Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; Reprint edition (July 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439023521

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

I should really call my miscellaneous page my Nook book page, because that's what I'm reading most of the "miscellaneous" books on. I also should tell my Hunger Games story. I am kind of notoriously resistant to fads. If something becomes huge and I have it shoved in my face a thousand times a day, or if people tell me that I've "GOT to read it/watch it/etc." - I refuse to read it until the hooplah has passed. Perfect example: Harry Potter. I was given the Harry Potter books as a package set after the third one was released, and I read them and enjoyed them. By the fifth book, however, Harry Potter was a huge deal and everybody was talking about it. My grandparents bought me Harry Potter toys. Put me off. At this point, I haven't read the seventh book.
 The Hunger Games was beginning to fall into that category, but Tumblr saved it for me by not taking it too seriously. So, having finished all of my hard copy books that I brought to Korea, I succumbed and downloaded the stupid book to my Nook. I have to say: not the worst decision I've ever made. I don't think it was worth all the hype its gotten, but it was definitely a good book. I would read it again.
 It's a young adult novel, so it's not like I was expecting a masterpiece of writing skill. I was surprised at the constant present tense form, however. It took a little getting used to, but after the first couple of chapters it was barely noticeable. Until they actually got into the arena, I was not impressed with the content of the novel. I don't think Collins appropriately conveyed the emotions a tribute would have - she was too focused on her descriptions of the clothes, the food, and the surroundings. I barely felt worried for Katniss, and that's not a great way to start a novel that's supposed to be about the gruesome murder of 23 people. The costumes she thought up were a lot of fun though, and I'm very disappointed with the filmmakers' missed opportunity to do something fabulous. The costumes in the movie were nowhere close to the description.
 Once they entered the arena, though, things began to pick up. I appreciated most of the characters' development, although I think Katniss is a moron. She misses signals from everybody around her (except apparently for the dubitable Haymitch), and Collins spends far too much time revolving simple scenarios in Katniss' head. I'm sorry, but I think if you're going to create a character who is adept at hunting and manages to outsmart many of the other tributes, she should also be able to understand basic human emotions.
 Aside from all of its problems, The Hunger Games was a fun ride, with mostly likeable characters (I liked Peeta far more than I was anticipating) and I'm a bit excited to read the next one. I won't tell you what happens at the end, but she definitely left it at a bit of a cliffhanger.
 Overall: A-