The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (August 2023) Buddy Read Discussion - May & Edith, Anushka)

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on August 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 08/01
August 1st: Chapters 1-6
August 2nd: Chapters 7-12
August 3rd: Chapters 13-18
August 4th: Chapters 19-24
August 5th: Chapters 25-30

PARTICIPANTS
~ May
~ Edith
~ Anushka

[May]

I read today's chapters and (view spoiler)[ I forgot how they treated the tributes around the beginning of the Games. They treated them more like animals by putting them in a zoo and in bad living conditions. It's interesting seeing how the development of mentors and the betting on the tributes started with Snow's generation!
Also, Arachne shouldn't have taunted the tribute with the sandwich! It's still sad to see her dying in that way. (hide spoiler)]

[Anushka]

Ahh. Yeah that makes me really sad. I'm running a little behind due to classes but I'll catch up today.

[May]

Anushka wrote: "Ahh. Yeah that makes me really sad. I'm running a little behind due to classes but I'll catch up today."

No worries!

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

My package got delayed until tomorrow, so I won't be able to join until then. u__u
but I still read the spoiler and it actually makes me really excited to read it. can't wait to get my hands on it lol

[May]

Edith wrote: "My package got delayed until tomorrow, so I won't be able to join until then. u__u
but I still read the spoiler and it actually makes me really excited to read it. can't wait to get my hands on it..."

Hopefully you got your package by now!

[May]

I read up to chapter 12 so far and (view spoiler)[ and its hard to imagine Snow having feelings for Lucy Gray like that, especially since we see how he is in the Hunger Games trilogy. Sejanus is such a rebel that every time he speaks out, I worry for him. It makes sense he feels that way because he's district 2 originally so he has no loyalty to the Capitol. And Dr. Gaul is crazy for what he did to Clemensia for lying about the group project! (hide spoiler)]

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

May wrote: "Edith wrote: "My package got delayed until tomorrow, so I won't be able to join until then. u__u
but I still read the spoiler and it actually makes me really excited to read it. can't wait to get ..."

I did, yes! 😁 Hopefully I can get at least a little bit read tonight. Will be back to leave my thoughts!

[May]

I read up to chapter 18 and a lot has happened. (view spoiler)[ The amount of deaths of both tributes and mentors that happened before the games even begun was insane. It's like what the Dean says, it's like everyone is participating in the arena. Can't believe Dr. Gaul would send Snow into the arena just to get Sejanus out of there, that was so risky! Dr. Gaul couldn't care less what happened to the students as long as the experiments can happen.
I was sad to see Jessup dying like that, him and Lucy Gray were a good team. (hide spoiler)]

[Anushka]

I'm not ready to let go of my hatred of Coriolanus. I'm not I'm not I'm not ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )‧º·˚

[Anushka]

It sucks when they humanize the villain. I don't know what to feel anymore.

[May]

Anushka wrote: "I'm not ready to let go of my hatred of Coriolanus. I'm not I'm not I'm not ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )‧º·˚"

I still don't like Snow. His past doesn't make up for what he did as President

[Anushka]

You're right. I just find it hard not to relate to the MC and somehow end up liking them. (ू˃̣̣̣̣̣̣︿˂̣̣̣̣̣̣ ू)

[May]

Anushka wrote: "You're right. I just find it hard not to relate to the MC and somehow end up liking them. (ू˃̣̣̣̣̣̣︿˂̣̣̣̣̣̣ ू)"

True, its pretty easy to relate to the MC

[May]

I read up to chapter 25 so far. I might try to finish the book today.
How about you guys? Have you made progress?

[May]

Spoilers for up to chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ I'm worried about Sejanus. I don't remember what happened in the book after Snow and Sejanus are stuck as Peacekeepers in district 12. Sejanus is keeping secrets and seems to have too much sympathy for the rebels. (hide spoiler)]

[Edith, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

unfortunately I put this one on the back burner for now (sorry!) I got distracted and ended up signing myself up for a team challenge in another group and my adhd kicked in lol. I will definitely come back though if I end up reading it anytime soon

[May]

Edith wrote: "unfortunately I put this one on the back burner for now (sorry!) I got distracted and ended up signing myself up for a team challenge in another group and my adhd kicked in lol. I will definitely c..."

No worries! I understand :)

[May]

I finished the book last night and I enjoyed my reread! Still don't like Snow but the story was entertaining. (view spoiler)[ It was messed up how Snow betrayed Sejanus like that. Sejanus was probably the only decent character out of the students. I wish we could've known what really happened to Lucy Gray at the end, if she's even alive. (hide spoiler)]

Hope you guys enjoy the story!