is The Hunger Games still relevant? 🏹 🕊️ READING VLOG 

“A girl projecting” had me in a fit. I was full on empathizing with Katie and tearing up and then just cackling because it’s too real

I didn't realize some people hate Peta? I thought we all loved him? Also I like them ending up together, not because they were "meant to be" but because they needed eachother's support, especially after both of them losing family. They stuck together and did the best they could and I find that kind of beautiful, but I never saw it as a perfect swoon worthy romance. It was about being there for eachother and survival for me. :)

Katniss is the definition of a martyr, she gives up everything to be the symbol they needed and is left a shell of a person that is just too stubborn to give up (and Peeta won’t let her). Absolutely loved your take on it and totally agree that whether it’s due to her life experiences or maybe she was born that way,Katniss can 100% be read as asexual in the books. And the cherry on top of that sad ending is that her mother abandons her yet again after this tragedy just like when her father died, she never had parents that could help her after her fathers death, that’s why we fall in love with Haymitch, Effie, the glam squad, and Cinna; they are all the parents and support system she never had.

🏹 4am tears over fictional characters is so damn relatable.

I totally get your perspective on Katniss and can see it 100% being one way to interpret it. I personally think Katniss was in love with Peta and that he did understand her better than Gale. In the end Gale was filled with just as much hate as the Capital and Katniss was never like that. She wanted to see the good in others just like Peta. I agree that she isn’t fully happy at the ending of the series because she is mentally unwell and she always will be and that is awful but I think Peta represents goodness and the fraction of joy she desperately wants to believe is possible in the world and I think it makes complete sense that she ends up with him. That’s just my perspective and it’s from reading the books and not watching the movies. But I like your perspective on it too, either way I don’t think romance was ever the most important thing in Katniss’ mind because there were always far more important things to deal with than romance in the trash world she was living in. 🏹 great vid, love these books!

I agree with the projection part. We have to think about the world and the problems in katniss world. Not ours, but it’s hard not to. Katniss has been on survivor mode her whole life, she doesn’t know anything else. But she cares deeply for people. That’s her strength,anyways as it’s pointed out in the books she hasn’t had time to think about romance and that stuff. Cause she’s been trying not to die, as in the books when she talks about having kids. She’s afraid that if she has them they will be sent into the games. She won’t risk that, cause she could not go through that. I personally think that if that would happen she would break down like with prims death. So that’s understandable, that’s why she was hesitant with having kids with peeta cause of all the trauma from the games and that they might come back. As well with the “romance” part of the book. I see where you are coming from, I can see myself in katniss as I am on the asexual spectrum. But as I wrote earlier she cares deeply for people and with peeta, she starts with appreciating peetas goodness. The boy with the bread , and starts to care for him. Which eventually starts to grow to that she loves him and cares for him deeply. Maybe not romantic love at first, but my interpretation is that she starts to “fall” for him and appreciates his company. He represents all she want the world to be. The kids thing maybe came a bit out of the blue but it a nice symbol for how panem is slowly recovering and how peeta and katniss try’s to move on.

🏹 Don't we all project our feelings onto the books that we read lol. Never feel bad

dude, I so agree with you by the end, the projecting oneself into the fact that katniss never breaks out of the "hunger games", i felt your crying and cried with you, the feeling is mutual here

Thinking back on the books I literally don’t remember there being an actual romance. I just remember the fight for survival. I don’t think the romance was necessary. I do think that Peta understood Katniss in a way that Gale could never. Pets was willing to wait and be patient. Gale was pushy and wanted more than she could give at the time. Pets waiting was what she needed.

Late to comment but Prim's death killed me because everything all the revolution and killing was all started because she wanted to save her sister and in the end it meant nothing. Still not over it 😭😭. And as an aroace Katniss is definitely aroace and platonically and trauma bond loves Peter.

Are you going to read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes? Its the prequel telling the story of how President Snow came to be evil

I haven't read the Hunger Games trilogy since middle school. I'm now 28 and Katie is really making me want to reread the series.

