100 Days of Mockingjay - Your THG Story
Molly Wed, August 12, 2015
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Suzanne Collins created The Hunger Games from an idea born of late night channel surfing between real war coverage and reality television. Suzanne, the daughter of a career military man and Vietnam Veteran, has said that she wanted to write an age-appropriate war story for every age group. The Hunger Games is her war story for young adults. The trilogy's themes of poverty, socio-economic disparity, government corruption, propaganda, revolution, redemption, and the consequences of war don't make the trilogy a typical YA light read. But I think that's also why we love it so much.
The Hunger Games means many different things to many different people. For some, the heroine, Katniss Everdeen, is a strong and inspiring female role model, for some she motivates as a survivor of poverty and PTSD. She's complicated, imperfect, damaged and an incredibly compelling lead character.
Some people simply adore the love stories - Peeta and Katniss are the catalysts for countless Everlark fan fics. Everthorne, Odesta, any 'ship you sail in The Hunger Games certainly isn't all hearts and flowers and the romances in the books are tinted with sadness. Not a typical happy ending to be found anywhere in the trilogy, yet we relish them all the same.
In Thailand, citizens have identified with The Hunger Games and used its three finger salute as a symbol to combat injustice. Odds In Our Favor uses the salute along with their #MyHungerGames initiative to highlight economic inequality in the world.
We want to know what The Hunger Games means to YOU. Why do you love it? How has it inspired you? What brought you into this wild, wonderful fandom and how has it changed your life?
This week, share your story. You can write it in the comments below or share on our Facebook page. You can also snap a photo, or create an edit or gifset based on what The Hunger Games means to you and tag us on Instagram, Twitter, or Tumblr. Use the hashtag #MyTHGStory across social media so we can find you, and we'll share as many of YOUR THG stories as we can this week!
This idea was completely inspired by the lovely Everlarked & Always, a blog you definitely should be following on tumblr. Check out the eloquent #MyTHGStory submissions of Everlarked & Always followers here .
Be sure to enter the Your THG Story Giveaway in the widget below! The giveaway is open to international tributes and runs from today, August 12th until Tuesday, August 18th at 8:00pm EST.
Reader Comments (137)
I am ashamed to say that I was late. When the trailer for The Hunger Games came out, I thought promised a fantastic story line, so I borrowed the books from my friend. Of course I got addicted. I finished the books in two and a half days, and when I was done, I read it all over again.
To me, the books are not only popular YA novels, but a gimps of what war could bring. I became aware of the horrors humans are capable off. The Hunger Games gave me for my own writing, and being a Creative Writing Major, that means a lot.
The fact that Ms. Collins was able to show young people the destruction of war says so much about her abilities. Not many people can write about this subject and keep young audiences hooked. Thank God for her. The Hunger Games also sheds light on other issues besides war, like media and the like. Addressing , such a topic was a smart but bold move. It made it's fans wiser.
I live in the Philippines, and there are not as much "hardcore" fans as we'd like, but seeing us all come together to watch the films is such a happy sight. Katniss changed so many lives, opened so many minds... It's no wonder that the world knows her name. Now that the last film is coming, we realize just how wonderful the journey's been. The fanbase is growing everyday, and I hope it helps them just as much as it's helped me.
hey so I've been supporting The Hunger Games since I was in the seventh grade and here's my story:
When I first saw the books, I thought they were inspirational sort of books like the Chicken Soup for the Soul and all that, and I wasn't very far actually. The Hunger Games was indeed an inspiring trilogy, it helped me get through the bad times of my life (this is cliché, but who cares). Eighth grade was a dark time for me. I felt alone, like I had no one to lean on or something like that. It came to a point where I planned my own death (morbid, I know). I cried myself to sleep, didn't eat regularly because I didn't see the point in living anymore. But (this sounds crazy) I remembered that it's only September! That I haven't watched Catching Fire and Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2! So I told myself I'll hang on 'til this passes. I hanged on because even our favorite characters got their happy endings, right? Except maybe Finnick, and Prim, and Cinna, and Mags, and Castor, and Boggs, and okay fine just Katniss and Peeta and Haymitch and Effie. But anyway, because of the hope this series has given me, I'm still here, I don't feel as lonely as I did before, and it's only a few months to Part 2! Honestly I'm sad this series is coming to an end because I'm really scared that I'll find myself in a very dark place again since I'm almost in college which means starting over with everything minus my old friends. I'm scared that if I ever do find myself in a dark place again, I won't have anything to look forward to. So yeah, that's my story. It's a bit dramatic, but it is what it is. Have a good day!
My Hunger Games Story by Gillian Brown
My Hunger Games story was one of pure chance. I guess fate decided to be kind and put the odds in my favor this time. But first, a little background. I’d always loved reading throughout elementary school, especially murder mysteries and those heart touching Kate Dicamillo stories. When I began 6th grade, I was terrified. None of my old friends were in any of my classes. As time went on, I could feel the light of our friendship dying out. The force, that once held us so tightly together was losing its grip on me, while the others sailed away in oblivion. I spent my days in the humdrum chaos of middle school, speaking when asked, leaving when the bell rang, going through the motions. The school hallways were always congested with students, yet empty to me. But the days went on. Summer grew into Fall, and Winter was just around the corner, readying itself for its arrival. Then something happened one lucky English class. A spark was ignited, that eventually burned into an inferno. My teacher had chosen to read aloud a couple chapters of a book I’d never heard of. It was an older copy, a black cover with the letters “HG” carving a window in the middle so a girl’s steady gaze could look through. As she began reading, I couldn't help but thinking how captivated I was after just the first page. After a couple chapters, I knew I needed more.
