The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collings is what I’m reading this week. I know, I’m very late to the game. The book was published eleven years ago. I did read the first chapter, which is amazing. But, at the time I didn’t think I could read a book about teens trying to kill each other. The reason I read it this week is that Katniss Everdeen is one of the best heroines ever and I’m using her in a workshop. And Peeta…he is one of the best romance heroes I’ve ever read.
But first this verse in Song of Solomon is a favorite of mine. I first heard it as a small girl and it captured my imagination.
Here’re the cover and back blurb:
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 keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one 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 death before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Still, if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
My take:
Probably everyone has already read this book, but just in case there are others like me who haven’t, I want to encourage you to read it. It has some very good life lessons.
I wished it hadn’t taken this long get around to reading it. Katniss is a very worthy heroine and had equally worthy antagoinsts in the story. I’m torn between wanting her to end up with Gabe or Peeta.
In this book Peeta was a very worthy hero. I loved the backstory of how he’d loved her since his dad told him he’d loved her mother. And I think Katniss loved him or was at least very grateful for the bread he gave her that saved her family’s life–she never forgot him.
The Hunger Games themselves was very hard to read and I loved Rue. She was such a delight. And Cinna touched me as well. I figure he’ll be in the next books which I haven’t read but will now.
How about you? Have you read the Hunger Games? What was your reaction? Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library!
The winner of Lynn H. Blackburn’s UNKNOWN THREAT is Lynn Brown.
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Comments 40
I have not read it, at least yet! I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it, so the fact that you didn’t, and then enjoyed it, has me wondering if I should change my mind! Hmm…
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Monique, I really got a lot out of the story. And it was really suspenseful! Thanks for stopping by.
That photo is beautiful, and captures the season perfectly. And, the verse is fitting for it.
I have not read “Hunger Games”. Maybe the movie version was hyped too much, and I had no desire to see it. But, the book is often better than the movie. So, I will look into it further.
Speaking of the book v. the movie, I saw the movie “2001, A Space Odyssey” before I read the book. I should have read the book first. After reading it, the movie ending made so much more sense.
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I rarely watch a movie, Tim. I don’t know why, but the very thought of sitting still for 90 or 120 minutes makes me bonkers. lol Now if I’m somewhere and a movie is playing and I get caught up in it–that’s different. It’s the knowing beforehand that I have to be still that long. lol
Thanks so much for always stopping by!
I love a good movie, and was just thinking that if you struggle with sitting down for too long to watch a movie, could you plan to do a gentle workout that you can do facing the tv, or get out a craft and stand to do it? And by the time you finish those, you might be hooked on the movie, and not so worried about having to move? Anyway, just some random thoughts as I read through the comments!
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I usually have something that I work on while watching a movie, Monique…I think it’s anticipating having to sit that long. lol
I haven’t read it and for the same reason as you and others….just didn’t think it was my cuppa. I tend to not follow fads as to what everyone is reading or watching but what appeals to me. I might miss out on a lot. I do enjoy reading what other people think of books on Goodreads and sometimes decide to read based on what others like. One day I might consider reading this series though. I would definitely like to hear your opinion of the next book(s).
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I’m looking forward to reading them and I’ll let you know what I think, Gloria. I’ve read the Divergent series and it reminds me in some ways of The Hunger Games. Another good read! Thanks so much for dropping by and adding to the conversation.
Before the movie versions came out, a retired Marine told me about this interesting series where a bunch of young people had to fight to the death in a huge arena. When I kept hearing about it from others, I decided to read them. As a writer, I noticed immediately the 1st person present tense the author uses for Katniss. I also considered that, although the author doesn’t choose especially elegant words, she excels in creating fresh, new adventure mixed with a myriad of tension and emotions. She definitely weaves a memorable story that caused a lot of word of mouth. Now if only my books could generate that kind of word of mouth PR!
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Absolutely, Rick! I was blown away by the first chapter years ago, and I wish I’d read it then. There are so many life lessons in it. I’ll be reading the other two books soon. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I loved it so much that as soon as I read the first one, I bought the ebooks to the second and third! My library had a long waiting list – and I was the director! Lol!! Amazing characters!
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Absolutely, Regina! I wish I could create characters like that…they live on in your head. Thanks for stopping by!
I read the series a long time ago. It is well written and engaging, Her characters I think are well developed. I was compelled to read it all to find out what happens but have to say my spirit found the premise very disturbing. I don’t think I have cried that much over a story line ever. I wouldn’t watch the movies. Didn’t think I could handle the emotion. Good pick for pulling apart in your seminar.
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Toni, that’s exactly why I didn’t read them years ago. I didn’t think I could handle the premise or the emotion. I’m at a better place now and can view the stories objectively. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I think we watched just the first movie. But I know my kids were caught up in it as they were young adults then. I did like the movie.