My heart cried with you. LITERALLY. My eyes were filling up and wtf is wrong with me? And i find myself agreeing from what I remember of thg. I can’t wait to read the series again. You’ve convinced me to do it sooner 😍🤍 🏹🏹🏹🏹🕊️

I never read these books until these past two months. My friends guilted me into it and THANK GOD. One of the best series I have ever read. Literally finished Ballad of Songbird and Snakes last night at 1am and rated it 5 stars. This vlog makes me want to start it again right now! Love you and thank you for the slay content

Not me “adding to cart” after watching this. Haven’t reread the series since it first came out but here we go lol

As a fellow childfree adult I agree with your sentiment about the ending. I actually felt the same way the first time I read it in high school, but didn't have the words yet to describe why I felt Katniss' ending felt so bleak and depressing. Forced to have children she didn't want with a guy she never really loved, all while everyone she truly cared about was gone....yeah. My tears about it were valid then and your tears are valid about it now. She deserved better.

Okay, you have ABSOLUTELY convinced me that I have to re-read these books! I haven't read them in years, but I know I love them, and now I can't wait to be destroyed by them again. Honestly, your reactions have me convinced that I'll love them even more this time around, and I'm so here for it. 🏹🏹

Yeah nobody believes it is YA, but Suzanne Collins is insane (in the best way possible) I read her other series Gregor the overlander, it is not on the same level but when I tell you it Is a MIDDLE GRADE SERIES!!! Omg i am 30 now and I could never read those books when I was child, they are soy dark and bleak and brutal and honest, my jaw was always on the floor, you are telling this series is for CHILDREN! No ma’am 🤣🤣 her writing is so good we are lucky to have her ❤️ AND PLEASE SUZANNE WRITE MOOOORE 🥲😭

This was extremly entertaining. I LOVE this Book Series and I really enjoyed watching you go trough the emotions the way that I do when reading the books.

I’m actually completely with you. It’s why the epilogue made me sob when I first read it.

I've been thinking about re-reading these but now I'm afraid! I will definitely have the same 4am period-induced reaction you did, and I don't think I can do that right now! But I love this video, Katie! Your literary analysis and pure emotional reaction are perfect! Thank you for being so vulnerable 🥰

Katy❤❤❤this VLOG is 🔥so entertaining, relevant, and inspiring to those of us in the reading community needing some fun at how great a re-read can be You are🎉🎉🎉AWESOME

I read this series as it came out (first one in 2008). I had just started college and it was the hardest and loneliest time of my life, so I turned to books for comfort. I remember being absolutely SHOOKED by this book. I haven’t reread them since, but since I now know I’m aroace, I liked to see how I feel about the ending and if I’d feel similar to your feelings. Thank you for passionate reflections! 💜

To me the entire series is 5 stars from the first page to the last page. But I refuse to accept the epilogue. I’m on board with Katniss being with Peeta, they’ve been through so much together. But my revulsion at her having their children in the epilogue - oh my days. I understand why people wanted the happy ending, but for me it’s not ‘happy’ it’s still dystopian. (I’ve reread many times and I’ve believed this from the first time I read it 10 years ago, up to my most recent read this week.)

when you said that you feel sorry for the current generation cos there's no YA book that is even on the same level with the hunger games, I actually wholeheartedly agree. Along with the supreme animes that I watched as a kid and (of course) movies.

I read these books for the first time in 2021 (I was 23) and could not believe I let myself miss out on this. I too read the whole series in three days and it put me in a book slump lol.

omg been wanting to re-read the hunger games for FOREVER and this is just the video i needed to convince me!!! 🫶 def picking them back up soon

I just finished this series last year! I had all the same feelings as you did about Katniss and Peeta when I finished reading book 3. It’s so heartbreaking because all the characters have so much trauma and grief that they have to figure out how to get through on their own and in their own way without any or much help.

🦅 thank you Katie. Brilliant video as always x

35:50 on the one hand Katniss is ace. But on the other hand Katniss is a young teen who has been traumatized over and over and over again. Not just with the games, but also with living in the conditions of district 12 in general and with her father dying. PTSD can definitely be a factor in her not having any sexual interest. (Not here to diss any of my ace sisters and brothers here, y’all are completely valid as you are).

🏹🏹🐦🐦 Oh my gosh, you had me crying as well. That was my only compliant about the books is I didn't feel Katniss got her happy ending. Absolutely LOVED watching your reactions though, especially to the messed up things. lol

“I need to go clean something.” I was HOLLERING 😂😂

🏹 Loved this reading vlog so much!