It was the week leading up to Halloween. Winter decided to come early, if only for a short while. A crazy snow storm put the city out of power, and school was canceled for that whole week. My house lost power Sunday night in the middle of dinner, and I had nothing to do for the long, cold days ahead, while my mother went to work. We had been sleeping in the living room to stay warm, wrapped in blankets and sleeping bags. I decided that was a good time to start that new series from English class. I grabbed my Kindle, curled up in my sleeping bag, and opened the book to the first page. The words beckoned me to continue, pulling me deeper and deeper like a drug. My eyes kept a steady focus, my body unmoving.
So there I was, reading about Katniss up in a tree, in her sleeping bag, fighting the bitter cold, while I was laying on the frigid floor, curled in a sleeping bag of my own. It was like I could feel her shivering, feel the rough bark under my skin, feel her imminent fear. I could feel my heart beating with hers when the clock counted down to the Games. I don’t think I left that sleeping bag for three days straight, except to eat and go to the bathroom. A Black Cherry-Tart Pomegranate-Raspberry Ripple candle was burning, giving off the only heat in the house and spreading a welcoming aroma. The candle was in a jar, and as it burned, a new layer with a new scent was released into the air. I remembered the smell of the candle, and somehow my mind decided to associate it with the book. So every time I smell that Walmart brand Black Cherry candle, I can’t help but think about laying with Katniss in my purple sleeping bag on the cold floor.
One of my favorite parts was the cave scene. I was amazed at how warm the cave was, in contrast to the chilly woods. The whole dynamic of Katniss and Peeta figuring out how to survive, figuring out each other… I fell in love with it. The cave became my new home, where I’d still be cold, but could feel warmth radiating off of them like a fireplace. I ravenously soaked up all the heat they shed and felt myself at ease, despite the dead silence of the bleak house, despite the other Tributes still lurking in the woods. I could feel their presence: Peeta’s hot fever and calming words, Katniss’ silver bow and loud uncertainty. There, on the floor of an empty house on a bitter October day, I wasn’t alone anymore. I found that when I returned to school a week later, I wan’t alone either. I had Katniss’ bravery and fire, and Peeta’s steadiness and gentle touch to guide me. On dark nights, the minutes morphed into hours, and before I knew it, it was 2 a.m. I was left wondering where the time had gone, for surely it’d only been an hour, maybe two. I’d always hate having to succumb to my body’s vital need of sleep. The words somehow lifted off the page and danced in my mind, creating pictures so beautiful, I would’ve though it was Peeta’s hand who painted them. It was no longer words on a page being read. No, it was much easier than that, much more simple, like breathing them in with every frosty inhale, or merely existing. I could exist in Katniss’ world and feel what she felt, all the joy and pain and confliction. When I looked around, I didn’t see empty buildings and ashen streets anymore; I saw arenas and districts and a young girl I might’ve understood better than myself. I’d finally found what I was so desperately looking for: an escape. I could leave this mundane world of slamming lockers and gossiping cliques for the characters I’d grown to love. Katniss and Peeta, they weren’t characters anymore; they were people I so easily melted into. They brought a fresh breeze that ignited the swirling colors in my mind, turned the blurs into a crystal clear pictures I looked at every day. It was one book after the other until I reached the dreaded words on the third book: The End.
The unit in English was fictional characters. We’d fill in these charts about character qualities and motivations, and could choose any characters we wanted. Of course, I had pages of The Hunger Games notes every time. When given the freedom to choose our essay topic, all mine were about the dystopian world of Panem. I became the girl who loved The Hunger Games, and everyone knew it. I became somewhat of a spokesperson for the series, begging everyone I knew to read it. The movie was set to release the following March, only 5 months away; I was beyond ecstatic at that news. I probably spent hours looking up anything I could find: pictures, news, casting, etc. When I saw the first pictures from Entertainment Weekly, I was amazed at how they were able to lift the characters right out of my mind. Every time I got home from school, I’d watch the trailer. Over and over and over again. I even managed to record it on my dinosaur of a phone (which had a slide out keyboard), for on the go viewing.
