Hunger Games - whet your appetite

This is one of the most talked about books of the year and many of us are anxiously awaiting the sequel, Catching Fire.  But, until the new book comes out on September 1st, this summer will be a great time to re-read The Hunger Games and re-visit Panem and re-acquaint ourselves with Katniss and Peeta.  How do you think you would battle to survive if you were forced to participate in The Hunger Games?  Why do you think this book is so popular with so many readers?  

Comments

[Dawn Foster]

This is the book that I have been recommending to EVERYONE .... I finished reading it a few wks. ago and was blown away at the story. It's not gory or horrific (in detail) & yet is so mesmerizing in the subject matter. I just can't get over how much I enjoyed this story ... since I'm not a fan of fantasy/SF I would say that Collins is amazing to be able to hook someone like me. I'm waiting for the sequel w/great anticipation!! Katniss is certainly an amazing character!

[Carolyn]

People have been asking me if I think Hunger Games will become a movie...whaddya think? Does Hollywood have anyone who could play Katniss? I'm trying to think of bands who might contribute to the soundtrack. Nick Cave is too dark, but keeps coming to mind...I guess I need some new post-apoc music.

[Jenifer Smith]

Love the action and tension and inner voice of Katniss. She knows how to hunt! She isn't a flat character with only one side or characteristic. The challenge is brutal and there is so much she doesn't know or understand about the game or about herself. I think that I was on this journey with her and I wanted to see how she was going to pull it off. The pacing was zippy quick. Fun.

[Dawn Foster]

Yes, I agree with the 'zippy' pacing ... that's what makes it a good read. It flows so seamlessly and doesn't get bogged down in details or side stories. It stays focused. I am awaiting the sequel! As for a movie version ... to be honest, I hate when good books are turned into movies because they just don't live up to the challenge! But, I can see "Hunger Games" as a very engaging movie (a video game, too!)

[Garrett]

I enjoyed this book, and I just finised it about a week ago. I have been anticipating reading it, as I ordered it at the beginning of summer. I now believe that it was worth the wait, because I very much enjoyed the book. This book was very suspenseful and a pretty guick read, but I did think that Cato's death was a tad too gruesome. Otherwise, I loved the book.

[Patrick Sisson]

I loved The Hunger Games. I made the mistake of reading it on vacation.. I couldn't do anything else until I finished the book. It was so hard to put down. I really liked the book because the characters were easy to relate to, even though the setting was not. I really liked how Katniss stayed true to herself, even in the worst of times. I am not usually a fan of science fiction/war books but this one had a special quality. I highly reccommend this book to everyone who loves a good read.

[Amelia]

I totally agree with Patrick. The characters were easy to relate to, even though the setting was so wildly out of my world.

I would not do well in The Hunger Games, due to my lack of athletic ability or stamina. But I still found this book vivid, fast-paced, and fascinating.

I think this book is so popular because it can appeal to so many people. It has the fantasy/adventure element, the romantic element, and the family loyalty/hometown pride element.

This is one of my all-time favorite books! I recommend it to anyone and everyone!

[Shawna]

Yes this is the best book I have ever read. I absolutly don't like reading, especially books I'm forced to read. When my teachers told me I had to read a book over the summer I was bumbed I wouldn't be able to relax and read what I want if I want. Once I started reading this book I was so engaged in the story line that I just couldn't put it down. I can't lie at the beginning I was bored, but once the games started it was a page turner. I definitely don't think this book should be made into a movie because like twilight movies ruin the book. They take out so much detail that is important to the story. Now, If there was a person who could find amazing actors and use every event from the story in the movie I would for sure watch it. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, this book will keep you on your toes.

[Anne Speigle]

I loved it!!! We (my family and I) listened to it on the way to Montana. No one wanted to get out of the car at rest stops because it seemed to always be at a "good part". It took me a little to get over the violence, the idea behind the fight to the death but all those twists and turns... so worth it. Awesome.

[Andrew Marquez]

I loved reading this book over the summer, and was surprised by how much it pulled me in. I enjoyed the perspective the author used when she wrote the book, because it was different from the normal books I read and shows Katniss's character well. It was very exciting and the different challenges Katniss faced during the games were always unique and action-packed.
Thinking on whether this would make a good movie, I realized that it would be hard to find an actor that could play a part as demanding as Katniss's. During the book the author could show her emotion's and thought's easily enough, but to have an actor that could show all of her traits and thought's would be pretty hard. I can imagine the set's being great, but the character's may be harder to find if they were to make a movie.
Over all, I would recommend this book to any reader of any level of reading.