The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on September 1st 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:

The Hunger Games
September 1: Chapters 1-7
September 2: Chapters 8-15
September 3: Chapters 16-22
September 4: Chapters 23-27

Catching Fire
September 5: Chapters 1-7
September 6: Chapters 8-14
September 7: Chapters 15-21
September 8: Chapters 22-27

Mockingjay
September 9: Chapters 1-7
September 10: Chapters 8-14
September 11: Chapters 15-21
September 12: Chapter 22 - Epilogue

PARTICIPANTS
~ Amanda
~ Edith
~ Sophie

I'm sorry it took me so long, but I just finished the first 7 chapters. It seems like life is determined to throw wrenches in my plans. It looks like things may have gotten in the way for you all as well. Please let me know if you are still up for this BR.

Here are my notes for the first section (although I have not really had the time to refine them, so they're pretty raw and are basically my exact thoughts in the order they came to me as I was reading...):

I like Gale and his relationship with Katniss. He seems cute and like a good friend; he's kind of dorky but I'd like a friend like him. I like the thing he did with the arrow through the loaf of bread. there isn't really much to know about him yet, and I wish there was more so I could form a better opinion of him, but such is life.

I think Katniss is super cool! I used to be an archer, so... go archers! She has instant cool points in my book just based on that (yes, very refined...).

Peeta, the baker boy... I get the gratitude Katniss felt about him giving her the bread, but why should she feel like she should thank him for what seems like pretty basic human decency? Maybe that scene just didn't come across right to me. He seems like the boy next door type, but I feel like it may all be an act. Like Katniss said, maybe it's a ploy to lull her into a sense of security before he tries to kill her in the Games. I like boy next door type characters, but he seems a little... suspicious.

I think it's super weird how the lady from the capital during the reaping implied that volunteers and other tributes are going into the Hunger Games for glory or even willingly (without outside motivation). I mean, there could be someone willing to go into death games just for the heck of it, but they would be the exception, not the rule.

The capital is full of excess, masks, and airs. It's ridiculous and makes it clear that those at the top of society are a whole different breed, completely disconnected from the rest of society. Everyone seems fake compared to Katniss (and I guess Peeta... still a bit skeptical about him). Although it's clearly exaggerated, it's definitely commentary about real-life society.

I did like the description of Katniss and Peeta's debut. Katniss's flames sounded super cool to me. I haven't watched the movie adaption yet, but I hope they kept that detail in. I liked how Katniss played into Peeta's own suspected game with the kiss on his cheek.

I'm still up for the buddy read, but you're right life has gotten a little hectic for me recently. I haven't gotten a chance to read today's reading but I'm definitely halfway through the book by now. I read the book years ago but it's nice to discuss it this time around. Thoughts so far:

Surprisingly my favorite character so far still remains to be Peeta. There's so much complexity and confusion around him, it's hard not to be at least a little intrigued by his character. To me he is the most relatable character in the series, from being a good samaritan (Katniss and bread, Haymitch and bathtub, etc..) down to the part where he smartly sticks with the Career pack because he knows it's his only chance at survival. Despite being a main character he still seems very underrated among his fictional peers--kinda like Ron from Harry Potter lol

(view spoiler)[ The games themselves are interesting. I always thought Katniss was dumb for going for the backpack in the beginning but we all know how incredibly useful that turns out to be....The fire scene got my heart racing for sure. Even when Katniss was injured and she winced, I winced too because the injury was described sooo vividly. Then there's the part with the tracker jackers and Glimmer's gross death, which I can't imagine was great to see under t.j. venom :( And Rue! oh my gosh little Rue is so sweet. I was instantly relieved when they teamed up because it's about time someone stepped up to the Careers! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad you're still up for this, @Edith! I just finished day 2's reading, but I'm hoping to be fully caught up by tonight (not sure if I'll be able to post again today though). Here are my thoughts on these pages:

Peeta is growing on me. There is a lot of mystery surrounding him, but he wants to stay true to himself, and I'm all for that type of character. The scene where Peeta confesses his love for Katniss is probably a favorite so far. I know it was an act (or at least I think it was at that point), but how it played out and the reactions it elicited really made for a good scene. I'm not quite sure what Peeta is playing at by saving Katniss from the Career tributes after the tracker jacker attack, but I think he's becoming more interesting and relatable as a character. He does what he needs to in order to survive, but he's still himself. I may not understand all of his motivations, but I'm interested and excited to find out more about him.

The Games so far are intense. The fire scene kept me on the edge of my seat and I really felt Katniss's injuries. The writing so far in the book has been really good, but I think it really did well here. I was there, not just reading it but really experiencing the scene. It was great!

The tracker jacker scene was interesting, and I like how they served multiple purposes as a part of the plot. They help Katniss eliminate a few adversaries, spur Peeta into saving Katniss (and make him a more complex character), and helped Katniss form an alliance with Rue.

I do really like Rue. She seems sweet and totally out of place in the Hunger Games. I think she will make for a good (if a bit weak) ally, but I know she and Katniss will eventually have to end their alliance and I am not necessarily looking forward to that fight.

