In the ninth chapter of Catching Fire, Katniss is forced to re-evaluate her plans to escape District 12 when she decides to stay with Gale. And then OH NO. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read Catching Fire.
I’ve converted myself to using an e-book for reading projects for this blog out of ease and the desire to have a more portable method for keeping books with me, especially as I tend to be on the road more than usual these days. I’ve been a bookworm since I was a small child and to this day, I still own hundreds of books that I can’t seem to part with and don’t really have plans to.
Naturally, I was morally opposed to e-books for the longest time, and I would cycle through the most predictable reasons as to why I would never, ever read a book on a digital device. The feel of pages! The weight of the book! The smell when you open a brand new novel! Bookstores! I’m predictable!
Once I started the “Mark Reads†project in 2009, though, the second I had to leave town for more than a day, I started getting tired of carrying a book or two with me at all times, especially the hefty Harry Potter books. It became even more tiresome to try and prop the book open while I tried to type and copy quotes. So a few months ago, after playing around with a friend’s iPad and hearing the glowing reviews she was giving it, I started to save up for one and I managed to finally be able afford it early last month.
The point of all this is that I have not used the physical books for this series in a while; I bought all three at once and never even cracked open Catching Fire once. Today, I peeked inside the cover to read the flap summary and I’m still shocked at the direction this book is going in so early on in the story. After reading that summary, which makes it seem as if the Victory Tour was going to take up the majority of the book, I’m left completely clueless. We’re now coming up on being a third of the way through the book and the Victory Tour is long over and the rebellion has started. What on earth is going to happen??? I gotta say, this is really exciting for me because I can’t say much of what is happening is predictable at all. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD. Oh god, AWESOME.
So now Katniss is at a crossroads in terms of what she thinks she should do, given that her plans to run away seem a bit too selfish, considering that other districts besides District 8 might also be rebelling. From the end of chapter eight, it seems clear that she agrees with Gale and staying is the better option, but Peeta’s appearance the next morning casts doubt on her thoughts.
He wakes up, as she had fallen asleep next to Gale, and I’m sure it wasn’t a sight he wanted to see. For Katniss, too, it’s mighty awkward, as she remembers that he agreed to run away with her and now…well, SHE CHANGED HER MIND. OOPS. I like that Collins isn’t portraying this as if Katniss is some sort of fickle girl who can’t make up her mind; her decisions are based entirely on the changing circumstances of her world.
We’re faced with another bit of passage of time that’s dealt with kind of dismissively, and I’ve sort of resolved myself to believe that this is just how Collins deals with this. She chooses when Katniss decides to narrate events and when not to. Apparently the Victory Tour was not nearly as important to the story as we thought, and the blizzard they get stuck in is not that important either. I like the idea that this buys Katniss time to figure out exactly what she is going to do, so thematically it works, but it messes up the pacing for me. I’m liking Catching Fire so far, but the pace of this novel is all over the place. That’s probably my only substantive complaint, as I’m going to wait until the book is done to see if my other problems hold weight once I know the whole thing.
I did notice that Katniss talks a great deal about how she has to stay for Prim and how she needs to protect her, yet….have we even seen them have a single conversation since the Games ended? For someone who loves her so much, they sure don’t talk very much.
Jumping ahead a few pages (since most of what is here is Katniss waiting and thinking about the people in her life and how a rebellion might affect them), I was really impressed with Katniss’s mother’s method of healing Gale: medicinally-enhanced snow. It’s rather brilliant, considering how much there is outside at the moment, and it’s something I also imagine the Capitol would never, ever think of using. Katniss’s mother has to improvise with what she has and I’m continually fascinated by the methods she choose to use to heal people.
“What did you do in warm months?†I ask.
A crease appears between my mother’s eyebrows as she frowns. “Tried to keep the flies away.â€
Well, that’s a pleasant thought.
I also liked that Katniss realized she overreacted the night before.
I don’t know what that means exactly, but as long as it works, who am I to question her? She knows what she’s doing, my mother. I feel a pang of remorse about yesterday, the awful things I yelled at her as Peeta and Haymitch dragged me from the kitchen. “I’m sorry. About screaming at you yesterday.â€
“I’ve heard worse,†she says. “You’ve seen how people are, when someone they love is in pain.â€
Katniss’s mom is a BAMF. Also, I love that she adds that last bit in there. A mother totally knows when her daughter is in love. DON’T DENY IT, KATNISS. I wonder if she senses that her daughter is also confused about Peeta as well. MOAR KATNISS’S MOM. (Do we know her name yet? My brain cannot fit anymore names right now and I swear we haven’t heard it so far.)
A couple of days pass during the blizzard (and they pass in a sentence, literally). When it’s safe to do so, her and Peeta get Haymitch to go on a walk and discuss their next move, which includes the best/worst line of all time.
Finally Haymitch breaks the silence. “So we’re all heading off into the great unknown, are we?†he asks me.
“No,†I say. “Not anymore.â€
“Worked through the flaws in that plan, did you, sweetheart?†he asks. “Any new ideas?â€
“I want to start an uprising,†I say.
Bless your little heart, Katniss. I laughed so hard at this line, just like Haymitch does, because she starts it so bluntly and simply, as if it’s something you can just do in a moment’s notice.
It can’t, obviously, but that message isn’t really drilled into Katniss’s head until they make it into town.
The square has been transformed. A huge banner with the seal of Panem hangs off the roof of the Justice Building. Peacekeepers, in pristine white uniforms, march on the cleanly swept cobblestones. Along the rooftops, more of them occupy nests of machine guns. Most unnerving is a line of new constructions—an official whipping post, several stockades, and a gallows—set up in the center of the square.
‘Thread’s a quick worker,†says Haymitch.
Some streets away from the square, I see a blaze flare up. None of us has to say it. That can only be the Hob going up in smoke. I think of Greasy Saw, Ripper, all my friends who make their living there.
Message sent and received, loud and clear. The Capitol was very smart to make these visible, intimidating changes. They’re reminding the citizens of the violent, oppressive control that they live under. And they’re doing a fine job of it, I have to say.
What about that uprising, Katniss?
Haymitch, resolved to do what he does best (see: drinking) sets off to find rubbing alcohol, since he can no longer get booze from the Hob. Katniss and Peeta know this could kill him, so they set off to find him and also check on their families and Gale’s.
An uprising, I think. What an idiot I am. There’s an inherent flaw in the plan that both Gale and I were too blind to see. An uprising requires breaking the law, thwarting authority. We’ve done that our whole lives, or our families have. Poaching, trading on the black market, mocking the Capitol in the woods. But for most people in District 12, a trip to buy something at the Bob would be too risky. And I expect them to assemble in the square with bricks and torches? Even the sight of Peeta and me is enough to make people pull their children away from the windows and draw the curtains tightly.
This is not going to be fun. There has to be a catalyst to inspire people to uproot themselves from feeling safe from Capitol harm, and I’m worried that it’s going to take something drastic and horrifying to convert those who are frightened by the Capitol and reluctant to rise against it. Oh boy.