From then on, I explored more dystopian science fiction books, finding new stories to fall in love with. Of course, nothing ever swept me away like The Hunger Games Trilogy, but some came close. I learned my new favorite word, “fandom,” and have since been embracing my geeky fangirl side. Come to think of it, the birth of my extreme fangirl side must’ve been during those middle school years. But now, I’m not alone anymore. Yes, Katniss and Peeta are still my loyal companions, but I’ve found my own group of friends who also understand what it’s like to get lost in such a story. I guess I’ve been found now. But we all know how to get lost again. Together, we can immerse ourselves in the worlds we love. So I have these people I never noticed before, along with this new life of fandoms. Then, I have this old life of elementary school days and friends I made BFF pacts with, written in pink and glitter. This life I craved after so many lonely middle school days, I’m realizing is returning to me. I thought these two lives could never possibly coexist; that it must be one or the other. But I’ve discovered that no one has just one side. Everyone’s this confusing blend of colors and shapes. It’s just when someone interprets it as a picture that they become new versions of themselves. But the thing with art is it’s always changing. People stare for years at these abstract pieces, trying to decode the shapes and analyze the meanings. Then they go on and argue about it with other critics. It’s a bird, no it’s a boat… or an arrow. But you can’t put something in just one box and slap a label on it. Why can’t it be a bird and a boat and an arrow? So I guess I’m still figuring out that nothing’s set in stone. I can look at the messy tints and shades in my mind and decide what I see and what I want to do. Then I can look at it again and see something completely different, ultimately changing my direction. We’re allowed to go against the current and change course. We’re allowed that freedom. The world doesn’t have to be so empty and so cold. Whether it’s the oppressive Capitol, a cruel set of eyes, or even ourselves, we can always start our own rebellion. So many people go about their dreary lives wishing for change, but not taking a step forward to fix the problem. So many are trapped in this dark abyss, oblivious to the fact that all they need is a single spark to light up the room. A single shred of hope.
I’ve also come to realize the fact that people aren’t perfect, despite what they may let on. Bold, popular beauties can still have the innocence of pet-like Capitol citizens. Those as gentle and pure as the baker’s son can find a fire of their own. And those broken, damaged ones huddled in the corner can sometimes be the best ones out there. Humans, with all our destruction and greed, can somehow be so full of life and love and budding dandelions in the spring. These contradictions and imperfections are what make us human; they make us flawed and raw and beautiful. It’s what we decide to do that defines us. Push on or make a dead stop? I’ve grown to love Katniss with all her courage and fire and faults. What’s a good hero without weaknesses? I’ve come to know her inside and out, and can always trust her authenticity. Even when the cameras are on, her true nature somehow finds a way to shine through. As I’ve lived her story and fought her battles, I’ve seen her stripped down to the bone, all her many layers exposed. I’ve watched her look at that hard, dense rock, with words carved so deeply into it, and try to change it, try to shatter the whole thing until the words crumble to the ground. I’ve seen her discover that people can leave, but they can also find their way back. I’ve spent years thinking it was everyone else who left, but frankly, I probably did, too.
I’ve just made out this new picture in my mind from the chaotic mess. It’s beginning to look a little like the one I thought I lost, but still its own new picture, its own work of art. And I’m beginning to see that everyone else is changing as well. They all have their many sides like I have mine. So everything’s changing. I’m still terrified at how fast time is slipping away, bringing me further and further into the unfathomable void that is the future. I can’t think too much about it, though, about the fast pace world and its many mysteries. Every time I think of all the things time has stolen and all the things that must be left behind in order to move on, my heart beats faster and my stomach twists in fear. But then I think of how it’s been years since that enchanting October. Back then, I cringed at the thought that I’d be so old by the time the Mockingjay movies came out. So old and so different. But somehow I’m the same. I still buy Hunger Games tickets months in advance, I still have a consistent uniform of Hunger Games T-shirts, I still rewatch the movies even when they're in theatres, and I still have absolutely no idea where I’m headed. Yes, I’ve probably changed. But not so much that I don’t recognize myself. I still have this one constant. I have this one constant that will always be with me, no matter what mayhem is happening in the surrounding world. Every time I lay my eyes on Suzanne Collins’ beautiful words, I'm eleven again, with mountainous goosebumps covering my arms and a starving mind that's hungry for more. I’m brought back to this timeless world, where the Girl on Fire and the Boy With the Bread wait for me. She showed me I wasn’t alone, that even the slightest spark of hope can ignite a wildfire. And for that, I am forever grateful.
I so want to win this. HG has been a huge part of my life since the 1st book was released. The story, the characters, the set, the references: it is just brilliant!
