From the Bookshelf of Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library…

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

Suzanne Collins

Start date: August 21, 2013

Finish date: September 22, 2013

Why we're reading this: September pick for the So Many Books, So Little Time book group.
[close] September pick for the So Many Books, So Little Time book group.

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May 21, 2012 Chris Blocker rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Yes, I am really reading this. Surprising, eh?
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720,000 ratings + 87,000 reviews = No chance anyone will ever see this review. Therefore, I must resort to drastic measures. Interspersed in this review are pictures of cute kittens. Like them, like my review. Meow.

I'm not one for trendy things, especially trendy reads. I've done my best to avoid the whole Harry Potter thing; I figure if people are still talking about him in another forty years, I may give in then. Twilight, no chance. But it ...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Jean Marshall rated it really liked it

Beware! Spoiler alerts!

I enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins very much even though I found it difficult going at first. It seemed as if I'd read this book before since tales of death matches set in futuristic dystopian societies are somewhat common in science fiction. But then I began to like Katniss, the main character. At sixteen, she supports her family by hunting and gathering food (both the male and female roles), and risks a prison sentence doing so. She is sturdy and brave, and r Beware! Spoiler alerts!

I enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins very much even though I found it difficult going at first. It seemed as if I'd read this book before since tales of death matches set in futuristic dystopian societies are somewhat common in science fiction. But then I began to like Katniss, the main character. At sixteen, she supports her family by hunting and gathering food (both the male and female roles), and risks a prison sentence doing so. She is sturdy and brave, and rarely smiles, and yet she is not always able to hide her strong emotions completely as we learn when she stands on stage having replaced her sister in the games. She keeps her chin up, but her expression is not impenetrable as worry briefly shadows her face. At the same time, I had to keep in mind that she is a character in a novel for young audiences, which means that she will be stronger than many of the adult characters, like her mother, for example. She appears mature next to her makeover team, stable compared to Haymitch, and more clever than the gamemakers, all of which is fine. She is the hero, after all. Don’t the police always show up after Scooby and the gang solves the mystery? And speaking of mysteries, why do the boys who make up her love triangle, Gale and Peeta, act like sixth graders when it comes to romance? They love her, but they stay in a nearly constant state of pouting with neither pursuing her, waiting for her to make the proclamation of love. As the leading male characters they come across as wet noodles, limp from rejection, which makes me hope someone else will earn her love in one of the sequels. I could understand one of them acting that way, but not both. I’m done with the three’s company scenario.
But the action is exciting. Collins moves the plot along pretty swiftly. And though her role as puppet master is heavy handed at times, I was frequently surprised by the story’s unexpected twists. Though I knew Katniss would survive the game, she is the narrator after all, I couldn’t imagine how that could happen since a true happy ending seemed out of reach. And most important, the game’s conclusion was surprising, dramatic, fulfilling, and above all believable. Collins earned this strong climax with her thorough back story of how the games operate and by playing on her audience’s understanding of the realities of reality TV. So if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend it even to those who doubt as I did.
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Jul 11, 2011 Jeff Tate rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy-fiction

It didn't have the emotional impact of "The Lottery" or the character development of "The Running Man," but it was a good, fast read. A nice palette cleanser between meatier books. I'll read the next in the trilogy. ...more

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Dec 27, 2013 Laura rated it liked it

Flight read. Was fine. But disturbing.

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Aug 27, 2011 Karla rated it it was amazing

I am so happy that there is a teen lit heroine who can take care of herself. Instead of simply pining away after a cute boy, Katniss has other problems on her mind. Like surviving. She is the caretaker of her family and when her sister is chosen in the annual ration lottery - The Hunger Games- Katniss bravely volunteers to take her sister's place. She must outwit and outlast competitors from other districts in order to save her family from starvation.

Loved this book and am looking forward to the ...more

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Dec 03, 2011 Stephanie Cook rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, wishlist, own, young-adult, sci-fi, want-to-read-again, fantasy

Of course this book is amazing! I had to see what all the hype was about and I wasn't disappointed. Needless to say I don't really have to give a huge explaination of the book, so I'll just give you a little review. I'd have to say that it suprised me because I'd seen the movie first then read the book. I think that the details are wonderful. Some of the crazy creepy moments make you feel like you're right there with her/them. I'd say it's well worth the read and not at all a waste of time. ...more

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