Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
This topic is about
Catching Fire
Buddy Reads: Current & Upcoming
>
Collins,Suzanne Catching Fire - informal Buddy Read beings 15 June 2024
I just finished Part 1. I noticed several of you commenting on narrators. I'll add that in Round 1 I read Tatiana and this round the library had Carolyn M on hand. I don't hate it...but there is not doubt Tatiana does a better Katniss.
I think the first time I read this series I read the book vs audio...I think I like this format better...or maybe I'm absorbing things better given this is a second read...not sure.
It's helped that I've also read the prequal. I'm miffed at bit at the transformation of President Snow especially from the Prequal. All the executions really bothers me...and I can't remember what they find in D13...so I'm at the edge of my seat on that. I'm sure it'll all come racing back once I get there.
On to Part 2!
Part 2 cleared up a few gaps and I’m as appalled as I was last time I read this…time for my rant…to see districts pit the young vs elderly against each other. I don’t understand how an uprising hasn’t happened sooner. And where is the rest of the world?…why aren’t they putting a stop to all this nonsense. I’d never be able to send my children to their death…it’s crazy stupid. Why do I like this series…infuriating!
What struck me for the first time -and I owe this to you guys, participating in this buddy reads- how actually Katniss developed. At the start of book 1 all she -understandably- cared about was Prim, Gale & herself (& her mother with resentment). By now her circle widened almost despite herself with Rue, Cynna & Peeta, then Haymitch and in this book she actively started considering others' feelings like Effie & Octavia, Flavius and V.
Also, it is now that I realise that what I thought came out of necessity: Katniss becoming the bread-winner and caretaker for her mum and sister, must be an inherent trait of Katniss - now I think that she is a natural-born defender/guardian, reluctant champion of the underdog (Beetee, Wiress, Rue...)
Isn't it strange how you can read a book and really enjoyed it the first time around but totally forget what happened. This is how I feel going into Catch Fire. Apart from the Characters and yes I have to agree with Beths comments the writing does definitely repeat itself. We start again with Katniss out hunting for her family and Gales. Then we find a very drunken Haymitch. the only thing different this time around is that Katniss and her family are living in the victors village.
Part 1I think this is my favorite second book from any trilogy. I also think it’s better than the first. Part 1 has me not really liking Katniss all that much. She seems very bratty and miserable. I know she has a lot on her shoulders at such a young age but she’s treating everyone around her so terribly. Haymitch and Peeta saved her life and while she brought Peeta home alive it seems like it was only because she didn’t want the town to hate her. She went back and forth with her ‘love’ for him in book 1 then comes home and ignores him. Peeta deserves better.
This is where my dislike for Gale started. He had to have known that something happened in the games for Katniss to act like that with Peeta but when she comes home he decides to kiss her? She did what she had to so that herself and Peeta would come home alive and he was mad at her for that? It was just stupid.
My favorite part about this section was reading about the interaction between Snow and Katniss. And still Hatmitch LOL I enjoy his character so much.
Laura wrote: "Beth wrote: "I don’t get the point of Gale. Is it just to be the third point of a love triangle? He seems pretty pointless overall."In my opinion the Gale storyline makes more sense in MockingJay."
I agree. Gale has a point in Book 1 and in Book 3. In Book 2 he’s so pointless and this is where I go from feeling Eh about him to the beginning of my dislike.
Melissa wrote: "Laura wrote: "Beth wrote: "I don’t get the point of Gale. Is it just to be the third point of a love triangle? He seems pretty pointless overall."I agree. Gale has a point in Book 1 and in Book 3. In Book 2 he’s so pointless and this is where I go from feeling Eh about him to the beginning of my dislike."
Maybe the only point he has is to show us why Peeta is "better" for Katniss? Because Gale is selfish and self-absorbed and while Katniss started off like Gale in this respect in Book 1, by now she has actually developed from that into something much more, while Gale stayed as he was and he doesn't notice or doesn't care about the changes in Katniss?? He basically wants to drag her down in a way.
