The Hunger Games Reluctance

One of my coworkers started to talk about finally catching up on reading all the Nicholas Sparks books. Which, of course, led into talk about books. And that led into me talking about The Hunger Games. When I brought it up, the other two coworkers nearby got all interested too. “I keep hearing about that.” “My daughter’s friends were talking about it.” “Is it any good?” “What’s it about?” So, I explained the premise of the story to them (basically explaining about the 12 districts, there used to be 13, yada yada, they developed the Hunger Games to keep them in line). When I explained what exactly the Hunger Games WERE, here is their response:

“Oh.”

Not, “Oh, that sounds interesting,” or, “Oh, that sounds like it would be intriguing.”

It was, “Oh, that sounds absolutely horrible. Why would a sweet person like you be reading such a terrible book?”

I knew when I told them I would most likely have a negative response. They didn’t say much else. I did explain about Suzanne Collin’s inspiration behind the novel, with war and the like. It didn’t seem to change their thoughts much. So, the conversation changed to other books.

It got me to thinking about it. To be honest, when I first heard of what the books were about, I was reluctant to read them. I am not the type of person to read (or watch, for that matter) anything in the horror genre, or anything with horrific events that are gory and disgusting or extremely disturbing. I am more along the lines of contemporary, coming of age, psychological, and the like. I do read some paranormal and have been reading other dystopians, but that’s about it. The Hunger Games has quite a disturbing premise. A government that forces people to send and watch their children get killed and mutilate on television. It’s really sickening when you think about it.

But with all the talk of it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and wanting to at least SEE for myself what was so special about it. I was worried I’d be reading descriptions of the gross things that would happen to the tributes. It wasn’t as horrific as I imagined. The story wasn’t necessarily about the Hunger Games themselves--it was more about life. The life they all were forced into living. The life that had sad consequences. The life of finding love and friendship under pressure.

People in general don’t realize that though. They hear about a battle to the death and they instantly turn away. What gets me is that these are the same people who watch horror movies and television shows that feature violence for violence sake. What is so different from those things and The Hunger Games? (I mean, if all you’re focusing on is the killing.)

How about you?

Have you talked about The Hunger Games with somebody you know? Did you have a reaction similar to mine? Or did they accept the premise of the book/movie and not care about the negative? How about you--are you okay with the premise of The Hunger Games or do you find it too scary/horrible to try? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

PS: Pictures have been removed 08/03/2012, you can see some of them on The Hunger Games Facebook Page HERE and HERE.

Hunger Games Month: The Hunger Games Inspired Handmade Goodies

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I have decided to put together another Etsy based handmade theme post in honor of Hunger Games Month for my good friend Lan at The Write Obsession. The movie is coming THIS MONTH and I couldn't be more excited. I know I'm not the only one. And in our excitement, we love any and all things Hunger Games related. So, without further adieu, here are some of The Hunger Games inspired handmade goodies I uncovered for you to drool over. (Note that not all will be available when you read this post as many of these are one of a kind. I tried to include some alternate links with similar items. ^_^)

ART & DECOR

Mockingjay Inspired LOVE Decal

~Show your love as decoration for your wall, your car, your laptop,
or anything else this sticks to.~

I Am Radiant Katniss Quote

~This was one of the quotes I remember rereading
a couple times when reading the book.~

Keep Calm Print

~I love these Keep Calm posters
so I had to post one.~

Forest Art Print

~One of those inspired paintings that does
the book justice via the imagination.~

~*~*~

JEWELRY & HAIR

Mockingjay Hair Clip

~I love hair things--you should see my collection--
and I believe this one would fit in nicely.~

"Here is the place" Quote Bracelet

~Who could ever, EVER, forget the song?
Much love for Rue.~

Arrow and Moss Necklace

~I thought this was a unique twist on inspired.
It's so simple yet not really.~

Radiant Inspired Earrings

~I love these earrings, they just explode
in an array of awesome, well, radiance.~

