So Delicous

I have to say that I LURVES me the Hunger Game and its sequel, and I should just say that I am looking forward to the third and final book in the trilogy with a bit of crazy anticipation. For my recent birthday, my husband even got the books on CD for me so that I could have him "read" it so we could discuss it. And guess what? It's great even on CD.

The basic premise of the Hunger Games is that it's a story about 16 year-old Katniss Everdeen, who takes the place of her 12 year-old sister, Prim, to participate in the annual Hunger Games, in which two tributes (one male and one female, ages 12-18) from each of twelve "Districts" are selected every year to battle to the death. I like how on the book flap, it says, "Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love." Indeed!

This book is so well written, it's not even funny. It's harsh and gruesome in many places (mutations, tracker jacker "visions"), and yet lovely and so thought provoking in others (Rue's flowers, the song, the boy with the bread). But I was right there the whole time, seeing it and feeling it...it was if I came to a point where I was like, "Well, yes, it's just the way life was in the District, in The Games."

I was so happy that Katniss is a strong heroine. Jason (my husband) and I were talking about the difference between her and Bella (aka: Twilight's heroine). Oh my goodness! I think Collins does an amazing job at creating a love triangle. (I should say here that we also listen to Twilight on audio book just before The Hunger Games, and I think this is where I came to the conclusions that one of the books is so amazingly well written, while the other...is not as amazingly written. Both are very enjoyable, in very different ways, but one is definitely more complex in description and plotting).

I have so not done this review justice, but I'm so curious to hear what everyone else thought I wanted to get this posted to get the ball rolling. When I asked Jason if he was ready to listen to Catching Fire, he said, "I can't just yet." I asked why not? And he said, "I just got too involved in it and need a break." Yes, that is how I feel. But I kinda don't need a break.

Ahem. ANYWAY!

As I've been re-skimming the book, here are some questions I thought of as I was re-reading...

1. Do you think Katniss fell in love with Peeta during the course of The Games, or was she just using him for survival? (I'll respond to these questions in the comment section) How about her relationship with Gale? (this might best be answered if you've already read Catching Fire)

2. Do you think Suzanne Collins is/was making a statement about reality shows and the ever numbing emotions of their audiences? How/why?

3. Who do you think represents The Capitol if we were to look at the world today? Why?

4. Who was your favorite supporting character and why?

5. Do you think you could have been a contender in The Games? Why/why not?

Thanks, Ladies, for answering these questions! And thanks for reading the book. :)