The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 362

Updated Review (February 1st, 2014): I now like this book so much better. I didn't appreciate it at first because I was forced into reading it by my friends, but now I appreciate it so much more. Katniss is an amazing heroine who is a true force to be reckoned with. As I said in my Mockingjay review, she shows so much strength and adversity, and is always looking out for her family and friends.
She has the ability to win people over even though she often lacks charm and the usual niceties. She is one of the first strong female heroines of this time period (in real life) and, frankly, is not given enough credit for that. 
I have to admit the first movie was not that good, but the book is always better right? I think this is one of those books that everyone should read. It teaches young kids about hope and standing up against something that is oh, so wrong. 
This is definitely one of my all time favorite series.

Original Review (March 25th, 2012): Can you believe I just now finished this book?? It's been on my TBR list FOREVER but I just haven't had time, but my friends were all reading it at school so I said I would finally read it.
Honestly, I thought it would be a lot better. For all they hype it gets I thought it would be the most amazing story but honestly it's not. (Please don't hate me!!) The beginning quarter, maybe even half, of the book drags on and on. All my friends told me to just wait until the Games started but my thinking was okay, a book needs to reel you in from the first page not half way through. But I continued on.
Once the Games did start I felt like there could have been a lot more action and was it just me or did Katniss annoy you too? She was extremely self-deprecating, ("Oh two boys possibly like me but I'm SO ugly!!") and I felt like she didn't kill enough people in the Games. If anything she got lucky. As a heroine I expected a LOT more out of her.
Moving on to Peeta and Katniss' relationship. It's built on lies!! How is that okay?? I was finally happy at the end of the book when Peeta realized this and brushed her off and then KATNISS got upset!? Oh boy I have a bone to pick with this girl if I ever met her.
I have to admit the last day of the Games was probably the most exciting but other than that the story kinda fell flat for me. I will be reading the rest of the series though just to see if they are any better and to see how the story ends.