I have been waiting for you to do this series

I just love you so much, and I completely was moved by your tears at the end. ❤️🏹

Omg this is perfect timing, I literally just read this series for the first time ever over the last couple weeks 😂

Hi Katie! Just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate your book recs! I recently read The Curious Case of the Alchemist's Daughter and absolutely freaking loved it!!!! Through your recs, I have found physical copies of The Push, Bunny, A Curious Beginning, Gone Girl, and The Turn of the Key. I am really excited to read all of these (but kinda scared of the push) and I am so inspired to read that I am making Summerween last both June and July. Wish me luck!

I don't believe I have ever read this series, but maybe I should since you have given it such a raving review. Your speech at the end really broke my heart, I have had to admit to myself recently that I am ace and aro, but I'm still struggling and too scared to tell anyone irl because of the expectations society puts on us. Like, I think I still want kids (but through adoption or fostering), but I have my relatives constantly coming up to me and asking about partners and marriage. It certainly doesn't help that all the media tells girls they aren't worth anything if they don't end up in a relationship. I am very glad to have found such a safe space here with you.

The tears I cried. Beautiful final review of Mockingjay 😭

Omg you made me tear up. I absolutely agreed with you about Katniss. I haven't reread the the books in a while but I remember thinking that the ending didn't feel happy.And that's realistic but sad

🏹🖤💛❤️💙 I still need to reread Catching Fire and Mockingjay, your reactions just gave me so much motivation to finish the series again.

I recently listened to all three books on audio (since I haven’t read them since middle school and want to read the prequel before the movie comes out this fall) and I LOVED ALL THREE OF THE BOOKS!! 5 STARS EACH! I actually liked the narrator for the audio. Such a good series

The Hunger Games books/movies are my little sister’s comfort read/watch. She loves them so much. I’m not much of a rereader/rewatcher so I don’t think I have something like that haha but this video makes me want to reread the trilogy! Maybe in audio format this time to spice things up. I love the video 🏹

I’ve been saying I’d never read these books for a decade. More than a decade. But you’ve influenced me! Just ordered the trio. Let’s do it!!!!

I got goosebumps only from hearing you talk about the Hunger games holy shit And now I wanna read these books again so badly but I can't because back in the days I re-read them about ten times and I can write you a summary in my sleep... Anyway... thanks for bringing these glorious books back to memory, means a lot to my 12-year old self❤

🏹🏹🏹 these books were so huge for me when they came out. they literally helped me make new friends when I moved to another state. however the ending left me so dissatisfied and this vlog was amazing but it gave me depressed flashbacks. 😅 i was the girl always looking for romance and happy endings though. i get now in my 30s that it’s supposed to be more realistic. loved your take on Katniss because peta & gale never felt right or truly made sense. Iove the emotion and passion you have for books. same girl!! i just do what you did to the camera to my poor confused husband. 😂

I started reading these about 2 weeks before Mockingjay was released. I re-read them at least once a year and the movies live in my regular marathon rotation. They still impact me each and every time.

The Lunar Chronicles will always be my favorite dystopian world..something about the hunger games for myself personally eh I couldn't get into it..I was thinking of checking out the movies and seeing maybe of more of what it's like.. Great vlog like always 📚☕🪁🍉💐😎🌈

I read all 3 books the last 2 weeks of March this year. It was the best.

I think I will forever see it that way now. The relationship between Peta and Katniss and how Katniss never gets out of the game. I need to re-read the series now. You just crushed my way to look at them and I'm thankful for that. Because it makes so much more sense now. All her relationships.. I need to read this NOW!! 🏹

really making me want to reread this series!

Girl your making me want to reread this!

I never read this series when it came out and I felt like at 23, I’m too old for it now but I am going to read it now after watching this video ❤

I would love a book about Cinna.

I am a new subscriber and was watching your bday haul video from a year ago. U said in the video that your birthday was June 14th.🎉 Thats so cool mine is too. I zm quite a bit older than you but am just getting in to reading and have really enjoyed watching your videos. Thanks for taking the time to make them. Happy Birthday Katie. Hope u have a great one.🎁🎂🎈

🏹I always viewed the relationship between Katniss and Peta as a friendship taken too far because of shared trauma and very much something she was pressured into. I hadn't considered that she could be ace, but that interpretation adds so much to the story I would love to see it somehow become canon.