I love THG
I've never been a part of something the way I'm apart of this fandom. The Hunger Games has helped me find my place, I now have friends from all over the world. I first read the first book in fifth grade, I'm now in 11th grade, I read it and hated it because I was too young to understand it, so I read it again in 7th grade and that was right before the movie came out. That's how I met my best friend, Citlaly; she moved this past year and she isn't as into the fandom as I am but she still listens to me rant and cries with me over the trailer. My other best friend, Kayln whom I've known since we were babies, started reading it shortly after the first movie came out,we both finished the entire series within a week and when the movie came out on DVD we went to Walmart at midnight in our pajamas to get it, the first movie came out on DVD on her birthday so it worked out perfectly. When it came time for Catching Fire to come out we waited at the theatre for 5 hours before the movie started just so we could get great seats. When Mockingjay Part 1 came out, I told her we had to do the same thing because Mockingjay was my favorite book in the series. We went to the theatre with our Hunger Games blankets and wrapped up in them sobbing the entire film. On June 30th, me and my sister drove up to New York from Kentucky to go to the Hunger Games Exhibition on opening day, it was the most bittersweet moment of my life, seeing everything in person made everything about being in this fandom so amazing. As most people who follow me on social media know; I am obsessed with Liam Hemsworth, I don't know what it is, but Gale is just one of my favorite characters, I know that I'm gonna get a lot of hate for that, but who cares I love him and I don't care what anyone thinks. Liam and Jennifer have created an impact on my life unlike anyone else, I've been watching Josh's movies for as long as I can remember so he was an added bonus. But Liam and Jennifer and Elizabeth and Woody and Josh have taught me to not care what anyone says about you or to you, to just do what you love and have pride. I want to be film producer at LionsGate more than anything, this has been my dream for about 6 years now, I've always wanted to work in film and that's because of Josh Hutcherson and all of these amazing directors that I've been watching, but the actors in this franchise have helped me to expand my movie watching and I have gone out of my comfort zone and started watching more psychological thrillers because the actors in these films have made me want to. I could go on and on about how much film means to me and how far it's gotten me in my life and how proud I am of every aspect of my life; whether that be fandoms, or films or whatever. I have never been happier in my entire life than when I'm watching these films, or reading these books, I gain inspiration for my own short films from them.
My THG story began when I saw the first movie and I really liked it. After watching the movie, I read the books and could not wait for Catching Fire movie and Mockingjay movie. After watching Catching Fire, I was blown away how beautiful it was portray from book to film. Every time a trailer would come out, my sister and I would be life speech less, especially with Mockingjay Part 1 because of the new characters and how would District 13. Mockingjay Part 1 movie was also incredible and the ending was sad when Katniss saw Peeta hurting and she could not do anything to make him better. I cannot wait to see how Mockingjay Part 2 starts! Katniss is my favorite character and I love how she had a big impact to Panem and changed it for the better. Suzanne Collins is an amazing author that created wonderful characters that will always be in my heart as long as I live. I own all the books and movies. I just need Mockingjay Part 2 for my collection and Mockingjay is my favorite out of the trilogy. However, I think all the books are amazing and if I reread the series again it will always feel new. I never thought I would be a fangirl until THG and I am proud to be a fangirl. I also own shirts of THG and every time I hear news about THG it makes me happy. I love the scores in all the movies and the soundtracks. I love how the actors and actresses play the characters so well. I cannot wait to see Mockingjay Part 2 and I want to go to the Hunger Games Exhibition! I love being part of THG fandom and thanks Suzanne Collins for writing this amazing trilogy that has change people lives for the better.
#MyTHGStory starts when I saw the trailer for The Hunger Games in 2012. I was immediately taken with the story of Katniss and her struggle in The Hunger Games. This began my obsession that would continue to this day. I have read the books. I have collected many Hunger Games items over the years. I have watched pretty much every interview and public appearance that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson have done over the years. I have also made it a point to follow on any news regarding The Hunger Games series over the years. But, the crown jewel of my Hunger Games obsession came with a chance to attend the Catching Fire premiere in LA in 2013. That was an experience that I will never forget. I definitely put that at the #1 spot for my bucket list items.
The Hunger Games trilogy does speak to me on a more personal level outside of my pop culture interest. I am a great admirer of the character Katniss. She was a brave and strong woman. She never stopped trying in the face of adversity, even when the odds were not in her favor. This really spoke to me on a personal level. I have had continuous issues with depression, and a severe anxiety disorder. This makes it very difficult for me to function on a day to day basis. It sometimes takes all I have just to handle a day at work. Going out and spending time socially with others can eat up all my reserves, if I can even muster up the resolve to handle going. More often than not, I stay home and lose myself online. Katniss' extreme courage and enduring will really impressed me. She has endured so much hardship and terrible situations and she still kept trucking along. If she can do it, then I can do it. I've decided that I would make a more concentrated effort to improve my health and ability to function. I switched to a different medication which seems to be helping me moreso than ever before. With this and other improvements I'm making, I have no doubt that I can be a strong woman just like Katniss.
Last year in August I liked Sia 's song "elastic heart " that was used for The Hunger Games soundtrack and I saw a photo with the mockingjay bird on YouTube where I played that song and in the bottom of the picture where wrote "The Hunger Games :Catching fire " and after I saw that I searched on Google the movie even I didn't know that existed "The Hunger Games " movie. I saw the Catching fire movie and my favorite part of the movie was the tribute parade 💗 and then I saw that Peeta was reaped into the Capitol .I cried so much and that was the moment I fell in love with The Hunger Games movies and books . After the second movie I saw the first movie and after that I ordered the last book "Mockingjay " on a site from internet because couldn't wait until 21st November to see the Mockingjay part 1 and another year to see the Mockingjay part 2. Sorry for my English but I'm from Romania and I'm just 13 yers old .