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Paula, I haven’t seen the movies but I really loved this first book. Time will tell if I’ll feel the same way about the other two. 🙂
So glad you stopped by!
I have not read it or watched the movie. Thanks for your take on it.
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I think you would enjoy it. Suzanne Collins did a great job with this book. Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful picture and verse.
My husband and I took our oldest grandson and a friend with us on a Western tour of the USA several years ago. We like to listen to books on tape during the long drive.
My husband brought the “Hunger Games” books and I fell in love with Katniss and the rest of the characters in it.
I bought the actual books when we got home and we actually went to the theater when each movie came out.
The genre wasn’t what I usually read anymore, but I became an instant fan of them. I highly recommend the series though I warn everyone to keep tissues handy.
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I second the tissue comment, Pearl. 🙂 The first book is so very well written and I look forward to reading the others. I’m not a movie person…don’t know why…probably something to do with being ADHD. lol Thanks for dropping in!
I’ve never read the book but I watched the movie once. I thought it was good but wasn’t crazy about the premise and behind the scenes scheming. I may have to read the book now though.
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Megan, I was the same way about the premise. I never watched the movies–I’d much rather read the book first. (and then I don’t get around to watching the movies. lol) Thanks for stopping by!
I first read the Hunger Games at the urging of a past dyslexic student who I had tutored and actually taught to read. He had hated reading as a young student because of his difficulty, but as we worked together he gained confidence and eventually became an avid reader. We stayed in touch even after I stopped tutoring him, and he would call or text me all the time just to update me on his life and also to proudly tell me what he was reading! He highly recommended Hunger Games to me, so I read it and quickly became hooked. We both read the entire series and discussed each book in detail. We also enjoyed discussions on the movies when they came out, but agreed the books were better. I did enjoy the books, but mostly treasure the contact with a precious young man I was able to bless and be blessed by when I helped him learn to love reading!
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What a touching story, Linda! You really made a difference in that student’s life. Thanks for stopping by and telling us!
I’ve watched the movie but haven’t read the book.
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I think you’d really enjoy the book, Lucy! So glad you stopped by.
I love the picture and verse. We’re starting to see some of those flowers around here. It looks like winter will be over tomorrow, based on the calendar saying it’s the first day of spring. However, the forecast is for temperatures overnight below freezing tonight and tomorrow night.
I have not read The Hunger Games. I may have seen it at the library, but if it wasn’t identified as Christian fiction, I probably walked right past it. If I find any extra time in my year, I will try to remember your recommendation and look for it so I can read it.
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Edward, while it isn’t overtly Christian, it has Christian themes in it. Katniss’s sacrificial love for her sister and her taking on the responsibility of keeping her family alive after her father is killed are just a couple. And Peeta’s willingness to sacrifice himself for Katniss…it’s a book I think you’d enjoy. 🙂 Thanks for always stopping by!
Beautiful scripture and photo, Pat!
I haven’t read “The Hunger Games”.
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Thank you, Caryl. I really enjoyed the book. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by
I have never read The Hunger Games or watched the movie either. I love the verse and the beautiful photo with the beautiful daffodils. Have a Great weekend and stay safe.
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Hi Alicia! I’m so glad you love the verse and photo. Daffodils (which we call buttercups in Mississippi) are some of my favorite flowers. Thanks for dropping in!
I started Hunger Games but couldn’t get into it so I stopped! Beautiful picture and scripture
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Hi Shelia! Glad you enjoyed the photo and scripture! And that you stopped by.
Beautiful photo. Yes, it’s a very interesting story. I never read any of the books in the series, but I saw all the movies when they were released.
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Diana, my girls saw the movies, too and now I’m encouraging them to go back and read the books. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I loved the HUNGER GAMES and dissected its parts a few years ago. I wanted to figure out what made it a best-seller. We love Katniss (what kind of name is that?) because she takes her sister’s place in the games. She ‘sacrifices’ her life for her sister’s.
However, I was so appalled that I like a book/movie where the premise was that they had to kill each other and it was called a game. I didn’t want to ‘like’ it. Then a friend said to me, “Michelle, it’s fiction.”
When we can analyze good fiction and learn what makes an outstanding heroin and share it in our work, it helps us write better and sell more books.
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Love “Michelle, it’s fiction!” lol. And I analyzing books is a great way to help us ‘see’ writing principles in action. Same thing with movies. When I do watch one, I’m mentally noting things like end of Act 1…this is the man-in-the-mirror moment…that sort of thing. 🙂 Thanks so much for adding to the conversation, Michelle.
These books never really enticed me to read them, probably because they aren’t really my type of stories. The only “fantasy” ones I read were all the Lord of the Rings when I was a teen. My dad was a fan & had all the books. Then I’ve watched all the movies and enjoyed them.
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Hi Trixi. I tried to read Lord of the Rings and got about 1/3 of the way through…so I understand not being enticed. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!