Things are made worse when they visit Hazelle. The Peacemakers closed the mines and now people are afraid to go to Hazelle for washing, due to Gale’s illegal activities. The Capitol is using fear to deprive people even further. When Katpee visit the Hob after this, the harsh reality of what’s happening hits them: at any time, the Capitol can take anything and everything away from them.
For the second time in this chapter, Collins rushes through quite a few days in just a couple paragraphs. Hell, it might even be weeks. But conditions in District 12 worsen, as half the District begins to starve from the shutting of the mines. Children who sign up for tessarae in droves sometimes don’t even get food, and citizens are punished ruthlessly for crimes that are petty or insignificant. In short, the Capitol is winning, turning the citizens against Gale and Katniss, and filling everyone with fear and hunger.
It ironically isn’t the terror around her that finally inspires Katniss to leave her house and head back out into the familiar woods that give her comfort; it’s the arrival of a crate of wedding dresses from President Snow, who is still planning on going through with the ceremony. Katniss makes a great point:
Is he really planning to go through with it? What, in his twisted brain, will that achieve? Is it for the benefit of the Capitol? A wedding was promised, a wedding will be given. And then he’ll kill us? As a lesson to the districts? I don’t know. I can’t make sense of it. I toss and turn in bed until I can’t stand it anymore. I have to get out of here. At least for a few hours.
It makes no sense to me. President Snow has no incentive to improve conditions in District 12 and even I can’t figure out what the wedding would achieve for him. So I understand the frustration that this causes Katniss and why she decides to get out of her house.
She decides to put on the winner gear Cinna had made for her and head out to the lake:
I’m determined, for some reason, to get to the lake. Maybe to say good-bye to the place, to my father and the happy times we spent there, because I know I’ll probably never return. Maybe just so I can draw a complete breath again. Part of me doesn’t really care if they catch me, if I can see it one more time.
It’s actually kind of a sad thing to me. I feel like Katniss is so overwhelmed with the despair of the situation that she’s starting to give up, failing to be as cautious as she could be, willing to admit that it may be the last time she’s happy for a good while.
I am literally a few yards from the door of the cement house when I pull up short. And that’s not because of the smoke or the prints or the smell. That’s because of the unmistakable click of a weapon behind me.
GREAT. IT’S ALREADY AWFUL.
Second nature. Instinct. I turn, drawing back the arrow, although I know already that the odds are not in my favor. I see the white Peacekeeper uniform, the pointed chin, the light brown iris where my arrow will find a home. But the weapon is dropping to the ground and the unarmed woman is holding something out to me in her gloved hand.
I mean…HOW CAN THIS GO WELL? How is Katniss going to explain this?
I waver, unable to process this turn in events. Perhaps they have orders to bring me in alive so they can torture me into incriminating every person I ever knew.Yeah, good luck with that, I think. My fingers have all but decided to release the arrow when I see the object in the glove. It’s a small white circle of flat bread. More of a cracker, really. Gray and soggy around the edges. But an image is clearly stamped in the center of it.
It’s my mockingjay.
ARE YOU SHITTING ME. Oh my god, what the fuck? So…..a Peacekeeper who either knows Plutarch or is part of some resistance group? Oh shit, it’s getting real.
first post! C:
i loved this chapter because it hints at rebellion even more, and brings katniss to realize that plutarch might not be who he seems.
why did this one get voted down so much? seems like a fair enough post to me…just curious
Ditto. It's basically a summary of Mark's review.
yeah, it's not like there's spoilers in it, are there?
Because it was a FURST COMMENT post. Mark and everyone else of the Interwebz have already asked readers not to do that; it's irritating.
But there's actually content besides FIRST LULZ so I think it's not an issue :/
I love Katniss and Prim's mom as well … I think Katniss is just a little too hard on her in the first book. For someone as emotionally strong as Katniss, its hard to understand how depression can affect some people. I'm glad she's finally able to see her mother is strong in her own ways.
Ooh! It looks like open rebellion is a possibility after all!
I am finally back after our annual crazy Christmas trip, which involves driving 2000+ miles and staying in at least 4 houses of friends/family in the space of 8 or 9 days. What can I say, my family.
Oh, Katniss. She's just so confused and everything is awful and the Capitol is fucking up serious shit and I have to admire her. She goes with the flow and changes plans (okay, some of them are stupid. Running away in the middle of winter is probably not the most thought-out one…) to whatever fits because she is not going to let President Snow (heh, that name) get the best of her and will go out fighting. I would have curled up in a ball and cried my eyes out long ago before it got to this point, because damn. I also love the strength we see in Katniss's mom, especially since it's such a different picture we got from the first book. She's not involved in a potential rebellion, but she's just such a fighter in her own way. Also, using snow in medicine is awesome, especially in such a poor district with limited fancy Capitol medicines.
Rebel Peacekeepers? Hiding in the cabin beside her lake? I think you are not prepared!
Not to do with the book, but I am definitely starting to seriously consider getting an iPad or Kindle or something. Carrying books around is a pain in the ass, and I wouldn't have to worry about how I'm going to get all my stuff back to school and still have my suitcase be under 50 pounds because I wouldn't have all of those books I brought home to read over break!
(okay, some of them are stupid. Running away in the middle of winter is probably not the most thought-out one…)
Not to mention if the Capitol and President Snow saw her in the woods with Gale, how can she expect that she would be able to avoid being tracked? It seemed to me right away that running away would simply be impossible because it couldn't be a secret!
Seriously. Snow knows ~everything~ and Katniss really needs to keep that in mind!
Plus, they'd have to worry about wiping away their footprints, Harry Potter-style (sans the magic). An admirable effort, Katniss, but THINK MOAR BETTER.
Ah, holiday traditions. Mine involves hanging out at home, getting out of my PJs as infrequently as possible, and just being as lazy as I can stand to be for about a week 😀
I feel so bad for Katniss. Her life is filled with ~tragedy~ right now D:
I just left a neato comment about e-readers down in response to stellaaaaarkis – just my thoughts, if you're interested 🙂 (I've been using a Kindle for almost two years now – though it'll never replace real books for me, I do love it.)
Katniss' Mother= BAMF
🙂
MOAR GALE! (And Haymitch)
Please,please have the guy that plays mad-eye moody play haymitch I am BEGGING you!
HAHA! I can see it! Now I will accept no other.
The guy that plays House would be a really great Haymitch.
Him or Robert Downey Jr.
I STILL always associate Brendan Gleeson with Braveheart…"Oh hey, that's William Wallace's best friend! He can't throw rocks straight harharhar"
He would make a great Haymitch though (he sure made a perfect Moody!).
Bahhh, I loved the way this chapter ends, and you just have to keep reading. You're prepared for the worst, because peacekeepers have very suddenly become terrible figures in our minds, and then it's like WAIT WHAT WHAT IS GOING ON HERE IS IT GOOD IS IT BAD SHOULD I BE TERRIFIED OMG MUST READ.
Just like that.