I’ve been thinking about re-reading these books, but have put it off for fear that they won’t stand up to how amazing I thought they were the first time (in high school). This video has definitely confirmed my decision to re-read. I think your thoughts about Katniss are so poignant and, honestly, spot on. I’ve always felt disappointed in the ending bc I always felt like Katniss was giving up herself to settle with Peeta, a man she loves, but not romantically or to the degree of the other great loves on her life. You ideas have me seeing the final scene through a different lens that makes so much sense for this story. 🏹

I loved this video so much because it brought me back to when I literally read each of the books in 1 day. I don’t know if there will ever be a series like The Hunger Games and to think we are kinda living it today. When you were talking about Katniss being asexual, it was really eye opening because when I first read these books, I had no idea what that word meant. But now, I completely see what you mean.

Agreed. One of the most well written book series in my opinion.

I get the sentiment in the comments but I don't know where this narrative came from that Peeta forced Katniss to have children. Peeta is a kind of person who would never force her to have kids. Also Katniss would never do anything she doesn't feel uncomfortable with especially when it's comes to kids. She would never have kids if she wasn't certain and felt safe enough to have two kids in 15 yrs. Even if peeta convinced her but both of them made the decision ≠ Pressure. She can make that decision. Don't take that agency away from her. Katniss may seem like she was used as a victor or mockingjay but she was not a pushover. She fought back every step of the way. She and everyone in the district is in constant state of dread because of HG. She said it herself that she doesn't have the capacity to think about love nor does she feel safe to bring kids into this world. That doesn't mean that she don't want to be loved or have kids. She said if she was in a safe environment she would be open to these things.

Okay I’m picking up these books

Loved this 🏹

Now, this thumbnail is next level!!! 😍

Well I guess I'm going to my local goodwill to pick up all the books!!

🏹 really enjoyed this

Gonna pause, do my reread (I’ve read it at 16, 19, and 24 so it’s been 5 years) then recheck in 😘🤓

I didn't join the read along because I only read it for the first time last year but this made me want to reread

I haven't even watched but I am so excited ! The Hunger Games is my favourite book series EVER, it's the best YA series ever written period, can't wait to see your reaction rereading ! *edit after watching* 🏹🔥🐦 (whole essay incoming lmao I need help) - Catching Fire is the gold standard for sequels it's literally so good and unpredictable it left me shaking in my boots on first read. - Mocking is so so good but extremelly bleak and hard hitting. I was 14 when I read it for the first time and so much of what happened in it has stayed with me because of how incredibly violent it was. Those scenes scarred my soul as you said. Boggs' scene is a prime example of that, the way it's written is so simple yet so impactful. No one ever talks about the contrast between the vibrant colourful Capitol and the districts (I blame the movies for that, they made it all grey), but all the war scenes where colour is contrasted with violence had SO MUCH impact on me. The pink and orange tiles for Boggs, the baby blue building when the tar wave hits, the woman that Katniss shoots with the bright exotic bird dress, the little girl in the yellow coat. Girl the "meat grinder" traumatized me as a lil' 14 year old reading that. The whole sewers chapter omg... you get the point. - 46:02 is me everytime I reread this. - I totally get why people don't like the ending and I agree with your theory that Katniss is ace, I've read other people theorize the same. I thing they stay together by default, because they are the only 2 people who have gone through the same trauma. Selfishly Katniss needs Peeta and his softness and understanding to not go completely insane. I think she loves him but not necessarily in a romantic way. But I must say that your analysis has ne thinking, it's even more depressing. -This is not a happy or fun story and it leaves me feeling so unbelievably sad and empty after each reread. I'm so sorry I wrote a whole ass essay, I could talk about these books all day they were my entire teenage years and got me back into reading. Nothing else will be as impactful to a whole generation I think.

I can’t wait for the movie to be out just so I can reread the whole series again

I read the first 2 books years ago, and really didn't like the second one, so I enver picked up the third. Now I kinda want to reread them, especially with the ace/aro perspective, and knowing that she didn't want to include a romance angle because that makes things make so much more sense

I decided to reread this series this year on audiobooks and Tatiana Maslany (of Orphan Black fame) slays. I am about to pick up Mockingjay and I am excited to re-experience the ending as a more mature reader. This series totally holds up.

