Group Read: The Hunger Games

Hello everyone!
Some of us have decided on another group read and would love anyone else who is interested to join us :)

The book is Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and discussion would start on July 28th.

We also thought it might be fun to pick some questions from Scholastic's discussion guide site:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=36164
The site does contain spoilers though so we should probably wait until we are finished with the book to pick actual questions.

I think that about sums it up...but let me know if I forgot anything :)

Happy Reading!

I am going away for a fortnight on the 20th July - will be back at my computer on the 5th August - so will pick up the discussion then :)

Just finished the book while I was away for a fortnight, so ready to go when it starts.

I've read it for book club and would be glad to join!

Just bought it the other day, so I'm in :)

Finished today. I could not put it down! Can't wait to talk about it!!!!

I'm in! Best book I've read this year! Will be on vacation till Aug. 1st will join in then. Great choice!

I read Hunger Games last year... it is amazing. The second one is coming out on September! can't wait for the discussion!

I've been wanting to read this! Is it out in paperback yet? It looks like it's just hardcover right now.

Solestria, I'm pretty sure it's available in paperback... or at least it is in Australia.

Solestria, it's only in hardcover in the States, but it's a YA title so it's $16 or something instead of $25. I rarely buy books in hardcover, but this one is TOTALLY worth owning. Will buy the sequel when it's out too, I'm sure! What a great book for a discussion!

This is on my YA TBR pile, so this discussion group will get it moving for me. I am looking forward to it as I just stumbled over librarything and have been really loving it. So nice to know there are still booklovers in the world. I will be there with bells on on the 28th.

Welcome Anastasia - and everyone else :)

I finished last week and can not wait to discuss. I really love this book!

I read it a couple of months ago and loved it. Looking forward to the discussion!

Thanks for the welcome WillowRaven! I have started The Hunger Games and I am hooked. I am alternating between that and Tamar another amazing YA novel, though this one is set in the real apocalypse of WWII. I suddenly made the connection between why I like WWII stories and why I like PA stories - duh! Anyway, enjoying the book and looking forward to the discussion. Is there a word or character limit on what can be posted to this list? Just so I know going in to this.

>15 Anastasia169: - do you mean, is there a limit to how long you can make any one message? I don't think so. I've seem some that are pretty long :)
I don't think there is a limit to how many postings a thread can have either, although once a thread gets really long I know it takes longer to load (for some people).

Sorry if this isn't the question you were asking!

Yes, that is exactly what I meant as most of the messages I have seen so far were pretty short, i was a bit concerned that we would have to be very brief in our responses, but I guess that is no longer a concern.:)

Hey guys! I'm getting worried cause i still don't have the book but the sound recording is "IN TRANSIT" from another library. I hope i can finish it in time. I'll join in even if i'm not done with it. I'm really excited to read it and discuss it.

Miranda, I hope it arrives in time.

Hey! I just noticed this thread, but a friend just lent me the book on Saturday and I read the book on Sunday (couldn't slow down) so I'll make sure to check back once the discussion starts!

I will be on vacation for the discussion but will join after words.

I've read it also, and I actually read the arc of Catchinf Fire, its sequel. Can't wait to discuss.

Sorry, meant Catching Fire.

>19 strandedon8jo: Me too! Thanks.
>21 pwaites: Of Course. People are welcome anytime. The more the merrier.

#22 picultlover

I've read Catching Fire, too! We should maybe discuss that elsewhere so as not to give anything away, though, hehe.

>25 jenreidreads:, 22 We could do that as our next group read book.

Catching Fire won't be on shelves until September 1st.
I would love to do a group read of it but maybe we can fit another book in for August? If not, we could wait until everyone got a copy of Catching Fire.

I am counting down the days till Sept. 1 I can't wait to get my hands on Catching Fire

I'm definitely very eager to read Catching Fire but seeing as though it won't be released until September, I think we should choose a different book for August. We can always do Catching Fire the following month.

>29 strandedon8jo:, 28 I agree completely.
I just got Hunger Games on CD which is not as good but was what I could get soonest. I'm not in far just listening to the first chapter

I finished the book a day after starting it - what a read. I am excited to see what others thought of it.

We are listening to it as we drive on vacation. My 21 yr old thought books on tape were lame and put her ipod on instead. About ten minutes later the earbuds came out and she is the only one who didn't nap so she wouldn't miss any of the book!!! I tried to tell her!!! Great book, but I enjoyed reading it myself over the audio too Miranda.

one of my students lent this one to me in the spring. Excellent read, can't wait for the sequel.

