The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins -> Restarting on June 14th 2022

[Salha]

Winning will make you famous.
Losing means certain death.

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.

[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]

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.

[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)]

[Alaina]

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RESTARTING FEBRUARY 4TH, 2019

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[Ritika]

Aah, so I know it's the 5th but just starting up with this book and I'm so excited. 😁

[Ritika]

I've wanted to re-read this series since so long and now finally, after so many years, I'll sit down and do it. Yay!🙈

[Ritika]

Done with the first 7 chapters and I don't want to stop. (About 25%, I believe? I have no idea, I'm reading the paperback.) (view spoiler)[Gosh, all the emotions are coming back now. When I read this for the first time, everything was different, mainly because I didn't know who played the characters and now everything is mixing and creating such a cool blend. Like, I can totally see Jennifer Lawrence be the girl on fire <3 (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

Almost 50% done. (I'm at 185 now so 50% yeah.) (view spoiler)[I can't believe that despite reading so many times, Peeta and his actions can still amaze me. I'm falling in love with him all over again. Of course, I know why he is hanging out with the Careers and everything else so that isn't bothering me too much but man, still. It is still like the first time! <3 (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

Page 303. Chapter 22 done. (view spoiler)[Aah, I feel so sorry for Katniss. I guess it's finally getting into her head that all of this is not an act but the truth. If only she had realized this sooner, things wouldn't have been like that in the latter books. *shaking my head* (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

I finished the book this morning and I was FLOORED! For the third time. Oh man! Will start Catching Fire tomorrow. :D

[Ritika]

Catching Fire. Part 1 Done. (view spoiler)[I can't wait for the Quarter Quell to begin. Of course I know what is going to happen but I still remember how hard it was for me to read this book for the first time. And the first part is so hard and I just.. gosh, how will I read through the 75th Hunger Games? *sobs sobs* (hide spoiler)]
P.S. I love Peeta. <3

[Ritika]

Part 2 done and I'm terrifically sobbing. I remember crying at least three times now and this is when I'm reading this book for the third time. I can't even remembering how many buckets of water I spent the first time. (view spoiler)[Let the third Quarter Quell begin! (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

Lol, I finished this book last night itself and didn't comment a thing. It was so fabulous and the end (of course) didn't take me by surprise but I had definitely forgotten everything else. LOL. I'm scared of starting the next book because I know what it will entail. *sits and cries in a corner*

[Erica]

20% so this is the first time reading this series and I dont know much about it lol (view spoiler)[ It was so sad to hear about how they are trying to keep their family fed and to what extremes. I am curious what will happen with Katniss and Gale...they seem a little more than friends (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

Erica wrote: "
20% so this is the first time reading this series and I dont know much about it lol [spoilers removed]"

Ah,, did you finish it? This book is heartbreaking. Especially the end. 3

[Ritika]

So after convincing myself that I really should do this, I'm finally beginning the third and final book in the trilogy. So here goes, Mockingjay Part 1: Ashes.

[Erica]

I am hoping to finish the first book today. I have been sick with sinus issues for months, i end up falling asleep :(

[Erica]

50% (view spoiler)[ im so torn on who i want her to date haha i know so important when they are going to be fighting for their lives. I still cant believe she got an 11! (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

75% (view spoiler)[ im so happy that they changed the rules so they can now both win. I was sad when Rue died but glad that Katniss was there until the very end with her. It should be good motivation for her to keep going. (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

100% (view spoiler)[ why does she keep thinking about Gale?! Peeta is so clearly in love with her and shes ready to give that all up without even knowing if Gale has feelings for her at all? The ending left way to many unanswered questions (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

And that is why you ought to pick up the second book ASAP. XD

[Ritika]

I continued with the book today and ended up finishing the first part of Mockingjay in the midst of a lot of tears and tissues. (view spoiler)[I know what just happened. Peeta gave his warning and Peeta, oh Peeta... what will they do to you now? Did you even think about that? (hide spoiler)]

Part two just made me cry. (view spoiler)[I can't believe what they did to Peeta. I mean, I knew already but I still cannot believe it. I so want to cry right now. (hide spoiler)]

Done and Dusted. (view spoiler)[Ah! What do I say about this? Finnick's death was one of the hardest. And Prim? Oh man, I still cry thinking of the life we lost. Forget Katniss, I'll never be the same! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