🏹 Ma'am, I watched this in the morning while working and was not anticipating being made to tear up at the end. This vlog was everything and I loved it so much. I am now convinced to give the series another go. ❤

This makes me want to Reread this series. I remember not loving the last book, I wonder if my feelings would be the same.

Wow they leave so much out of the movies I need to read these

🐦🏹 not sure if you know, but in the libby app, there's an option to send your book to your kindle app, so you can read it with continuous scroll there😁 I've only ever watched the movies, but thanks to you I have more books to add to my tbr! As someone who realized they are demisexual later in life, I'm curious to see if I'll come to the same conclusion that you did about katniss. Thanks for the hour long video!💜

🏹I've never actually read the books nor watched the movies, so it was hard for me to really understand why people were so into this series. Your journey here helped me gain some perspective!

NOW READ FOURTH WING .

Suzanne Collin's other series (Gregor the Overland) is the most amazing middle grade series!

I just love you so much. 🏹

Katie u have convinced mi i got them on kindle unlimited

the logo for the hunger games looks like Johny Bravo

Ok so now I have to re-read them because I remember loving them but now I need to know did I really lol

I‘m 10 minutes into the video and need to reread this series! Also read your goodreads review and i stand by Katniss not being romantically in love with Peeta since 2012, you can‘t convince me otherwise. I remember being really frustrated by the ending of the series and the movies for kind of doing this to her? Like my 16 year old self was not as stupid as i thought?

The location for the games changes in the books.

OMG I read these ages ago as well but you have me thinking I should read them again. I haven't read the 4th one though. Is it any good?

🐦, can’t find the arrow emoji lol but i love you!!

I didn’t know asexual/aromantic was a thing when I read those books in high school yet I basically had the exact same feelings about the ending and why she got together with him as you did

I really should reread the series but I’m SCARED

Ive only ever seen the movies but never read the books, is there enough difference in them to read the books?

OK fine I have a tbr of over 190 books but I'll re-read the hunger games 😂

Prior to watching this video I had no interest in reading this series. Now? I WANT IT!

I truly believe that katniss shouldn't have romantically been with anyone. She was so broken after everything that happened that how could she romantically be with anyone anyway. That level of trauma and loss would make it so that almost anyone would be afraid to truly care about anyone again. It's a horrible ending for katniss because she never truly got a happy ending where she had freedom.

🏹 so when are we reading a ballad of songbirds and snakes? also, petition to have the audiobooks remastered with jennifer lawrence as the narrator?

Can you do a video on hunger games the ballad of songbirds and snakes book please

🏹 Okay, I have never read the books, I ADORE the movies and…1st: you made me want to read them and rewatch the movies, so when my heart will be broken again it will be your fault, just so you know! 😅 2nd I am a heterosexual woman, married with a kid and still I get what your point at the end is! I do agree with you on the trauma bond and not because I don’t believe in their love story, I do, but I think it is based on trauma, on “we went throu 💩 together, so I know you’ll get my traumas” ground which it is f***ed up, but it is even more f***ed up because that’s something that happens in real life! People do over bound, as I say it, over trauma and to them is love because they feel “safe” for once in their lifetime and maybe I’ll read the books and change my vision, but that’s what I got out of the movies tbh

I am compleeeetely with you that Katniss is asexual, aromantic even. I always felt that the 'romantic relationships' she was in were very calculated, and served a purpose. Even in thé end I felt like she was with Peeta because that was what People expected from her (what society still expected from everyone nowadays 🙄) (also, you made me cry at thé airport 😂 I really connecties with what you are saying at thé end of Mockingjay)

It's crazy to me that you've reread this series because I've actually been thinking of rereading it again myself. I feel like all of your observations are dead on, especially Catniss being asexual. The relationship between her and Peeta has always felt pushed onto the reader, but I never thought about her asexuality because I'm still learning what that all means. I would really love to hear your thoughts comparing the Hunger Games to at least the first book if Atlas Six series. I feel like there are so many YA books that are trying to recapture the Hunger Games and seriously falling short.

Hello

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