And I love that in this book kind of even more than in the last (don't worry, I haven't forgotten how horrifying The Hunger Games was) things aren't going smoothly for Katniss. In fact, they're going horribly. It seems every time she tries to come up with a plan, shit goes horribly wrong and scary things get in the way.
Oh, and I'm the same as you. I've been all NOOOOOO e-readersssssss. And I still don't have one, and I'm not sure I'd enjoy reading on one as much as I enjoy reading a good ol' fashioned book, but I certainly DO see the convenience of them, and how they have their place for sure.
I agree – I love how badly things go and how quickly Katniss has to ditch her plans. It really brings home just how difficult it is to foment a successful revolution against a powerful, ruthless government. It takes more than rage and determination and improvised weapons; we get a sense of how little knowledge Gale was working from when he wanted to start an uprising.
We often think of revolutions in terms of the ones that succeeded, but far more have failed; they're not easy to pull off when you're outnumbered and outgunned. We don't have to look any closer than Iran and Burma to see that.
It's scary how in such a short time Katniss has gone from someone who was looked up to and admired in District 12 to a pariah, and it's all due to the Capitol. So sad 🙁
I'm glad that Katniss is maturing enough to apologize to her mother though, especially since her mother pretty much saved Gale's life. And I liked how she was able to realize that even though she might be the catalyst for an uprising, she can't do it all on her own. She needs someone like Peeta to be able to win the crowd over. She's grown so much from the first book where she seemed to believe she had to do everything on her own.
Mark, why must you taunt me with how unprepared you are? That's why my hair is so big, it's full of spoilers.
I have question for people who use digital books in general. Is the price of a book in any better? Also, does they put a strain on your eyes? I have a tendency to feel sick if I look at electronics (computer, tv, etc.) for too long and I'd rather not save up for something that I won't be able to use without feeling ill. I definitely understand the desire for mobile books. My two greatest passions are reading and traveling. I spent 5 weeks this summer traveling Europe, mostly using trains, so I had plenty of time to read, but I only had a backpack with me (a schoolbag one, not a hiking/camping one) so I could only fit 3 books. I finished really quickly. But I love the feel of turning pages and how you can tell how well loved a book is by the state of its condition.
About this chapter, once again, nothing to add right now. Maybe I'll be struck by something later, but I think you covered pretty much all my reactions. So I'll just warn you again, YOU ARE NOT PREPARED.
That's why my hair is so big, it's full of spoilers.
I just have to say it.
YOU WIN EVERYTHING FOR THIS!!!
And I, too, get headaches if I look at a computer screen too long, so that is a big hesitation for me when it comes to e-books.
I have a kindle and because it's not backlit, there's no strain. Like a real book, you need to have adequate light to read. I love it – most books run about $12, but older classic stuff is cheaper or free.
I have a Kindle, too, and since it’s not backlit there’s really no strain. Since there’s no distinction between hardback and paperback- no covers at all, really- the books tend to run cheaper. I only got mine for Christmas, so I haven’t bought many books, but most of what I have bought are around the $9 priceline.
I have a Nook (the original not the color) and the screen uses something called e-ink so it doesn't light up, it basically looks like you're reading an actual page out of a book so it doesn't strain your eyes and there's no glare. The ebooks themselves are slightly cheaper and there are a ton of books that are under $5 and some are even free. I used to be anti-ereader until I ran out of space in the two bookshelves I have and books literally started piling up all over the place. I got a Nook for my birthday last year and absolutely love it!
ipad definitely strains your eyes because it is backlit and you cannot read it under sunlight.if you want to avoid eye strain,go for amazon kindle.it uses e-ink.but you can only read using kindle whereas with ipad you can browse,play media and games and loads of other stuff.
Not really true, actually. I need to have a backlit reader because the nature of my eyes and it has the option to switch the page to a dark background with white letters when you're in the sun and that works perfectly fine for me.
Also, the series cost me around $75 in a bookstore and less than $30 online. Eek!
Please excuse a humble British person, but holy shit $75 for three books?! O.o
I vaguely know the conversion rate from $ to £ and that seems unbelievably expensive to me. Are all books (paper books, not ebooks) that pricey in the US?
Paper ones are cheaper (usually ranging from $10-$16 or so, depending on how old/big they are and where you get them, yay Amazon), but hardbacks are ridiculous and consistently run over $20. I looked it up and $75 is like £48.
this might be just me, but I tend to prefer paperbacks anyway. They're usually smaller and easier to put in your purse than one of those hardcovers
They are, but my HP books were paperback and they got beat up from taking them everywhere, so I wanted hardcovers for this series.
=O That is an OBSCENE price for books. I had no idea hardbacks were so expensive in the US.
I got all three for less than $30 dollars in hardback, but I bought them at Costco in a box set. At borders they ran for about $18 apiece without tax (approx $20 dollars with tax) at my local Borders.
I have to agree about white text on a black background. I love my Kindle, but I read on my ipod Touch before I got it (it's also easy to carry around) and I've never had problems with eyestrain. I can't believe you spent $75 on The Hunger Games. Did you go to a small bookstore or something?
How did you spend that much? List price for each one is $17.99 in hardcover, which is $53.97 total. The list price for the box set is the same price. Even with tax that should have been under $60.
I read on my iPad all the time, and to avoid eyestrain, I just toggle the screen brightness. I turn the brightness all the way down, and then the app I use to read (CloudReaders) has a way to darken the background of the page, so I don't have an issue with it. With the brightness all the way down, it's light enough for me to read in the dark, but not wake my husband with the brightness. I do the same thing when I read on my Blackberry, the app I use there you can change the type and bakground colours too, so not problem!
We bought the iPad as a multi-purpose gadget, I'd say about 1/3 of the use of it goes to reading, the other time I'm playing games or on the web. I could see myself buying a Kindle or Nook or Kobo just because the iPad can be a bit hefty to hold for a long time in comparison. I usually prop it up against my knees/ a pillow/ a dog etc. 😛
Severe amounts of win for the "hair full of spoilers" XD totally awesome.
Others have said it, but I'm just going to add my two cents. I have the Kindle, and it (and I suppose, the Nook, too) is very good at avoiding eye-strain. The lack of a backlight, as well as the e-ink make it like looking at a page, not a screen. (I think the Sony Reader is the same but I really don't know).
I have stocked my Kindle almost completely with free titles from Amazon (a lot of old works, like the complete Sherlock Holmes Collection, or all the works of Poe, can be gotten for free or for really, really cheap). Newer releases can sometimes be half the price of an actual book, or sometimes even less.
