phew. That would have been messy.
It’s hard to put into words how much I appreciate the fact that I can still see my mother after turning 16, no matter what I chose to do. We may not live in the same state, but I can still talk to her if I want, and not be banished to the streets for doing so.
How nice is it to look in the mirror people? I think we all need to do this, really for the sake of everybody. So glad I’m not in a world where I’m not allowed to for the sake of selflessness.
Finally, I am so glad that I don’t have to jump off a moving vehicle in order to get to where I need to go every day. I cannot tell you how terrible Monday mornings would turn out for me.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
4) Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld
An older sci-fi dystopian, but let’s just call this one our wildcard.
First off, I am so glad that my world doesn’t consist of a tiny little city (well two – Uglyville and New Pretty Town) surrounded by a bunch of trees, oh yeah and nothing else. Nothing exists outside these cities or anything. Don’t look over there!
It’s kind of nice not being called an “Ugly” all the time. Considering the girl on the cover is supposed to be ugly, I’m pretty sure I’d reign in Uglyville.
I am so appreciating not having to go through an operation that, sure makes me pretty by everyone elses’ standards, but also takes away my brain capabilities. So not cool.
Finally, despite all the eco-this and eco-that stuff that goes on in our country, I’m appreciating the fact that we’re not referred to as the “Rusties” because we need iron and steel to put up buildings. What else should we use? Oh yeah, the oh-so-mysterious sci-fi material that is stronger than steel but not bad for the environment. We’ll get right on that.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
Honorable Mentions…
I want to note that I haven’t read a ton of Dystopian. I love the genre, but I just haven’t gotten too deep into it yet. So the picks from above are all books I’ve read — to be fair.
That being the case, here are some dystopians that I want to read and have heard great things about. No doubt these will also help in the appreciating of the freedoms we take for granted on a daily basis.
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