*************RESTARTING FEBRUARY 18th 2020***************

[Aly]

ch 8 (view spoiler)[ Ah I love when Katniss shoots the arrow at the gamemakers. Such a good moment and shows she can be rebellious. And Peeta is a cutie. (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Chapters 1 - 7
(view spoiler)[
MIC DROP. Shooting the apple and then her forward, "Thank you for your consideration" is SUCH big energy. Love it!
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 8 - 14
(view spoiler)[
I know what's going to happen, so these moments together with Katniss and Rue are heartbreaking. How does Katniss not see how Peeta likes her? I will admit though... that's gotta be a trip to the psych ward to constantly question everyone's motives, and know that it's killed or be killed. As awful as they are, I feel for the Careers. To know that you've been brought up to survive or die is brain washing at its finest. How do they choose who will volunteer to die trying to feed their village? It's so messed up!
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 15 - 22
(view spoiler)[
It's interesting how calculated Katniss is about how people perceive her, especially in regards to her budding romance with Peeta. I still feel for the careers, even though the knives girl was a tad sadistic. They obviously care about each other, but have been trained and subjected to brain washing to think of others as the prey. It would be interesting to see a novella about how they react and act once they have survived the Hunger Games. How do you go from murderer in the arena to survivor in ordinary life? The districts really don't have their own military regiments...
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 23 - end
(view spoiler)[
Poor Peeta! He's fallen deep for Katniss, and her honesty is probably really hard to take. Katniss is not a very nice character, but she is kind. Telling Peeta her true feelings, instead of leading him on, is kind of like her mercy kill for Cato. Direct, being honest with him, trying to eliminate even more pain.
And the reunion... can you imagine having to sit through Cato dying? Through the video of the trauma you just survived? It's awful!
(hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Nice! I should finish in a few hours

[Aly]

ch 13 (view spoiler)[ I forgot some of these small things that happen to Katniss at the beginning of the games. She's lucky she's had to forage for food and learn to make snares, I would never make it. Dead instantly lol. It's interesting that she plays it up for the cameras, I would think she wouldn't focus on them (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Betsy, I can't see any of your spoilers. They're blank

[Aly]

ch 21 (view spoiler)[ Katniss isn't my favorite character, but it's hard because the whole point of the hunger games is to be the last one alive so why should she care about Peeta? But I wish she were kinder to him and not just faking it all the time. Poor Rue, that part always makes me sad (hide spoiler)]
Finished (view spoiler)[ Geez I feel so bad for Peeta when Katniss tells him she was playing a part the whole time, while he's been thinking they're actually in love, Sad face. (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Aly wrote: "Betsy, I can't see any of your spoilers. They're blank"

I keep updating when I can. I was just planning ahead for putting my comments in later :)

[Betsy]

Aly wrote: "ch 13 [spoilers removed]"

Girl, me too. I'd be dead the first few minutes. It's just like Zombieland - cardio, I'm gone lol

[Aly]

Betsy wrote: "Aly wrote: "Betsy, I can't see any of your spoilers. They're blank"

I keep updating when I can. I was just planning ahead for putting my comments in later :)"
Ah okay lol. I thought they didn't load or something

[Aly]

Betsy wrote: "Aly wrote: "ch 13 [spoilers removed]"

Girl, me too. I'd be dead the first few minutes. It's just like Zombieland - cardio, I'm gone lol"

Yep! Running is not for me 🤣

[Marissa]