I still love real books, and I'll never stop preferring a physical book to an e-book, but for traveling and being on the go very often, e-readers are a godsend. I love that I can have a whole series, some classics, collections of poems, and a couple non-fictions in my bag and it only takes up the space of one small book (I have my Kindle in one of those leather jackets). If I'm in the situation to have a real book, I will always choose real, but I do think things like the Kindle or Nook are worth it, and the price has dropped significantly, so if you travel often or are often running around away from home and reading a lot, then I think an e-reader would be a great investment for you 😀
(NOTE: My stepdad has an iPad and they're definitely not the same. They're computers with an e-reader feature, so you have to deal with a backlit screen. For me, looking at screens for hours and hours almost never causes strain, but for you, it probably wouldn't be a good selection, as it's definitely a computer screen. Also, the cost of an iPad is far higher than that of a Kindle or Nook, so that's something to remember)
Hope this helps! Let us know if/what you chose :3
I used to be very anti e reader until I caved and got a kindle. Sweet jesus' it's awesome. The vast majority of books I've looked at are 10 dollars or under. The classics are also free,and you can get them from a lot of different websites (straight off of amazon or from project gutenburg is what I do). Like everyone's said, the way the kindle and nook are set up it looks just like actual paper. The battery life on these things is also forever if you turn off wifi/3G(if you got the version with it). The kindle can go a month without being recharged, which I imagine is handy when you're traveling.
Another plus if you hapen to be a college student is you can sometimes find textbooks as e books. I was able to track down 2 books on amazon and saved about half I woulda spent at a textbook store around college.
Beautiful comment.
If you can, you should try playing around with an iPad and a Nook, Kindle, or other ereader. If you can use an iPad with the brightness lowered without feeling sick, you might want to look into it. Dedicated ereaders are a lot less expensive and more portable. I love my Kindle, and was torn between it and the Nook Color until I decided I'd rather have an e-ink screen and free 3G coverage. It's definitely meant for reading, not browsing, but if you're away from home and wifi, and want to check you email or something low-resource like that, it could be nice to have.
I love the smell and feel of books, but I've been running out of space for years. Between my iPod and Kindle, I can have copies of classics I already own and want to reread on the spur of the moment, and pulp I don't want to waste precious shelf-space on.
Wow, thank you all for your advice! I'm going to go and try to head out to a Barnes & Noble soon so I can try out the Nook. I can't afford an iPad, especially considering I just got a new laptop since my old one is in the process of dying (blue screen of death and the screen is literally trying to break away from the main section every time I open it up). And I'll ask around if anyone has a Kindle I can play with. I think it would be a wise investment. Nearly all the books in my family's house belong to me and are taking up a lot of room. I have over 2 bookshelves worth.
Also, thank you all for ignoring the pile of grammatical fail that is my second paragraph. I could have sworn I reread before I submitted, but, there they are, a mistake in each of the first 3 sentences. "Does they…"? Really? "Have question"? I give up.
I actually took post-it notes while i was re-reading this chapter so that I could contribute more than just fanart (which I was lacking for this chapter).
1. "Go on up to bed, Katniss. I'll look after him now," he says.
"Peeta. About what I said yesterday, about running-" I begin.
"I know, he says. "There's nothing to explain."
Poor Peeta D: He just accepts her feelings for Gale, tells her he understands, and doesn't (try) to make her feel bad about it. He doesn't even force her to explain.
2. I loved the part where she goes through and thinks about what staying to cause a rebellion will mean for her and everyone she loves. And when she talks about Prim and Rue. I know Prim is barley in it…but I love her. It's probably because she's the tiny, innocent little girl and little kids can wrap me around there fingers in two seconds flat. I don't know, I just empathize with Katniss on this one.
3."Tried to keep the flies away"
Like Katniss, that line made me feel sick :/
4. 'I really can't think about kissing when I've got a rebellion to incite.'
This made me laugh so hard XD Yeah, Katniss can't think about Peeta's and Gale's ~feelings~ right now. She's too busy being a BAMF.
5. "Do you know she asked me if I'd like to give you away? I told her the sooner the better."
Siriusly, Haymitch, never change!
6. The hob 🙁
7. 'The eagerly awaited food promised for Parcel Day arrives spoiled and defiled by rodents. The installations see plenty of action as people are dragged in and punished for offenses so long overlooked we've forgotten they're illegal.'
Just…ughh, I don't even know. I can't stand the freaking Capitol!
8. Hazelle being Haymitch's housekeeper is wonderful <3
9. It's my mockingjay.
What? Siriusly Collins? Grr.
4: It's so awesome how it's the boys that are all "CHOOSE ME!! LOVE MEEEE!!!!" instead of the girls for once. LOL
5: LOL Oh, Haymitch. I agree, he should never change!
8: I know, right!? So many possibilities… :*
small white circle of flat bread. More of a cracker, really. Gray and soggy around the edges. But an image is clearly stamped in the center of it.
It’s my mockingjay.
Sounds kinda like a communion wafer to me. Just sayin'.
Exaaactly. That's what I thought, too (well, Lord's Supper cracker 'cause I was raised Baptist). But, you know, religious.
There's a question — I can't remember if religion is ever mentioned in THG or if it's mentioned in CF so far. Not even a nod to "some people do, some don't." Hmmm.
Rebellion is now a religion in Panem? Things are getting serious.
There are many, many things I love about these reviews, but I may love the amazing typos most of all. Honestly, how does someone consistently mistype phrases in a variety of ways that enhance their awesomeness (see: waterfalls of win)? Today this comes in Hob=Bob form.
But for most people in District 12, a trip to buy something at the Bob would be too risky.
Seriously, I want to go shopping at the Bob.
They (The Bob) have a great sale on ebooks right now!
Bob is the short name for D12's Etsy store.
We have a club in my town over here called 'The Bob'.
Also, in the Netherlands, the person that doesn't drink during a night of clubbing (and therefore also the one driving the car) is called the Bob.
Mark's typos > everyone else's typos XD
BOB is the localish baseball complex for me (Bank One Ballpark). I think the people of District 12 would consider pretty much any risk to be too high to buy Diamondbacks merchandise.
There's a pub in my town known as the Bob or Bob's. It has no affiliation with an actual Bob.
Me too, but the typo I liked best this time around was the "Greasy Saw".
LOL Greasy Saw makes good soup!
They. Sure. Do.
That is the best forever!!!
Katniss: I want to start an uprising.
Haymitch: LOL
XD LOVE IT!
Also, yeah, Mrs. Everdeen is always referred to as that or "my mother." Huh. =/
It makes sense though, I never call my mom by her name either.
Same here, I can't think of a single time where I thought of my mother as anything other than my mom, mom, my mother, or something along those lines.
I know her first name, sure, but I never call her by it, not even in my head.
And notice that Katniss' father is also never even once called by name.
Well, yes, but you'd think that one of the other characters would call her by her name, considering she seems to be the go-to healer in their area.
I sometimes call my mother 'Monique' because sometimes when I say 'Mum. Mum! Muuuum! Muuuuuuum!' she doesn't react. She does when I say her name ;D
by the way, Haymitch's first line after laughing: "Well, I want a drink."
NO! NO! NO! NO HAYMITCH NO!
UGH I KNOW. His major flaw that basically makes up his entire character (or at least is shoved in our faces constantly throughout the story) is the one thing I'd want to change!
We can only hope…
I just spent the past two days rereading the trilogy so I could remember the story more clearly, and it's literally pages and pages of "Wow I forgot about that, I wonder what Mark will think of that?" and "I know EXACTLY what Mark's gonna have to say about this chapter!" I'm so excited for you to get through these books!