My THG story started way back 2012, when the first THG movie came out. At the exact same day I watched the movie, I purchased all of the books on my phone just for some kind of backup, in case I'd love the movie that much. After watching it as anyone might've guessed, I instantly became a fan. When I went home I just sat and read the entire series and got finished in a week, which was already impressive to me back then since these books were my first overly obsess-worthy books. After that I was never contented. I purchased the DVD and re-watched it which provoked some kind of reading diva within me. I started reading the books again and kept on putting myself in an agonizing misery by waiting and wanting the next movies to come out. THG books, movies, fan-made posters, actors are basically what I lived for. The THG trilogy is basically my first love. It introduced me to the reading world and I would constantly come back to it. This first love will never die; it will continue to live on inside me, always reminding me to be the strong girl that Katniss is, one who doesn't know she's strong enough, but still faces her fears head on just so she could protect the people around her.
<3 much love to all my fellow tributes
one day I was going through the mall (for the library) and had a book exibido the name seemed familiar to me had heard the name advertising of the film ( not estava safe ) so I decided to buy , a friend I talk a lot about the films she loves reading and I decided at first I really struck but then I got into a lot and my friend and I we organized everything to see the premieres , buy all the books provide ideas , thoughts , dislikes ... better said all .. . I love the story , the characters, their participation in the movie resembled the book , I had everything for obvious reasons but I loved the characters and the movie they put great care and love every pitifully to snow cry with each death (although I can hardly stop with the prim , and more than was gale AGGGG was awful) .... is one of my favorite books ... with my friend we are very anciosas to see the movie last but will very sad!
so, it all begins when The Hunger Games hits theater in my country on March 2012, I wasn't expecting it would be really great or something. But, after I watched it, I got attracted to read the trilogy. And only a matter of seconds, I fell in love with the trilogy. The story itself inspired me to be brave, to believe in hope, it affected in my personal life, Katniss' figure inspired me the most. she has this kind of positive charisma, she's prismatic and also loving. And yeah, I'm still trying to be brave to face anything, eventho' it's not that easy, but, you'll never know if you're not trying. So yeah, the hunger games simply changed my life, in way of act and think. It also taught me about the importance of family, we can see Katniss, she's trying to save her sister, Prim at the day of Reaping by volunteering as a tribute. She loves her family unconditionally, and that's why, I love the hunger games trilogy, the books and the movies.
I know my English is not that good, pardon my grammar if there's some mistakes.
-Jamal, Indonesia (@katysmvse)
Hello, my name is Delanny Ormord and I am 14 years old. I am (or at least I think so) one of the biggest Hunger Games fans in the world! I know all of the actors and actresses and whether they have kids, if they're married, who's the oldest, who's the youngest, etc. my story is not a sad one but I hope you enjoy it anyway! And...may the odds be ever in your favor.
I first heard about The Hunger Games in the summer of my transition into 6th grade. I was spending a week at my cousin's when they all decided to watch The Hunger Games. I didn't know what it was and I'm always interested in new movies. I was hooked within the first five minutes. After the movie was over, my eldest cousin (in that particular family) then proceeded to tell me that it was based off of a book. I made a decision then and there that once school started up again I would be all over those books. Now, usually if I find a book uninteresting within the first five chapters (which has only happened twice) I stop because it's difficult but then end trying again in the future. I fell in love with the story on the first paragraph of the first page. Halfway through the book I turned my friend on to it (she's a bit of a bookworm too) and she loved it also! We would then compare notes and talk about what happened, maybe even punch a few pillows because someone we liked died or we were angry at a character. When I heard about Catching Fire, I was ecstatic! I could not wait for it! Unfortunately I did not see it in theaters. But I still liked it when I did see it. A few months later I had gotten all three books in foil covers for Christmas! I was so happy and overjoyed because it was exactly what I had asked for! Then, I practically begged and forced my mom to read them. So she did. I would tell her "Now you understand my pain!" And she would just laugh. A few weeks later I was looking at something on the Internet when I saw an ad for Mockingjay! I clicked on it immediately. I watched the trailer at least 10 times. I was bummed that it was going to be in two parts, but I lived through that.
It is now an inspiration for me and helps me to stay determined. I always think 'If Katniss and Peeta can survive the games twice then you get out of bed!' That's my alarm label. But if they can survive the games twice then I can do anything and make it through anything.
The first week of August was the hardest week I have ever endured. I had Band Camp. Now, some people think that marching band is a walk in the park and super easy, but let me tell you, it's hard. After the first day I felt like crying. My arms and legs and feet hurt so bad. Also, I couldn't take big steps because I'm only five feet tall and about to be a Freshman. My older sister would try to compliment me about the little things like good posture or horn angle but I was almost ready to give up. Then I remembered how Katniss and Peeta had survived and still ended up together happier than before. So if they could survive the rebellion, why couldn't I survive Band Camp? By Friday, the last day, I was proud of myself for what I had accomplished.
I think other people should also draw inspiration from it too.
When I saw the trailer for Part 2 I was said to my mom "We're going to see that right?" She replied "Of course! Who do you think I am?" It's a very powerful and moving story, and I will always remember the Boy With the Bread fighting his way back to the Girl on Fire.
-I'm still betting on her!
My THG Story started when my friend recommended THG to me. After the constant nagging, as any good book buddy does, I finally gave in and started reading. And I was a goner right from page one. I would rush back home everyday so that I could read more of the book and I think I must have finished it in a week or two maybe?
