Non-Financial Book Club *UPDATE IN OP*

[Firebird]

Oped?

Still taking discussion questions! I'll take them once we start too, but the more we get in advance the better it will go (I think).

[CarolinaKat]

*Disclaimer* I'm partway into book 2, so IDK if this gets explained yet...

How does the economy in the wealthy districts work? Like automobiles... They would have a higher cost of materials and a more limited market, so even though they make more money per product, how are they selling enough to be 'wealthy'? Especially considering the no contact between the disctricts...


Also I wonder how the logistics of getting the tributes 'gifts' work...

[wvugurl26]

Apr 18, 2012 19:14:01 GMT -5 Firebird said:

Finished today! I can't wait for the book chat.

Same here, though I wish MJ could be easy like wvugurl and join in

I'm not that easy

Getting ready to start book 2 now. My boss was having a horrible day last week. We draped one of those toy army guys with a parachute on his laptop.

[Deleted]

I liked it and looking forward to seeing what everyone else thought of this book. I know the book was intended for a younger audience but does anyone know how young? Just wondering as I did find it pretty creepy. Good, but creepy, lol!

[Firebird]

Getting ready to start book 2 now. My boss was having a horrible day last week. We draped one of those toy army guys with a parachute on his laptop.

That's funny

I know the book was intended for a younger audience but does anyone know how young? Just wondering as I did find it pretty creepy. Good, but creepy, lol!

Young adult - not sure how narrow that category is these days. Probably says on the back of the book though. My cousin has been reading/liking them since fourteen.

[Deleted]

I'll just lurk on here and learn about the book.

[wvugurl26]

Yeah a coworker of mine had that same question firebird. It has some pretty adult stuff in it.

[Firebird]

Yeah a coworker of mine had that same question firebird. It has some pretty adult stuff in it.

Definitely a lot of violence and thought provoking adult themes. No sex though, and that seems to be the "OMG KIDS CANNOT READ THIS" bar. At least from my observation.

(War? Poverty? Child murder? Starvation? Public beatings? All totally cool. BUT NO NOOKIE.)

[Firebird]

I'll just lurk on here and learn about the book.

Boo! I would totally send you my copy if I had a physical one.

[CarolinaKat]

Finished Book 2 this weekend, I'll read book 3 when DBF's done with it (I promised him he could go first since I had a meltdown over hardback vs paperback).

The writing style (of the books) is very simple; which is disappointing to me; and considering that, I would put the target audience the same age as the tributes (12-18) with an emphasis on the lower end. Although I think it would've been better (and probably more in-depth and possible more horrific) if she'd aimed for a higher age bracket of readers.

[Firebird]

Kat, DH actually couldn't get into the books because he found the writing style too simplistic. Had he not said that, I never would have noticed. I found the style appropriate for the story and easy to get drawn into, but I can see it now that it's been pointed out to me. It does come off as a bit young.

But then, so does Harry Potter and no adult I know has a problem liking those books.

[CarolinaKat]

Meh, Harry Potter leaves you the ability to choose what to think about the information you get. You get into the books, and then are given enough information to form opinons, but might have to go to another book to get to the 'truth'. I also feel there's more of the 'why' in those books, not just, 'this is how it is - accept it'. There's a richness to the characters (especially the minor ones) that is lacking in the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games is 'here is the info' followed immediately by 'here is what Katniss thinks of the info and therefore so should you' and if you doubt it, it's re-iterated shortly thereafter. The second book was a little better, you might make it until the end of a page before being told what to think.

[Firebird]

Harry Potter leaves you the ability to choose what to think about the information you get. You get into the books, and then are given enough information to form opinons, but might have to go to another book to get to the 'truth'. I also feel there's more of the 'why' in those books, not just, 'this is how it is - accept it'.

I meant in terms of basic sentence structure, not so much how the story is being told. DH had a problem with the "short sentences" in Hunger Games.

But also, given that this series is about a repressive government that very much decides what information to disseminate and when, and very much tells people what they should be thinking at all times, I actually think what you just said is good evidence that her writing style is VERY appropriate to the story.

If kids find themselves thinking, as you did, "Hey, I don't agree with Katniss on this... I want to have a different opinion" and recognize that the story doesn't really allow for that, it could serve as a good metaphor for how people in District 12 might feel after being told what they should think about a certain event.

[Firebird]

Everyone ready to get discussing tomorrow?

[CarolinaKat]

Apr 30, 2012 15:11:37 GMT -5 Firebird said:

Harry Potter leaves you the ability to choose what to think about the information you get. You get into the books, and then are given enough information to form opinons, but might have to go to another book to get to the 'truth'. I also feel there's more of the 'why' in those books, not just, 'this is how it is - accept it'.

I meant in terms of basic sentence structure, not so much how the story is being told. DH had a problem with the "short sentences" in Hunger Games.

But also, given that this series is about a repressive government that very much decides what information to disseminate and when, and very much tells people what they should be thinking at all times, I actually think what you just said is good evidence that her writing style is VERY appropriate to the story.

