Stack of Spines

I read The Hunger Games all in one day, and almost all in one sitting.  That rarely happens, especially not during swim team season.  Laundry, dishes, husband and dogs just had to wait (sorry, guys).

This book is great for so many things.  It made me wonder, cry, cringe, get my hopes up, and fear incessantly.  I also was nervous, excited, and disgusted.  I was fascinated and horrified by the idea of the Hunger Games and that fueled me to know more.

What happens when a society’s rules are no longer useful and don’t protect their own future citizens?  I enjoy utopian novels but I think dystopias are even more interesting.  This one is at the top of my (albeit short) dystopia list.

I love and appreciate reading a well-written teen book with a strong female lead.  So many books I remember reading in school or for fun had male characters or a strong male influence and if there were female main character plots, they lacked substance.  I don’t think the romance between Katniss and Peeta cheapened the novel as a whole, however, in the beginning I was afraid it would.  I didn’t want her to go soft wondering how her hair looked after three weeks in the wilderness with a bow and arrow.  And everyone is fascinated by gladiators, right?  Especially 12-18 year old bad asses with flame suits!

Now for the only part I didn’t enjoy.  I felt a little jaded as I read because in novels like this where an outcome is essentially set — in this case, the author makes it abundantly clear that only one of 24 teens will live, you take for granted that the main character won’t be killed off.  I was on the edge of my seat with other details, but that fact was in the back of my mind — there is a sequel.  I suppose any book where death surrounds the main character harbors the same issue.

The Hunger Games.  Read it.

P.S. Come back and tell me what you think because I missed my book club discussion on this one!