I remember just making up excuses and just rushing out after the lectures to get back to the book. I laughed, I cried and went into a major book hangover (of course!). I would rave about it to anyone that would listen. I bored my parents with the story and cried about how unfair it was. I might feel a teeny tiny bit bad for them now though. I begged my mom to get me the box set because I just HAD to have it. She eventually gave in..
I loved the characters, the strength, and the story. I loved the strong female lead the most I think. Maybe because of the things going on at the time, or maybe it was something else, but this series just connected with me like none other had in quite a long time. I remember before, my favorite couples, or characters were never the main ones, I'd always gravitate towards the other characters in the story, but THG changed that (It changed back after Mockingjay, but come on! Finnick!). Katniss and Peeta are my OTP.
Then the first movie released and I dragged my mom along with me to watch it, partly because I drag her to go to all the movies with me and partly because I thought she might like it. She wasn't really sure about it but after the movie... she was a fan!! (And we've watched all the parts together!)
I loved the movies almost, not quite but almost, as much as the books. The movies managed to keep with the essence of the books and the actors I felt were apt for the characters.
Now, years after I first read the series. I still find small things that remind me of it, still find things that make it more endearing, still find things that break my heart all over again (looking at you heartbreaking headcannons!).
I'll love this series forever.
i remember not having any idea what Hunger Games is all about, like it just came out of nowhere, but i'm glad that I've read the books because it definitely helped me to trust myself more, to fight for what i want, and to continue living through the struggles i find myself into.
Hi so my hunger games story is not nearly as touching and meaningful as some of the ones I have heard but I felt like I wanted to share my story on how the series helped me. A few years ago I was entirely different from the person I am today. I got into trouble with everything I did, I once got into so much trouble that I had to do community service. I was in with the wrong crowd. Then one day, I was visiting my nana and a film was on in the background. I wasn't really interested to begin with but after a while I was in a trance by this film. Of course by now you will have guessed that film was the hunger games. Immediately after the film had finished I went straight over to my mum and begged her to take me to a shop were I could buy the film. At this time I didn't care much for books but after watching the film with me my mum decided to buy the set of books. She read them all in a matter of days! She encouraged me to read them and I did. When I started reading the hunger games series I grew really attached to the characters in the books and would cry at every scene were any of them had heartache or pain. I always knew that katniss loved peeta but she was just holding back on her feelings. I would constantly sit on my room and tear through the pages and my imagination would be sent riveting! I stopped going out with my 'friends' and became more and more obsessed with everything hunger games related! Josh Hutcherson also happens to be my biggest ever crush too and I loved seeing him play the role of peeta. Also, I got quite find of Jennifer Lawrence and began to watch her other films and now she's my role model. I can't afford a lot of the merchandise because my parents don't have a lot of money but I save and save and save and fill my walls with posters and but books and pins.
Overall, the hunger games lead me down the right path and I'm now expecting to get excellent GCSE grades on my tests next year and I believe this is all down to me reading those books and working on being a better person. Thankyou for taking the time to read my story
I really don’t remember what made me want to watch The Hunger Games trailer back in 2012 but I did. And I’m thankful. I was not a reader, I had not heard of the books previously, nor was I a fan of films but I watched the trailer anyway and instantly knew I had to see this film, although it never occurred to me why I had this burning desire to. I had previously heard of Jennifer Lawrence but never knew anything about her, but of course I knew who Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth were. I saw The Hunger Games film on Friday, 23rd March and from the second I saw Jennifer I was in love – with both her and Katniss. I remember stepping out of the cinema in awe as I had never known films could touch you in the way I felt after exiting the cinema that day. Happiness. Loss. Hope. Amazement. Awe. I couldn’t sleep that night, it was what people call post-depression, but for films which I guess is called post-film depression. I was one of those people who thought seeing films more than once was complete madness, regardless, I went back to the cinema to see it again the next day. I ended up seeing The Hunger Games a total of four times, Catching Fire four times and Mockingjay Part I five times in total at the cinemas.
Mockingjay touched me in so many ways and it was so painful to watch it come to life. The first time I saw it I was stumbling around in the cinema, spilled popcorn everywhere and couldn’t believe I had waited 900+ days for this film (yes, I had a countdown for around 2, almost 3, years). I cried within the first five minutes of seeing Katniss in so much pain. I couldn’t bear it.
After having so many movie marathons, reading the series six plus times, and collecting as much merchandise as I could (which never seems to be enough), this series has changed my life, both physically and mentally through the years I have known about it.
2012 was an extremely rough year for me, and I won’t go into details but as a 14 year old, I felt exactly how Katniss felt in Mockingjay and I connected with her in a way in which a lot of people will never be able to. I felt her sadness, her depression, her loss and her withdrawal from everything and everyone. I felt her pain and it hit me so hard and even though she, as a character, is not real (see what I did there ;)) I just was so happy there was someone else who felt like I did and that I could connect to after confiding with only myself for so long. Throughout 2012, many tears were shed, many battles were lost but I had the books and the film and I just kept pushing through my life just as Katniss always seemed to have the strength to do. Jennifer Lawrence also unknowingly inspired me through her interviews; I saw her through a screen and knew she was exactly who I wanted to be. I tried as hard as I could and I was so determined to change. After one very hard and struggling year, things were looking up. I fought like Katniss; I fought for happiness and for things that I loved and for things that inspired me. Alike Peeta, I didn’t overlook beauty but saw it in everything. And I did change. I will never forget how these simple thoughts and actions saved my life.
