The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
B+
I had this one in my TBR pile for a really long time. My basic qualm on not reading it is that it's a retelling of Battle Royale. Battle Royale was awesome and fun but I don't know if I can read about people butchering each other. But because I've been hearing a lot of buzz about it and most of my online friends have read it, I told myself that I should at least try. And I'm glad that I did.
Yes, The Hunger Games can be a little bit like Battle Royale. A group of 24 kids from 12 districts being pitted to the death against one another for the purpose of entertainment. But in The Hunger Games, we get to experience the whole event through Katniss. Katniss, a 16 year old girl from District 12, stands as the provider for her family ever since her dad died. She poaches from the nearby forest with her bestfriend Gale and sells the game she collects to local people for money. This year in the Hunger Games, Prim, her younger sister, was chosen to participate. Katniss volunteers herself to spare her beloved sister from death. She's joined by Peeta, a baker's boy who helped her when she was just a small kid by giving her bread and in doing so, suffered beating from his mom.
While reading this, I swear it was a good book. But I really have no idea why it took me about a month to finish it. I think I'll safely blame that on my slight ADHD. :P I was easily distracted by a lot of stuff, in particular, my replaying of Final Fantasy VIII. But I disgress... like I said, the book was good. The pacing was at times slow. But it felt like it knows it's slow so the pace picks up immediately... and then another lull and then picks up again. I felt this happening until 2/3rds of the book. I guess those lull parts are mostly because it will just be Katniss hiding, or walking through the arena looking for food, or her strapping herself to a tree to sleep. But when there were just a few of the challengers left and they were being forced to confront one another, I guess that's when the book retained my interest. The events and killings weren't really graphic, maybe since because it's mainly written for the young adults, and that was definitely fine by me.
As for the characters, I actually like Katniss in this first book. She's smart, strong and can easily fend for herself and definitely isn't the damsel in distress. She may be a bit dense since she doesn't even realize until the end of the book that Peeta's feelings were real. But I guess, for me that sorta adds to her appeal. Hopefully, when I get to read Catching Fire and Mockingjay, I'll still like her unlike some other YA heroines that I know. As for Peeta, I actually have a love-hate relationship with him. For one, he's sweet and smart as well. Risking the beating from his mom just to give bread to Katniss. Joining and trying to make an alliance with their enemies to protect her. But at some points in the game, it feels like he's such a weak character. I love my heroes alpha, ready to defend the ones he love, will walk through hell and everything to please her. But as for Peeta, it feels like for most of the duration of the book, he was always trying to lean on and depend on Katniss. You can have a kick-ass heroine without sacrificing the hero's character. And so I wish, when I finally read the two remaining books, everything would change and I would see why millions are creaming their pants over Peeta. For now, I do like him but he can be overshadowed by Katniss, and even I think, to some degree, Gale.
Wheee! I got to do 60 last 2009! My goal was 50 so that's good for me. XD I finally got my hands on J.D. Robb's backlist and discovered Elizabeth Hoyt so that filled up my quota. This year, I would like to repeat what happened last year and do at least 50 too. Hopefully, I'll discover another new author who I'll start to love too. :D