My local book club had us read it. What a read. I love Suzanne Collins. 4.5 stars.

I read Hunger Games last year, and am also eagerly awaiting Catching Fire! Suzanne Collins ROCKS!

OK, I will start us off in saying that I loved this book. Did anyone make the connection between the old story of the young people sacrificed to the Minotaur on a yearly basis and the sacrifices from the districts in The Hunger Games?

In many ways, I wish that she had ended the book as a single title, (even though I am excited for the next book) because I think a heroic sacrifice would have made it a stronger book and I feel that the need of the publishing industry to create franchises influenced this decision - or at least that is how it read to me and in that it made it a weaker book.

I cringed and loved the creation of the werewolf creatures of the other contestants and wonder if this will be explored in the next book; it was so heartbreaking that the little girl Kat had befriended was transformed so radically and so heartlessly.

The love story kept second place to the adventure and I liked that, but felt that Kat's disengenuousness was a little overdone. I feel that the choice between the two boys is going to take a lot of space in the next book and while I like a little romance with my stories, I like it to be blended with other things.

I loved the childhood connection between the two contestants - those loaves of bread really echoed done through the years.

So, what did others think?

I thought of the Minotaur when I first read the back of the book.

I also thought it would have been better to conclude the adventure in one book, and as for the werewolf things I hope Katniss will somehow be able to use that technology against the Capitol.

About the romantic part, I have a feeling that either Gale or Peeta is going to die in some heroic way. I also have a hunch that Gale is going to hate Peeta's guts, at least at first. I hope the romance aspect does not take up to much of the book.

>37 Calwise: Is it really Peeta? I listened to the book on tape and i simply thought the reader had an accent. I thought his name was Peter.
>36 Anastasia169: I agree. I wish the book had only been one book. I think it's a good bet the next book will focus a lot on her love triangle. I think that there really isn't a need for her to feel so conflicted about Gale and Peter. She and Gale are only friends. I also agree that how oblivious Catnis is to Peter's love for her is unrealistic. How can she not tell he is completely in love with her? I knew right from the start. I also had the same reaction to the tribute wolfs. They shocked and horrified me. Watching Ru savagely attempt to murder Catnis was terrifying and sickening.

Agree about the wolves or whatever those things were are the end of the competition. Awful. And they were like torturing that last guy (sorry... loaned out my book and I read it a long time ago so details are fuzzy). I can't wait for the 2nd one.. and it seems others have already read it?!

I also think the love triangle will be a big deal but I'm not sure how Katniss will handle that... she seems pretty naive' in that area of her life. It was hard to believe she thought Peta was just playing the game? I loved him.. he is so sweet.

I loved this book! I've been thinking of rereading it actually :)

>39 love2rdinNH: I know a few people who were able to snag ARC (advanced review copies) of Catching Fire and have already read it. I do believe there will be some romance triangle action BUT from the little I have read - I think there is going to be much more political conflict that affects Katniss and her family - and some type of drastic and / or surprise ending? Maybe?

I agree that the ending with the tribute wolfs was a little over the top. I know it was a 'game' but it played out a little too long for me. Rue as a wolf? Heartbreaking!!

I know that Peeta was in love with Katniss from the start - even if she thought it was just a game. I think part of her loves him also, but she won't let herself really love anyone anymore I think.

I wrote a longer review on my blog if anyone wants to see it -- http://redhousebooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-hunger-games-by-suzanne-collins...

I also have a few links to other bloggers who are giving away ARC copies of Catching Fire!

#40 I didn't re-read but listened to it for the second time as we drove on vacation. Still love it!

I too was totally creeped out by the muttations at the end. They were awful.

I hope the second book does take on the political conflict more than the love triangle. Katniss will have to deal with her actions at the end. It will be interesting to see if she and Peeta (yes 38 it really is Peeta) get all the rewards for winning like they are supposed to get.

I loved how strong Katniss is. I hope that continues and she doesn't get all love sick!!!

Yes, the second book (I've read it) deals more with the possibility of rebellion than the love triangle. Of course, the love triangle is there and a big deal, but don't worry - it's not overdone. :)

I think Suzanne Collins does a great job building the action and the suspense. I couldn't put The Hunger Games down!

>42 jenreidreads: since you read Catching Fire - just wondering - is that it or will there be a third book? Can you tell? (without giving anything away of course!)

