The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins -> Restarting April 26th, 2025

[Alaina]

WINNING MEANS FAME AND FORTUNE.
LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH.
THE HUNGER GAMES HAVE BEGUN. . . .

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and once girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weight survival against humanity and life against love.

[Alaina]

I'm starting this a little late :( so I will be diving into this tomorrow!!

[Berra]

Lol same:)

[Alaina]

Accidentally started another book before this and will finish it tonight so I'm super pumped to dive into this!

[Berra]

Same!

[Alaina]

Starting this one now!

[Alaina]

Ch 5: (view spoiler)[aww seeing her and Peeta just makes me happy. I've always loved them together and thought the whole "being on fire" was pretty cool for them being the lowest district in everyone's eyes. I can't wait for things to get even more interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 15: (view spoiler)[omg rue, I love her!! ugh I just know I'm going to be sad soon.. no idea how to prepare for it one bit. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 20: (view spoiler)[I love when Kate miss talks about her family and how they are both still alive. It has been a while since I’ve read this and I remember how it all ended in the movie. So I’m wondering if it’s somewhat close to that or not (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ha, one more time for the audience? lies peeta lies. we all know it will end up being so much more! (hide spoiler)]

[Berra]

Ch 1-6:
(view spoiler)[ Ooooo this book is getting really interesting I love all the little details in the costumes and I just love how Katniss is kind of like, I'm not falling for Peeta's tricks and just kisses him on the cheek. I mean I think they are my OTP but I don't know... I finished Red Queen about a week or two ago and now that quote of Mare is stuck on my head, Anyone can betray anyone, however, I am totally shipping Katniss and Peeta!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Berra]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 5: [spoilers removed]"

Aww, I loved them together too 😊

[aarja]

Hey! I'll be reading the book too!

[Berra]

Yay!

[aarja]

😁

[Alaina]

Berra wrote: "Ch 1-6:
[spoilers removed]"

yessss, love them so much!

[aarja]

Ch:8 - {How do you mark it as a spoiler?}

[Alaina]

Hey! You do this:

<.spoiler>blah blah blah<./spoiler>

But without the “.” with the spoilers

[Berra]

Yea, you can see how to do it if you click the (some htm is ok) thing on the top pf the chatbox.

[aarja]

Finished - (view spoiler)[I loved the book but was irritated by Katniss's arrogance, at first, but things keep getting better, and worse. Rue dies, and the Keeta ship turns out to be a lie from Katniss's side. I just want to know her family and Gale's opinion. Just started Catching Fire!


P.S. - I still don't know why they destroyed District 13..... (hide spoiler)]

[Berra]

@Aarja
I'm pretty sure they destroyed it because district 13 basically rebelled against the Capitol soooo yea.

[aarja]

Berra wrote: "@Aarja
I'm pretty sure they destroyed it because district 13 basically rebelled against the Capitol soooo yea."

oH...
I am almost done with Catching Fire, and getting very close to the reason, too!

[aarja]

Catching Fire - (view spoiler)[ Only read it, if you have already read the book.

Now, Katniss is back in the arena, when they destroy District 12, and she finds out that she is meant to be the Mockingjay. She also learns that Gale has feelings for her. And I am burning with excitement. I can't wait to swallow up the series and know more, and why the Capitol took Peeta but kept him alive.

At least, we find out that District 13 still survives! (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(view spoiler)[I really want to know who Katniss chooses, as I like both Kale and Keeta. It's like being torn apart 2 worlds. I crave to know it! Lol... (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(Hunger Games) Ch.2 - (view spoiler)[It was no surprise to me that Prim was chosen, cuz I knew that there will be a twist here! But so bad, that people thought Katniss wanted to steal her spotlight! (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(Hunger Games) Ch. 15 - (view spoiler)[ I was sure Rue was gonna die... But this was the saddest death ever!! (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(Hunger Games) Ch. 27 - (view spoiler)[ Literally, I prepared myself for a sad and cliff-hanging ending. Surely, this was a cliffhanger, but the ending was neutral. I thought Suzzane would show us, how they greet them in 12, but bah!! (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(Catching Fire) The Spark - (view spoiler)[ Literally?! Such a fragile system? That can be taken down by a handful of berries.
I didn't see the kiss with Gale coming.... but it is rude to pry, you know? (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(Catching Fire) The Quell - (view spoiler)[ Oh. I didn't see that coming. But I'm thinking that that wasn't the real Quell. Maybe Snow just made it up. And I would do exactly what Katniss did, so depressing... (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(Catching Fire) The Enemy - (view spoiler)[ Woah, woah, woah! I knew this was coming. Although I didn't understand why Katniss tried to destroy the field in the first place... (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(Mockingjay) Ch.8 - (view spoiler)[

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want to lose our little Mockingjay when she’s finally begun to sing."