001. The Battle of the Labyrinth (Rick Riordan) | Jan 08, 2010 | B+
002. Serpent Prince (Elizabeth Hoyt) | Jan 20, 2010 | B-
003. Missing in Death (Lost) (J.D. Robb) | Jan 22, 2010 | B +
004. The Last Olympian (Rick Riordan) | Feb 12, 2010 | B+
005. Born of Fire (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Feb 23, 2010 | B+
006. Born of Ice (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Feb 26, 2010 | B+
007. Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (Sabrina Jeffries) | Mar 03, 2010 | B+B
008. Don't Bargain with the Devil (Sabrina Jeffries) | Mar 07, 2010 | B+B
009. Wed Him Before You Bed Him (Sabrina Jeffries) | Mar 12, 2010 | B+
010. Never Seduce a Scoundrel (Sabrina Jeffries) | Mar 15, 2010| B+
011. Beware A Scot's Revenge (Sabrina Jeffries) | Mar 25, 2010 | B+
012. The Truth About Lord Stoneville (Sabrina Jeffries) | Mar 30, 2010 | B+
013. My Wicked Marquess (Gaelen Foley) | Apr 03, 2010 | B+
014. The Care and Taming of a Rogue (Suzanne Enoch) | Apr 10, 2010 | B-
015. By Love Undone (Suzanne Enoch) | Apr 20, 2010 | B+
016. Taming of Rafe (Suzanne Enoch) | Apr 27, 2010 | B+ | Re-read
017. The Bride (Julie Garwood) | May 01, 2010 | A+ | Re-read
018. Gentle Warrior (Julie Garwood) | May 11, 2010 | B+ | Re-read
019. Kindred in Death (J.D. Robb) | May 22, 2010 | B
020. Infinity (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Jun 03, 2010 | B+
021. The Prize (Julie Garwood) | Jun 12, 2010 | A+ | Re-read
022. Saving Grace (Julie Garwood) | Jun 22, 2010 | A+ | Re-read
023. Ten Things I Love About You (Julia Quinn) | Jun 27, 2010 | B+
024. A Notorious Love (Sabrina Jeffries) | Jul 22, 2010 | B
025. Married By Morning (Lisa Kleypas) | Jul 25, 2010 | A-
026. Love In The Afternoon (Lisa Kleypas) | Jul 28, 2010 | A-
027. A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior (Suzanne Enoch) | Aug 09, 2010 | B+
028. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) | Sep 04, 2010 | B+
029. Wicked Intentions (Elizabeth Hoyt) | Sep 28, 2010 | B+
030. The Lion's Daughter (Loretta Chase) | Oct 26, 2010 | B
031. Fire and Ice (In Other Worlds) (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Oct 27, 2010 | A
032. Knightly Dreams (In Other Worlds) (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Oct 27, 2010 | B+
033. Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins) | Nov 05, 2010 | B+
034. No Mercy (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Nov 15, 2010 | B+
035. A Hellion in Her Bed (Sabrina Jeffries) | Nov 22, 2010 | B+
036. Fantasy in Death (J.D. Robb) | Dec 05, 2010 | B+
037. The Forbidden Lord (Sabrina Jeffries) | Dec 13, 2010 | B
038. Rules of an Engagement (Suzanne Enoch) | Dec 22, 2010| B
039. Dance of Seduction (Sabrina Jeffries) | Dec 31, 2010 | B
My goal for this year is to do at least 50 books. I want to repeat what I achieved back in 2006 when I was able to do 77. Why wasn't I able to do that for 2007 and 2008? And to think that last year's list has a lot of re-read too.
001. Sins of the Night (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Jan 16, 2009 | B+ | Re-read
002. Unleash the Night (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Jan 22, 2009 | B | Re-read
003. Winter Born (Stroke of Midnight) (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Jan 23, 2009 | B+ | Re-read
004. Dark Side of the Moon (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Jan 28, 2009 | B | Re-read
005. Devil May Cry (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Jan 31, 2009 | A- | Re-read
006. One Silent Night (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Feb 04, 2009 | B+