Melindam wrote: "Maybe the only point he has is to show us why Peeta is "better" for Katniss? Because Gale is selfish and self-absorbed and while Katniss started off like Gale in this respect in Book 1, by now she has actually developed from that into something much more, while Gale stayed as he was and he doesn't notice or doesn't care about the changes in Katniss?? He basically wants to drag her down in a way."That's a really good point! I've been super frustrated with him so far - I like him a lot in book 1 but here he's just so ughhhhh. Their "first kiss" was just so majorly icky. I still don't care for Katniss/Peeta either, but Gale here is just terrrrrible so far. And it's really annoying that Katniss feels like she must love him.
Then again, there's no way we could've had this book without the love triangle because of when it was published (thanks for nothing Twilight...)
I really only remembered him "turning" and me disliking him in book 3, but he's already well on his way to what he'll be like later now...
I don't really care about Katniss and Peeta as a couple either, although now I really like both of them (yes, colour me surprised, lol!). The thing that makes their relationship palatable to me now is that it's not a "romance" in any sense of the word, never was and never will be. :))
Yep! I'm really appreciating their friendship growing this time around and seeing them become close. He has become one of the most important people in her life.I've seen people read Katniss as asexual before so I'm also thinking about that while I'm reading the series this time around and trying to find out to what extent I see that. So far I'm still torn..
Judy wrote: "Yep! I'm really appreciating their friendship growing this time around and seeing them become close. He has become one of the most important people in her life.I've seen people read Katniss as as asexual ..."
well, here's an idea certainly :)
I’m about 3 chapters done with Part 3I’d forgotten how there was barely time for the tributes to breathe with back-to-back-to back challenges…yep, the prez is mad!
I definitely think I prefer pain over itching!
Melindam wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Laura wrote: "Beth wrote: "I don’t get the point of Gale. Is it just to be the third point of a love triangle? He seems pretty pointless overall."I agree. Gale has a point in Book..."
Totally agree with this, we have seen her transform through the first book and she is a totally different person now than she was when we started. As you would be sourcing the games. She now cares for other people and for their feelings. Gale is just the same as he was before and seems to assume naively Katniss will just return to her normal life.
It's strange how much more powerful I find these books now than when I read them first 5 years ago (or so). Maybe it's post-covid, climate change, our corrupt & lying politicians and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza combined and the fact that my son is now 10 and I find I have to discuss these things in earnest with him .... :(
Melindam wrote: "It's strange how much more powerful I find these books now than when I read them first 5 years ago (or so). Maybe it's post-covid, climate change, our corrupt & lying politicians and the wars in ..."
I made a similar comment after re-reading the first book. There are far too many uncanny similarities for me in places to the real world we are living in at the moment. These are meant to be books of fanciful fiction but children trying to survive and fighting for their lives daily against their leaders is becoming something normal when it should be anything but...
Sadly yes, Jade. :(
Melindam wrote: "I don't really care about Katniss and Peeta as a couple either, although now I really like both of them (yes, colour me surprised, lol!). The thing that makes their relationship palatable to me now..."I so agree with you on this one. I never liked Katniss and Peeta as a couple, but I adore the friendship and understanding that they have. I don't like any angle of this love triangle for that matter and it feels forced. But as Judy said, possibly a result of it's publication time...
I however like Gale's character though. He is morally grey, develops some highly questionable ethics later on. But his character seems more realistic to me than Peeta. I feel most people in that kind of living condition are more likely to turn bitter and angry, than hold on to the good sides of their character.
Part 1 ThoughtsOk, I've made it through Part 1 and I'm enjoying this reread so much. I also re-watched the movies, just so I could be really immersed and I really like how closely they did some of the parts of this book.
4 things that seem to me stick out as the main... I guess "plot points" (?) are ...
the evolution of Katniss: her character development seems significant here, as she transitions from reluctant participant to an actual symbol of the building rebellion;
political intrigue: we dive a little deeper and I always want more on this front - I think this is where the movies shine brighter - although I prefer the books (of course). The government manipulations really highlighted and the push-pull of "control vs rebellion" really gets contrasted sharply here!
relationships and alliances: The evolution of some and the de-evolution of others... I really like how Katniss is trying to heal the relationship with her mother and I am a Peeta fan, so I enjoy the depth that is beginning to form here. I remember always being irritated by Gale and this is where I think he really starts to mess up.
the "Mockingjay" symbolism: I think it's a great ending to the first part - the bread - and I LOVE this symbol of rebellion and resistance. A horrifying Capitol invention to root out resistance turned against them by the very nature of evolution. Love it.