God. That. Was. Crazy.

The other two options are so silly, and Haymitch acts like a mental in it.
I was cracking up at every word and found myself reading the segment over and over. Soon, my throat was hoarse from laughing!

'It seems like I’ve only shut my eyes for a few minutes, but when I open them, I flinch at the sight of Haymitch sitting a couple of feet from my bed. Waiting. Possibly for several hours if the clock is right. I think about hollering for a witness, but I’m going to have to face him sooner or later. Haymitch leans forward and dangles something on a thin white wire in front of my nose. It’s hard to focus on, but I’m pretty sure what it is. He drops it to the sheets. “That is your earpiece. I will give you exactly one more chance to wear it. If you remove it from your ear again, I’ll have you fitted with this.” He holds up some sort of metal headgear that I instantly name the head shackle. “It’s an alternative audio unit that locks around your skull and under your chin until it’s opened with a key. And I’ll have the only key. If for some reason you’re clever enough to disable it”— Haymitch dumps the head shackle on the bed and whips out a tiny silver chip —“I’ll authorize them to surgically implant this transmitter into your ear so that I may speak to you twenty-four hours a day.” Haymitch in my head full-time. Horrifying. “I’ll keep the earpiece in,” I mutter. “Excuse me?” he says. “I’ll keep the earpiece in!” I say, loud enough to wake up half the hospital. “You sure? Because I’m equally happy with any of the three options,” he tells me. “I’m sure,” I say. I scrunch up the earpiece wire protectively in my fist and fling the head shackle back in his face with my free hand, but he catches it easily. Probably was expecting me to throw it. “Anything else?” Haymitch rises to go. “While I was waiting . . . I ate your lunch.” My eyes take in the empty stew bowl and tray on my bed table. “I’m going to report you,” I mumble into my pillow. “You do that, sweetheart.” He goes out, safe in the knowledge that I’m not the reporting kind.' (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

(Mockingjay) Ch.16 - (view spoiler)[

God, this was so depressing. My weighing machine was pointing towards Keeta, but this!!!

' “And it was okay with both of us? You kissing the other?” he asks. “No. It wasn’t okay with either of you. But I wasn’t asking your permission,” I tell him. Peeta laughs again, coldly, dismissively. “Well, you’re a piece of work, aren’t you?” Haymitch doesn’t protest when I walk out. Down the hall. Through the beehive of compartments. Find a warm pipe to hide behind in a laundry room. It takes a long time before I get to the bottom of why I’m so upset. When I do, it’s almost too mortifying to admit. All those months of taking it for granted that Peeta thought I was wonderful are over. Finally, he can see me for who I really am. Violent. Distrustful. Manipulative. Deadly. And I hate him for it.' (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

“I know what blood poisoning is, Katniss,” says Peeta. “Even if my mother isn’t a healer.”

This line, in Mockingjay, made me cry.

[aarja]

(Mockingjay) Ch.24 - (view spoiler)[

NO! This was not meant to be! I though Prim and Katniss would live happily ever after! After reading on, I kept wishing that Prim would wake up form the dead... but no!! This is the only mistake that Collins made!

'First I get a glimpse of the blond braid down her back. Then, as she yanks off her coat to cover a wailing child, I notice the duck tail formed by her untucked shirt. I have the same reaction I did the day Effie Trinket called her name at the reaping. At least, I must go limp, because I find myself at the base of the flagpole, unable to account for the last few seconds. Then I am pushing through the crowd, just as I did before. Trying to shout her name above the roar. I’m almost there, almost to the barricade, when I think she hears me. Because for just a moment, she catches sight of me, her lips form my name. And that’s when the rest of the parachutes go off.' (hide spoiler)]

[aarja]

Finished Series - I hate myself for running into the series. Not 1 ounce of suspicion left... It's all over!!

P.S. I loved the epilogue, though!