25% (view spoiler)[
I am honestly more Team Katniss+Peeta than Katniss+Gale. I don't mind Gale, and I almost feel bad for him at times. However, his relationship with Katniss seems a little shaken and not as pure as Peeta's love for her. I hope they can rescue Peeta soon, so he can be back in the story. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[
I can't believe the Capital and President Snow did that to Peeta. It is really sad. Hopefully they can fix him so he and Katniss can reunite! It is really heartbreaking right now. (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[
I like how Peeta is making progress and can now be in the same room as Katniss, but it is kind of sad that their relationship will forever be changed. I guess it was about time that Peeta saw Katniss as a flawed human-being instead of being blinded by love and seeing her as a perfect person. I do miss parts of the old Peeta, though. Hopefully he returns to his old self a bit more.
Also, Boggs may have been a new character, but his death was sad. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[
Overall, this book was pretty good. Not as good as the previous two, but an alright conclusion to the series. I found a lot of the deaths to be tragic. I like how we saw Katniss evolve as a character after dealing with the physical and psychological toll of everything she had experienced. It made her more believable. Also, I am glad that Katniss ended up with Peeta in the end. 4/5 stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Chapters 1 - 7
(view spoiler)[
Normally I dislike love triangles. The person at the epicenter of both typically often seems to enjoy the affections of both, unintentionally stringing both along. Katniss and Peeta/ Gale seems different. She's just trying to figure herself out. And both guys are, though very different, both good people. I love how Peeta takes care of Katniss and cares for her. It's pure and simple. I also like how Gale treats Katniss as a partner. He allows her to take care of herself. I think both friends are good for Katniss, in their own ways.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 8 - 14
(view spoiler)[
I'm so glad that we get to know Haymitch more in this book! He's smart, sarcastic, and (gasp) surprisingly actually cares about people. He and Katniss are quite similar; they're not nice, exactly. But they try to balance the emotional calluses of living in chaos with how they wish they could be, if they lived in a better situation.
I don't think it's fair to tell Katniss that she could live a hundred lives and not deserve Peeta, or that she could do a whole lot worse. As if she doesn't know that. If someone doesn't have feelings for the other, it's not something they can help. And isn't it selfish to string them along out of obligation? No matter how nice or caring or wonderful or self sacrificing another is, nobody should ever feel obligated to return affections for another.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 15 - 22
(view spoiler)[
Katniss seems to have a knack for the oddballs and weirdos, which I love about her. She sees the strengths they bring to the table. Without Nuts and Bolts, she would never have figured out the clockwork horrors.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 23 - end
(view spoiler)[
My heart hurts so much for what Peeta and Joanna are going to go through...
(hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Chapters 1 - 8
(view spoiler)[
District 13 reminds me of a mix between Brave New World and The Resistance in the new Star Wars. It makes me wonder if government will always be somewhat self-serving and evil. I mean, it kind of makes sense. People attracted to politics and leadership tend to be either naive idealists or ambitious and self serving.
Also, did Katniss kiss Gale out of pity, or out of trying to comfort him? Or did she just want to figure out how she felt about him? In any of the above cases, it's not what kisses should be used for. I think Katniss knows this... I think she's also so out of sorts that she's in survival mode and is trying to sort herself out for some semblance of inner balance.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 9 - 14
(view spoiler)[
The Capital's torture of Peeta reminds me of another popular dystopian novel, A Clockwork Orange. The scene where they torture the main guy with classical music (was it Beethoven?). Horrifying. Poor Finnick... I can't imagine being sold for the enjoyment of others.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 15 - 22
(view spoiler)[
What in the world is going on? "Don't trust them"? Coin isn't my favorite, but we've all established that the leader of the resisting crowd is never all that fantastic...
Why is it that women leaders of resisting groups are the anti-heroes/ pseudo-villains? The woman leader of the Resistance in Star Wars, the leader lady from Divergent, this President Coin in The Hunger Games? Is it because women- like teachers, like police, like ministry- are supposed to be innately good? It's somehow more of a shock, more of a twist, if the woman leader is not as nice and great as she appears, but is more power hungry?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 23 - end
(view spoiler)[
How did Gale think that killing the children would be okay? I'm glad Katniss destroyed any possibility of Coin leading a Hunger Games against the Capital. Poor Primrose... and their mother. I'm glad that Katniss and Peeta found each other in the end. While Gale treated her like an equal, his inability to see the irony and hypocrisy in killing children to stop killing children was his downfall.
I can relate to Katniss' reluctance to having children. If I'd survived trauma like that, I'm not sure I'd ever be able to bring children into a world still recovering from that chaos. With Peeta's gentleness, I think the pair will do just fine.
(hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Damn you guys! LOL I'm reading Catching Fire now

[Aly]

Reading now!
ch 7 (view spoiler)[ The rebellion in District 11 gets me every time. Seeing Thresh and Rue's families and when they do the District 12 salute, oh man. I do feel bad for Katniss that she's in this awful situation with President Snow. She should tell Peeta so he's not in the dark and doesn't feel so used. (hide spoiler)]
ch 14 (view spoiler)[ It's so awful they make the previous victors go back in. Especially since they're all traumatized and Maggie!! I love her so much. Fucking quarter quell (hide spoiler)]
ch 21 (view spoiler)[ Oh Mags, I wish we got to know her more. Sacrificing herself so they could get away. These games are crazy, I do like the sections (hide spoiler)]
finished (view spoiler)[ Oh Peeta! I get that they don't want to tell Katniss things because they think she'll make her own plan or something, but I think that leaving her in the dark could have done more harm. It's so complicated ugh. (hide spoiler)] Can't wait to read the last book!

[Aly]

ch 7 (view spoiler)[ Oh how horrible that they bombed the hospital and killed all those people. Things are crazy right now, Peeta, Annie, and Joanna held captive. I'm glad Katniss has her family and Gale at least (hide spoiler)]
ch 14 (view spoiler)[ Oh Peeta! He's been tortured because of his love for Katniss, so unfair. I'm glad they got the captives back, now they need to end the fight and take over the capital. (hide spoiler)]
ch 21 (view spoiler)[ I miss the old, sweet Peeta but I also kind of like him not being all in love with her and being harsh. Katniss needs someone to tell her like it is and it helps that she was honest with him too. Sad they're losing their crew :( (hide spoiler)]
finished (view spoiler)[ Even though Prim's death is awful and so sad, the one that hits me the most is Finnick. His death didn't get enough page time. He went through so many awful things to protect Annie and just when he gets her back, he dies. And she goes on to have his child, which is good, but for me it makes it even sadder. Other than Katniss being alone, I don't know who she could have ended up with besides Peeta. They both struggle, even in the future with kids, but they did the best they could to move forward. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING JUNE 14TH, 2022

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[Mandiann]

Here to join in this series read.

[Alaina]

Woohoo! Welcome! Super excited to jump into this tomorrow :)

[Aly]

Yay!