Oh, there will definitely be a third book! Catching Fire ends on a HUGE cliffhanger!

44 goddessladyj

Oh god. Not again. Maybe I'll just wait until the next book comes out to read it. I hate it when books end on cliffhangers.

Ah, but it's part of the fun. :P

I don't think it's fun at all.

So what was it about The Hunger Games that made us not be able to put it down?

38
Yes, its really Peeta. I thought it was a weird name.

I think the book was hard to put down because it flowed really well, there weren't any areas that ground was re-covered, so it stayed interesting, there was a lot of action, and I just kept waiting for Katniss to realise that Peeta wasn't playing up for the crowd but that he really was in love with her.

I found it so hard to put down because it was suck a horrible concept. Sending children off to die and yet amongst that, (some of) the tributes still managed to maintain their humanity. It really was an amazing concept for a teen read.

Action packed, battling seemingly impossible odds and a budding romance. All good stuff!

I too, wished it'd been tied up in a single book. That said, I'm very much looking forward to Catching Fire. Can't wait.

Oh, and on the romance side, I'm kind of down with Katniss being unsure. I'm not convinced she loves Peeta. She might, but I'm interested in how things pan out with Gale. She left her district not having felt anything more than friendship for him, but that was largely because she was so opposed to the idea of love and what it leads to (marraige, children, children being send off to die) that she never allowed herself to entertain the thought of Gale being anything other than what he was.

I think that now, having survived the game, she is more open to the idea of love. She mimicked being in love with Peeta to survive the game, and I don't doubt that while playing at being in love she did develop true feelings for Peeta. But, it also opened her up to possibilites she previously closed herself off to. Hence, my interest is where things go with Gale.

Oh, and number 36, I loved the past about Peeta, Katniss and the bread. Such a good device to tie them together.

>51 strandedon8jo: I agree that Katniss never left any room in her heart or in her life for love because of what that might bring -- more children to feed the games.

I don't mind the fact that the book is going to be a series. I think the author intended it that way - the full story has yet to be told.

I think Kat loves both Peeta and Gale, it will depend on how much and what kind of love each turns out to be. Both have helped Kat and her family survive - Peeta at the games and with the bread on the day kat was certain she and her family would starve and Gale with the daily hunting which is simultaneously a risk and a method of survival. How many things in this book manage to combine safety and danger at once? This seems to me to be a motif and an unconscious one on the part of the author.

I think the clear writing as well as the good plotting helped make this book an enjoyable read - her writing had heart and lyricism, but also flowed along well.

36> i totally agree. Kat was being ignorant to an almost frustrating degree. I think that she really has had feelings for Peeta ever since she recieved the loaf of bread from him when she was younger, it is so clear what peeta's feelings are, especially when she picked that flower and thought of peeta that is like a selfconcious feeling for him i think, and how he was looking at her at the same time. coincidental if you ask me. they definitely have feelings for eachother even if Kat doesnt know it yet. But i do believe that the lure of curiousity will drive Kat to want to explore a relationship with Gale too. Undoubtedly that will cause conflict with Peeta and she will feel guilt and compassion. yada yada yada. like many other love triangles. there are only so many ways a love triangle plot can end.....

Question from Scholastic guide:

What do you think is the cruelest part of the Hunger Games? What kind of people would devise this spectacle for the entertainment of their populace? Can you see parallels between these Games and the society that condones them, and other related events and cultures in the history of the world?

I think the dead tributes being turned into those wolf creatures is a pretty cruel twist, but I also think the way the kids have to survive in some of the districts by placing their names in the ballot extra times to get food for their families is pretty cruel too.
I think the people in charge are saddistic control freaks who see the games as their only way to keep the populace of the districts down and scared of reprecussions. It wouldn't work nearly so well if it wasn't a televised entertainment event.
Brutality has been a spectater sport throughout history, though not necesserily always to the death. The games mostly reminds me of how the Romans entertained the people by throwing Gladiators into the ring with lions. If I remember correctly the gladiators were mostly slaves who happened to be conquered warriors who lived or died at the whim of the Emporer. In the Hunger Games the people of the districts are little more than slaves for the Capitol who entertains it's people in the same way, the main differences being that the "tributes" are chosen out of a ballot rather than the capitol choosing a specific candidate and they are children not warriors.

I have a question about those wolf creatures. We're they alive? Reanimated corpses? Robots? I read the book a while ago and I don't remember if it was ever explained how they were made.

