Mockingjay: One Week Later

Last week when I closed the cover of Mockingjay, I was emotionally drained and eager to know how all the other fans of the Hunger Games had reacted to the book. I was really curious as to what reactions would be to the book because while I had no real concrete expectations for it, I knew I what I got was not what I expected. Sure enough, the reactions have been extremely mixed and led to some interesting and thought provoking discussion. I'm a fan of the book and I suspect I will always feel a strong personal connection to it, not only for the way the story itself impacted me, but because it saved reading for me in a really big way during a time I wondered if I would ever love to read again. Here are some of the fascinating posts that have sprung up around Mockingjay:

I LOVED this post from Malinda Lo on fan expectations. This post gave me a lot to think about in regards to the books I read and the shows I watch. And of course on the weight of the expectation we bring to any book we read.

I read Mockingjay as a serious social critique and found this post from Sarah Darer Littman to be a good analysis of the discussion on war found within the pages of Mockingjay and the Hunger Games trilogy.

When it comes to writing heartfelt reviews, I'm pretty sure no one does it like Angie, so you can imagine I was relieved to find out she was similarly affected by this book.

Amanda also has an in-depth review and we're on the same page about a lot of things as well.

And I loved this post from YA author Gayle Forman on the Mockingjay effect...and I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has experienced a certain amount of lingering obsession.

Finally...I've really been thinking about these books being made into movies and I'm extremely curious as to how it will be done. There's a part of me that wants it right now and a part of me that fears Katniss and Peeta will be horribly cast and the movie will sort of miss the plot. In any case, here's an update from the Daily Beast.

I recognize there are many people who didn't really like this book and I do feel sad that it was a disappointment for so many who loved the first two. But I'm grateful for all the discussion that has sprung up and even more grateful for a book that makes me want to continue thinking about it and writing about it...so don't be surprised if I come up with a few Mockingjay essays yet.

How are you feeling about the book one week later?