The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Restarting April 19th 2018

[Maddie]

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

[[deleted user]]

Are you going to read the whole series?

[Maddie]

Sure am.
Hunger Games - 21-23
Catching Fire - 23-25
Mockingjay - 28-30

[[deleted user]]

I might join, not sure quite yet

[Maddie]

Awesome! Have we ever done a BR before Nancy?

[[deleted user]]

I don't think we have

[Maddie]

First time for everything!

[[deleted user]]

Yep

[Maddie]

Hope you join.

[Maddie]

Starting this one now. Not sure how much I'll get done, probably not much. Just going to do some cleaning, and I know exactly what happens so if I miss stuff it's alright.

[Maddie]

20% (view spoiler)[This is a good one to listen to because I can listen to it and not have to worry about missing things, as I know the story really well.

Still love the story about the bread <3

Still baffles me why she chooses to take Madge's pin rather than something her own family gave her. And I wonder how the Mockingjay became the symbol for the series? Wonder what made Collins choose it. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Around 50% (view spoiler)[Oh yes Peeta 'betrays' her by teaming with the Careers! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

That's me done for the night. Off to sleep now. Should finish tomorrow not sure.

[Maddie]

Finished (view spoiler)[I feel like so much happened in that book! I still adored that story <3 (hide spoiler)]

Review: Link to my blog: https://wordpress.com/post/thatreadhe...

So I read this book again, but this time I actually listened to the audio! At first, it was weird, as we were basically 'given' Katniss' voice, rather than me imagining Lawrence's voice, but I got used to it.
I just loved reliving the events, particularly the (view spoiler)[way she realises one kiss = one bowl of broth. Super smart. (hide spoiler)] And Rue :( I love her! Some of the stuff I did miss, because I was busy doing something else at the time, but another favourite chunk of mine was the whole interview bit at the start, before the Games started.
I actually studied this book at school in Year 10, so approximately 6 years ago (o.o so long!) so that in itself made this a strange revisit, but it was enjoyable remembering the bits we hashed over at school.

[Maddie]

Alright going to listen to CF next. Should get to that in the next few days.

[Maddie]

Up to Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[Can't believe the QQ hasn't even started yet! Definitely don't remember it taking this long! They fit a whooole lot of stuff into the last half. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[Oh yes the clock arena! And the jabberjays.

I can't believe that they would do that to all of the Victors, shoving them back into the arena. It's cruel!
(hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

You’re flying through the books

[Maddie]

Yeah haha. I'm listening to the audio and I'm not really focusing on what's happening because I already know, so I'm just using it as background noise and occassionally listening XD

[Maddie]

Chapter 26 (view spoiler)[No clue how these people are surviving all of this action and stress and emotion. It's crazy! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Sweet finished (view spoiler)[Oh yes 'Katniss, there is no District 12'. Biggest cliffhanger ever! I actually can't remember the 3rd book very well, so I'm excited to see what happens next.
(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting November 20th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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[Kelli]

Catching Fire
Chapter 2

(view spoiler)[ Its crazy to imagine the district still being the same after the games, but of course things have changed for Peta and Katniss. Their families are living in nicer houses even though Katniss does still prefer her old home and does frequent there as well. Its fortunate that their families no longer have to worry about food or money, but does that come with no resentment from anybody else? And Gale - Katniss and him definitely have more than just friendship between them, but President Snow is a scary guy and he has made it very obvious to her that he expects her to keep up her 'charade' with Peta. is it really a charade? does she really have no feelings for him...? (hide spoiler)]

[Kelli]

Catching Fire
Chapter 10

(view spoiler)[ President Snow is definitely afraid of an uprising. Considering what Katniss heard about what was going on in District 8 he is probably right, but of course I'm rooting for the districts. My heart breaks for Gale - At least Katniss's mother is able to care for his wounds from the whipping. All from poaching one turkey - but of course he has to be made an example of. Running into the two escapees from District 8 is probably only going to increase Katniss's want to escape from 12. The new peacekeepers are definitely scaring everyone, but I think its still their best option and hopefully many will be on board. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelli]

Catching Fire
Chapter 14

(view spoiler)[ the electricity is turned back on in the fence. Peacekeepers were waiting for Katniss at her house - you know know they were trying to trap her in the woods. They almost did too! She’s so much smarter and more resourceful than they know. It seems that many of the districts have started rebelling at least a bit. I wonder what’s going on and how they are choosing to rebel. Is it making any difference? It has to be hard to stand united when you really have no idea what is going on in the other districts. Are you on your own or are others thinking th same way as you? The quarter quell is upon them and victors find their way back into the games. What a sick joke but definitely a power play if you ask me! (hide spoiler)]

[Kelli]

