Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
Buddy Reads: Current & Upcoming
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Collins,Suzanne The Hunger Games, - informal buddy read begins 15 May 2024
I may be in the minority, but I quite like how the mockingjay pin plays out in the beginning of the movie. (I just turned it on after finishing the book lol). I don’t necessarily prefer the book or movie story line over the other, but I don’t dislike how they handled it in the movie. Another thought I just had… how freaking delusional and disassociated do you need to be to be an escort (Effie) and carry on like this isn't an absolutely vile annual event??? Talking to them about how great and wonderful the Capitol is and how lucky they are going to be to experience it for a few days. Grossss.
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For sure! Some fantasy writers really go overboard. Collins shows how less can really be more
Laura wrote: "Why do they wait to insert the tracker until just before the game starts? I would have thought that was something to do before they left the district."I've not read any further comments yet so I don't know if someone else said it already but I think they rely on the peacekeepers to keep them in check before they arrive in the capitol and the trackers are more of a "where are they in the arena, which camera should we focus on, where do we throw some fireballs" kind of thing
Considering that I read this book 11 years after its publication, I am putting this question out there to the more knowledgeable. Can this book be considered as a "launcher" of a particular bandwagon (Dystopian YA, ??)? I mean I am sure there were these types of books before, but Collins' success must have been a jumping stone for other authors trying to ride the wave.
Melindam wrote: "Considering that I read this book 11 years after its publication, I am putting this question out there to the more knowledgeable. Can this book be considered as a "launcher" of a particular bandwag..."Its popularity certainly will have spawned a whole load of people wanting to ride that wave, even though in and of itself the idea wasn't anything new.
It's much like Harry Potter suddenly making that type of book popular because of the huge marketing campaign behind it making it massively hyped before it even came out - an extremely rare thing in books at that time
Or the fact that every generation has a wave of vampire novels on the back of one that became "the" book for a while (don't think I need to name any here, lol)
Lol, I was tempted to compare it that particular series, but decided not to name names in the end. ;)
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Dystopian YA was already there but I think this created a definite hype, as Sammy said.
Perhaps more around the taboo (kids killing each other), which I guess led to books like Divergent not being quite so shocking in their subject matter
Harry Potter also made long YA books possible. Tamara Pierce’s earlier books are short because the publishers wouldn’t put out a longer book for kids. Her newer ones are much longer.
Speaking of names...Another thing that gets me in YA/kids books, is the insistence of using cheesy on-the-nose names for people and places. It's not so bad with Hunger Games, more like an Easter egg, because not many teenagers are going to know that Panem is latin for 'bread', unless they've had a Catholic upbringing. (I still find it cheesy though, lol)
But in Harry Potter, naming certain characters Sirius or Lupin for example, kinda spoiled the whole "twist" as to who their characters were, because it's right there in the name!
I don't mind when names are used in a satirical way to poke fun at something (Dickens & Pratchett for example), but it really annoys me when it's just a huge spoiler, or the author trying to appear clever. Just use names as names and stop trying to make them have "significance" 😆
Sammy wrote: "Speaking of names...Another thing that gets me in YA/kids books, is the insistence of using cheesy on-the-nose names for people and places. It's not so bad with Hunger Games, more like an Easter ..."
It's the whole Roman vibe, isn't it? Even first time around reading this I immediately thought of 'bread and circuses' as how Rome controlled it's citizens. Panem, tesserae, Coriolanus Snow, the tributes as gladiators, lots of Roman influences.
I think the Roman connection is more obvious in the prequel, when a lot of the Capitol characters had Latin names.
For a real Roman influenced YA series though, An Ember in the Ashes is excellent.
Oh without a doubt it has Roman inspiration. It just annoys me when they even have to use the names. The story should be able to speak for itself without getting cheesy with it, lol.(haven't read the prequel, and not certain I will, tbh)
I would say, personally, I think it would be worth reading the prequel. I enjoyed it very much (even though I made the dumb decision to read it in Dutch so I could use it for an assessment). I think you really get a better grasp on how the games came to be how there are and Snow's backstory is certainly useful for understanding his character further into the series. But I do agree with the names that the story should be strong enough on its own but they should simply added another layer of depth to the story.
Sammy, Ballad does not attempt to redeem Snow at all. I was afraid it would, so I didn’t read it until my kid wanted to see the movie for their birthday.
While unrelated, but HP and names made me remember when I read "1066 and Before All That: The Battle of Hastings, Anglo-Saxon and Norman England" by Ed West. I laughed so hard when he wrote that in HP the good guys all had "Anglo-Saxon" names, while the baddies had Norman ones (Malfoy, Lestrange, even Volemort).