I wanted to mention that the hardcover books look cool without the dust jackets, because they have a shiny mockingjay that mimics the covers.
Also, I find it weird that she keeps talking about protecting Prim (like Mark points out), and hasn't once thought that Prim might be entering the Quell this year. Someone else mentioned it a few days ago, and it just seems like such a logical thing for Snow to do to hurt Katniss. Why isn't she helping her prepare at all? I think it was mentioned before that Gale is teaching his younger brother Rory to hunt, so why wouldn't Katniss teach Prim, or at least have Gale teach her? I'm guessing Katniss doesn't want to taint her sister, but it gives another contrast to Katniss and Gale.
Did anyone else find it weird that when Haymitch, Katniss, and Peeta wandered to have a talk….that Peeta (the boy that's known so well for his words) is completely mute for those two pages?? It's just Haymitch and Katniss back and forth with Peeta….just…there….
One of my favorite Katniss/Peeta moments happens In this chapter…when she calls to see if he made it alright….3 houses down. That part actually made me laugh-out-loud.
Congrats on the iPad purchase, I own one too and love it for it's versatility..nice to carry nook/kindle apps on one device, huh? It was my replacement laptop after my PowerBook burnt out. I love apple products. Make sure to get a nice protector for it (especially the screen)
hmm, not really, I think that part of why Peeta is so good with his words, is that he's able to listen. He doesn't 'always' need to talk,so when he does start talking, it's usually more meaningful. (usually, not always*eg*)
Shit is getting real very, very FAST.
I think I'm liking the pace of this books as they go on, because at the beginning of Hunger Games I was going mad because IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE, now that I (sorf of) got used to Collins' writting style and I kinda know WHY is she keeping that pace, It's so much easier for me to over look the flaws that it might produce. I loved how Kat is confused about what to do, instead of knowing everything all the time, because it makes her more real and gives her a lot of more space for character development. Haymitch is AWESOME, siriusly never change dude. Peetaaaaaaaa <3 <3 <3 , I love how mature he's acting and how much he's proving he actually knows Kat. I feel sorry for Katniss's mom, she is blamed for something that was not her fault by her own daughter, yet she still a total badass when needed, I think I know where Kat got such a strong character from. Poor district 12 people. And FUCK THE CAPITOL FOREVER..
That ending. WHY DO YOU LIKE TO TORTURE ME COLLINS?!?!?! WHY?!?!?!?!?!? This will get GOOD. Or not. D: D: D: D:
This will get GOOD. Or not. D: D: D: D:
Appropriate reaction is appropriate. You are learning, young grasshopper!
Yup. I feel pretty proud of myself. I wonder for how much longer will I last without the mental breakdown. Last time it only took mutant dogs made of dead children's DNA. I have the feeling Collins will top herself with this one. So to sum it up, I'm (and Mark too to be honest) not prepared.
oh my god someone I know recently called someone else a young grasshopper, but that other person didn't understand.
Awkward moment was awkward.
Aw Mark, don't read the flap summary, it might have spoilers!
When is shit not real in a Suzanne Collins's books anyway? =)
Honestly, it's always real, so when it gets more real than it's usual real… it's legit. 😮
Hell, shit's real in EVERYTHING she writes. Have you SEEN Clifford's Puppy Days??? That shit is MESSED UP.
Everything she writes is like a huge, unexpected blow in your face.
<img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/207703796.gif?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1293997791&Signature=CMjWm3VULYMtgogVJvqnKfTMiNk%3D">
ouch
I was the same way about ebooks, but it is so convient to have a kindle and well, a lot easier on my wallet. Sorry authors, I know you need money but a college student can't afford a book addiction. Anyway, onto the story.
Yeah the pacing is kinda meh. It doesn't really hurt the story but it does seem weird.
Oh buck up Katpiss. Gale'll be okay
<img src="http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm135/FalcoColumbarius/wound.jpg">
Haymitch, why you gotta be hating on the revolution. They have bird crackers!
<img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d51/deneris/SPN%20gifs/tumblr_lbz6nzYM7v1qc9rkw.gif">
You keep on rockin Katpiss. Raw raw fight the powah!
Seriously though, nevah prepared.
<img src="http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i423/rumper2/whale_o_GIFSoupcom.gif">
Holy crap, that last gif!
Um, is that last one real? Do you know if the Eskimo is okay? Or is it from a movie that was really good with it's special effects? I can't stop watching it. REAL OR NOT REAL? AHHH!
I'm pretty sure it's not real.
Unexpected killer whale is unexpected
supernatural gif FTW!
Upvoted for Dean Winchester content <3
Mark, I honestly do not know how you read these books chapter by chapter. I tried to read along with you, but I ended just saying “Nope, cliffhangers. Not doing this.” And finished all three in one night.
Oh, and I was also sooooo against e-readers. Then I got a Kindle. It’s awesome, more portable, cheaper, and more comfortable to read than a book. The comfortable part may only reply to me. I tend to squirm and flip around when I read and will stop reading if I get too uncomfortable. Favorite thing about my Kindle? I can pirate books and read them without destroying my already frail eyes!
I, of course meant "apply to me." Reply doesn't make sense there.
You pirate books? Did you know you can check out audio books from many libraries, as well as check out ebooks for a certain amount of time. Don't steal books, it's just wrong.
uhm, sometimes it's just hard to find books.
It's because I downloaded the books, that I asked them to my brother and sister for Christmas and will have them in my hands in a week or so. But then again, I'm one of those people who download something to test them and then buys them for real if I like them. Especially since my library only has the dutch versions and I prefer reading the original version over the translation.
What's the difference between pirating a book and getting it out from the library, if you never intended to buy it in the first place? Either way, you aren't spending money and the author isn't getting money.
I read both Catching Fire and Mockingjay online – didn't download them, they were just on a site – because the hold line at the library was ridiculously long. It was a bit annoying because there weren't paragraphs or chapter breaks, but it was better than nothing.
Actually, (at least in the UK) authors do get a small amount of money when their books are checked out from libraries…
I was talking to myself while reading this chapter, and it was actual crazy talking-to-one's-self. Good job I'm alone and indoors. I ended up just sort of going "Oh god, oh god" and frantically turning pages.
Anyway, it looks like it doesn't matter whether Katniss wants to lead a rebellion or not- apparently something is going on already and she's being used as a figurehead through the symbol of the mockingjay. Shit's going to get so real. I don't know how, but it is.
Oh oh oh AND
YA novels always have weird shit going on in the woods. At least this time it was just genuine tension instead of sparkly vampires or Harry-is-FOREVER-ALONE tragedy.
Actually, I dont think we ever find out Katniss' mom's name (i hope thats not a spoiler). It sort of bothers me, though, when books introduce fairly important characters and the only names they give them are simply "mom" or something like that.
Try reading Sounder where the only character who has an actual name is the dog. Still love the book though.
Perhaps I'm misremembering this, but I seem to recall Mrs. Everdeen responding to the Katniss/Peeta dating situation by saying that Katniss is too young to have a boyfriend, which could definitely be interpreted as evidence that she knows about it and was trying to give Katniss an excuse to call it all off.