If kids find themselves thinking, as you did, "Hey, I don't agree with Katniss on this... I want to have a different opinion" and recognize that the story doesn't really allow for that, it could serve as a good metaphor for how people in District 12 might feel after being told what they should think about a certain event.

Actually I was seeing the non-choice as re-iteration of a weakness on the part of the writer/storyteller. That they couldn't/chose not to cope with more complex issues even though they are there in spades. Couple this with short sentances and simplistic wordchoice that you brought up it (which is definitely there) and you get a major turnoff. The upside to these choices is you're left with a book with a good story that is a very quick read.

I'll get back with you about whether this is representative of the government opression after I finish up Mokingjay. I'd be more ready to agree with you if the book opens up and shows a little more depth, gives you more to work with... I think more likely we'll just be told "Katniss is confused and so should you be."

[Firebird]

Ah, I keep forgetting you're not done yet. Yes, I'll be very interested to see if your opinion changes after you're done with Mockingjay.

This makes for good discussion material!

[Abby Normal]

The Hunger Games is 'here is the info' followed immediately by 'here is what Katniss thinks of the info and therefore so should you' and if you doubt it, it's re-iterated shortly thereafter. The second book was a little better, you might make it until the end of a page before being told what to think.

Actually, I think what makes the story simple, besides the sentence structure, is the fact that it is only told from Katniss's point of view. You know, what she knows, when she knows it.

You never find out what Peta is doing when he isn't with her. You don't get the familiy's perspective, or anyone with in the government. It's simply Katniss's story. period.

[Firebird]

Which is what makes first person so difficult and limiting. It's a great narrative tool but definitely not for a first time writer to attempt.

[Firebird]

HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!! MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR!!![/u][/i]

Today commences our long-awaited discussion of Book One. A discussion question to start us off (if you think of more questions as we go along, feel free to PM them to me):

What do you think is the cruelest part of the Hunger Games?

[InsertCoolName]

Knowing that everyone is watching you kill or be killed.

[Epiphany]

The absolute power of the capitol. Even more so in future books. They make you sacrifice your children, they make you watch, they make you isolated, they make you work the way they want, they have technology to dispatch any problem people. In future books - they control the victors, there is no true victory for them.

eta: reminds me of socialist nations where you have no rights and you are scared to speak out against the government

[Abby Normal]

I don't believe there is one cruelest part. The entire idea is horrid.

The absolute control of the capital.
The forced participation/ watching by all.
The idea of the terressa and the fact that the odds of participation are greatly increased for the poor.
The indulgence in the capital and the "rewards" associated with killing all your fellow participants.

[Firebird]

I guess we should make a decision about this - should we limit our comments to Book One in case others haven't read past it, or comment on the whole series?

I vote for the latter since certain themes in the first book are explored in much more depth later, but we can make a habit of adding spoiler warnings for Books Two and Three if people want. Thoughts?

ETA: Maybe a better question, is there anyone reading/commenting who has NOT read past Book One and would appreciate spoiler warnings?

[Abby Normal]

I've read all three so I'm fine with either. I was trying to limit my comments to book 1 for those who hadn't read the others.

[Firebird]

I think the cruelest part is the way they do this with children. It would be one thing (though still awful) if the participants were of age. But good grief, eleven years old and you might have to fight to the death in a ring while the world watches?

And imagine if you were selected along with your sibling, or best friend. When I first read the book, I figured that Katniss and Gale would be picked. What in the hell would they do in that situation? What would any of us do?

[raeoflyte]

Since everything in life is now viewed through mommy vision, the worst part for me would be watching my child be picked and knowing there was nothing I could do. Since medical supplies were slim to none, it's not like you had a lot of options for birth control either.

[CarolinaKat]

May 1, 2012 10:47:44 GMT -5 Firebird said:

I guess we should make a decision about this - should we limit our comments to Book One in case others haven't read past it, or comment on the whole series?

I vote for the latter since certain themes in the first book are explored in much more depth later, but we can make a habit of adding spoiler warnings for Books Two and Three if people want. Thoughts?

As someone who isn't started on Book 3 Im good with that (I'll probably read it on Friday Evening or Sat, whenever I get a chunk of free time). Then again I read really quickly and it won't take me days to get through books, so my opinion is skewed. I might feel differently if I didn't think I'd have the 3rd book read in the very near future.

I think it will really hinder discussion if there are people that want to participate and won't be finished with the trilogy soon. They would be skipping a % of posts because of spoilers, which would be hard. Even more so if there are spoilers and non-spoilers in the same post

[Abby Normal]

I think the cruelest part is the way they do this with children.

That's the whole idea though. Total control of the government. We can take your kids and you can watch them die- because you pissed us off in the past.

[Epiphany]

We read this for our book club and tried to have a discussion based on only book one since about half read all three and half hadn't. It was very hard and we couldn't get too in depth so I vote for all three.

and if so then I say what they did to Peeta in book three is the cruelest.

[lynnerself]

I've only read book one.
So far the most disturbing thing to me is how this is "entertainment" to the masses.