Catching Fire
Chapter 22

(view spoiler)[ It is SSSOOO unfair of them to send the victors back into the arena - I stand by that 100%. Of course they're trying to make a statement to everyone - not just Peta and Katniss - but everyone who is rebelling or even thinking about doing so. The Capital can do what they want, when they want - no matter the rules. They'll change the rules all they want and you do not want to get on the wrong side of that. Peta throwing out the shockers of them already being married and putting out the idea that Katniss is even pregnant is definitely a play to keep her safe. But there is no two victors here. Sad. Tick Tock...the arena is a clock! Each section has its own horrors that occur clockwise. Thunder - murderous fog - monkeys. Whats next?! (hide spoiler)]

[Kelli]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ It makes sense how things went down with District 13. I agree that the capital was thinking that the problem would just solve itself and they would die out. Its amazing that not only have they survived but also prospered. The districts definitely need 13's help and its crazy that all of this was in the works while the games were going on. I'm hoping that it isn't too good to be true and they're all actually on the side of the districts. Katniss having to watch them take down Cinna was heart breaking - I loved him! The capital having Peta is scary. This series is a re-read for me, but there are so many small things I have forgotten and honestly even some big things! (hide spoiler)]

[Kelli]

Mockingjay
Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ its crazy how much has happened so far! Many people have been taken to district 13 and Katniss has agreed to be the Mockingkay. The face of the rebellion. It did come with terms - being able to hunt, keeping their cat, keeping the other victors that were captured safe. I can't believe that the residents of 13 had basically been holding her prep team hostage! No wonder they are frightened. That just irks me and makes me think that maybe this isn't all its cracked up to be. Are they really all fighting for the same thing? Katniss has seen Peeta on television twice now. Once looking healthy which made her feel better and now recently looking run down and not healthy. not happy. I would see this kind of lighting a fire under her butt. He also had some things to say about making sure she knows what battle she is fighting and that she trusts those she is fighting behind. I am worried about this myself! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting February 15th 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Anjali S]

thanks, sarah!!!!!

[Lee]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ This is something that I'm upset wasn't in the movies. drunk!Haymitch. He totally should have been in there. And I can't imagine how hard it was for Katniss to deal with the death of her father and then have to take care of herself and her family because her mother was depressed. (hide spoiler)]

[Anjali S]

just started !!!!

[Lee]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ Katniss is a passive aggressive QUEEN. I mean, she's literally eating with her hands just to make Effie mad and it's beautiful. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ All the waxing and tweezing would be miserable!!! Cinna though. Ugh. He's such a peach. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ The passive aggressive queen returns. Just shooting up at the game makers. HOnestly one of the most beautiful things ever. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[ Ugh. Getting her bow and arrows back would be one of the worst experiences ever. That would be gruesome. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ /weeps for 3 billion years/ (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ The mutts as the dead tributes is one of the cruelest things ever. As if this already isn't one of the most traumatizing experiences ever. (hide spoiler)]
Finished (view spoiler)[ I feel like I have felt for Katniss a lot more this time around. She had to go through a lot of crap and then sort through a lot of crap after the games. It would be a lot for anyone to handle, so no wonder she acted the way she did. It was still just as enjoyable as it was the first time. (hide spoiler)]

[Jayme]

Hi there, I hope it's okay if I join in on this BR :) I've been meaning to read this series for a while, but never got around to it. I'll be starting either tonight or tomorrow.

[Lee]

Yessss!!! You should join us! We'd love to have you!

[Anjali S]

yeah!!you should!!!

[Jayme]

Thanks!! I'll start it today :)

[Jayme]

The Hunger Games
Chapter 1:
(view spoiler)[The writing is so good! I've seen the movies, so Primrose being chosen didn't surprise me but I'm interested in finding out all of the little details that were left out of the movies. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 2:
(view spoiler)[That was so sweet of Peeta! I love him already :) (hide spoiler)]
I probably won't get much reading done in the next couple of days, but I promise to get more caught up after that :)

[Anjali S]

chapter 12:
(view spoiler)[Peeta's such an asshole!!!! I JUST HATE HIM
why did I like him in the first place!!!
how can he join the Careers!!!

but,
WAY TO GO KATNISS!! YOUVE FINALLY FOUND WATER!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Anjali S]

chap 18(view spoiler)[Whoa!! a twist in the tale! Nice... (hide spoiler)]

[Jayme]

The Hunger Games
Chapters 3-7:
(view spoiler)[I love the build up of tension going on while the tributes are waiting for the Hunger Games to begin. It would be so difficult to be in Katniss's position because I would honestly trust anyone that was even slightly nice to me. Part of me is annoyed that Katniss is so untrusting of Peeta, but the rest of me knows that this is such a smart move on her part.
I love what Katniss did to get the gamemakers' attention!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Jayme]

