College Students! discussion

Hey all!

So I'm totally struggling right now with the decision on whether or not to read The Hunger Games. I've heard it's kind of upsetting and violent. What did you guys think?

I've been dying to read it. I've heard such great things. I know a bunch of ppl on here read it.

Read it!

Yes it is violent, but not in an offensive way. I'm not really sure how to describe it. I will tell you this, my rather conservative mother read it and loved it.

READ IT, READ IT, READ IT!!!

It's a great book, and yes it is violent but you'll love it.

Oh, thanks Kimberly. :) Reading the back of the book worried me a little, just because the plot has the potential to be upsetting depending on how it's written. I just don't like crying... lol. So I avoid books I know will upset me!

And thanks, Adriana. :) We posted at the same time, so I didn't get to thank you for your opinion in my previous post!

I love opinions. :)

It's not really upsetting at all. the violence isn't scary. I'd recommend it for people as low as the 5th grade.
As for my opinion on the book... it's ok. It wasn't great literature, the characters were cliched, and the plot was very predictable, but it was still an exciting read and great if you just need something light and fun. I enjoyed it, but it didn't really stick in my memory as an exceptional book. Just enjoyable. So, if you want an enjoyable light read, go for it. And don't be scared of the violence.
Also, if you're looking for a book for a younger person, especially a young girl, this is a great Ya choice.

I just finished it, like five minutes ago. I wound up getting sucked in really fast, and finished the book quite quickly. I am confused with some of the smaller details but they don't really effect the story at all.

It is violent but it is not gory, and toned down from how the back made it sound. I totally recommend it. Very entertaining, and Chasing Fire is a great sequel.

Yeah, I need to get around to reading the sequel. I've heard that it's good.

I agree with everyone else, read it! (and the sequel!)

There is violence but it's not too bad. The summary on the book jacket kept turning me away from the book, but finally I caved and bought it. I'm glad I did!

READ IT! It's amazing!

Eh. The sequel was ok. I'm not exactly enthralled with the series thus far.

I really liked The Hunger Games. It's not too violent, I mean there are teens fighting to the death, but it's more a social commentary along the lines of 1984, a dystopian futuristic America. I still need to read the sequel.

Totally consumed by this trilogy- loved book one and two. I can't wait until book three comes out! The Hunger Games itself reminds me a bit of "Battle Royale" a Japanese film that instructs a class to fight and kill each other until one surviving student remains. Other than that, I find the story to be very unique and unlike anything I've come across before.

I work in a library. Our Education librarian has kept abreast of young adult literature for years and is one of the best critics I know. She said that Hunger Games is the best young adult novel that has become popular that she has read in a very long time. She could not find many faults with the writing style, the language, the characterization, the story, or anything. My girlfriend loved the first two books and I can't wait to read them.

Denise, I agree completely, it's a complete rip off of Battle Royale. They're still great books though.


As an aside, the Battle Royale films are FANTASTIC! Especially the first one.

Wow. I just read the summary of Battle Royale. I guess I know now where she got her idea!

Yeah- the ideas are the same. But the stories to me are completely different. I love all the characters in The Hunger Games! I get sucked into weird romances, and I think thats a lot of the reason I enjoy this series.
And on the topic of Battle Royale- they released a new revised English edition of the Japanese novel that inspired the movie. I came across a copy at B&N and am definitely adding it to my "to-read" list :)
-d

**SPOILER**

What does everyone think of the relationship between Katniss and her buddy from home? What was his name again?

Tahleen wrote: "**SPOILER**

What does everyone think of the relationship between Katniss and her buddy from home? What was his name again?"

Gale if I remember correctly :) I'm not sure what to make of it, on one hand she's known him far longer than Peeta, but Peeta is so sweet during the Hunger Games.. But Gale seems almost more like an older brother. And she doesn't really seem in love with either of them, I'm not really sure who I'm rooting for.

That's what I thought too. I think you're right, his name is Gale. Or something close to that. I got the feeling that she was thinking about him a lot more often than Peeta and she probably loves him, though that doesn't necessarily mean in a romantic way. I'm interested to see how it develops in the second book, which I still have to read.

The name of the third book has been released!!!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/book...

Yay, I am excited. There are a bunch of books I am trying to be patient for, but its not really working out that way.

I have been waiting for a long time for this book to come out. HURRY, i don't think i can wait much longer.

I really enjoyed the first book. I have the second book but I didn't want to read it right away since I've heard that it ends in a really bad cliffhanger.

Hunger Games wasn't the best book I've read, but it sucked me in and I couldn't stop reading it

Finally read it!! SO worth reading! I was sucked in.