That does fit! With the initially unknown characters having latin names, lol!
Although having said that, Hermione is greek, so she manages to stand out in that way as well 😆
I have never read the books and just remember glimpses of the movie. To my surprise, I flew through the pages and reached chapter 7. I still remember the fire dress being hyped up in my school haha when the movie came out. It gives me a sort of purge vibes and I like the commentary/parallelism on socio-economic disparity. Peeta is such a sweetheart so far. but I recall finding him meek when I watched the movie (a long while back). I also recall the movie being quite action-packed, and waiting to see how it would transform into the books.
I am not a big fan of saving the family / small sister / sacrificing persona for some reason. I think that is the part that has bugged me so far. Though I like Katniss's attitude (view spoiler)
Michael wrote: "A few other things that came to mind as I re-read this book in the series. 1) The general subject of morality within your employment. I couldn’t help but see correlations between the Peacekeepers..."
Re the names: I don't know about any greater meaning for Collins but I do believe that it shows really well how they are connected to nature (district 11, 12). Especially if you look at capitol names like Effi or Coriolanus
Michael wrote: "I may be in the minority, but I quite like how the mockingjay pin plays out in the beginning of the movie. (I just turned it on after finishing the book lol). I don’t necessarily prefer the book or..."Effie is a character who confuses me - she seems totally into the "respect" of the games in the first book but you see some peeks of human decency later. When she teaching Katniss on smiles, I'm thinking she is great at just being fake, perhaps for survival a difference way than Katniss is?
I think Effie, in the beginning, buys into the ‘glamour’ of the games. She’s probably only spent 1day a year in District 12, and a few weeks at most with the tributes. And then she has the rest of the year to soak in Capitol Culture. I think she also sees the District people as less than, which is a commentary on how racism is perpetuated. Until Katniss broke her cycle and she begins to think.
Sammy wrote: "Oh without a doubt it has Roman inspiration. It just annoys me when they even have to use the names. The story should be able to speak for itself without getting cheesy with it, lol.(haven't read..."
I took it that the Capitol had decided to copy the Romans, so the names would be a fashion thing. Which gave it a sort of internal logic, rather than the author throwing in a random cultural influence.
And I do love all the HP names and their extra meanings. We're all different in our book loves/hates. (Wasn't Dumbledore some variant of bumblebee? Can't remember exactly.)
Sarah wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Oh without a doubt it has Roman inspiration. It just annoys me when they even have to use the names. The story should be able to speak for itself without getting cheesy with it, lol...."
bumblebee isn't so much of an issue. When a name is literally a spoiler, it irks me. I hate spoilers! lol.
PART 1I haven’t read this book in a very long time. I never reread books, it is just something I don’t do. I am doing so purely for points. : )
After reading part things I discovered:
I really like Katniss , she brave and she seems very human. She worries about things I would worry about in the same situation. I don’t remember liking Cinna , but I adore him…
As far as Peeta is concerned I am not sure how to take him.
Haymatch… of I currently think he is useless. ( if I remember right that does change)
I think this may have been one of my first YA’s except for HP. I did rate this only 3 stars. It will be interesting to see if this rating changes.
Katniss pointing out that she is glad she doesn't snore otherwise she'd be dead made me realize I would not have much of a chance in any of the run and hide for a long time dystopian worlds lol! I'm glad the games have finally started, I've had some trouble getting into this one.
Amanda wrote: "Katniss pointing out that she is glad she doesn't snore otherwise she'd be dead made me realize I would not have much of a chance in any of the run and hide for a long time dystopian worlds lol! I'..."Ugh, so true, I usually am too embarrased to even share hotel rooms lol. Plus I can't climb trees...Plus I can't run....really just would have no chance :D
Don’t worry. As long as we’re not 16 - 18, no one expects us to do anything!
Part TwoRue- Even I knew this was coming it still got me emotional.
I didn’t remember the tracker bees. I was cringing during this scene!!
Part threeThe ending is very weak.. I now know why I gave it only 3 stars. It feels like the author rushed the ending .She may have had the second book written and didn’t know where to end this one and begin the other. Anyone else feel this?
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Katniss pointing out that she is glad she doesn't snore otherwise she'd be dead made me realize I would not have much of a chance in any of the run and hide for a long time dystopian..."LOL my brain always is like, "this is the one reason I can't do this", when I also do not have any of the necessary skills.
Laura wrote: "Don’t worry. As long as we’re not 16 - 18, no one expects us to do anything!"I knew being old would come in handy!
Michael wrote: "A few other things that came to mind as I re-read this book in the series. 1) The general subject of morality within your employment. I couldn’t help but see correlations between the Peacekeepers..."