Man, I missed some good discussions! Anyway, I'm so glad that so many people have enjoyed this book. I must confess amongst other things, it was hard for me to get into the book from the start. I don't know why. I guess just the thought of these people having to battle it out til death didn't interest me. I did imagine something like gladiators being thrown into an arena. Needless to say, I'm so glad I didn't give up on it. Once she volunteered to go in Prim's place, I had to keep reading and couldn't put it down.

I too, was a little confused at first, as far as the whole love thing went at the Games. Peeta did seem like a very kind person (the whole bread and beating thing) but then I just thought he used it to his advantage. Especially when he teamed up with the Careers!! I was so confused, but when he fought Cato to let Katniss go, it hit me. :) I also feel Katniss is just protecting herself. That's why she doesn't just fall for him. She cares for him, I think almost as much as she does for Gale, but she's just not that open with her feelings.

I'm not very good at giving reviews. So I guess I just couldn't put it down, because I wanted to know what was going to happen. It's wonderful that Katniss is so strong. Each tribute however, had their strengths, and I think that was a good aspect in the story. Especially Rue, she did remind me so much of Prim from the beginning.

Alright, now I'm rambling. >57 BookLizard: they didn't really explain what those werewolf creature types were at the end. It was just the other tributes. That was a bit much. So all in all, wish I could get my hands on an ARC of Cathing Fire!! I'm ready for our next group read :)

The reanimated tributes/wolves weren't explained in detail, but the narrative refers to other scientific and gene splicing experiments (the birds who mimic song and words of people without cognitive understanding for example) in the society in which the Hunger Games is set.

I believe the wolf creatures to be some sort of gene splicing experiment using a huge amount of DNA from the tributes and mixed with wolves. This makes sense to me based on what we are told of the society and its science and there weren't any other fantasy elements in the books - the world was built on science rather than magic imo.

I go away for a week and miss TWENTY ONE comments?? I missed the whole discussion!
To 48, i think it was so hard to put down cause it was so real. The author did an excellent job of creating a world that is completely realistic and she describes it so well that I had to keep reminding myself not to worry because it wasn't real.

Remember the (I believe the term was) avox woman who Katniss saw working at the hotel and remembered seeing her running in the forest? I'm really looking forward to learning what her deal was. I think that sounded like a potentially very interesting part of the plot.

>61 weener: I agree! That was very interesting and maybe she will be in Catching Fire more. Perhaps Katniss will find a way to contact her and she will help them escape the government.

Oh yeah! Inspite of it all...it might have been her job, but I think she was very kind to Katniss. Why do you suppose she felt at ease when she saw her?

I guess it'd be too easy to say it was because she was familar. I supose it may also have to do with the fact they share a similar plight. That being the desire to escape. I dunno, really. But she (the avox woman) certainily added an interesting element.

>64 strandedon8jo: I thought it was an interesting element too. Hope we learn more about her in the next book. I agree that I think Katniss felt at ease with her because she was a part of home - trapped like she was.

I think WillowRaven is on the right track. About it being a part of home so far away. Granted not a very strong part of home but still.

In all her years of servanthood at the Capitol, the Avox girl must have picked up some valuable information that Kat can use against them, that is, if the Avox is able to write or pantomime it to her.

Oh YEAH! I remember her.. I think she was running and the 'helicopter like' thingy took her away.... is that right? I think the author left our the back story? I really need to reread this book.

I finally got my hands on a copy of The Hunger Games, so I can add to this discussion.

First of all, I don't feel like making it into a series makes it weaker. I think that's because I don't see this as the story of two teens who win the Hunger Games one year -- I see it as the story of two teens who manage, eventually, to put an end to the Hunger Games for good. And I don't think they could have done that in one book. If Katniss and Peeta can't bring about a revolution that will address the inequalities between the districts and the Capitol and put a stop to the Games, there's really no point to their story -- the two of them would just spend the rest of their lives mentoring the District 12 tributes, most of whom would still die.

I'm interested to see where the romance goes in the next book. I don't think Katniss loves Gale, but I think Gale might love her. I think that might be what he was about to say to her when they were saying goodbye. Remember, he's two years older than she is, so is probably closer to the point where he's thought about marriage and the future. I also think that Peeta was really disillusioned there at the end, thinking everything Katniss did was for the cameras, so if she does realize that she loves him, she will have to work hard to convince him of that.