For some reason, the formatting of my e-book had the "It's my mockingjay" line far down from the other sentences on the page, so I'd assumed it was a line from the next chapter until I read this review. So, my first (pre-review-reading) hypothesis was that all the old Peacekeepers had been attacked by the new ones and gone into hiding in the woods, the female one being Purnia, but the mockingjay line makes that seem less likely.
I've been toying with a number of ideas about District 13 (it's a safe haven for dissidents; it's just like the other districts but makes top secret dangerous stuff for the Capitol; it's in league with the Capitol somehow; the Capitol is actually a district and District 13 is actually the capitol, etc.), so now I'm wondering if perhaps the person Katniss just met is from District 13. Which, given the Peacekeeper outfit, could mean that either they're still under Panem rule, they got free but kept the Peacekeeper idea (at the least), or they stole Peacekeeper uniforms and are going to use them to infiltrate Panem.
And in my defense on this one, it totally worked in Clue. (Well, except for the whole getting caught by the guy from Spinal Tap thing.)
District 13 was just a red herring!
My only real complaint about these books has been that so much is glossed over that I want to know more about, fleshed out and savored. Despite that, I hang on every word as Collins takes me on this race. And I've asked myself a hundred times, "Is this REALLY a YA series?"
Got my 1st gen Kindle a couple years ago and never looked back. Just wish JK Rowling and others would get with the program
Word.
But for most people in District 12, a trip to buy something at the Bob would be too risky.
I bet this is what it looked like when the Bob went up in smoke. <img src="http://www.ohiok.com/img/i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/babyj3nb/yourcomment/funny/this-is-bob.gif" alt="Bob"/>
Bob always seems to be doing things that are detrimental to his health:
<img src=http://data.rockyou.com/images/fbflair/pf_img/c/e/0/6/ce06275e549a5f174a46bf4f7aaf95b43c651c54.jpg>
<img src="http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2008/06/funny-pictures-bob-is-launched-into-outer-space.jpg">
poor bob
Man, I kind of understand given that we're in Katniss' POV and she never bothers to find stupid details out, but Collins' adamant refusal to tell us the names of LIKE HALF THE CAST is starting to grate on me. I found it really hard to believe that Katniss (or Peeta especially) wouldn't want to learn the names of the other contestants in THG, for one thing.
I didn't even *get* the books until Mark was on the 10th chapter of the first one. I've now caught back up with him…on my fourth re-read. Shit just gets real way too fast to stop with these books!
So does anyone else wonder what the other countries in the Panem world are like? How has the apocalypse that hit the US affected the rest of the world? If it was a disaster that took out the coasts (as I think someone noted way back at the beginning of HG? a commenter posted a map in the comments, I remember) does that mean that other coastal areas around the world have been destroyed, too? Is anything left of the UK?
And do the other countries know that Panem is killing children for fun every year? Because HOLY HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. How do you keep that quiet?
Especially considering that they televise it.
That's one of the things I love about The Handmaid's Tale by Atwood – it's set in a dystopian America, but after the end in a sort of epilogue we find out that 1) the dystopian government fell apart after a while and 2) the whole world wasn't like that, the country was sort of like a North Korea isolated from everyone else.
Other countries may know, but not be willing to intervene, and the Capitol may be good at keeping information about the outside world from its citizens. And the destruction of District 13 in the war indicates that the Capitol (like North Korea) has nukes, so there's not an awful lot the rest of the world can do.
Haha, I was actually thinking of The Handmaid's Tale! As for your second paragraph: yes, that makes a lot of sense.
This is going to be an Evolution of my love for Haymitch:
When we first see him I was like
<img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i377/Sansanimus/Gifs/JoeyRichter-wtf.gif" border="0">
Then we meet him on the train and I'm like
<img src="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll120/nextbestsuperstar_2008/GIFs/tumblr_lc4bwbFgpF1qa11cdo1_500.gif" border="0">
Then he starts drinking and not giving a fuck and I'm like
<img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m274/bekkiglittz/GIFs/Skins/4d8601a8.gif" border="0">
Then he totally helps Katniss out and I'm like
<img src="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e236/matrevir/deo5t4.gif" border="0">
Then in Catching Fire he keeps drinking and not giving a fuck and I'm like
<img src="http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx356/EdieRose/Gif%20me/b5n0wg.gif" border="0">
Then he totally puts Katniss in her place and I'm like
<img src="http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/RoysbestfriendFred/Kirk%20and%20Uhura/skins0017.gif" border="0">
I LUVVV YOUUUU HAYMITTCHHHH
<img src="http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll120/nextbestsuperstar_2008/GIFs/tumblr_la32cgligs1qa9b02o1_400.gif" border="0">
Joey!!! Camp Chapel was hilarious!
He's the guy who played Ron in A Very Potter Musical, right!?! LOVE HIM!!!! <3
Superb use of GIFs!
I'm curious…where is the first one of Joey Richter from?
i have no idea actually!
Camp Chapel. 🙂 You can watch it on Youtube.
Thank you! I will definitely be looking that up.
He plays Ron in Very Potter Musical. <3
OMG, are those Skins Gifs? I officially love you forever. Although, I have to say that I thought series 4 was crap.
Yes, Haymitch rules. "I want to start a rebellion." *laughs*
dude. series 3 and 4 were absolutely horrible. hopefully 5 will be okay…
I CAN'T SEE LIKE ALL OF THOSE GIFS SO THIS COMMENT MAKE LITTLE TO NO SENSE TO ME!!
I is sad forever.
But yaaaaaaaaay for using gifs
This chapter, oh this chapter! IT is so reminiscent of Nazi Germany, where the Jews were systematically stripped of everything: the right to work, the right to attend school, food, shelter, their valuables, everything. The District 12 people are all going to starve to death if something doesn't happen.
Poor Katniss…everything is full of failure and badness and I think part of why her plans are so silly is that she's just so scared and it's hard to know what to do. Run away? Sure! Start an uprising? Hey, better idea! I've been in situations where stupid, stupid ideas seem like they might work because you're just so desperate to fix things that you start grasping at any possibility in the hopes that you can escape the terrible things that are happening.
Dumb as Katniss ends up sounding at times, I like that Collins shows us some of Katniss' desperation and fear. Being powerless is terrifying, and it's the kind of terror that just consumes you until all you can think about is how scared you are and how badly you want to escape your situation.
I found myself wondering the same thing about Prim, by the way – I spend a lot of time talking to the people I love; I find it kind of strange that, thus far, Katniss hasn't spoken much to Prim. It was understandable in The Hunger Games, since she was cut off from everyone, but now that they live in the same house…I'd like Collins to bring Prim around more often. Sometimes it feels like Katniss loves the idea of her more than she actually loves her (I don't think that's the case, I just think that's how it comes across when we don't get to see much of Prim).
I always love reading about medical procedures, so I thought the snow thing was fascinating. Really, what else can she do? The "keeping the flies away" thing was kind of sad, though – you can tell it really bothers her mum to be helpless.