Anyway - off to start Part 2
I’ve just finished…improved my rating from last read to 4 stars. I think the first time I read this series, it was one of the first dystopian books I’d read. I’ve since grown to appreciate the genre more. Someone said earlier that the premise has a lot of similarities to what is going on in our world today…I think this is true and very, very sad.
I’m praying Mockingjay is better the next time around as well.
Tanmie, last time I dnf-ed Mockingjay halfway, through, but now I am so much more invested in the series (I actually bought the prequel audiobook yesterday), so I am guessing it will be a different experience this time. :)
Melindam wrote: "Tanmie, last time I dnf-ed Mockingjay halfway, through, but now I am so much more invested in the series (I actually bought the prequel audiobook yesterday), so I am guessing it will be a different..."Micheal convinced me to read the prequel..it gave me more perspective on how ‘this whole thing started’. I believe the new book coming out might redeem Mockingjay…at least that’s what I’m telling myself. Keeping an open mind here.
I’m definitely going to get the Tatiana narrative for Mockingjay if I can…going off to reserve it now while I’m still thinking about it.
Part 2 ThoughtsI was a bit more immersed in this part and wasn't actively writing down tidbits, so this set of thought will be more from memory and feeling.
I think it's very interesting "watching" Katniss attempt to learn trust. I feel like she's never given that to anyone and now she's forced not only to trust people she thinks she should not, but she's trusting them for the benefit of someone else. Considering her generally selfish mindset, you can easily see this is difficult.
A side note: I don't actually think Katniss is selfish, although I think it's easy to decide that. I think she has been saddled with just as much emotional propaganda as everyone else, and that "selfishness" is just an attempt at survival.
I was most looking forward to re-reading the short part about Haymitch's Hunger Games because of the new book coming out and now, more than ever, I'm SO CURIOUS what her upcoming book will center around. Haymitch's games really got a decent overview, so rehashing that with the focus on his games seems less likely!
Part 3/End ThoughtsI raised my rating of this from 4 stars to 5 stars. Honestly, I'm not sure what compelled me to give it only 4, but I really enjoyed this re-reread.
I was furious for Katniss and I still am. I want to be annoyed with her for being dense, but I also have to remind myself that she is YOUNG. So, so young.
On the other hand, (view spoiler)
This final part really reminds me how much the role of propaganda as ruined Katniss's view of people, and generally speaking how confused it really can make you. Friend and Foe are the same - a giant unknown.
Honestly, this makes me really excited for the new book that's coming out, as Collins has stated that she wanted to explore propaganda as a main theme.
PT/ 1 This series is a reread for me so I picked an audiobook for the Catching Fire. Man is it a different vibe! The narrator makes Katniss feel old which is throwing me off! Either way I will forever be #teamgale
Tammie wrote: "I’ve just finished…improved my rating from last read to 4 stars. I think the first time I read this series, it was one of the first dystopian books I’d read. I’ve since grown to appreciate the ge..."
I improved my ratings this time around too! I read these in 2014 and so much has happened since then and I have grown so much as a reader. I'm glad i choice to reread.
PT2 I know the wedding dress reveal and request from Snow was suppose to send a message but it just doesn't sit right. Sadly I think a lot of his actions and snarkiness is relatable in today society and that's just plum sad, though the mocking jay dress is cool as hell! I did forget we got a more of an insiders look to the other tributes and their stories are great! I must have missed that Katniss; mom's friend was the same yr as Haymitch.