*SPOILERS*

I am so conflicted with the Gale vs. Peeta thing!! I wanted to find out sooo bad what she did when she got home but of course it has to be in the second book and I don't have that yet! :)

YAY! I'm so glad you liked it! Most of the time I don't reread books, cause I simply don't have time with all the other books sitting on my shelves waiting to be read, but I've already reread this one :) I'm so looking forward to the third one coming out August 24th!

*SPOILERS*
Weren't you sad when Rue died? I almost cried at that part.

Jamie, I'm also conflicted! I picked up Catching Fire from the library yesterday and it's sitting on my bookshelf, itching to be read...

*SPOILERS*


Daisy--

I was SOO sad when she died too! I was like NOO! But..at least it didn't come to the end when Katniss would have had to end up betraying her or vice versa. I think it would have been harder to get down to the point where you would have to betray each other.

*SPOILERS*

I agree with you Jamie, it was sad but I'm glad they never had to betray each other.

I have the feeling I will re-read the first two when I get the last one. :) Hopefully when they make the movies, they will do okay with the casting and the script. I don't want them to really mess up a great story line.

Oh excited to see lots of Hunger Games love. I'm throwing a party/readathon when Mockingjay comes out for all of my Hunger Games obsessed friends, just got a couple more people addicted.

I just finished the first one and I don't quite see what all the fuss was about. It was just okay, to me. Too cliched for my taste, which is odd because I've never read anything really like it before, but it was just pretty easy to see how it could all turn out.

**spoilers**

I have a friend who loaned it to me on a very enthusiastic recommendation, and I'm going to read the sequel to see how it all turns out. I, too, am really curious to see how the Gale/Peeta conflict is wrapped up. At this point, I'm rooting for Gale because I almost feel like Katniss doesn't deserve Peeta, since what little feelings for him she might have seem to be overridden by her desire to put on the act...

I was also glad that Rue didn't die at Katniss' hands. For a while I thought she would be one of the final contestants and that Katniss would have to take her down.

I'm on the 2nd book now. I havent decided whether or not I trust Peeta's feelings for Katniss. It seems real, but I know that there is an upcoming plot twist where you find out what's REALLY going on, so I'm undecided and dying to find out more!

I should have come back months ago! I got Hunger Games for Christmas and LOVED it! I went and bought the second one about 4 days after I started the first! I'm dying waiting for Mockingjay!

Jana wrote: "Hey all!

So I'm totally struggling right now with the decision on whether or not to read The Hunger Games. I've heard it's kind of upsetting and violent. What did you guys think?"

It's worth reading.

I just read Catching Fire, and flew through it. It was super addicting, of course, and I enjoyed seeing what the Capitol was going to do next, but I think I liked The Hunger Games a bit better. The series is definitely worth reading since they're fun reads and easy to get through. Great when you're in a reading funk, which I was in when I read the first one :)

Natanya wrote: "I just read Catching Fire, and flew through it. It was super addicting, of course, and I enjoyed seeing what the Capitol was going to do next, but I think I liked The Hunger Games a bit better. The..."

I completely agree with you I love catching Fire I really can't wait to read Mockongjay

I recommend the series, especially if you like a little bit of a political twist to the story. The second book sort of reminds me of Jumanji with what goes on in the arena. But there are totally political undertones to the entire series which makes it really interesting.
It isn't something I would typically read, but it was totally worth it.

If you're creative and have some free time you can enter a Hunger Games Cake Decorating Contest: http://ajesplin.blogspot.com/2010/08/...

I just finished the first book and loved it and thanks to my Kindle I was immediately able to start to second one. Now I just need to make it last 10 days so I won't have to wait for the final book.

I am planing a re-read before the last book comes out. Hmm, since it is getting so close, I probably should get on that.

I finished rereading Hunger Games yesterday and started Catching Fire again. I realized that I have forgotten a lot of it.

That is exactly why I want to reread them. It has been awhile since I read them to begin with, and I tend to rush through books I really like, so the details don't stick too much sometimes.

I reread Catching Fire last week and there were so many details that I didn't remember. I think I read it too fast the first time!

Only 6 more days until Mockingjay! :)

Yay! I'm so excited. Whats really sad is that it comes out the day after I start classes again, so I have to wait until that night to get it.

I'm not very good about making books last...finished Catching Fire this morning and still have 5 days to go.

lol, I don't blame you at all. I've always been terrible about making books last.

Holy crap. I just finished this book and I really like it!!! I almost always read nonfiction, memoirs, or historical fiction. This book was totally different and it just blew my mind that I got so into it!! I already have the next two in the series on my kindle... I guess that's where I'm heading right now!!!