Also, no, we haven't heard Katniss' mum's name.
Mark: you are not prepared. Just sayin' 😉
You know how some books make you wish that world was real and you could experience it? Like Harry Potter–I would give anything to walk down Diagon Alley and visit the Burrow and explore Hogwarts. Sometimes you just want to jump into the pages. NOT THESE BOOKS. Never. Never ever ever.
Kinda like the Marvel Universe, at times fascinating to read about, but I'd never want to live there.
Well….I'd like to go to a -pretend- Capitol party….because crazy fashion and food….BUT NO DEATH.
Yeah, I definitely want to party with Capital people (but you know, the nice ones like Cinna and Katniss's prep team). I imagine that Capital parties are just bursting with techno music and laser shows. In fact, I have a mini soundtrack that plays in my mind whenever I read any scene that takes place in the Capital.
I wouldn't mind inviting Effie either, at least you'd be sure to have someone to get you home afterwards 🙂
Ive been fighting with myself about getting something on which I can read ebooks for awhile now. I love books more than I love most things (and my house burning down is literally one of my biggest fears because I would lose my small library of books) and although I will never stop buying actual books I would love an easier way to carry them around, for which I think an ereader of some kind would be perfect. I am unaware of how exactly they work though, for example (and plz do not judge me for being st00pid) do they require wireless internet? I just dont know. Therefore I dont know how value-for-money something like a Kindle would be to me :/
Okay, here is a basic run-down of e-readers (I've done research);
There are some devices that have wi-fi capability, or can connect to the internet themselves (which you have to pay for) but there are others that don't (which you plug into your desktop). Many brands have both varieties.
There are also several types of display, e-ink looks like a book page and requires a light source to read it, though some readers with e-ink have backlight. There are also ones with LCD displays, like a computer screen, and are backlit on their own.
Functionality also comes in different flavours too; buttons, touch screen or a combination of the two etc.
E-readers also support different file types depending on brand. Kindle (Amazon's device) works with the Amazon website to provide you with books, and your books are kept on file, so you can transfer between reading on your computer, your phone and your Kindle and not have to buy the books more than once.
(Continued…)
Other e-readers use file types like epub, but will let you put pdfs or word documents on them, so you can use them with ebooks you already have, buy from bookstores online, borrow from your local library, or write yourself. 😀
The iPad (which I have) is essentially a tablet computer that you can use as an e-reader, so it is very versatile, but also way more expensive (500-700$ compared to about an average of 150-200$ for other devices)
So, it boils down to what you want from your device. Anything is possible, from downloading books on the go, to colour screen, touch screen, plays mp3s, displays your family photos, or a simple e-reader that just looks like a book page, takes a second to load a page, and you plug it into your desktop to add or remove books. There are so many different brands, and then models within the brands that you need to decide what types of features you want, and then try out a couple in the stores first, if you even decide to get an e-reader.
I hope that filled you in on anything you wanted to know about them, and if it was too much info, then I apologize for the avalanche. 😀
Oh my goodness thank you! This is actually super helpful and Im going to copypaste it into a word document for my future reference <3
The Kindle is great but you get your content from Amazon, you are locked into limited content providers. Nook, Sony Readers, and other devices have more content provider options. Most e-readers will download content directly from a provider store, like Barnes and Noble, Boarders, from anywhere that has wireless, Starbucks, libraries. This content is not free but you do own it. To download FREE, time limit content from public libraries, you will need Adobe Digital Editions software (free). Usually this means that you will have to download to your computer then transfer to the device. Most content checks out for 3 weeks. Sony and Nook also download audio books in a MP3 format. iphone, Adroid have apps that will download content from pretty much anywhere, but you may not want to read on a small screen and if you use 3G, 4G instead of internet you may have phone charges. Nook/Sony/misc will be the least expensive over all between device and content.
Congratulations on the iPad! I hope you love it as much as I do mine. 😀
Um, that was my exact reaction to that passage. Is Haymitch turning you into a Southern lady, too, Mark?
Nope, we still don't know Mrs. Everdeen's name… and I find that kind of fascinating. In the narrative so far, she is always "my mother". Never "Mom" or any other nicknames. They don't have much direct conversation, so we don't know what name Katniss uses to her face. It's an effective symbol of the distance and disrespect in Katniss's relationship with her mother.
Several months ago I wrote a Mockingjay fic comprised of vignettes from the POVs of nearly all the other characters (including minor ones like the Prep Team), but Mrs. Everdeen was one of the only characters I skipped. It just felt too weird to give her a first name, which would've been necessary for the story format.
I think it was this chapter that I started to worry what the rest of this book would be about.
I find it funny that Katniss called Peeta just to see if he made it to his house. All I'm imagining is Katniss on a cord phone, twirling her hair, with one of her legs perched on the wall…..
Now I'm really considering on getting a kindle or nook.
Do it! I love physical books (and will never stop buying them) but my Nook is awesome, especially for trips/downtime at work etc. I bought my dad one for Christmas but he ended up preferring a Kindle, so I'd suggest trying out the devices in-store first before buying. 😀
OT, but bursting to get out:
I cannot get my head around this whole Nook thing because my parents use Cockney rhyming slang and, when I was a kid, 'nook' was the word for female genitals. (nook = nook and cranny = fanny) Can you IMAGINE the horror the first time I read 'they searched for him in every nook' in an Enid Blyton story?! EMOTIONAL SCARS THAT NEVER FADE.
And now your Nook is awesome. I just… I can't… HIDE ME!! 0.0
Okay Ladies and Gentlemen, it it time for today's Preparedness and Reality Forcast!
As you can see by the overhead view we have here, (George, can you zoom in a bit?) that there is absolutely 0% chance of Preparedness over the next week, so make sure to bring your blankie and stay with your buddy at all times. Now, as we look at the Reality graph here, we can see a rise in fecal matter reality, as shit continues to get more and more real. Wear your rubber boots people!
That about does it for us here at the Mark Reads Fake News Desk for today, January 2nd. Tune in tomorrow as we take a closer look into that overwhelming sense of DOOM coming in from the south. Have a good night, and don't let the Tracker Jackers bite!
Waterfalls of win. Right here. 😉
This, this is just, it is just, awesome. <3
I like you.
Still think the love she feels for Gale is brotherly love
Collins shows the control the government has when Katniss does wrong by controlling the food sent to that district.
I can feel bad for Gale. That must be grueling.
This is when things start to get interesting. This leaves on a cliff hanger.
I think that the purpose of continuing on with the wedding is just Snow's way of showing Katniss that no matter what is going on in whatever district, he still has ultimate control over each individual. He's either assuming that she knows nothing about the uprisings in other districts, which i believe to be unlikely, or that she knows something about the uprisings. I really don't think that carrying on with the wedding charade has anything to do with appeasing the audience and making a statement. I think it's about ultimate control. The lengths that she will go to to save the ones she loves. And strategically, this move will make her an outcast among all the districts, should she continue to explore anything with Gale. No one likes to be duped, and imagine the message that would send to the other districts.
