The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It started out with a bulletin post on my facebook about a nail art tutorial inspired by The Hunger Games. At first I didn't care much about it since it's probably just another trend. but then more random post about the topic pushed me to research about it. What could I lose? 

It started with google and reading about it in Wikipedia. I found out that it's a book. It had a unique and very different plot than what I usually read. What got my attention the most was how the author, Suzanne Collins was inspired to write the story. From just surfing the television channels. There I took notice of the whole storyline and the characters. 

From reading a wikipedia data to browsing the net for sample ebooks to youtube for a sample audiobook. At first I didn't trust audiobooks to give the desired emotion that would satisfy my understanding of the story but this one channel gave such a good emotion through her voice made me want to hear/read more. Her audiobook was only up to chapter 4 but by that time, my interest and excitement on wanting to know what happened next reached an intensity that I couldn't control. All I could think about was "What happened next???" I was so gripped that by that night, I bought the Trilogy. Suzanne Collins really knows how to make a reader turn the page again and again without them ever putting it down. She ends every chapter that gives readers a lust to read more. So a few times, I tried to take a break by pausing in the middle of the chapter.

The Hunger Games trilogy contained the first book entitled The Hunger Games, book 2: Catching Fire and book 3: Mockingjay.

The first book's all about the game. How it's played and how to win.  The first book also gives an introduction of Katniss' and Peeta's love. Like what I said in my twitter account, Katniss' and Peeta's love is spelled out in three books. 

What I love most is that Katniss and Peeta never said the words "I Love You" to each other. They either showed how much they do, like when Peeta told everyone watching the tributes' interview about his "undying love" for Katniss and how Katniss who never realized until further in the story that she loves Peeta. A good example of that was when she cried so hard when Peeta's heart stopped and thought he was dead while they were inside the Quarter Quell's arena. 

The ending of the 74th Hunger Games in book one was more than I expected. I wasn't thinking of what might happen. I just read and read to find out. Still, in the last page of the first book Suzanne Collins made me want to read the second book - immediately. 

Catching Fire was about the start of the rebellion against the Capitol and Quarter Quell, the quarterly event where 24 contestants are chosen to participate in another Hunger Games. These 24 contestants were victors of the past (anyone surviving) Hunger Games. Meaning that 2 victors from each district are required to, yet again, join the Hunger Games. The arena in the first book and the arena of Quarter Quell in Catching fire was different and Quarter Quell's arena wass quite thought out and was somewhat of a puzzle than the first one. In this book, Katniss and Peeta allied with a few other victors not knowing what their true roles were in the game. Further at the end of Catching Fire, Katniss woke up to find that her district was no longer what it used to be and that Peeta was captured by the Capitol. 

Mockingjay, the 3rd and final book is the epic and a very unpredictable conclusion of The Hunger Games trilogy. The mission of the rebels, the rescue of Peeta and the truth about District 13. Mockingjay holds the answers to questions from Catching Fire and The Hunger Games. 

It's not the ending every reader would want but it's the ending that I would want and what I think is the best conclusion for the story. One concern though, I think the ending was a bit rushed, I would've liked a few more details of Peeta and Katniss but I guess there's nothing more to tell and the Epilogue says it all. Guess, I just want to read more. Suzanne Collins, by far, is the best author I've come across and her The Hunger Games trilogy ARE the most imaginative creations I would've never thought could exist.

2 thumbs up. 

6 and counting!

Yep! 6 new books added to my bookshelf just the first 3 months of this year and I've already finished reading The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore (cool pen name!) which was super awesome it was hard to put down and the latest book from one of my fave authors, Sophie Kinsella's I've Got Your Number.

Still reading the 3rd book of Fallen series: Passion from Lauren Kate.

Today I bought The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins coz I just heard/read that the first book was made into a movie and it will start showing in the US cinemas this March 23. I researched what the book was about and watched the trailer. I was interested after reading and watching just that. I found audiobooks and a scans of a couple of chapters and I was gripped! It's very enticing I get excited when a chapter ends and I craved for more. So since I really need to read the whole thing badly, I just bought a copy for myself. 