The Hunger Games
Chapters 8-10:
(view spoiler)[I think the world building is so intriguing in this story. I love hearing about the Capital even though I despise them and everything they stand for.
I feel bad for Peeta. He is either being outshone by Katniss or toning down his own skills in favor of Katniss. I understand his reasoning for wanting to stay true to himself, but Katniss is right about how that will get him killed.
It's also really difficult to love certain characters knowing what ends up happening to them. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 11:
(view spoiler)[Wow. So much for Peeta staying true to himself. So he's joined the Careers and he's offering to finish off the girl if she's not dead. He just completely disregarded everything he was saying to Katniss before the games began! It was also risky of him to trust that the Careers wouldn't kill him. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 12-14:
(view spoiler)[Katniss is so lucky she wasn't stung to death by those tracker jackers! That was really risky, but it was the only option she had left I guess. Peeta's decision to join the Careers was really stupid, but he wouldn't have been able to save Katniss if he hadn't. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 15-18:
(view spoiler)[Oh no :( Rue is such a sweet little girl. I can't believe anyone would want to hurt her, even in a situation like this. I'm also surprised that the girl who could evade tributes for so long got caught in a net. Poor Rue. (hide spoiler)]

[Anjali S]

finished!!!

[Jayme]

The Hunger Games
Finished!
(view spoiler)[I really enjoyed reading this a lot more than I expected to. I figured that, having already seen the movies, it would not be as enjoyable because I knew everything that would happen. I found myself just as intrigued and on the edge of my seat as if I hadn't known what would happen.
If I remember the movie correctly, it ended after Katniss and Peeta almost ate the berries. It was really interesting to find out what went on after the Games and to see what happened to Peeta and Katniss's relationship afterward. I really feel for both Katniss and Peeta, but I feel especially bad for Peeta since he didn't know that Katniss was essentially faking her love for him. I don't remember much about Catching Fire so I'm eager to get started on it! (hide spoiler)]

[Jayme]

Catching Fire
Chapter 1:
(view spoiler)[It's really interesting to see some of the Peacekeepers humanized and made likable. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 2:
(view spoiler)[President Snow is super creepy. The description of him smelling like blood and roses really freaks me out and grosses me out at the same time. Also, I really thought Katniss was smart enough to keep up somewhat of a charade for the public. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 3:
(view spoiler)[Well, that sucks that Katniss will have to keep up the Peeta romance for the rest of her life. I guess she will have to learn to love him enough to stay with him.
I'm really curious if they will ever tell us about Haymitch's time in the Hunger Games. It's even more surprising that he won now that I know it was a Quarter Quell Game with twice the amount of tributes. (hide spoiler)]

[Jayme]

Catching Fire
Chapter 4:
(view spoiler)[Wow. District 11 sounds like a terrifying place to live. I can't believe the Peacekeepers shot that guy just for doing the salute. That doesn't seem like something he should have been killed over. But then again, the rulers of Panem are evil. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 5-6:
(view spoiler)[That was really appalling what the people in the Capitol were doing with the food. I would have been so furious if I was Katniss. I don't know how her and Peeta kept their cool.
I wonder what is going on with this Plutarch guy? Is he going to be part of the rebellion? (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 7-9:
(view spoiler)[It's so sad to read about the new Peacekeepers taking over district 12. I'm really hating them. It's interesting that some of the old Peacekeepers don't want to see whippings and stricter enforcement happen.
I'm really getting tired of this love triangle. I feel like it's being done in a realistic way, but it's still getting on my nerves a bit. (hide spoiler)]

[Jayme]

Catching Fire
Finished.
(view spoiler)[I'm having conflicted feelings on this one. On the one hand, I really liked that it was more than just another Hunger Games. That the first one was the spark for the rebellion and this one is the catalyst for the rebellion. I really liked reading about the other victors and how they were all messed up by the Games somehow. I liked that there was a lot more world-building in this one as well.
What I didn't like as much was that I felt like it was too short. There were some things that Collins went into depth about, which weren't super important to the storyline, and other things that she was really quick to describe the scene and then it was over. For example, the reaping was around one paragraph long and I really wanted to read more about Katniss and Peeta's reactions. And the Games took up less than half of the book! I just wish that some things hadn't been glossed over. I was also a bit confused about the ending, but maybe the next book will explain it a bit more. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

I didn't know you wanted to read catching fire too!! As soon as I can get to my copy I'll read it!

[Jayme]

Erin wrote: "I didn't know you wanted to read catching fire too!! As soon as I can get to my copy I'll read it!"

Oops, sorry :) I just got caught up in reading the series and I wasn't sure if we were doing the whole series or not. I'll slow down on reading Mockingjay anyway since I'll be starting another BR today.