Now, at 17, over three years later, Katniss is still teaching me life lessons. My favourite lesson she has taught me is proving that a man does not have to save you, but that you can be independent and a strong young woman on your own without the help of anyone.
This phenomenal series has taught me how to be strong, how to stand up for what I believe in and to fight for injustices, along with uniting with others. It has also taught me to love and treasure what I have in front of me because that could be gone in a millisecond, just like Peeta, Prim, Finnick and Wiress were taken from Katniss, Annie and Beetee. It has taught me to appreciate beauty and push onwards because there is a light at the end of the tunnel and there always will be a light, even if it is only small. Just like a dandelion. Such a small thing to give someone so much hope to push onwards.
Many people say I am “over the top” with The Hunger Games but I think if they knew how much the series had changed me into a happy, strong, dedicated and hardworking person, I think they would understand my love a lot better. It’s alright though because I do not need the clarification from others. I love this series with all my heart and I can proudly say it has made me who I am today, which is someone who is proud of themselves and loves herself so dearly. I don’t remember what led me to watch The Hunger Games trailer in the first place back in 2012 but I did and for that I will forever be thankful.
My Hunger Games Story started in Summer of 2011 when I bought The Hunger Games book. I saw the book on Amazon and thought it sounded interesting and bought it. I had no idea how much I would love it. I didn't read till 2012. It was the first book I read in 2012. I was hooked from the very first page. I've read all 3 books and saw all the movies in the movie theater except for Mockingjay Part 1 because my health isn't good and I wasn't able to go see it in the movie theater. I absolutely love this series. The Hunger Games is my favorite of the three books and it is one of my favorite books of all time.
Thanks for this amazing giveaway!
#MyTHGStory
I was around a friends house
one day, and the TV was on.
My friend and her sister were
upstairs at the time and her
mum was downstairs with me.
She told me that The Hunger
Games was about to start so
we sat and watched it
together, my friend's mum
was my first Hunger Games
buddy haha...but at the time I
was thinking, that was bloody
amazing. The plot line stayed
in my head for weeks, then I
finally bought the series. I
honestly finished the whole
trilogy in a week tops, and I
re-read it again and again (all
together I think I have read
Mockingjay seven times!) I
watched Catching Fire with
my dad the same week and
we both LOVED IT. I didn't just
adore the storyline, I also
LOVED the actors. Especially
Josh, he was in my favourite
movie when I was like six
years old haha. So when
MJP1 finally came around I
was extremely excited. In the
cinema I cried like a freaking
baby and the day after I saw
part one, I started counting
down the days until MJP2!
The Hunger Games has
honestly changed my life so
much and I couldn't imagine
my life without it! THANK YOU
SUZANNE COLLINS FOR
MAKING THIS ABSOLUTE
MASTERPIECE AND THANK
YOU JEN, JOSH, SAM, LIAM,
FRANCIS, NINA, GARY AND
THE REST OF THE CAST
AND CREW FOR BRINGING
THIS FANTASTIC STORY TO
LIFE!
And remember tributes, may
the odds be ever in your
favour😘
#myTHGstory
It started when I babysat for a family and the lady knew I loved reading recommend them. I bought them all right then but I was busy with graduating high school plus college so I never had time to read them. Well in 2012 I saw everything for THG and I remembered I wanted to read them so I finished THG and was hooked from then and finished them back to back cause I couldn't stop reading. I took my aunt to the theaters opening day for THG which she had no clue what it was but loved it. I just was hooked from the start after I read them and saw the movies, I never stopped. I took my dad to CF (and later MJP1) and he became hooked with me which I love. My mom has read THG and CF and seen every movie, while my brothers have seen all the movies but only one has read them books. So even though I'm the biggest fan girl I love that my family likes it all too. 😊🙌 I'm so happy to have met amazing friends i have today from the series just without it my life wouldn't be the same. -
What I love the most about THG series is it isn't your normal book it has a lot of issues it deals with and does it in amazing ways. It's not a totally happy story but it gives you hope. Katniss is a strong independent girl who grew up too quick but turns into this symbol of hope for people. She still has her struggles and faults but she's amazingly strong. It isn't love based there's love just not always in typical ways. The whole time you devolved a love for all the characters and some a strong dislike for. There are so many characters to love and you really feel attached to them no matter what happens to them. I love Everlark and the journey they go through it so heart wrenching but beautiful, Peeta is Katniss's hope. Katniss and Peeta make you see through the darkest time there is hope and something better for yourself. I mean just knowing what they went through and they find a happiness that's beautiful too me. I said hope a lot in this but truly that's what the story gives you Hope and I loved that. It's just a beautiful, amazing, inspiring, heart wrenching story and I loved every bit. I love the series so much and I don't think I'll ever stop. 😊💙
As a girl who never understood how people could read for fun; a girl who could barely make it through a reading assignment, believe me when I say that never in a million years would I imagine a book series could change my life.