Thoughts through Ch 24I really wish we got more Wiress. She seems so interesting to me. I completely forgot the bit about her being "intuitive." It's such a throwaway line and not something that they ever bring up in the movie. But she seems like she was so intelligent, and I need more info about the intuitive bit. Is that something that she demonstrated in her Games? Or that Beetee has seen working alongside her as a fellow victor? I need more Wiress details. We got so little of her in a somewhat healthy mental state (as healthy as a victor's could be) only in training before the games, and the next time we see her she can only say "tick-tock."
Also, the Jabberjays scene. I cannot imagine how psychologically damaging that would be -- forced to hear screams of pain and terror from everyone you love for an hour. I can't even imagine how people come up with this stuff! (The Gamemakers AND the author lol)
I'm not very far into my reread, but I've been following the thread and wanted to get some thoughts down before I forget them. :)Before beginning the series reread, I remember thinking (mostly tongue in cheek) that Katniss should come out as ACE of some sort - aromantic and/or asexual - and she, Gale, and Peeta could be a happy throuple. Obviously that's not how things work out, but someone earlier on the thread mentioned the aro/ace idea. It may not have been intentional on the part of the author, but it does read that way, to a certain extent. Or perhaps that it's just that she's young.
I agree with those who've been finding it hard to read dystopian fiction these days - it's all too real.
At one point, Katniss thinks "Over the course of the last five years, the lake's remarkably unchanged and I'm almost unrecognizable." p10
She's talking about the time from her father's death, but she clearly recognizes that she's evolving. Later, there's some thought about how Gale, not having been to the games, has not changed as she has - their paths have diverged (my thought, not hers.)
Haymitch continues to fascinate!
I've read Mocking Jay, and my greatest memory of it was that I hated it. I went into the challenge with the plan that I would NOT reread it (sorry about the 20 points, District 2), but now I'm not so sure what I'll do. We'll see how it goes.
Part 1Still have love triangle with the guys more invested in being in love than Katniss. I have to continually remind myself she is only 16 of course she’s confused and not as invested. Gail is 18, there’s a huge difference between them. Peeta still would like a relationship but seems more willing to let Katniss take the lead for what their relationship will be. Of course he can afford to be patient as he knows he will tour with her and other opportunities with her.
Couple parts I really liked -
Peeta’s speech to Rue’s district. His intended generousity towards their tributes. Sad to see that it devolved to violence and probably none of their families survived.
When Katniss realizes that she is tied to Peeta for life and there is no other options open to her. Her choices are taken from her by the Capitol.
When she sees the gluttony of the capitol and compares it to the scarcity of the districts.
That Katniss wanting to run, also wants to include not only her family but Gale’s, Peeta’s and Haymitch. She has broadened her circle of people she cares about beyond just Prim.
Katniss realization that she is a symbol for the rebellion. This might have actually been at the start of part 2. But how overwhelming to feel that kind of responsibility for the lives of the people not only in her district but others as well.
Link to part 2 post-
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Link to Part 3 post
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Melindam wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Laura wrote: "Beth wrote: "I don’t get the point of Gale. Is it just to be the third point of a love triangle? He seems pretty pointless overall."I agree. Gale has a point in Book..."
That's a good point that I didn't think of. It shows how some people grow and evolve and some don't.
Peeta's love for Katniss is pure and I think that her love for Peeta would be easier for her to understand and accept if Gale wasn't in the picture. I think she believes that she should love Gale and a part of her does but not in the same way that she loves Peeta. With Peeta she sees that she deserves to be loved and taken care of and with Gale I think it's more a connection and a bond they share.
Roe wrote: "PT2 I know the wedding dress reveal and request from Snow was suppose to send a message but it just doesn't sit right. Sadly I think a lot of his actions and snarkiness is relatable in today societ..."There were so many people I forgot existed because they weren't in the movies! They play such an important part to the story too.
Part 2My first thought from this section is that there are so many people that play a significant part to this book that aren’t in the movies and that’s sad that so many people who didn’t read the book will miss out on their characters. It’s hard for me to separate the book from the movie but I’m trying!