[Aly]

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RESTARTING MAY 13TH, 2023

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[BabyLunLun]

Chapter 7 :(view spoiler)[ Katniss is a firecracker haha shooting at the roast pig. I love how much anger and sadness she has in her (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16:(view spoiler)[ Shooting the apple sack to trigger the mine trap. Katniss is a genius (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[still so touching even though I already know what happened. Romeo and Juliet style (hide spoiler)]

Finished :(view spoiler)[ What a ride. I am not sure who I want Katniss to end up with
(hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING AUGUST 8TH, 2024

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[Alaina]

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RESTARTING APRIL 26TH, 2025

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[Alaina]

Very excited to reread these books! Starting off with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

[Ellen-Arwen]

I just finished Sunrise on the Reaping, so I was gonna jump in at The Hunger Games, but I'll start Ballad with you Alaina :) After reading the latest one, I just wanna binge them all lol

[Alaina]

lol yay! I didn't read a thing yesterday. My allergies have been driving me nuts. I need all the rain to come and wash away the pollen.

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)["It's just the kind of story that catches fire."

Yes, Grandma'am. You are correct. But also, those bombs could've been planted at any time and by anyone. Scary, but it also wouldn't surprise me if people in the capitol were also rebels.

Other than that, it's interesting how the capital treats the people from districts like animals and not like actual people. My god, I wanted to throw my kindle when I read that a veterinarian was treating them instead of an actual doctor. Or the hospital.

I remember people in the capitol resorting to cannibalism in the beginning... and yet they weren't treated like animals? Ugh! Also, whoever demanded they get more tributes from the districts because they lost so many due to the bomb/running away... should never be a mentor. Just saying.

Okay, let's see how this re-read goes. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)["Well, as they say, it's not over until the mockingjay sings."

Oh, the games are just always something. I'm glad he realized the snakes would be in play and tried to help Lucy Gray out. It's also sad that Reaper died because of how respectful he was to the tributes who died. Honestly, it's sad whenever a tribute dies and then you see what's going on in the capitol and how these kids act after the death.

I also knew that he wasn't going to get rewarded when they figured out what he did. At least he also didn't die? And she didn't either? It's also how scary and close Snow and Sejanus were to dying in the arena.

Let's see how a peacekeeper life will be for Snow now. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Oh, Lucy Gray! You're a smart, smart lady. Figured she knew he was lying and that's why she ran away. Going out to get katniss gave her some much-needed time. In a way, I don't think he killed her. I can't remember if I thought he did the first time around... but I think she was messing with him. The scarf and snake were definitely a test, not a trap (in my mind). She was starting to not trust him anyway and was losing his mind a bit.

So, yeah, I'm thinking she might still be alive. Well, hoping. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Epilogue: (view spoiler)["Snow lands on top."

Well, okay, I guess he's murdering more people now. I can't believe I forgot about the dean. He will also forever be haunted by Lucy Gray, which makes his meeting Katniss Everdeen all the sweeter. That's going to ruin his entire life.

Okay, now I'm pumped to get my heart ripped out of me in the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Alaina wrote: "
Part 1: "It's just the kind of story that catches fire."

Yes, Grandma'am. You are correct. But also, those bombs could've been planted at an..."

I'll get started on this when I can - my enthusiasm didn't count for how many other books I'm supposed to be reading and how BLOOMIN' busy life is! Sorry about your allergies :(

[Alaina]

Okay, moving over to this thread now to finish Sunrise on the Reaping. Happy I got the necessary comments on that BOTM thread and very excited to finish this book!

BOTM thread comments: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Alaina]

Ch 19-24: (view spoiler)[Keeping track of these mutts is harder than I thought it would be. Now I will no longer look at ladybugs the same way ever again. Never liked bugs to begin with and now I never will. The birds were completely terrifying. I almost cackled when they ran into the gamemakers... but what were they exactly doing in the games?!?! Like, did they think they wouldn't die? Lol. The capital killing the two tributes because of the deaths was completely petty.

It's interesting he didn't trust the drink and thought it was from snow but now I'm worried. He won the game and blew something up. Maybe the generator... who knows?

Let's see how this is all going to end. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 25-Finish: (view spoiler)[I am in a puddle of tears now. I'm wrecked. This book took my heart, stabbed it a few times, put it in a blender, and then tried to give it back to me. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO RECOVER FROM THIS? (hide spoiler)]