I hope you are enjoying your reread so far! Happy reading!

I finished The Hunger Games yesterday, so here are my notes on that:

The beginning of the book was rough for me, but that isn't anything new. I always struggle with the beginnings of books. Ultimately, I really ended up liking the book despite myself. There is a lot of hype around this series; my friends told me it was a must-read. I have always found that I don't exactly agree with popular opinion in books like this, however, I ended up really liking it, and I'm looking forward to starting the next one.

Rue's death really got to me. I mean, she was so soft and out of place in the Games, so I guess I saw it coming but it really got me. The scene was well written and I liked the send-off Katniss gave her, but it was pretty emotional for me (a rare occurrence).

Peeta and Katniss's relationship really seemed to be progressing, and I got really into it only to feel a bit disappointed at the end. When Katniss realized that the rules were changed (temporarily at the time) and she could team up with Peeta to become the two victors, I felt like there was progress. I really liked the description of the scene when she finds Peeta camouflaged; it was well written and softer than the more intense scenes that preceded it. Her nursing him back to health was, like, 10 out of 10 comfort in that entire part of the book, even in more tense scenes like when she went to the feast to get Peeta medicine.

Ultimately, everything about Peeta felt good up until my heart broke for him when Katniss did not reciprocate his feelings at the end of the book and he felt tricked by Katniss and Haymitch's plans. I feel like Katniss's feelings may have started, or at least there is a seed now at the end of the first book, but Peeta's feelings have always been there, and he was more honest. He's softer than she is, and I find I like him more than Katniss's rough edges.

I did wonder about how Gale, back in District 12, was dealing with Peeta and Katniss's relationship. Katniss mentioned him several times in the second half of the book, and initially said there was nothing romantic between them, but then wondered what he made of her "romance" and if he would have been her boyfriend if that had been the option. I still don't know much about Gale, but I feel like he is too hardened and like Katniss to really be a good match. I think Peeta's softer personality would balance Katniss's roughness better, but I guess I might change my mind as Gale comes back into the picture.

Overall, I enjoyed the read. It was fun, and I enjoyed the writing style.

I finished it yesterday as well, though work has kept me busy until now so I haven’t had a chance to collect my thoughts. I agree with the everything you’ve said, ESPECIALLY the part about Gale. I never really clicked with his character and to me he just seems bland all the way throughout the series. Maybe it’s because he’s a male version of Katniss like you said, but he just seems like a redundant addition to the storyline if you ask me. I understand that he’s there to fuel Katniss’s decision making on occasion but…..eh. I feel like that pretty much just sums up my feelings toward him lol.

I desperately want to read the next book but I’ve got a few other buddy reads lined up, and I hate reading more than one book at a time…I admire those who can honestly. I’ll try and see how fast I can get through my other books, but I’ll still be coming back to this thread to at least see what you think of the next few books! Super awesome to read with you, I don’t think I’ve had a buddy read as well discussed as this one so far :)

I totally understand. I've enjoyed reading your comments so far, so please feel free to drop in with your thoughts if you get around to reading the books too. If not, no problem. I hope you enjoy your other buddy reads!

So, I'm a little behind, but here are my thoughts for the first seven chapters of Catching Fire. I'm not loving the book so far, but it isn't bad, it's just not as exciting.

Katniss just doesn't seem to get people or relationships, and it kind of annoys me. Yes, she feels bad about Peeta, but I don't think she really gets his feelings or what her act has done to him. The same happened with Gale who kissed her and later confessed. The emotional side just seems to go over her head and it's frustrating.

I feel bad for Peeta. All he wants to do is protect and help Katniss, but she just seems to see him as a means to an end. He is a tool to keep others safe, but she doesn't seem to take his feelings into account. I guess the same can kind of be said about Gale (she wants to keep his friendship, but doesn't seem to understand or take into consideration his feelings), but I just haven't connected with him as much as I did with Peeta.

I feel like I know more about Gale now, but I still prefer Peeta. I can see why some people like Gale: he's the cool, mysterious type that comes off as more mature. He's definitely a male Katniss, which really doesn't do it for me. Katniss is fine, but I'm not a huge fan, so I'm not loving Gale. Peeta is definitely a better romantic match (at least he would be my preference), but I'm not sure I like how Katniss uses his feelings to her advantage.

Katniss's reluctance to be any part of the rebellion. She had a rebellious streak a mile wide in the first book, so what's her problem now?

The ending of chapter seven really got me wanting to keep reading. I feel bad for Gale, even though he isn't really my favorite character in the series. It sucks that he has to illegally hunt in order to keep his family alive, then he gets caught and publicly whipped, and his "best friend" Katniss can only make things worse for him. The scene was pretty intense.

The writing style so far just doesn't feel as impactful as it did in the first book. Maybe it will feel better as the book goes on and things get more interesting. It's just that so far I feel like it's lacking in comparison to how it was in The Hunger Games. It's not bad, just not as good.