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message 101:
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Fran
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Jul 23, 2010 10:40PM
I just finished The Hunger Games. It was an intense, sad, riveting read. The second half moved along much quicker than the first half. There was so much suffering in Katniss' life, as well as most of the other characters, it was hard to get close to them. I enjoyed Rue's character a lot, and was the most emotional over her circumstances. The author made her likable and approachable, whereas I thought that she hadn't with the other characters.
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Wendy wrote: "...The concept is so Shirley Jackson meets Mad Max(ine) with a little Truman Show...."Exactly! I liked the book. I think, when looking at the style, you must remember it is a kid's book. I immediately recommended it to my 12 yr old. I did feel that it ended rather abruptly and had to run out to buy #2.
I just finished HG and really enjoyed it. I thought the beginning was really thought provoking. As an adult reading it, I picked up on a few things YA wouldn't. I feel that it is not a complete false world. It just takes some things we are experiencing now and making them somewhat worse. I could just imagine Bill Gates or many of society's rich sitting there in the capital laughing at our expense. I really do not see this as a non option for our future which is scary.....I really enjoyed the games part and the descriptions in it. I love the way she stood up against the capital in the end.
The main thing that annoyed me what Katniss' complete ignorance to Peeta. It was just like OPEN YOUR EYES GIRL!!!! The way it ended really upset me and left me feeling so sorry for Peeta. He is just so in love with her and she is too absorbed to realize it.
Now I guess I just have to wait until I can get my hands on Catching Fire.
I just finished reading Hunger Games, and I really enjoyed it. I didn't think I would because of all the killing, but it was a real pageturner. I'm reading Catching Fire next and then I have Mockingjay preordered so I can read it right away.
My husband and I just "read" hunger games as an audio book on our road trip. We both really enjoyed the story. We also found the narrator to be very engaging because she had a different voice for each character so it was easy to follow. We can't wait to start the next book on our way back home.
Heehee... My husband has read the first two books. When I asked him what he thought, he said the idea was interesting, but he didn't think it was very well executed—that he felt Katniss was fairly one-dimensional and that the plot was predictable. He said he'd give them 3 of 5 stars. *shrugs* To each his own! I loved them! (He DOES plan to read the third book, if only to see how it ends...)
I read this book in one day (well, I stayed up until 1a to finish it, but since I didn't go to bed it was still the same day!). I can understand how some people thought it was slow at first and I do agree that some parts seemed to drag on, but I was glad that they did as it explained a lot about Katniss, her thoughts and motivations for her actions. When she volunteered to take Prim's place I really thought for a minute that Gale was going to volunteer for whoever got pulled from the boys bin. I was surprised when he ddint, but also glad as I was not terribly impressed with his character. I do not want her to end up with him. And I know Katniss said she would not get married, but I get the feeling that once her sister gets older and gets her own life Katniss may change her mind. I loved how truly worried for Peeta she was once she found out that 2 could win and how even though she didnt always want to she took very good care of him. I really hope they can work things out. And I hope that Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch can all find a way to deal with the trauma together. I noticed that a lot of people have said that no wonder he drinks, he has to watch all of these kids die, but I get the feeling that most years he stays drunk during the games. That dinner when Peeta was yelling at him, and Haymitch hit Peeta and Katniss almost stabbed Haymitch, he said well you two have some fight in you, you might just make it and that he would stay sober enough to coach them. That scene made me think that the other tributes didnt stand a chance and so he didnt bother to try to help him. I thought this topic was very intense and a little scary for the age group it was aimed at.
Jennifer wrote: "I read this book in one day (well, I stayed up until 1a to finish it, but since I didn't go to bed it was still the same day!). I can understand how some people thought it was slow at first and I d..."I also thought this book was a bit intense for the age group. I wouldn't want my young teens reading it.
Ok, I know the focus is supposed to be about just hunger games and not catching fire as well, but I bought it on my nook (what a great bday present) bc I had to know what happens! And all I really want to say about it is why isn't book 3 out already! Its going to be torture waiting for it to come out! I NEED to know what happens!