Ta-da!

actually it's a gift from mom. hahahaha 

I love it even more. :) 

I'm just really grateful that she sponsors all my book addiction. Not that she doesn't complain sometimes but I think most of the time she realizes that it's all for a good cause. Nutrition for my brain. lol 

Hmmm.. thinking if I should make a review on the finished books..... 

if I don't get lazy. 

:D

Fan Girl by Marla Miniano

Actually, I am a bit disappointed with this book. After just reading the first few pages, I already knew that it wouldn't be a happy ending. The story felt just like "500 days of Summer" where Tom's relationship with Summer wasn't successful. Hmmm.. I guess that's where Marla got the idea. Only, in her book the guy didn't want to have a serious relationship with the girl. Summer's attitude in Fan Girl is almost exactly like Tom in 500 days of Summer. 

Fan Girl is one brutally painful and realistic book. Summer learned about love in such a difficult way. 

I hate that she was so gullible and blind and that she didn't do anything for her sake. She didn't fight for what's right for her. Even when she grew older and learned a few things with even a friend that gives support, she still wouldn't give up on something that everyone knew was wrong.  I hate that she was weak.

You're allowed to be blind and stupid in love but with limits. One should learn from long-time mistakes and use it in future same-situations. Not give in and do it all over again. Not once did Marla mention that Scott told Summer he loves her. If that's the case, then why fight for something that she knows can't work out? Why fight for someone who isn't worth it? She even stalks Scott. She was weak and she was pathetic. 

After reading the part where Summer got sick and Scott visited her in her dorm and brought soup, she offered to do his assignment and Scott, the jerk he was, completely took the opportunity, that was when I knew that Scott was a guy who takes advantage of people, especially women. Summer, being the gullible teenager that she was who had no experience with love like that and was mostly #foreveralone gave in with his charms.

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The story began with 17 year old lead character Summer who fell in love the hard way. Summer was a fan who fell in love with Scotty Carlton who is a lead vocal of Violet Reaction which is a popular local band and a schoolmate in college in Manila. They didn't start of very well but when Scott invited Summer over at a gig one night, she started to fall really hard.

The dated for 3 years but never ended up in an official relationship. They had their share of fights and they had their sweet moments together just like what real couples have. Summer learned Scott's attitude along the way but she kept ignoring some part that makes him a total jerk. 

After college graduation, they went their separate ways. Summer got a job and Scott went to L.A to work at a family business. Summer still follows Scott on twitter and his website. Soon Scott hooked up with Roxanne, Summer's old roommate, and they became an official couple. Summer gave up for a short while until Meg, another old roommate, called her and told her that Scott and Roxanne broke up. Summer e-mailed Scott that she misses him and after a couple of minutes, Scott posted a twit on twitter about doing a song entitled "Come Find Me". Summer misunderstood, and after a week she went to L.A and visited Scott. When she got there, the same thing happened on his first visit to her dorm. Scott had to redo his lyrics in 4 weeks and Summer volunteered to help. Summer helped with everything for Scott only to find out afterwards that Roxanne and Scott were engaged.

After a few months or days, I guess, Summer worked at her Tita Elizabeth's diner in Sacramento and learned a few things while working there. She met Mr. Brooks, a frequent customer, who gave her an insight about relationships and love.

Time passed and she started really missing her family back at home so she decided to go home.
Back home, she learned that her best friend Zac, became the boyfriend of his long-time crush. Zac gave her a job at his business at a diner and she worked with kids including Nick, Summer's nephew, teaching them how to cook and stuff.

While working, she met the brother of her nephew, Nick's playmate in the diner, David. She and Nick got invited to Nick's playmate's birthday.

Marla gave a conclusion of Summer probably finding/starting a new love with David.