This part always makes me so sad with what happens to Cinna. He’s one of my favorites in the series and I wish he had a better ending. He knew what he was doing though and I doubt he thought he would survive either. The unity of the tributes in this section is so empowering. They have all showed Snow that he made a terrible mistake. In a way Snow signed his own demise with this Hunger Game. Instead of squashing the uprising he fed the flame even more.
On to the games…. Here we go!
I'm really surprised by how little I remember from this book, especially compared to the first one that is kind of seared into my brain. It does make sense that I completely blocked the entire victor's tour, since they mostly glossed over that, and also all the wedding prep stuff. Reading about her doing the wedding dress photo shoot felt like the first time I heard any of that information 😅 but then again, the way everything is decided about the wedding I hate sooooo much so I'm not surprised I chose to forget everything about it. I didn't think it would take them this long to get back in the arena, and I also didn't remember Katniss knew as much as she did about the rebellion and also the edge of the arena before going in! Though obviously that makes a lot of sense, but somehow I remembered her going into it way more blind than she is... though she still knows very little and is putting even less together...
Truitt_T wrote: "Before beginning the series reread, I remember thinking (mostly tongue in cheek) that Katniss should come out as ACE of some sort - aromantic and/or asexual - and she, Gale, and Peeta could be a happy throuple. Obviously that's not how things work out, but someone earlier on the thread mentioned the aro/ace idea. It may not have been intentional on the part of the author, but it does read that way, to a certain extent. Or perhaps that it's just that she's young."Having now read the part where Katniss meets Finnick for the first time, I think I get more of where people are coming from when they're speculating about her sexuality. As someone who identifies as ace and is also generally unmoved by extremely conventionally attractive/hot men... I get that he doesn't do anything for her lol
I just started listening yesterday. I forgot how stupid and naive Katniss was. She really thought going back outside of the fence was a good idea after the crackdowns started? I guess things have been quiet in her district for a long time, but she’s just been in other districts and seen that Peacekeepers aren’t all like her ‘friends’ in District 12. She should have known better.
Laura wrote: "I just started listening yesterday. I forgot how stupid and naive Katniss was. She really thought going back outside of the fence was a good idea after the crackdowns started? I guess things have b..."Young - keep telling yourself she's young. And, ok, maybe not the brightest light bulb, but you don't have to have to have a high I.Q. to be a survivor. And the, er, inadvertent spark that ignites the Rebellion to flames. Or something like that.
Re: possibility of Katniss being aro, asexual, demi, etc.
I seriously doubt that Katniss was written as either, although it certainly reads that way to me that way at times.
I keep trying to figure out what other factors might have been at play. Certainly thay can't have been aiming for a pre-teen audience for when it might not have been appropriate/appealing - too much violence for that possibility. I can't remember if there was a particular backlash, at the time when these were published, aimed at teen romance / sexual desire in YA books, but I suppose it could be that.
Or the author didn't like writing about romance. Or the publisher was against it. or everyone just felt that Katniss is too young for serious love in the first book.
Or perhaps Collins was writing an aro / ACE character on the sly, sneaking it in, writing a love triangle as a reluctant nod to potential commercial success. Who knows?
I never, ever would have believed I'd be giving this much thought to this book.....
At the time she wrote these I believe her only other books were the Gregor books, with a middle grade audience. So that might have affected her treatment of sexuality in the books.
Unpopular opinion! I don't care foe Peeta! He is written as this heart of gold pure sole but to me he sounds like a weak love sick puppy! He got hurt and sick in the first novel then dragged them down when they were running from the fog in the second. Not to mention then he gets captures and brainwashed (spoiler!) by the Capitol. I just do not have any use for this dude! Rue had more gumption!
Beth wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "As far as this "game" - first off: in my opinion there is no way this tribute selection was set up 75 years ago (and how appalling it has been going on so long!). At least I THINK..."
This is so cool!!! Heading over to wiki now to look up all the others!
I consider Katniss a tragic figure. The early part of her life is ruled by the death of her father and the crippling depression of her mother, and the need to become the sane, planning, responsible adult at the ripe age of what, 12?So her role as a protecter is pretty much cemented into her personality early on. Then she has the games, and she not only has to try to protect Prim, but also Peeta and Rue.