Charm Bracelet

~What's an obsession without a charm bracelet?
It hits all the possibilities available in charm form.~

Mockingjay Pin

~Everyone wants one (you bet I did upon finishing the book!).
It somehow epitomizes the whole story.~

Mockingjay Ring

~Don't want a pin? There are plenty of rings
to choose from, including this one.~

 ~*~*~

CLOTHING & MORE

Hunger Games Love Shirt

~There's just something about the simplicity
of this shirt that I LOVE.~

Hunger Games Hoodie

~I love hoodies, even though I already own too many,
but this one is very cool.~

DIY Peeta Mellark Top (& alternate color)

~Show off your love of the boy with bread
with a cute top.~

Real/Not Real Fingerless Gloves

~Sure, I haven't read Mockingjay yet,
but I've heard about this part and love it.~

Military Messenger Bag

~I am partial to messenger bags,
but this one seems appropriate to the series.~

The Lullaby Clutch

~A cute way to show how much you
adore the series.~

~*~*~

OTHERWISE

Peeta Quote Bookmark

~I'm just gonna say it...
SWOON.~

Brass Bookmark

~Don't want no measly paper bookmark?
Go for a long lasting one.~

Mini Kraft Journals

~I thought these were simply cute.
I love little journals.~

Girl On Fire Cards

~These would be great to send to your favorite
Hunger Games loving pals.~

~*~*~

Which one is your favorite of the bunch? I love the hair clip, earrings, and boy with bread shirt most. :)

~Jessica

PS: Pictures removed on 08/03/2012. Click links to view pictures.

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Source: Purchased
Genre: Dystopian
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

~synopsis from Goodreads

My Thoughts:

You know those books where you stay up late in an attempt to finish them only to look at the clock and see that it’s 4 AM and you can’t keep reading even though you feel like you need to finish it because you have to get up early the next day and then you fall asleep and start dreaming that you’re in the book and it makes you so anxious that you can barely sleep?

This was that book for me.

Writing a review for The Hunger Games at this point is almost difficult. I’d say that at least 75% of YA book bloggers (I’m trying to be reasonable in my estimate since I know some have chosen to not read it for whatever reason) have already read and reviewed this one themselves. So instead of going all in depth with the story, I’m going to talk about other aspects.

First off, I will have to stress how amazed I was at it. I went into the book expecting one thing but getting something else entirely. I misinterpreted what some of the story was going to be like. Yeah, I understood the premise, I just had a different idea of how the Hunger Games would be handled. I expected it to be like a gladiator arena. It was definitely not like that and the details of the scene of the game were much more interesting. I could literally picture the area, it was a compilation of several places I’ve been (mostly backyards of people I know and a video game arena, oddly enough) all meshed up into one bizarre world.

The background of the way the society is, and the way Katniss must live every day was overwhelming. When there’s something like that, something completely inhumane and wrong and unjust about a life someone is forced into living, it makes me irritable and frustrated. I wanted nothing more than to fix it all, but you can’t. You just can’t. Which is what’s so great about the book. This inner conflict to keep up appearances for the sake of your own life. It is intense.

source here

Katniss and Peeta. Wow. It’s funny, going into it I knew something was going to happen with them. I also knew that there was going to be a “love triangle” between her and Gale as well. And, unlike some people, I can see how there’s a possibility of her and Gale, because I do romanticize the whole “we grew up together” relationships. Then when everything starts to come out with Peeta before and during the games, your mind begins to switch and you start to fall for him. And you want Katniss to fall for him. It’s just brilliant, the romance.

In the end, you’re just BEGGING to read more. You want to know what happens next so badly that it makes you squeal. The Hunger Games is tremendous. It’s one of those books that can stand the test of time. It’s one of those books that epitomizes the dystopian genre. And it’s one of those books that I can’t wait to read the sequel to as soon as possible. Suzanne Collins has created an amazing tale. Now we’ll see how amazing it is on the big screen.

My Rating:

Exceptional: Stay up until at least 1 AM