Why does it feel like forever since we have had a book club meeting? It’s probably all the craziness of the season. I hope you all had a great time reading The Hunger Games.

I’m so excited for our sponsor this time.  Fairys and Flutterbys has some AWESOME stuff in her shop.  Go Here to read all about her.    She is giving away one of her pendants, your choice.  Also she is giving you guys a great discount.  Use code MFTH25 for 25% off anything you order.

Here is my take on the book:

I had not read anything like this before.  The subject is pretty grisly when you think about it.  But the way it is written, it doesn’t seem so raw.  If I stop to analyze it, I am disgusted with a people that would watch a fight to the death as a fun spectator sport.  I cannot imagine what they must have gone through as a society to end up in this place.  Even worse {if it can be} they make children the participants.

I immediately fell in love with Katniss because she stepped up for her sister.  That takes courage and loyalty.  I must say though, I think I love Peeta more.  He has been a guardian angel of sorts since he first gave a starving Katniss some bread for her family.  As the story went on I loved him even more for all he did to protect and care for Katniss.  I was sure something would happen and there would be a way for two people to win the games.  There was no way I as a reader could pick between Katniss and Peeta.   And without giving too much away, in the next two books I grew even more fonder of Peeta.

Now it’s your turn to say what you thought of the book.  Please leave a comment on this post with your review or your questions.  I will pick one comment randomly to win a pendant from Fairys and Flutterbys.  You can enter as many times as you want as long as you are actively talking about the book.  So comment and read other people’s comments and then comment again.  Lets keep the discussion going.

Here are some review questions:

1. How does Katniss feel about the country of Panem? Why does she need to make her face “an indifferent mask” and be careful what she says in public?

2. Describe the relationships of Katniss with Gale, with Prim, with her mother. How do those relationships define her personality? Why does she say about Peeta, “I feel like I owe him something, and I hate owing people.” How does her early encounter with Peeta affect their relationship after they are chosen as tributes?

3. How does the fact that the tributes are always on camera affect their behavior from the time they are chosen? Does it make it easier or harder for them to accept their fate? How are the “career tributes” different from the others?

4. Why are the “tributes” given stylists and dressed so elaborately for the opening ceremony? Does this ceremony remind you of events in our world, either past or present? Compare those ceremonies in real life to the one in the story.

5. When Peeta declares his love for Katniss in the interview, does he really mean it or did Haymitch create the “star-crossed lovers” story? What does Haymitch mean when he says, “It’s all a big show. It’s all how you’re perceived.” Why do they need to impress sponsors and what are those sponsors looking for when they are watching the Games?

6. Before the Games start, Peeta tells Katniss, “…I want to die as myself…I don’t want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I’m not.” What does this tell you about Peeta? What does he fear more than death? Is he able to stay true to himself during the Games?

7. Why does Katniss ignore Haymitch’s advice to head directly away from the Cornucopia? Did she do the right thing to fight for equipment? What are the most important skills she has for staying alive – her knowledge of nature? – her skill with bow and arrow? – her trapping ability? What qualities of her personality keep her going – her capacity for love? – her intelligence? – her self-control?

8. Why does Peeta join with the Career Tributes in the beginning of the Games? What does he hope to gain? Why do they accept him when they start hunting as a group? Why do groups form in the beginning when they know only one of them will be able to survive?

9. What makes Katniss and Rue trust each other to become partners? What does Katniss gain from this friendship besides companionship? Is Katniss and Rue’s partnership formed for different reasons than the other group’s?

10. Discuss the ways in which the Gamemakers control the environment and “entertainment” value of the Games. How does it affect the tributes to know they are being manipulated to make the Games more exciting for the gamblers and viewers? Does knowing that she is on live TV make Katniss behave differently than she would otherwise?

11. When does Katniss first realize that Peeta does care for her and is trying to keep her alive? When does she realize her own feelings for him? Did Haymitch think all along that he could keep them both alive by stressing the love story? Are they actually in love?

12. What do you think is the cruelest part of the Hunger Games? What kind of people would devise this spectacle for the entertainment of their populace? Can you see parallels between these Games and the society that condones them, and other related events and cultures in the history of the world?

I can’t wait to hear what you thought.

You might also like:

Quirky Tip of the Day {Gardening}Blogapaloosa Day 10Flower bun with woven ribbon tutorial