007. Shadow of the Moon (Dead After Dark) (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Feb 04, 2009 | B
008. Seduce Me At Sunrise (Lisa Kleypas) | Feb 08, 2009 | B+
009. A Wallflower Christmas (Lisa Kleypas) | Feb 11, 2009 | B+
010. Watchmen (Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons) | Feb 17, 2009 | B+
011. Dream Warrior (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Feb 21, 2009 | A-
012. What I Did For Love (Susan Elizabeth Phillips) | Feb 24, 2009 | B+
013. A Hard Day's Nigh-Searcher (My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding) (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Feb 24, 2009 | B | Re-read
014. Loyalty in Death (J.D. Robb) | Mar 01, 2009 | B
015. Witness in Death (J.D. Robb) | Mar 07, 2009 | B+
016. Judgment in Death (J.D. Robb) | Mar 10, 2009 | A-
017. Betrayal in Death (J.D. Robb) | Mar 16, 2009 | A-
018. Interlude in Death (Three in Death) (J.D. Robb) | Mar 18, 2009 | B
019. Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak) | Mar 21, 2009 | B+
020. Seduction in Death (J.D. Robb) | Mar 26, 2009 | B
021. Reunion in Death (J.D. Robb) | Mar 30, 2009 | A-
022. Purity in Death (J.D. Robb) | Apr 04, 2009 | B+
022. Lords of Avalon: Sword of Darkness (Sherrilyn Kenyon, Robin Gillespie, Tommy Ohtsuka) | Apr 04, 2009 | B+
023. Portrait in Death (J.D. Robb) | Apr 07, 2009 | B
024. Imitation in Death (J.D. Robb) | Apr 16, 2009 | B
025. Remember When (Nora Roberts, J.D. Robb) | Apr 27, 2009 | B
026. Divided in Death (J.D. Robb) | May 03, 2009 | B+
027. Visions in Death (J.D. Robb) | May 11, 2009 | A-
028. Survivor in Death (J.D. Robb) | May 18, 2009 | B+
029. Marked (P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast) | May 28, 2009 | B+
030. The Lightning Thief (Rick Riordan) | Jun 12, 2009 | B+
031. Origin in Death (J.D. Robb) | Jun 19, 2009 | B
032. Memory in Death (J.D. Robb) | Jun 28, 2009 | B
033. The Sea of Monsters (Rick Riordan) | Jul 04, 2009 | B+
034. Haunted in Death (Three in Death) (J.D. Robb) | Jul 10, 2009 | B+
035. Born in Death (J.D. Robb) | Jul 18, 2009 | A-
036. What Happens in London (Julia Quinn) | Jul 25, 2009 | B+A-
037. Innocent in Death (J.D. Robb) | Aug 06, 2009 | B+
038. Eternity in Death (Dead of Night) (J.D. Robb) | Aug 09, 2009 | B
039. The Dark Hunters Volume 1 (Sherrilyn Kenyon, Claudia Campos) | Aug 13, 2009 | B+
040. A Dangerous Lord (Sabrina Jeffries) | Aug 20, 2009 | B
041. The Raven Prince (Elizabeth Hoyt) | Aug 21, 2009 | B+A-
042. One Night with a Prince (Sabrina Jeffries) | Aug 31, 2009 | B+
043. A Hathaway Wedding (Lisa Kleypas) | Sep 03, 2009 | B+A-
044. The Titan's Curse (Rick Riordan) | Sep 11, 2009 | B+
045. Bad Moon Rising (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Sep 17, 2009 | A-
046. The Leopard Prince (Elizabeth Hoyt) | Sep 22, 2009 | B
047. Creation in Death (J.D. Robb) | Sep 28, 2009 | B+
048. Eternity in Death (Dead of Night) (J.D. Robb) | Oct 01, 2009 | B | Re-read
049. Strangers in Death (J.D. Robb) | Oct 14, 2009 | B+
050. Salvation in Death (J.D. Robb) | Oct 26, 2009 | B
051. Ritual in Death (Suite 606) (J.D. Robb) | Oct 27, 2009 | B
052. Promise in Death (J.D. Robb) | Nov 08, 2009 | A-
053. Tempt Me At Twilight (Lisa Kleypas) | Nov 11, 2009 | A
054. Covet (J.R. Ward) | Nov 21, 2009 | A-
055. Born of Night (Sherrilyn Kenyon) | Nov 25, 2009 | A-
056. To Taste Temptation (Elizabeth Hoyt) | Nov 29, 2009 | B+
057. To Seduce a Sinner (Elizabeth Hoyt) | Dec 02, 2009 | B+A-
058. To Beguile a Beast (Elizabeth Hoyt) | Dec 06, 2009 | B
059. To Desire a Devil (Elizabeth Hoyt) | Dec 10, 2009 | B+A-
060. Always a Scoundrel (Suzanne Enoch) | Dec 13, 2009 | B
061. Lover Avenged (J.R. Ward) | Dec 29, 2009 | B+
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