Jennifer wrote: "Ok, I know the focus is supposed to be about just hunger games and not catching fire as well, but I bought it on my nook (what a great bday present) bc I had to know what happens! And all I really ..."I know! I feel the same way! I bought HG and CF at the same time and went ahead and preordered MJ. I've put off reading the first two so I wouldn't have to wait as long between them and MJ! I sure hope there's somewhere to put MJ in the fall challenge!
Leigh Ann wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Ok, I know the focus is supposed to be about just hunger games and not catching fire as well, but I bought it on my nook (what a great bday present) bc I had to know what happens! ..."Its driving me crazy! I read HG and CF back to back and now I feel like I'm going through withdraw! This is ridiculous. :(
At least you JUST READ it! I mean, you only have to wait a month! I read both books a year ago! Gaahhh!
Oh no! That's horrible! I hate it when that happens! :(
Yeah, I just finished CF today, but the way it ended...OMG! I keep looking at the rest of my TBR list for this challenge and can't seem to pick anything out to read. All I want to read is MJ!
At least it is only about a month away!
I've just read this in one afternoon - it was definitely a page turner. I really enjoyed it too - maybe not as much as I hoped but enough to give it 4 stars and want to read the other two as soon as possible. SPOILERS....
I liked Katniss - she's brave and clever and I didn't find it at all far fetched that she managed to win. She obviously had skills and stamina some of the others didn't. She hardly knew Peeta, so it wasn't outrageous that she didn't know about his feelings. And I think she doesn't know about her own feelings - maybe the thought of love in a world like hers is something she pushes to the back of her mind. I'm not sure I think the Hunger Games would work - it seems a rather weak way to control people - but then I guess if officials backed the system no one would rebel. But it's not a convincing dystopian society to me. All in all though, a good read.
I was pleasantly surprised by the book. I thought it might be over-hyped and I'd dislike it, but it was an interesting read. I still think it is a bit over-hyped, but I liked the characters of Katniss and Rue and will definitely finish the trilogy.
I had a lot of high hopes and expectations with this book because I had heard so much about it, but unfortunately I was really disappointed. I know lots of people love this book, but for me it was just too dark and too disturbing. While I thought it was well written and I liked the characters, I could not get past the idea of children being forced into a situation where they had to kill each other. It just seemed too brutal - especially for what is supposed to be a young adult book. I'm not going to read the rest of the trilogy.
I loved this book when I first read it, and loved it even more after reading it a second time. I am a teen librarian and I often read a lot of young adult novels as part of my job, but also for pleasure (I especially love dystopian YA), and this is one of my favorite books to recommend to my teen patrons.
I love Katniss. She is stubborn, but she is also very strong; she is brave, not blind to injustice, and there is some part of me that finds her so refreshing, especially when you consider the plethora of Mary Sue protagonists in most recent YA fiction (Here's looking at you, Bella).
Yes, there is a romantic element to this book, but it is not the most important part of the book. Throughout the book, Katniss acknowledges her confused feelings towards both Peeta ("the boy with the bread") and Gale, but stands firm in one thing, she will never have any children, and she does not want to get married. Katniss is realistic, willing to act enamored in order to save her and Peeta's life, but she also feels remorse in having to toy with his emotions.
Can I also say that I love butt-kicking heroines with a conscience, and the fact that Peeta is the damsel-in-distress?
Also, for people who are worried about the book being too violent for teens, really? Teens are exposed to more senseless violence on tv, in movies and through their video games. At least the violence in this book is tied to social commentary. (I hate it when people censor teens, or shelter them). Yeah, probably not a book you should give to your ten year old, but I have no problem recommending it to a mature 7th or 8th grader.
Sure, its not exactly literature, but it is a fun, action-packed and engaging read that teens (and many adults) enjoy.
