The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the The Hunger Games Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on November 11th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 11/11
11th: Chapters 1-2
12th: Chapters 3-5
13th: Chapters 6-8
14th: Chapters 9-11
15th: Chapters 12-14
16th: Chapters 15-17

Week of 11/17
17th: Chapters 18-19
18th: Chapters 20-22
19th: Chapters 23-25
20th: Chapters 26-end

PARTICIPANTS
~Sarah-Vanessa
~Michelle
~Sophie
~Edith

Chapter 1 - 2
I‘m excited for this one. It’s on my physical TBR for so long. I watched the movies years ago, can’t say that I remember much though.

So far it’s very dystopian. Katniss and the people of the District 12 have a horrible life. It’s so sad. And on top of that the cruel Hunger Games.

Chapters 1-2

There is a certain tone to YA books in the writing, and because I don't really read YA as much anymore, I didn't realise how much I missed it.

I also last watched the movies 3ish years ago so the timeline in my mind isn't super clear. I read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes a year or two ago and relied on my memory of the movies....which was a mistake.

I 100% understand already why pretty much everyone forsees this being a classic.

Up to the end of chapter 8

The writing flows excellently and the plot is carrying itself well. Because I'm so familiar with the movies it is Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth etc that I'm visualising when I'm reading. It doesn't sugarcoat the brutalities of a dystopian world and can teach us a lot of lessons......if only people just listened. I honestly need to pick up more dystopians, honestly I feel like it's one of the best subgenres and has a perfect blend of so many other genres.

Up to chapter 5

I haven't read the books so it's going to be a new read for me, but since I think I watched all the movies it's going to be familiar.
So far I don't have much to say, the writing is so easy which surprised me a bit because writing nowadays is more descriptive.

Up to the End of Chapter 11
The writing absolutely flows easy and I notice myself progressing with this read quickly, which is nice. I definitely also picture Jennifer and Liam, as I saw the movies first.

So far I‘m really intrigued about Peeta‘s character. I can’t really grasp him. So I‘m definitely looking forward to see his further development in the book. He seems to wear different hats or maybe it’s just tactics. I also feel like the team of District 12 is planning a revolution indirectly. As I don’t remember a lot of the movies- just snippets- this feels very new and fresh.😛

Chapter 12-14
I‘m liking it so far. Yes, the worldbuilding and the depth of the characters definitely isn’t the focus here. But I like how fast paced it is and I kind of want to read ahead, but have too many other BR‘s going. 😂

@mine considering the writing, it’s YA so that might be one of the reasons.

My 3 year old had surgery this week and 5 year old thought we didn't have it hard enough he decided to also get serve croup. I am on the struggle bus lol. I'm hoping to catch up today with the audiobook

Wow I just caught up and I didn't want to stop reading. I never read the books before only watch the movies and just wow. Everything just flowed so well. I know this is a YA but to me it didn't feel that way with all the topics they were bring up. I am definitely liking the book way more than the movie.

@Sarah- Vannessa I agree with you I agree it feel like they are planning a revolution and I kinda love it!

Chapter 15 - 19
I don’t have too much to add. I‘m still enjoying this read.
And I‘m definitely sad Rue died.

The only thing I wonder: why did they change the rules? I‘m eager to find out the reason.

I read (listened to) this years ago and what I really like the most is the "voice" Katness Everdeen.

I'm pretty sure I watched the movies, but I don't remember much of it.
For some reason I thought Peeta well not dumb, but didn't have any high thoughts for him, however I'm finding him more cunning, and that's surprising me.

@mina that honestly surprised me too, I keep thinking I missed something in the movie. I’ll definitely be watching it soon

I honestly don’t remember much of the movie… I don’t remember Peeta at all. Somehow I believe someone was upset with Katniss in the end but I don’t know who it was, if Peeta or Gale.

I also remember someone dying of an infected wound. I honestly thought it was Rue. I thought her death was longer and more painful in the movies, but no idea if I recall this correctly.

Chapter 20 - 22
I did not expect for Thresh to help Katniss. That was nice. Somehow I missed that Tresh and Rue were close. Yes, they’re from the same district but she died before the rule came out that a couple can win. That definitely left me a bit surprised.

Finished it!

@Sarah-Vanessa
I don't think it's much about Thresh being close to Rue, more like she was the youngest + from his district.

I've had a big assignment due this week so I lacked on my updates (sorry 😬) but these are my final thoughts/review. Looking forward to getting into book 2.

4 stars ✨

It is a classic for a reason! It captures the true brutality and dehumanising nature of a government body. I found Peeta to be a very vague character despite his frequency in the story, so I’m looking forward to exploring the intricacies of his character in the next book. Honestly this really was a timeless read, I have no critiques. The only reason it wasn’t a five star was because it didn’t give me that five star feeling

I also finished and it’s a 4 star as well for me.

@Sophie I agree that it’s a classic.

This a very enjoyable and easy read. The writing flows naturally and is simple - not in a bad way - which makes tis book a quick read. I loved the main characters, especially Katniss. The plot is very well built and from the beginning, every action has a certain aim and reason.

In the end I felt a tiny bit sad for Peeta, who obviously was clueless.

It could easily be a five star, I just deducted one star because I felt the world building could have been a bit more descriptive. But that’s really cherry picking at a high level.