I like to give credit to Josh Hutcherson for first intriguing me for into wanting to learn more about this hunger games movie that was about to come out.
My first encounter with anything hunger games related was with The cover of the EW magazine where lord behold, the little boy who made me cry in Bridge to Terabithia was all grown up. Pretty soon after that I saw the trailer and found myself to be genuinely excited for it to come out. I Went to go see it opening week and absolutely loved it. I wanted to know everything there was to know about the hunger games. So the first thing I did when I got home after watching it I went on eBay and ordered myself a copy of the hunger games and also bought safe and sound on iTunes LOL. I soon as I start reading I was sucked in. I didn't want to put the book down. I wrote it in three days! No doubt I wanted to continue the series but I didn't want to wait for shipping this time so I went to my local book store bought Catching Fire and Mockingjay immediately. slowly surely the hunger games was taking over my life I found myself living anything I could possibly afford
These books made me laugh, cry, throw things, and made me feel exuberantly happy! I don't want to sound dumb but never have I identify more tickets are going to do with Katniss. Shes refreshingly real. Human. She's so true to herself and her beliefs. Motivated purely by love. oblivious to the fact of how much strength she truly had. I love how I could truly feel all her rawemotions whichj gave me excellent inspiration to write some songs :)I want thank Suzanne Collins for not writing a silly book about some teenagers in a love triangle for not writing about some helpless girl. But instead choosing to write about a world that isnt so pretty that might not be so different from where were headed for creating characters that feel pain feer doubtn and that aren't perfectI also want to thank Gary, Francis, Nina,John all the crew who brought my series to life and exceeded expectations. Last but certainly not least I will like to thank Josh, Jennifer, Liam, Willow, Sam, Jena, and all the cast for Portraying their characters with genuine empathy. No one couldve played them better. Well thats #myTHGstory.
Sent from my iPhone
my friend Cara who lives a fair ways away actually sent me The Hunger Games as a gift and i devoured it, i then drove to Chapters to grab the next 2 as soon as i was done. to me it means always keep fighting for what you believe in, and dont let anyone walk all over you. everyone has rights and dont let anyone well you different.
I was 13 years old when I first heard about The Hunger Games. I had saw tv spots for the first film and thought it was interesting enough to see but didn't really pay much attention to it. However, a few weeks later a friend sent me a message on Facebook telling me about the series and sent me the link to the full trailer. I was 13 and weird and didn't even think about reading the books. (sigh) I went and saw the movie and completely was enthralled (albeit, a little freaked out) and decided to read the books.
I finished The Hunger Games in a matter of probably 8 hours. I fell in love with the world of Panem, Suzanne's writing, and Katniss' prickly but endearing personality. (I don't even need to mention how much I fell in love with Peeta, let's just move on or I'll be here all day.) I quickly scrambled to finish the entire series and before I knew it I was crying my eyes out reading Mockingjay.
The Hunger Games may be just another phenomenon or book series to most, but to me it is my teenage years. I read the books when I was 14, and now I'll be watching the last movie as a senior in high school. This series taught me the devastating after-effects of war, something I had never heard others talk about, giving me an appreciation and thankfulness for veterans. I learned about the power of hope and sacrifice through Katniss and Peeta's story, something that touched my heart in a way I'll never forget.
The Hunger Games gave me a best friend. I followed a fellow thg fan on tumblr for about a year before I asked her a question, and on and off for the next few days we talked about everlark and found out we had much in common. We followed each other on twitter, and started messaging each other, which turned into skype calls and almost 3 years later, she is one of my dearest and closest best friends. Separated by the Atlantic ocean and 1500 miles, The Hunger Games brought us together.
I don't think I will ever truly forget about thg. It will always be with me, in some way. Long after the movies are gone and forgotten about and no one really mentions it anymore and I'm a long way from home in college, I'll always remember the book series that touched me in such a life-altering way.
My The Hunger Games history began in 2010, or 2009, I don't remember. A friend told me about the books and was love at the first sight. The Hunger Games was the firt saga, the first book, that I really feel in love. That I really felt a conection with it. I remember waiting for the books like my life depended on it. When the first news of a movie came out, I literally freaked out! I remember the casting, the first pictures... The first time I saw Jennifer as Katniss I cried for hours... It was amazing seeing that book coming to life! Since I read The Hunger Games so much of my life changed. It made me stronger, it made me wiser. I began to see my value, like Katniss at some point had to. The Hunger Games was at my saddest but also in my happiest moments. It made me cry, it made me smile. I made new friends (actually I need to thanks Suzanne Collins, if it wasn't her maybe I hadn't meet my bestfriend) I went to some fan events, went to premieres (unfortunaly, the cast never came to Brasil) and I became a cosplayer! Now, the ending is coming... But it will be always in my heart. And even on my skin, since I have a tattoo in a tribute to what Suzanne have created, and how important that history is to me.