I have to say that I was slightly disappointed by the second book (although I did enjoy it) and I can't wait for the third book to be out already. Eighteen days and counting....
I love Katniss. She is stubborn, but she is also very strong; she is brave, not blind to injustice, and there is some part of me that finds her so refreshing, especially when you consider the plethora of Mary Sue protagonists in most recent YA fiction (Here's looking at you, Bella).
Yes, there is a romantic element to this book, but it is not the most important part of the book. Throughout the book, Katniss acknowledges her confused feelings towards both Peeta ("the boy with the bread") and Gale, but stands firm in one thing, she will never have any children, and she does not want to get married. Katniss is realistic, willing to act enamored in order to save her and Peeta's life, but she also feels remorse in having to toy with his emotions.
Can I also say that I love butt-kicking heroines with a conscience, and the fact that Peeta is the damsel-in-distress?
Also, for people who are worried about the book being too violent for teens, really? Teens are exposed to more senseless violence on tv, in movies and through their video games. At least the violence in this book is tied to social commentary. (I hate it when people censor teens, or shelter them). Yeah, probably not a book you should give to your ten year old, but I have no problem recommending it to a mature 7th or 8th grader.
Sure, its not exactly literature, but it is a fun, action-packed and engaging read that teens (and many adults) enjoy.
I have to say that I was slightly disappointed by the second book (although I did enjoy it) and I can't wait for the third book to be out already. Eighteen days and counting....
Sara wrote: "Can I also say that I love butt-kicking heroines with a conscience, and the fact that Peeta is the damsel-in-distress? "Hahaha! Great point! That was a nice spin on things.
I had no idea what to expect with this novel. I did not know anything about it and I only picked it up due to the Group Read Task. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have recommended it to everyone I know that reads Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Fiction. The suspense that Suzanne Collins is able to portray was incredible. It was hard for me to put the book down and I was sad when it ended. I love to read books that show strong, sensible female characters.
There were twists and turns with every page and chapter. I really felt for the characters and what they had to go through. I was a bit disappointed with the end but I know I will be brought back around with 'Catching Fire'.
This was my second time reading Hunger Games and I loved it as much as the first time! I don't usually read books again, but I blew through it the second time. I don't think the book read young at all. I know teenagers have to grow up when they are put in situations like that, but Katniss is still a teenager. I don't like it when characters in young adult books don't act their age. I can't wait for Mockingjay and have already preordered it to read on my iPod!!
First, let me say I am just now starting to read YA books. I was not thrilled by Twilight so that turned me off most YA books. However, like I tell my grandchildren about trying foods they don’t like again and again, I have to remember to keep trying different genres of books I think I don’t like. I have read several books lately that were classified as Young Adult that I enjoyed very much. So once again I learn not to limit myself. Hunger Games is a good book, regardless of the category you put it in. It is raw, honest and shows a triumph of spirit. It has enough depth and character with great development and excitement to keep most people YA and Adults alike engrossed in the story. Another reason I have been hesitant to start this book, is the concept of the plot itself. Innocent young people being thrown in together to fight to the death for entertainment, NOPE, not my cup of tea. I have too large of a soft spot for children and teenagers. BUT, I got pulled in quickly. I just had to know what was going to happen next. Who would fare well and who would fail, who would Katniss have to face, who would she have to kill, how would the characters handle these conflicts. And then throw in there a love story that doesn’t follow the normal love story lines and I was hooked.
As for being a futuristic book, that wasn’t what I expected either. Instead of my idea of the future, it was almost medieval. The clothes, the woods, the villages all feel old. Then the Capitol brings it all up to date and into the future.
All in all a great book, regardless of the genre you put it in. And I will be reading Catching the Fire very soon. Hopefully I can fit it into the next challenge.
Dystopian novels are amongst my favorite... The Hunger Games did not disappoint, LOVED it! Enjoyed the characters and the moral dilemas they face. Quick, easy read that kept me interested and entertained throughout. I will definately be continuing the series!
