From the Bookshelf of Erudite Readers…

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

Suzanne Collins

Start date: February 24, 2012

Finish date: March 26, 2012

Discussion: Our Favorite Books!

Discussion leader: Jon

Why we're reading this: February 24th will start our Chapter A Day Countdown.. each day we will discuss a chapter of the Hunger G…more
[close] February 24th will start our Chapter A Day Countdown.. each day we will discuss a chapter of the Hunger Games. We will finish the Hunger Games a day before the movie comes out. I think this is a good way to read the book before the movie. :) Do you like this idea?

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What Members Thought

Jan 26, 2011 EZRead eBookstore rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jenifer-reviews

The Hunger Games is massive, and it can only be massive-r. Promoted by Stephen King and screaming gangs of YAs, I knew it was time to read “Hunger Games” when Hot Topic released a line of t-shirts. I think this story does hit a nerve straight in the heart of a YA audience. A critique of our own cream-puff entertainment business, a study of the social pressures we all face, and a heckuva adventure story, “The Hunger Games” is a downright hurricane of relate-ability. But is it worth the read, or s The Hunger Games is massive, and it can only be massive-r. Promoted by Stephen King and screaming gangs of YAs, I knew it was time to read “Hunger Games” when Hot Topic released a line of t-shirts. I think this story does hit a nerve straight in the heart of a YA audience. A critique of our own cream-puff entertainment business, a study of the social pressures we all face, and a heckuva adventure story, “The Hunger Games” is a downright hurricane of relate-ability. But is it worth the read, or should you wait for the inevitable movie? EZ Read kindly finds out.

The “Hunger Games” overall is an exciting, fast read that celebrates a fierce heroine who needs no help. It was refreshing to see a female control of her situation, while the boys around her constantly need medical attention; she reminded me of a less sociopathic Lisbeth Salander from “The Girl With” series. The premise of the gladiatorial Hunger Games is not necessarily a new idea, but neither is stories of vampire love affairs or wizard schools, and no one is whining. The Capitol itself felt like an evil Technicolor cross between Oz and The Price is Right, and fit well in its wicked ridiculousness. As a straight forward adventure, I enjoyed the survival elements and excitement of the work. It’s not entirely unpredictable, but you definitely won’t be tossing it in your “to finish later” book pile. And even though it’s YA, it’s completely acceptable for adult readers as long as they don’t mind a bit of chaste kissing in place of some hunka hunka burning love.

On a deeper, more nitpicking level, the Hunger Games don’t make a lot of sense. (Better explanation of this in Laura Miller’s piece) The Hunger Game champion is celebrated with a lifetime supply of food and comfort for their starving family, but no one except wealthy Districts train for the potential life-altering victory. Meant to crush any hope of rebellion, the Games just seem to make celebrities and martyrs of the children rather than spread crushed feelings. They could have just said these games were “because we feel like it”, or to get everyone pumped about violence, and it would have made more sense.

Just go out and read the book. Read it before it becomes too popular and therefore uncool to read, read it before the movie, read it way before your friends and brag.

EZ Read Staffer Jenifer
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Jul 14, 2011 Beatriz Lins rated it it was amazing

Ok, so a lot of people talk about this book, and I decided to give it a shot.
It was well worth it.
The world created by Suzanne Collins is enchanting. Truly awesome and complex. It is also full of suffering, which adds depth to it. The characters are well set, and even though the present-time narration felt a little annoying for me, I was still able to enjoy it fully.
Katniss is a brave girl, determined to watch out for her mother and younger sister. She is the one who puts bread on their table, ...more

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May 06, 2011 Books-treasureortrash rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed, science-fiction

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes

How would you feel to be forced to watch your children murder each other in an annual televised event? The Hunger Games is a futuristic novel about an oppressive state abusing its people and how they respond to this treatment. First we meet Katniss, a resourceful 16 year old girl, who is solely responsible to keep her family fed and alive. She does this by illegally hunting wild animals in the forest surrounding their village.
As the story unfolds we learn that once Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes

