Who's read this? Apparently it's gotten into the YA books mainstream without my knowledge.
The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in an unidentified future time period after the destruction of North America, in a nation known as "Panem." Panem used to consist of a rich Capitol, located somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, and thirteen surrounding, poorer districts which cater to the Capitol's needs. As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol wherein the thirteenth district was supposedly destroyed, every year one boy and one girl from each of the remaining twelve districts, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are selected by lottery and forced to participate in the "Hunger Games." The Games are a televised event where the participants, called "tributes," must fight to the death in a dangerous outdoor arena until only one remains. The winning tribute and his/her corresponding district is then rewarded handsomely. It is required viewing for everyone in the districts.Well. With a premise like that, how could anyone resist? I've just started reading Book One, The Hunger Games. It starts off with a bang, as the 16-year-old heroine's 12-year-old sister is selected as one of the tributes. The heroine stands in for her and the story begins.
Book Two, Catching Fire, is on my library TBR shelf, and Book Three, Mockingjay, is on my "hold" list. It was just published on August 24.
Posted by Linkmeister at September 4, 2010 11:07 AM | TrackBackI resisted reading Hunger Games for a long time. Although I typically *love* YA fiction, this was first described to me as "What if reality shows were a fight to the death?" and I thought, 'Well, I hate reality shows (not that I've ever watched one). I would REALLY hate that.'
Then I got into a discussion with another mom on FB about how Katniss was so much better of a role model than Bella from Twilight, and I decided I needed to try them. After reading Bk. 1, I raced to the bookstore 10 minutes before closing to get Bk. 2. And I actually liked Bk 3 more than the friend who talked me into trying them in the first place.
My younger daughter, typically a voracious reader, refuses to even try; my older dtr. is a soph. in HS. Hunger Games was her school's One Book, One School selection for this year. She loves them and got her boyfriend to read all three with her.
I would call them "Margaret Atwood for teenagers"
Posted by: Aunt Sam at September 4, 2010 05:10 PMI hope not "A Handmaid's Tale" Atwood!
I'm about three chapters into the first book and hooked.
Posted by: Linkmeister at September 4, 2010 05:14 PM