Mod
Having followed the discussion here, I paid more attention this time to the whole romance angle. As I read, I thought that I wouldn't believe anything anyone said - first, the thought that one of them would have to kill the other anyway; then, the idea that Peeta and Haymitch had just cooked this up as a ploy to attract sponsors and crowd favor.
But, even if she believed that Peeta loved her, that doesn't mean she had to love him back. For the most part, even though he was nice enough, he was a burden on her. Gale had been a partner - they taught each other things, could watch out for each other, could both contribute. Peeta, not so much. I'd be more drawn to the guy who could be a partner rather than one I had to take care of.
And I sure wouldn't want to have children in those circumstances either. I can't imagine much worse than first watching my children go hungry and live such a desperate life in general, and then, to have the possibility of having to watch them in the Games. That would be worse than having to participate myself.
I wanted to put at least one comment out there for this book before the challenge is over - I'm so glad this is the one I made the decision to read, because it was FABULOUS and I loved it. The survival story aspect was detailed without plodding along, the heroine was amazingly strong but realistically flawed, the society the author created was a fabulous dystopia that brought the real desperation of hunger and poverty to readers who may have never felt it before. The idea of combining our celebrity/reality tv culture and the human propensity for violence is a brilliant idea - just look at how the gladiators were treated, lampshaded by the Roman names in the capital. I tore through Catching Fire too, and I can't wait for Mockingjay.
Dystopian novels are among my favorite kinds of books, and this one was definitely worth reading. I read this for the second time, and let me tell you, even though I knew what was going to happen, I still had my heart racing and palms sweating as I read the book.So now here's the real question: Gale or Peeta?
I love Peeta. I tried giving Gale a chance this read-through, but Peeta just takes the cake for me. :)
Jen wrote: "So now here's the real question: Gale or Peeta?"We can know as soon as TOMORROW! (Oooh.. it's after midnight here, so today!) YAY!
Mod
We can know as soon as TOMORROW! (Oooh.. it's after midnight here, so today!) YAY!"
It was on my kindle when I got up this morning!
Sandy wrote: "Sara ♥ wrote: "Jen wrote: "So now here's the real question: Gale or Peeta?"We can know as soon as TOMORROW! (Oooh.. it's after midnight here, so today!) YAY!"
It was on my kindle when I go..."
I'm so glad that it's available on the Kindle right away. There's usually a lag. . . just ordered it!
Jen wrote: "Dystopian novels are among my favorite kinds of books, and this one was definitely worth reading. I read this for the second time, and let me tell you, even though I knew what was going to happen,..."jen, i agree, team Peeta!
I'm going to try & hold off reading it until Sep. 1, so I can use it for the Fall group read. It's taking all my will power not to rush to the store to get it right now! I'm so excited!!! :)
Liz—I'm with you. I'm not liking either of the other options I'm seeing for group reads... Plus, I've already got it pre-ordered from Amazon... I mostly just need to avoid spoilers, and I'll be good!
Mod
My daughter called me yesterday to tell me that her friend, who had pre-ordered from Amazon, received her copy yesterday!
I ordered one for my nephew as a graduation present, & he received his on Saturday!!!I ordered mine from the same place & still haven't received it (which is probably a good thing, since I'm trying to hold off)!
Sandy wrote: "My daughter called me yesterday to tell me that her friend, who had pre-ordered from Amazon, received her copy yesterday! "With which shipping option? Because I did slow-and-free shipping... It says it's not supposed to ship until August 30th... And then send you an e-mail when it ships with a tracking number, and I haven't gotten anything yet! (And believe me, I've checked my e-mail approximately 4000 times today!)
Petra wrote: "I am looking forward to this discussion because I'm one of the few that doesn't really like this series. I'll read Mockingjay, just to finish the story, but I don't see the appeal of this series an..."I kinda agree with you. However, I'm starting
and it's really coming around for me. I've already pre-ordered
but I don't see everyone's obsession. It's certainly no Harry Potter but it isn't awful.