I actually have a Catching Fire ARC, but I'm hesitant to read it if it ends on a big cliffhanger. Come to think of it, my brother read the Underland Chronicles by this author, and said she ended almost every book of that series on a cliffhanger, so it seems to be the way she operates.

Well said foggidawn. I agree that a revolution would be the point of their story. However, I can't wait to read Catching Fire!

So far I've read that there will be three in this series right? Are her previous books as good as this one? I've heard different things here and there.

You make some really good points foggidawn...but I'm with luv2read on this one...I can't wait for Catching Fire either!!

So, since school is starting and we have about a week and 1/2 to go for Catching Fire...is it going to be our next Group Read?!? :)

Ah, well, I caved in and started reading Catching Fire, cliffhanger or no! ;-)

> Did anyone make the connection between the old story of the young people sacrificed to the Minotaur on a yearly basis and the sacrifices from the districts in The Hunger Games?

No - but now that you mention it it tugged at my grey brain cells, and I went and googled it. I found it disturbing that a nation would allow this to happen, and wondered if it would in the 'real' world today. I am afraid the answer would probably be yes.

> I cringed and loved the creation of the werewolf creatures of the other contestants and wonder if this will be explored in the next book; it was so heartbreaking that the little girl Kat had befriended was transformed so radically and so heartlessly.
Oh I so agree - I found this to be heartrending - a very (and I am going to use the word again) disturbing twist.

The book was an 'A' read for me - and I have Catching Fire on order.

Now that Catching Fire is out what dose everyone think? Or am I the only one that has finished it? I'm probably not the only one annoyed about the cliff hanger.

I've decided not to read it until the last book is out (so I'm going to stop reading this thread, if it turns in that direction :). I wouldn't be able to judge it on its other merits because I'd be so annoyed by the cliffhanger.

I can't get Catching Fire out of my daughter's hands to read it!!! It will be a long wait until the next one!!

blue, while you are waiting you might want to check out Maria Snyder's Study series. Features another strong female, Yelena. All three are already published!

Loved Catching Fire. Now my wife has it, and my 23 year old daughter is dying waiting for her to finish it.

I have it but school has kept me from reading it.

I recently read both of these and loved them! I have passed them around to other teachers at my school. I liked Catching Fire better than The Hunger Games.

79

I was trying to push The Hunger Games on some English Teachers with out dated reading lists (from the 80s). One told me he read it (doubted it) and that was the last I heard from him and one just nodded and that was the last I heard about it from her. *sighs*

I thought it was terrific that Catching Firewas easily as good as The Hunger Games. So many times the books in between the first and last of a series are just filler -- of the reader's time, and the author's bank account.

What's the third one going to be called?

According to this: http://www.amazon.com/Title-of-Book-3-confirmed/forum/Fx3RA1NJ0ONL2CP/TxP95F8V9L... the title of the 3rd book will be The Victors, and it's due out in September 2010. I don't know how reliable that info is, though.

I thought a good way to describe the book to someone was TV show Big Brother + movie The Running Man + Romeo and Juliet. I think this gives some idea into the train wreck of "Hunger Games" as someone mentioned there wouldn't be a hunger games if people didn't watch it and cheer especially for the more gruesome adventures. But I believe the book said that there were mandatory viewing times for certain parts of the games.

84: Thanks

I think one of the tricks is that we, as readers, are part of the trouble b.c. we are 'watching' too.`

Ok - I'm a little behind the game here, but I just finished Hunger Games and now I'm going to go back and read through this discussion. SO - Who do you think Katniss will end up with? Peeta or Gale? or Neither? I think she is being a typical 16 year old who is inexperienced when it comes to the romance thing. The boys already know what they want but she has no idea and the feelings are totally new and confusing and the game doesn't help matters any. She doesn't know when she is playing and when the feelings are real anymore. I've started Catching Fire and will have to see where this goes.

Oh my gosh!!! Catching Fire was just as good as the first one!!!!!!!! I am so happy! I was really worried at first that it wouldn't be any good but it's AMAZING, and also completely NOT what i expected.

I really enjoyed Catching Fire too Miranda! It's going to be a long wait until Sept. for number 3.

At this point I'm just glad there's been a release date announced. I was afraid it'd turn out to be another Harry Potter with fairly hefty chunks of time passing between the later books. Glad that's not the case.
:)

There is a ticker on the Scholastic page for the series counting down the hours and minutes until the next release.

Sorry to hear that teachers aren't updating their reading lists - especially as this series could be used to launch study of utopias and dystopias in literature and these ideas in our culture with a lot of success.