Yes, Cinna is my favorite character in the whole series.
I finished the other day, and I am thinking more and more about the Capitol and how they rely on the other districts for their resources. They have subjugated these people and live off of what they supply. I love the minor rebellions in each of the districts - and how Katniss takes up this cause. The kiss to the camera, the flowers around Rue, Rue's song. All of these attempts to make something human out of an inhumane way of living.
I just don't feel the tension with Peeta. I wonder how much of this has to do with the typical trope of MC liking the "bad boy." I am really trying to change my opinion of him this time around.
Laura wrote: "I think Effie, in the beginning, buys into the ‘glamour’ of the games. She’s probably only spent 1day a year in District 12, and a few weeks at most with the tributes. And then she has the rest of ..."I agree wholeheartedly with this. Up until the point of her meeting and having to deal with Katniss and Peeta, she had no reason to look at things differently. No one ever challenged the status quo, so to her this was all perfectly normal and "glamourous." I think the fact that she got attached to these two put things in a different light for her.
It's only the 19th, and I feel incredibly behind for this BR, lol.I read the series way back, and reread The Hunger Games two years ago. I have consistently enjoyed this book. Considering that YA and dystopian fiction are iffy for me, that's saying quite a bit.
I read paper or ebook copies of it the first two times - this time, I listened to a good chunk of it. I didn't love Carolyn McCormick as a narrator, but her performance wasn't offputting, just a bit blah.
I never disliked Katniss, although as a devoted cat person I hated the kitten (almost) incident, even while I understand her motivations. I fall in with the folks who see Katniss as a still very young person who has been forced to act in an adult manner - that doesn't make her an adult. Her emotional development has been stunted in many respects and she suffers from a case of near terminal willful blindness - but she's still capable of personal growth.
A few stray thoughts:
If Gale truly thought that Katniss would consider running off with him and deserting her family before the events of The Hunger Games, he truly does not see her clearly.
Cinna is my favorite character, too.
Rue gets me every time.
Peeta is quite good at seeing the big picture - Katniss is not.
And I have lots of other things to say, but I really need to go to bed now. It took me a while to work through all the pages of posts.....
Fiona wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Ok, I decide to break this up into the 3 parts of the book.Reflecting on Part 1, several themes and character dynamics stand out..
* The relationship between Gale and Katniss offe..."
I am at the beginning part of the book and it is a reread from years ago for me. I laughed when Katniss straight out says there is no romantic feelings between her and Gale and she doesn't seem interested in the least. It's funny because I remember rooting for them as a couple. I don't remember picking up on her putting Gale in the "Friend Zone". Maybe the movies changed my perception of their relationship.
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So easy to fly through this. Although I remembered the general way the games ended, I forgot how it was all going to play out and I forgot about the Mutts. The way that (view spoiler).
I also felt so sorry for Peeta. More than I remember from last time (view spoiler)
It is a rushed ending, but really we get straight onto it into book 2. I wonder, in reflection of the comment above, if this would have been released just as one big book if it was written/released today?
I will start reading the book today, but will read through this thread before, b/c with all your views and insights, I am sure it will be more interesting than the first time I read this book.
third thoughts from first timerfinal section was not to the same standard as earlier for me
plenty of action, but not sure the jeopardy level worked so well on the page
could be hindsight, but did almost seem like written for the screen
the introduction of the mutts (view spoiler) didn't really add for me, other than confusion, unless they are relevant further down the line
final scenes a bit anticlimactic,
but I will tune in next month for the next installment
"Happy Hunger Games!"I mean, just how sick and cynical is that?! Obviously coined by those in power who are living in a parallel reality, cut-off from the real world and having no idea what hunger is.
Are there strong parallels with real governments? Oh yes, there are. Frighteningly strong.
"My" government (I have never voted for them and loathe them all from the bottom of my heart".) don't give a toss about the average voter, but they are anxiously monitoring/polling the opinion of their own hardcore voters and only change anything in their actions when there is a chance they may lose the popularity vote of this hardcore bunch. =the only reason the gamemakers let both Katniss and Peeta win the games together b/c of the measured pressure of popularity...
Very disturbing and depressing.
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I mean, just how sick and cynical is that?! Obviously coined by those in power who are living in a parallel reality, cut-off from the real world and having no idea what hunge..."
Yes it is very disturbing
It is one of the reasons why I really appreciate dystopian YA. I hope it is a vehicle to have younger people think differently / more critically about what’s in their real world and the parallels
Christine wrote: "I am at the beginning part of the book and it is a reread from years ago for me. I laughed when Katniss straight out says there is no romantic feelings between her and Gale and she doesn't seem interested in the least. It's funny because I remember rooting for them as a couple. I don't remember picking up on her putting Gale in the "Friend Zone". Maybe the movies changed my perception of their relationship.."
