The Hunger Games - the review I wrote on Good Reads

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I started this book in October. The first two chapters were depressing. As I was reading, a weight settled in on my shoulders and my mood was dark. I'd spent the summer wading through books I HATED, hoping they would get better, determined not to quit reading until the end. I gave myself permission to put this book away, lift the weight, and move on.

But I couldn't shake it. Everyone was raving about it. People that I know loved it. My sister-in-law lent me her copies of all three books. She knows what I like to read. It couldn't be all bad. Right?

I kept telling myself that I should be a responsible parent and read it because it seemed like the type of book that my son will eventually have to read at school. Guilt usually works for me, but I still couldn't make myself pick it up.

Then, yesterday, I was helping with testing at our middle school. The librarian suggested that I find a book to read to help pass the time. I was walking through the shelves when our assistant principal suggested that I read Hunger Games because it will be required reading for my son next year. (I so called that one.) She said it was the kind of book that I will want to read before he did. She even went so far as to track down a copy for me from one of the teachers since all of the copies in the library were checked out.

So, I turned to chapter 3 and I read, reluctantly. And then at lunch I went home and continued reading until I looked up and it was time to get the kids from school. While they were doing homework, I read some more. And after they were in bed, I read until it was over.

I couldn't put it down. Not because I loved it, because I didn't want to leave Katniss in the arena any longer than necessary. Because I wanted to know how the story would end.

Hunger Games is not the genre I enjoy. But I can appreciate a good story. I think my son will love it.

Will I read the second one? Yes, for the exact same reason I read all four Twilight books, because I'm a sucker for a good story.



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