Katniss is not a action taking character. She's purely reactionary to circumstances. What a difficult way to learn who, and what, you are. 🙁
I hope we figure out why it's a fucking cracker and not something more substantial, is all I'm saying.
And Mark, I know what you mean about Prim having no conversations with her sister, but I think Katniss is more tied to Prim because it's the last bit of innoncence she has control over in her life. She can't protect anyone or anything else, but she has to try and protect her baby sister. And if she couldn't protect Rue she has to try even harder.
Plus, I mean, I don't get along well with one of my sisters but you bet your ass I would give my life to protect her. It's a family thing for a lot of this.
Well, it's probably good that it's not something more substantial. It makes it a lot easier to quickly eat the evidence. Wouldn't want to be caught with rebellious snack food.
Cause a cracker can be quickly eaten and the evidence of your loyalties destroyed.
A mother totally knows when her daughter is in love. DON’T DENY IT, KATNISS.
I have to disagree. Katniss loves Gale, that much is obvious, but she isn’t in love with him.
E-Readers. -.- I’m a snob and refuse to have one, but they are cool. And i wish I could get books that cheap. But you seriously paid $75 for THG?! I got Mockingjay for $9, and the first two for $18 apiece.
And speaking of typos, I love the winner gear. Because Katniss IS a winner.
And you…oh, you unprepared….unprepared person! You are so so so so SOOOOOOOO not prepared. Not prepared AT ALL. IN THE LEAST.
I hadn't noticed that we didn't know Katniss' mom's name yet. Now it's bothering me. DAMMIT.
Getting an iPad review was quite a surprise, Mark! I have been thinking about getting one as well; my bookcase is just too full of stuff that I haven't got around to reading quite yet. And people give me so many books for some reason––sometimes the same one over and over! Guys, I didn't read "Ender's Game" the first time that I got it; stop giving it to me every time it's my birthday!
I do believe that publishers and authors are being silly by separating the paper and digital forms. What I'd want to do is sell a book with the iPad and audio versions included, that way a buyer wouldn't have to choose. I mean, DVDs are filled with all sorts of extras these days, so why not books? How tough would it be to put in a little scratch-off code on the back of the cover that unlocked all that stuff for you online? They could let you download fan art, wallpapers, all sorts of stuff. Instead, you know what I got when I looked at the back cover of "Catching Fire?" A Suzanne Collins website that tells me this when I typed it into my browser:
"Hi! Thanks for visiting my website. Here's a picture of me with a rat in Central Park."
What in the world!? I get a picture of her and a rat, and then millions of quotes telling me how great the books are. Come ON guys! There are no doubt thousands of people with computers that would KILL to have a high-quality mockingjay symbol as their desktop, and that's what you give 'em? Catch up to the age of the Internet, people!
We’re now coming up on being a third of the way through the book and the Victory Tour is long over and the rebellion has started. What on earth is going to happen??
Well, the rebels win in about four chapters and Katniss and Peeta live happily ever after. The third book consists entirely of Katniss's efforts taking care of her pet mockingjay.
D: D: D: D:
i literally LOL'd at this. snark and sarcasm. i luv it!
Oh, I left out the part where Katniss and Peeta become Queen and King of Panem. The pet mockingjay is a ceremonial gift steeped in tradition. Also, at the end of the second book, the food at the wedding banquet catches fire, and hilarity ensues. Cinna gives the wedding toast, natch.
it actually made sense to me that Katniss checks on Peeta at his house. Shit is starting to get real fucked up, so whenever someone is out of Katniss's company I think "Has the Capital sent someone to kill them? Is an assasin waiting in their bath tub? Why have we not heard from them in TWO PARAGRAPHS?!?!?!"
I'm sure she wouldn't be concerned about Haymitch..
Katniss: *hasn't seen Peeta since yesterday* PEETA? PEETA, ARE YOU OKAY!?
Peeta: Katniss, I'm fine! And I live three freaking house away from you; you didn't have to call!
Katniss: *hasn't heard from Haymitch in months* Eh, he'll be okay.
"Is an assasin waiting in their bath tub?"
this mental image was amazing
"ARE YOU SHITTING ME. Oh my god, what the fuck? So…..a Peacekeeper who either knows Plutarch or is part of some resistance group? Oh shit, it’s getting real."
Yes, it is. I love this chapter. For all it's despair and intensity. Even katniss can't grasp what is happening around her.
I didn't find this blog until I'd finished reading the Hunger Games and Catching Fire, and now I just can't stop re-experiencing the story with you! I'm even saving Mockingjay to read when you get there too.
I've managed to resist commenting until now, but I can't anymore. And imagine what I have to say? You're Not Prepared!!!!! I'm not prepared, and I've already read it once!
"trip to buy something at the Bob would be too risky."
at the Bob.
Lol
i do want to know more about Katniss' mom as well!
I think Katniss loves her mom a lot, she just doesn't realize it. Her mom is basically an adult Prim.
I was thinking of getting a gadget like that to read books so I would have room to bring my books everywhere but..
Then I was like "ILL JUST GET A BIGGER BAG!" And huzzah!
Yeah I'm a sucker for turning pages and bookstores and everything. I love it.
I agree that Katniss' mom is a bamf and Katniss was too harsh (imo) in the first book and expected her to just get over the death of her husband. She was all like
<img src="http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd351/MyChemicalRomanceBabe1901/danraddealwithit.gif"/>
And Mark, I had a dream that you hated me. (Don't know how or why I was dreaming about you, but win nonetheless)
I REALLY HOPE YOU DON'T BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU KNOW ME.
As it is January 3rd, it is my birthday. For my birthday, I would like to have the following things:
-That damn iPod Touch (it's not here yet!)
-A new Mark Reads Catching Fire review. ASAP plz.
-MOAR SOBER HAYMITCH. Get a grip plz! (No, I don't blame him, I just want him to stop drinking)
-GALE AND PEETA LEAVE KATNISS ALONE! YOU'RE LUCKY SHE EVEN PREFO- I mean PLAYED IN THE GAMES FOR YOU (for them? well, by playing in the games she did save both of their lives…)
-ENTIRE CAPITOL: GO DIE IN A FIRE- except you, Cinna, you may stay.
CAN I HAVE ALL OF THAT? PLZ?
P.S. OMG new prediction: The Capitol (including president Snow) will catch fire. Wouldn't that be really really really appropiate? I WANT TO READ MORE OF THIS BOOK
Yeah, that inside flap basically describes Chapter 1. Which, I guess, is good, it keeps the suspense going.
My theory on the wedding dresses… Nobody is supposed to know there are uprisings or rumblings going on elsewhere – the tv snippet Katniss saw was aimed to Mayor Undersee ONLY, she just happened to be in the room. So why wouldn't Snow want to put on a "business as usual" front and carry on with the wedding spectacle? It's a distraction from the shit that's going down. Which nobody is really supposed to know about.
Also? The people in the Capitol obviously eat that shit up, so it would keep them pacified/occupied. Idk.