Hunger Games Trilogy discussion -- COMBINED thread

[Cindy416]

Just finished reading The Hunger Games, which I found to be quite good. Now, I'm trying to decide whether to take the plunge and read Catching Fire next, followed by Mocking-Jay. My TBR list is extremely long, and I'm anxious to get to some of the other books, but am wondering if those of you who have read the trilogy recommend total immersion in the series, rather than spacing the books out. (I realize that everyone is different, but I'd love to hear your opinions.) Thanks!

[Patricia]

I tried spacing them out and am on the last one.  But in retrospect, I'd read them in succession. 

[teashopgirl]

I think I'd read them in succession. Catching Fire is terrific.

[kindlegrl81]

If I can read a series back to back, I usually try to.  If too much time passes between books then I usually forget little details, which bugs me so I have to re-read the previous book and it ends up taking even longer to finish the series.

[Cindy416]

Thanks for your speedy replies. My daughters and I share an Amazon account, and of them bought the books several months ago. I'm wanting to try TGWTDT before the movie comes out, but I may have to wait a bit on that.

[LilianaHart]

I'd read them back to back. The second one is fantastic.

[purplepen79]

I'd recommend reading them in quick succession, as there are details/hints dropped in the first book that become important plot points in the second and third books.  Also, the emotional impact of the overall story of the trilogy (specifically for me seeing Katniss's development over the course of all three books) packs more of a punch if you read them one after the other. 

[Cuechick]

I agree, I read them one after the other... why not? The others can wait.

[KindleGirl]

I agree, read them all together. I tend to forget details if I wait too long.

[Cindy416]

Thanks for your advice. I knew I could count on my fellow KBers.

[Nancy O'Hara]

To my surprise I read them all. In succession. I tried reading something else after the first one, but there was an itch I had to scratch and went to the 2nd and then the 3rd. Enjoyed the immersion and Katniss. It'll be interesting to see what they do with the movie.

[purplepen79]

It'll be interesting to see what they do with the movie.

After seeing the preview over the holiday season (I think it was when a friend dragged me to see Sherlock Holmes), I'm very interested in seeing the movie--aside from the third Batman movie (the Nolan brothers are the bestest ) coming out in 2012, Hunger Games has become my most anticipated movie-to-see because of the preview.  It helps that I enjoyed the series, though sometimes when I enjoy reading a book, I don't necessarily want to see the movie.  Not the case with this one, though.  Also, they filmed parts of it around here (western NC), which adds another layer to my fascination.  Sorry for the thread digression, but the preview is still playing in my head three weeks later.  It looked that good.

[Dara England]

If I can read a series back to back, I usually try to.  If too much time passes between books then I usually forget little details, which bugs me so I have to re-read the previous book and it ends up taking even longer to finish the series.

This. I read all the books in the trilogy back to back and am glad I did or I don't think I'd have remembered some things, like who the minor characters were. And add me to the list of those waiting for the movie to come out.

[Jack Blaine]

I read them in quick succession.  LOVED the first one.

[Brad Murgen]

Right them right in a row.  They are pretty short and move at a fast pace.

[LeoHopkins]

I'd have to agree that there is definitely and "itch" to read the others and continue the story but I don't think you have to to enjoy them.

And since I am new around here I'll ask as some places are very militant about it and others are not. Would it be kosher to start a discussion of these books here or start a fresh thread? Mind you I have not delved down into this forum to see if there is a "Hunger Games" thread and would before moving forward on either front but the thought occurred to me here and so I need to "get it on paper" before it is gone forever! 

Again, apologies, I do not mean to hijack this thread and you are more than welcome to slap me around, ignore me or tell me to get lost.

[Cindy416]

I'd have to agree that there is definitely and "itch" to read the others and continue the story but I don't think you have to to enjoy them.

And since I am new around here I'll ask as some places are very militant about it and others are not. Would it be kosher to start a discussion of these books here or start a fresh thread? Mind you I have not delved down into this forum to see if there is a "Hunger Games" thread and would before moving forward on either front but the thought occurred to me here and so I need to "get it on paper" before it is gone forever! 

Again, apologies, I do not mean to hijack this thread and you are more than welcome to slap me around, ignore me or tell me to get lost.

I've started reading Catching Fire, and am already about 40% through it.

