My chemistry teacher in eighth grade said that all elements donate or accept electrons because they want to achieve stability, same way we humans work hard, get jobs, get married and have a stable life.
Now dive into the lives of 118 element people, blending these concepts and living their lives, and see little glimpses of their own attempts.
(NOTE: Time periods jump like crazy. Ch 1 happens in 2041 and ch 2 happens in the 1990's I think.)