How would you feel to be forced to watch your children murder each other in an annual televised event? The Hunger Games is a futuristic novel about an oppressive state abusing its people and how they respond to this treatment. First we meet Katniss, a resourceful 16 year old girl, who is solely responsible to keep her family fed and alive. She does this by illegally hunting wild animals in the forest surrounding their village.
As the story unfolds we learn that once a year two teenagers from each district are selected to engage in the hunger games. This is where twenty-four youths are made to compete against each other in the Capital in a staged arena until just one child is left alive. Katniss becomes one the participants and we experience this horrific situation with her as she struggles to stay alive.
This is the first book in The Hunger Games Trilogy. It is a young adult, science fiction book that takes place on Panem, which was once the continent of North America, at an unknown futuristic date. The story is told in a first person narrative from the point of view of the main protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. Suzanne Collins has also written The Underland Series plus a couple of other books written for youths.
The tale is well told and interesting. I was captivated from the first page and I felt intrigued right up to the end of the book. I really came to care about the main character Katniss. I was curious to see what she was going to do and how she was going to respond to the terrible environment she was forced to live.
However, I found the premise to be unbelievable based on the world that was created. I did not think there was enough justification to enforce people to watch and endure their children’s death in a meaningless game. In addition, there were also a couple of plot holes. At times, Katniss comes across as very resourceful and smart. Other times, she is really dense. This is a standalone story which builds to a suspenseful but somewhat transparent ending.
I enjoyed this book, I am curious to see where the story is going so I will read the next book in the series. If you enjoy reading science fiction books, and you have some spare time, then you should give this book a try.

For more of my reviews go to: www.books.treasureortrash.com ...more

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May 25, 2011 Caedy Eries rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series-read, young-adult, delivery, library, 2012-challenge

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is on my Top 100 Favorites of All Time. I have loved each and every thing about this book. Katniss and Peeta, Rue, and even some of the other tributes that have been chosen throughout the different districts, which is good because they show up quite a bit throughout the expanse of the book even as they are terminated.

My top three are most definitely Katniss, Peeta, and Rue. Foxface was definitely one of the more interesting of the tributes, because of the way ...more

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Jul 28, 2011 cyndi rated it it was ok

i don't know why but it's kinda lack depth and thrill. i was being told about all the hunger games books and by hearing it kept me so excited so i decided to buy the trilogy.at first, there's expectation. mind you, a lot. it ought to be good, i thought. but, everytime i put down the thing, next day i forgot already the last scene that i have to read it all over the last few pages - that makes some scenes not appealing and thrilling.. and to a point, i put it down. MAybe, i started reading thrill ...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Me'Lissa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, book-club

I could smack myself for letting this book sit on the bookshelf in my basement for the better part of 3 years. I bought it on a whim and never got around to reading it. Even now I only read because it is in consideration as a required reading for my high school students. However, I don't think I could be more pleased with this book. It was so cleverly crafted, the scenes so thoughtfully laid and the plot twists so greatly incorporated that I am thrilled to know it is a young adult novel. I have ...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Brooke Sims rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own, thanks-to-the-library, favorites

Its really funny I came across this book three years ago before all the craze. The boy beside me in school was reading it, and he never read, so i thought it must be good but I never found the want to read it by the title I thought they ate each other. Three years later I'm in the school library; you know how they are bearly any good books that you haven't read. I stumble across the Hunger Games and heck I need something to read if it's terriable oh well. I took the chance and I'm glad I did! ...more

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Jan 31, 2011 Casi K. rated it really liked it

Much more intense and emotional than I expected, especially for a teen read, but the story was original and creative and the characters stay with me even when I put the boos down. Starting Catching Fire now. I can't wait to see what happens next... ...more

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Nov 06, 2010 Sophia Tallon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: totally-the-best, books-to-movies, best-series, favourites

I love this book!It's so good I could not stop reading it.I stayed up forever reading it.If you haven't read this yet ,stop what your doing ,and get the book! NOW!! ...more

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