The scene at the beginning of this book between Katniss and Snow shows how much she has no control over her life. One step wrong and she has failed the people she is trying to protect, which has grown to encompass not just her family, but Haymitch, Gale, and the people in the Hob, etc.
I totally get why she has no time in her brain for romance. I don't think Collins intentionally wrote Katniss as part of a love triangle. I think she was maybe showing how friendships can be complicated. Gale clearly wants her, and Peeta is clearly in love with her, but I don't think she even has space in her brain for any of that. Not because she is nonsexual, but because it is so far down the list of important things she needs to grapple with. Add to that the tragic examples of what happened to her parents and Gale's parents, and that any progeny may have to go to the games, and a relationship just seems too fraught to be something wished for.
Part 2Does anyone really believe that Snow didn’t manipulate the Quell to try and eliminate his problem with Katniss and Peeta and the rebellion? Of course he did. I remembered that they had to go back into the arena but not why. Snow was such a sympathetic character right up until the end of the prequel. He always was looking out for himself and he was ambitious, and he was manipulative, but he was a teenager and his family was barely hanging on. Now he is just evil. Could this be a political discourse in how power corrupts? If so, it is so timely today.
I liked how all the tributes showed solidarity by holding hands. Peeta, of course, was masterful in his announcement of their marriage and expecting a baby. Sure the districts had dissension and rebellions but this time there was unrest within the capital itself as some people objected to this game. Cinna, what can you say, showed courage in designing the dress to also feed the dissension.
I can’t really remember what happens in the remainder of the book but wouldn’t it be something if all the tributes banded together to show up the capitol rather than fighting to the death with each other?
I’m about 75% through. I really thought I remembered the Games taking more of the time in this book, but it was about 2/3 through when they finally started.Also, I could have sworn I remembered that (view spoiler)
Jean wrote: "Part 2Does anyone really believe that Snow didn’t manipulate the Quell to try and eliminate his problem with Katniss and Peeta and the rebellion? Of course he did. I remembered that they had to g..."
I can't decide if I believe it or not. The reasoning about showing the districts that not even the strong are safe makes sense. Especially when we got the wording for the 50th Quarter Quell from Haymitch's games. But I can also see Snow manipulating that to try to get rid of his Katniss/Peeta problem. If that was they case, it backfired spectacularly.
I vaguely remember a scene in the movie where (view spoiler)It is not in the book though unless I missed it.
I just finished. A few things struck me this time around.First, I don't believe we ever get Katniss' mother's name. When I asked my kids (who are not yet at the point they forget the plot of the books they read last week!) they said that is correct. Nor is her father ever named. And no names for any of Peeta's family, either.
Second, I think Katniss' reactions at the end about Peeta are out of character. Or maybe just too extreme. Or maybe the one evening talking while keeping watch changed her and activated a "But Daddy, I love him!" type of extreme teenage reaction for her. She didn't treat him very well for most of the book, only doing better beginning the night before the games.
Jenny wrote: "I vaguely remember a scene in the movie where [spoilers removed]It is not in the book though unless I missed it."
My daughter, who still knows everything, says that isn't in the movie. So if your memory isn't failing you, it must be a deleted scene.
Jenny wrote: "Ha!!! Found it on YouTube! My brain still works.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo56b..."
Thanks! Now I want to know what was in the actual envelope in the minds of the moviemakers.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Mockingjay (other topics)Mockingjay (other topics)
Mockingjay (other topics)
Mockingjay (other topics)
Catching Fire (other topics)
More...
Specifically, part one ends with her happening across two people who have a cracker with the Mockingjay on it. Part two begins with finding out those people's backstory. Part two is also called "The Quell." I just don't understand why you don't start part two with the actual announcement of the Quell. Finding out what the Quell is seems like a good big moment to differentiate parts one and two.
I just feel like the way the author split it up makes no sense. I understand the writing format being a good way to help make sure the book is paced evenly . . . but if where one part ends and another begins is based solely on chapter number and not where it makes sense plot wise I think that's so weird.
I am probably overthinking this, but it drives me bananas.