I think she was starting toward the end, with inner musings, to speculate or acknowledge there may be something brewing that she didn't think about before, especially (view spoiler)
Melindam wrote: ""Happy Hunger Games!"I mean, just how sick and cynical is that?! Obviously coined by those in power who are living in a parallel reality, cut-off from the real world and having no idea what hunge..."
Frighteningly so. Can't believe that here in the UK we have a billionaire running the country who has never been hungry in his life. And wears his Prada shoes to a meeting with the homeless in London to talk about the changes he is going to make to help them. Talk about rubbing it in their faces.
I really felt for Katniss from the opening paragraph, having the responsibility of feeding your family when you are just a child yourself is unreal. And sadly as Miriam rightly says it is still having today in other countries. No to mention her having to watch her father die in such an awful manor.
Jade aka MrsTosh wrote: "Melindam wrote: ""Happy Hunger Games!"I mean, just how sick and cynical is that?! Obviously coined by those in power who are living in a parallel reality, cut-off from the real world and having n..."
It reminds me of all the families where the fathers and brothers had to do all that mining work, and the system had the doctors lie half the time with the black lung and they had the mine collapses and explosions. I had read Loretta Lynn's Coal Miner's Daughter this year, but also a fictional book last year where that is an issue. And of course other countries go through this now with mining for materials being the only choice, including children. Sadly it is not far off from the realities experienced even today - actually it's probably worse that their situation with some of the real mining situations and forced slavery still going on today. The world can be so depressing.
I just finished and I think I'm the only one here who felt quite blah about the whole thing. I see people complaining about the narrator, and I did listen to the book so thought that was why, but I listened to the edition narrated by Tatiana Maslany and that doesn't seem to be who people complain about lol. I felt zero attachment to any of the characters. I did enjoy the worldbuilding, and like others I think there's a lot to extrapolate regarding the world we live in and how the Capitol treats the people. I'm still going to pick up book 2 and hopefully I can just connect to the characters a tiny bit more. Maybe I'll read instead of audio
Christine wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Ok, I decide to break this up into the 3 parts of the book.Reflecting on Part 1, several themes and character dynamics stand out..
* The relationship between Gale an..."
That was probably the same for me, although like I mentioned earlier: Gale being in the picture or not, for some reason I don't like Peeta at all.
My goodness, I forgot how dark this book is. Just even more depressing than I remember.I read a tweet around the time of the Met Gala that said that Suzanne Collins was inspired to write this after flicking between channels on TV and seeing footage of wars in between reality TV shows and unfortunately it feels like we're very much in that space culturally again.
It's amazing (read: horrifying) that this book is a YA and marketed towards teenagers because it's darker than some Stephen King novels. The descriptions of the deaths and just the concept of children being forced to hunt each other down to atone for a rebellion against a regime is horrific.
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I tend to think that it was Madge providing something from the capital to the Everdeen family on the sly. I have a question that has been bugging me since I first read this.
Why is ..."
I had a similar question re-reading this. Like what is the rest of the world doing whilst this is happening?? Is the rest of the world gone? Do they not care? Is it like a North Korea type situation where the rest of the world just doesn't interfere?
I don't think I've ever actually seen a map of Panem (or if I have, I haven't taken much notice of it) so it's surprising to see it laid out like that.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (other topics)The Hunger Games (other topics)
Catching Fire (other topics)
The Hunger Games (other topics)
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Carolyn McCormick (other topics)Lauren Groff (other topics)
Suzanne Collins (other topics)
1) The general subject of morality within your employment. I couldn’t help but see correlations between the Peacekeepers and Police forces. I for one could not carry out an immoral act (like attacking peaceful protestors) just because my boss said to. A lot of people hide behind the fact that they are just following orders, but it’s still disgusting and inexcusable.
2) The concept of the tesserae is so vile to me. I understand the point and necessity (from a Capitol standpoint) - but making people add their name more times to the barrel just to get simple grain and oil is gross.
3) I wonder what made SC use so many flowers/plants as names. Katniss, Primrose, Buttercup, Rue…etc. Is there a greater significance to her or was this just something to bring some connections between the characters?
4) If I were to ever find myself in the games… I’d probably just jump off my starting point early so I could be blown up and not have to wonder how I would die. Is that morbid? Kinda, but it’s my truth.
5) Just wanting to give Cinna a shoutout. Truly a class-act and Lenny Kravitz was a perfect casting choice.
I’m probably not going to be able to wait until mid-June to start Catching Fire (and Mockingjay) so I might just have to read them now and jot down some notes for the buddy read convos!