As for the boards here, I would suggest starting a thread about this series or one of the books in particular. If there is already a thread for the series or one book, I haven't found it. The people here, including the moderators, are very nice, and if you post something in the wrong place, the moderator will move it to the proper place. A lot of people love the books in this particular trilogy, and I would think that there would be some good discussion. It seems unlikely that someone, at some point, hasn't started such a discussion, but I haven't run across it.

No need to apologize about hijacking this thread. I found out what I wanted to know, so any other discussion about the series is added incentive for me to carve more time out of my busy schedule in which to read.

By the way, welcome to the Kindle Boards. I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I have. I've been here almost 3 years, and it is the one place that I have to keep open on my computers, iPad, iPhone, etc. so that I can stay in touch with the many kindred spirits with whom I've shared many thoughts.

[DevonMoroi]

To be honest, I loved the first one and hated the last two. I'm not sure I would even bother with two and three unless you feel you absolutely have to know how it ends.

[Jan Strnad]

Okay, I am not the target audience for The Hunger Games. Basically, I'm too damned old and cynical and been-around-the-blockish. But I figured I'd dip my toe into the first book and see what the brouhaha was about and move quickly on, probably not even bothering to finish the first chapter.

So I started reading and, to my surprise, found myself enjoying the book!

Last night I was awake at 3:00 a.m. wondering what was going on with Katniss, and I nudged my wife and told her I was going to get up and read for awhile....

I expect I'll be going straight to the second book when I finish the first!

[LeoHopkins]

Well, it looks like there might be an interest in a discussion. I'll start a thread for easier future reference and so you aren't "spoiled" on the remaining books.

[LeoHopkins]

I have been running this one around in my head for awhile and, since there seems to be an interest, and I've actually joined I can finally get some feedback.

I won't go into too much depth tonight as it is late here but to start I am nowhere near the target audience for these books by more than 30 years so please keep that in mind as you read what I have to say.

First, my reason for reading these books. I am a fan of Hugh Laurie and when I kept getting hits on Hunger Games pages saying he should play Haymitch Abernathy I wanted to see who this character was and if that seemed like a good fit (Yes, but I knew it would never happen).

I truly have mixed feelings about this trilogy. I'm not sure how to put this but an old writing adage puts forth that a writer should shows us, not tell us. I found the entire trilogy to be too much tell, not enough show.

Also, for the most part Katniss annoyed me. That is not necessarily bad as in generally teenagers annoy me so Suzanne Collins captured that aspect well. I also think many of the secondary characters were intriguing enough that I wanted to know more about them. Of course I am partial to Haymitch but Cinna, Plutarch, and many of the other mentors caught my interest as well. Frankly I wanted to know more about them than I did about Katniss and Peeta, and the other "kids".

But it was interesting enough for me to read all three books and I look forward to the movies, although I think they have made fundamental changes to those intriguing secondary characters that may turn completely change the tone of the movie from the books.

[Geemont]

I read The Hunger Games for an online book club.  While everyone else said they liked it, I thought the novel about as I interesting as a McDonalds hamburger or a Summer movie, IMHO.  But I guess there are a lot of readers who eat that stuff up.  Or maybe you have to be 13 or in tune with your inner 13 self.

I never read the other books and have no intention of seeing the movie.

[Carolyn62]

I've read the trilogy and enjoyed it. I refuse to admit how far over the suggested age I am.     I don't know if I'll see the movie or not because I'm usually disappointed by movies based on books I've enjoyed.

[Dara England]

I've read the trilogy and liked it, although I admit I didn't enjoy the second and third books quite as much as the first one. In the beginning I was thrown off balance by the use of present tense in the narration. I love first person novels but it's been a long time since I've read anything first person, present tense and I wasn't initially sure I liked it. But a few pages in I stopped noticing how the story was delivered because I became so wrapped up in the plot. Looking back I realize the present tense was part of what gave it such an intense feel. The action was nonstop and I was experiencing it at the same time as Katniss and (although it exhausted me) it also kept me on the edge of my seat.

There were places where I felt slightly let down because I would've liked things to go in a different direction or because I wanted to see more of some characters and less of others. But the author knew where she wanted to take things and in the end, I can't complain. Okay, I'll complain a little that the ending of the final book wasn't what I was hoping for but I can't tell you what I was hoping for because I don't know myself. Maybe something a little happier but then it wouldn't have matched the overall feel of the books... Anyway, I'm going to say the books deserve the attention they're getting because they really are pretty gripping. Now I'm just waiting for the movie to come out.

[SylviaLucas]

I haven't read the books, but after seeing the movie previews I'm tempted.