As I recently posted, I am in a book club with a few friends.  We meet once a month to discuss and unfortunately, since we’ve started, I haven’t been able to attend a meeting (we’ve been at it for 3 months now).  I am excited for the May meeting because I’m enjoying the book but also because I’m really going to make an effort to attend the discussion. 

The first book we read was The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins.  We all agreed to at least read the first book but the majority of us continued on through the series.  I was excited to read it because the movie was coming out at the same time.  I raced through it (It’s an easy read, being that it’s a young adult novel) and plotted to see the movie with my husband. 

I really enjoyed the book.  I didn’t know anything about it before I started reading so it was nice to be completely surprised.  It reminded me a lot of the short story, The Lottery by Shirley Jackson.  Probably because they are both lotteries where you never want your number called.   Collins did a great job with the main character, Katniss. She has a mother-like quality from the very beginning and I like that.  She’s tough but has a soft spot too.  I don’t want to give anything away so I’m going to end on that note.  I think the endings of each book were supposed to be a surprise but they were pretty easy to guess.  But again, it’s young adult fiction so it’s not meant for members of Mensa.  I love reading young adult fiction!  They are easy reads and remind me of being a teenager.  I really let myself get wrapped up in them.  Hence how I read most of the Gossip Girl series. 

Not long after I read the book, we went to see the movie.  Now, I will not go to a movie unless it’s either free or very low cost so I found a code online for a free movie ticket and used gift cards for the rest of it. It makes you enjoy a movie more when you haven’t paid a small fortune for it. I think the director did a wonderful job following the book. It’s hard to capture a 200+ page book in a few hours and do it justice. I was pleased with the results though!  The casting was well-done and the actors really told the story of Katniss’ tough girl exterior and Peeta’s tenderness.  Not to mention how good-looking Gale is!  The location was well-planned too.  In fact, the North Carolina Division of Tourism has a list on their website of locations used in the movie! (Go Here).   Everyone’s caught the HG fever it seems, and you can make your own Mockingjay tee shirt here using a bleach pen.  To find out what a mockingjay is, you’ll have to either read the book or see the movie.  I suggest reading the book first. 

I am halfway through the third and final book.  I’m anxious to see how Collins will end it.  I’m also excited for the second movie.  This looks like one that I will buy for my collection; book and Blu-ray!