As for whether Kat will end up with Gale or Peeta, Kat's naivete seems forced and overdone and one of the few parts of the book I didn't like. I don't mind the love triangle, but one of the first things girls are taught, both implicity and explicitly is about sexual power. I'm not saying they get it right away, but the culture they are showing is basically us after a disaster and Kat doesn't seem believable here. Again, my only criticism of a book I loved.

Not all teachers are like that! I read the Hunger Games and Catching Fire to my class of 12 yr olds last year and they were extremely popular. Led to lots of discussion and several students went on to read similar dystopic stories like Gone and The Maze Runner. School in New Zealand just started 3 days ago but I've already had a few discussions with some of my former students about when the 3rd book will come out.

Yes, I have already read the book, but would love to join.

#95 - Glad to hear that not all teachers are sticking with only the golden oldies. I was replying to a post up-thread where a reader complained of trying The Hunger Games on two teachers and didn't get even a comment back. I wasn't trying to offend you, but to commiserate with the other poster. Sorry for any misunderstanding.

94> Could you give an example of what you mean by Kat's naivete? I don't exactly agree that the culture is us after a disaster. The Hunger Games have been going on for nearly 75 years, so that's at least a couple of generations into this dystopian world. Kat is a tomboy who hunts and fishes, folks in her District aren't materialistic - they're just trying to survive . . . I thought part of the theme of the book was country vs. city, so her naivete wasn't overdone for me.

That she is still so naive in Catching Fire bothered me a little more.

Ok, country or city, generations into the dystopia of Panem or us after a disaster, there are some universals in human cultures. One of those universals is courting and mating rituals and customs - even when survival is a daily obsession, perhaps especially when survival is an obsession, because it is then that families and communities must band together to share the work and the burdens. The basic unit of family is the husband and wife - even if division of labor is less gender oriented as with kat and Gale. Kat's refusal to see that there was potential for a relationship with Gale that was more than friendship and her repeated questioning/ignoring of Peeta's obvious feelings felt like it was a device of the writers rather than a true feeling of the character.

And again, the country versus city aspect of it doesnt make a difference to me as country people get married as well - and perhaps younger because the work to survive is even more arduous. Further, the other characters in the book are well aware of the potential of all of Kat's relationships even those in her peer group. Not to mention that young people are taught about the courting customs and the importance of marriage and teamwork in their cultures and again, all of the other characters seem to be aware of these norms. All except Kat, in an annoying, overdone innocence and simplicity that surely doesn't match the pragmatism of a girl who hunts to keep her family fed. (Oooooh, she simpers, I just can't imagine either Gale or Peeta having any feelings for little me.) That girl would be well aware of just what both Gale and Peeta could bring as potential partners and she would be aware not just because of any romantic feelings, but because of very practical considerations as well. Pragmatism Kat certainly brought to the arena.

This is why it didn't work for me; her naivete felt forced and like a conceit of the author's. Again, my only real criticism of a book I loved, but it grated while I read as it didn't seem to fit the rest of the character or the rest of the society portrayed.

I thought this thread was a good place to post this:

The cover for the third Hunger Games book has been announced!

Title: Mockingjay
Release date: August 24, 2010

> 99

I've actually known some teen girls Kat's age in the same situation, with the same situational blindness. I agree that there's a level of naivete there, but I don't think it's unrealistic.

While many girls are definitely alert to the first sign of flirting or interest from a guy, there are girls who are not, and in fact are blindly so - especially if it comes from a guy she considers a good friend and may be frightened of losing in that role.

Well, I'm kind of late in the discussion but I would still like to add some thoughts. This book is amazing. I couldn't put it down the first time I read it (I have re-read the entire series). I really liked all the action of it and the unpredictable-ness that kept you guessing. I especially liked how the romance wasn't overpowering, it didn't take away from the tension of the arena but yet it added a nice touch. Suzanne Collins is a fantastic writer. I love her writing style, I get lost in her books and spend hours just reading them.

I have read the Hunger Games series. Amazing. I am usually not interested in a book like this but it blew me away. A fast read. Well paced. Lots of action.

i have and read the books

I have read all three books and I have seen the first two movies. I am a fanatic when it comes to anything Hunger Games. I would love to join the discussion. I will make sure I have a computer nearby on the day of the discussion. Catlover99 Out!

105> Um... this thread is from 2009. I think the discussion's already over.