Books of the Week Oct. 5 – 9

TitleThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 

Author: Suzanne Collins 

Reading level: Young adult 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the anticipated prequel to The Hunger Games series. 

This novel focuses on President Cornelius Snow before he took over Panem. The book is set during the 10th Hunger Games.  

Cornelius has just been chosen to be one of the mentors for the newest tributes out of District 12, and he must learn to train the tributes without developing any emotional attachments to them – a task at which he fails. 

This book is perfect for fans of the original trilogy. It gives muchneeded explanation for President Snow’s deep hatred of Katniss. In this novel, it shows how Snow wasn’t always the ruthless and cold-hearted man we see in The Hunger Games.  

Part of what makes this book a great read is its ability to explain human behavior. All readers could learn how people’s lives can be drastically changed by their experiences. 

TitleMy Lady Jane 

AuthorsBrodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand and Jodi Meadows 

Reading level: Young adult 

My Lady Jane follows the lives of Lady Jane Grey and King Edward VI of England. Jane Grey was Edward’s cousin through his aunt Mary. This novel focuses on how Lady Jane Grey was temporarily made Queen of England after Edward’s death until her execution for taking the throne from Queen Mary of England. Jane is just a teenage girl thrown into a world of court intrigue, magic and sibling rivalry. 

This book is great for readers who love historical fiction. It is both comedic and serious.  

Each of the authors write one character, and they create one cohesive story from three different character perspectives. This writing style makes the story dynamic and wellrounded. Readers will enjoy seeing how the same events result in different emotions and feelings from the three characters. 

Morgan County

20 under 40: Trey Chowning

Falkville

20 under 40: TJ Holmes

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20 under 40: Spencer Bell

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20 under 40: Shelby Keenum

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20 under 40: Rachel Howard

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20 under 40: Mary Virgina Halbrooks

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20 under 40: Maggie McKelvey

Decatur

20 under 40: Maegan Jones

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20 under 40: Lindsey Tapscott

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‘He lets us have sex’: More details emerge on Hartselle man accused of child exploitation 

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Hartselle church creates Easter-themed escape rooms 

Danville

Family tradition: State livestock show legacy spans generations

Editor's picks

Baseball for Beau: More than $8k raised for scholarship named after Hartselle child  

Falkville

20 under 40: Lela Weeks

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20 under 40: Kalleigh Thomas

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20 under 40: Jaime Hatcher

Hartselle

Veteran Hartselle firefighter charged with possessing child porn

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Cerrowire expansion named finalist in Business Alabama Awards  

At a Glance

Work begins on repairing two bridges over I-65 in Morgan County in coming weeks

At a Glance

Tickets for Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame banquet available

Falkville

Morgan County volunteers celebrated at annual fire department banquet 

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Man jailed for stealing car from jail after earlier release 

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Police: Hartselle man encouraged children to have sex inside his apartment

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20 under 40: Chris Rigoni

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