I, who never buy books, went and bought this yesterday. And am reading it today. Now I'm really mad that I suggested it for the Fall Group Reads (though I am sure I'm not the only one!). Hopefully one of the other Group Reads will come through for me, as I am sure to finish Mockingjay today or tomorrow!
I have Mockingjay in my kindle *BUT* I'm gonna hold off for the Fall since it's a Fall Group Read. Gnashing my teeth over it since I finished Catching Fire a day ago! YIKES!I made this comment on other groups -- Didn't the Games remind you of Running Man?
I just managed to download the audiobook from my library for Mockingjay! Yay!I'm actually more happy about being able to snipe a copy than getting to read the book. It just got added and the waiting list will probably be 50 people long by tomorrow.
I'm only going to have it for a week so I can't really wait for the next challenge to start it. I'm not sorry at all either.
Edit- Just finished it. Pretty much just listened to the it straight through. I couldn't stop.
I tend to have a high opinion of things at 4 in the morning, so I'll hold of on rating it until tomorrow.
i stayed up all until 140 the day it came out to finish it, and i plan to read it again for the next challenge (well, the whole series really!) hope you enjoy!
I finally finished this book on my second attempt at reading it, and I'm still trying to formulate my thoughts on it. I enjoyed parts of the story - the edge-of-seat pacing (though I concur that the begninning was slow), Katniss as heroine, and I loved Peeta, Rue, and Cinna. But now that I'm done, I'm left with a really unsettled feeling. I'm so deeply disturbed and almost sickened by the idea of kids killing kids, and a society that so willingly sacrifices its children for entertainment. This is a book I might have felt a lot differently about had I read it before having kids of my own.
I do think I'll read the other two, but definitely not immediately. I need some distance from this one before I pick up the others. And I don't think I'd ever watch a movie of this book - I don't know that I could handle it, even knowing what happens.
This was one of those books that had me at the edge of my seat, had me crying and laughing and sighing heavily with relief and emoting right along with the characters. I agree with previous posters that the entire premise of killing children for sport is sickening, but I felt like Collins handled it really well.That said, I don't have children now, but it makes me wonder at what age people find it appropriate for kids to read this book?
loved loved loved The Hunger Games. I read it in one sitting (thank goodness for beach weekends!) and immediately requested Catching Fire from the library. I somehow have a knack for discovering series's right when they're ending, so I am lucky I read HG about 2 weeks before Mockingjay was released!! I went crazy enough waiting the few days I had to between CF and MJ.I thought it was excellently written. Collins ends almost every chapter with a cliff-hanger, daring you not to keep reading. I was thoroughly involved with the characters and cried my eyes out when Rue died.
I didn't see the berries as a rebellion against the Capitol when Katniss pulled them out, just her being desperate to save them both. My heart sank when they made the announcement that only one could win, so I was thrilled when Katniss thought of the berry plan. I was just as confused as she was when the president got so angry.
Maybe I watch too many reality shows, but I could so clearly picture how they would show the events on TV - alliance forming, showmances - it's just like survivor!
OK, I finished this last month, but let it percolate awhile before I commented here (and I'm coming down to the wire for the Summer posts!). I loved this book. I thought the premise was chilling but excellently presented for maximum dramatic potential. I thought Katniss was a wonderful heroine, strong but oblivious the way girls can be sometimes and just trying to survive from moment to moment, and I absolutely adore Peeta. I like Gale, too, don't get me wrong, but he's just not there so much in this one. Perhaps when I read Catching Fire, he'll grow on me more. Right now, I'm firmly Katniss/Peeta.
I would personally love to see this as a film--in fact, I kept seeing the action how it could look on screen. Even with the bloody content, this would probably still be PG-13 if they do it right. Can't wait to read the other two now!
Possibly the most overrated book of the last few years, HUNGER GAMES is a fine piece of book, extremely creative, but dragged down under the weight of not appealing writing style. That's my opinion, but it's a good book, anyhow.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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