The Hunger Games & Group Buddy Reads

Last Summer, I had the immense joy of co-hosting a read-along of Anne of Green Gables, and Anne of Avonlea with my amazing Bookstagram friend, Natelle.  It was so fun to gush over this classic with many other bookstagrammers twice a month.

Then in the Fall, we decided to host another read along: The Chronicles of Narnia.


And with the spring upon us, I would love for you all to join our newest read-along: The Hunger Games.  All the discussions will be held on Instagram, so make sure you follow me, Natelle, and our hashtag #readgushpanem so as not to miss all the fun - there will be giveaways, so you are not going to want to miss anything.

Group Read Alongs

Alright, so I'm going to venture a guess that some of you have never done a group read along... maybe only in school... and let's be honest assigned reading is never fun... 

These are completely different.  

First of all, you don't actually have to read the book if you don't want to - granted it won't be as fun during the live discussions if you have no clue what we are talking about... but hey that's fine if you want!

Or maybe you have read these books already and love them and remember them... you don't have to reread them if you don't want!  Join us anyway.

And of course, there is always the movies- I'm going to be honest, I love the movies... but the books are much richer and fuller... and I tend to rant over points not in the movies... so fair warning if you pick this option. 

Or if you're like us and you simply adore The Hunger Games, you will want to reread these.  

And if you are one of those who has never read The Hunger Games, I truly think you will love them.  Yes, they feel like so many other books now, but as we will discuss, these books kicked off the dystopian craze of today's YA books. So maybe see this as your chance to see where authors get their inspiration today. 

The Details

The idea is super easy, you pick up the book, in any format you want, and start reading. 

Every other Saturday, Natelle and I will lead a group discussion, or gush session, on Instagram stories, live.

And because last time was so fun, we are keeping photo challenges so that you can earn more ways to win prizes.  Plus if you need to gush even more between our live discussions, you will have these photos to start an extra conversation going - don't forget the hashtag so we can find your photos!

Basically, we want to hear from you, as much as you hear from us.  There are so many little details in these books, and hearing other's likes, even dislikes, of them help us to see an even bigger perspective of the modern classic that is The Hunger Games. 

Narnia Group Read-Along  

Schedule:

March 1: Start Reading The Hunger Games (book one)
March 2: Opening Live Discussion - with a giveaway - we will discuss the inspiration Suzanne Collins had for the books, the whole lift it brought to YA Lit, and how the rest of the buddy read will go
March 7: Photo Prompt: Favorite Dystopians (be sure to use the hashtag in the caption to be counted as an entry)
March 14: Photo Prompt: Love Triangles
March 16:  Book one - The Hunger Games- Live Discussion - we will discuss all of book one, and give away a gift card to HaltheGal_StoryArt's shop  (after the discussion start reading Catching Fire, book two)
March 21:  Photo Prompt: Mental Health in Fiction
March 28: Photo Prompt: Surprise Plot Twists
March 30: Book two - Catching Fire - Live Discussion- we will discuss all of book two, and give away a pin (of the winner's choice) from Dust&Pages shop (after the discussion start reading Mockingjay, book three)
April 4: Photo Prompt: Books that Need an Official Map
April 11:  Photo Prompt: Defiant Characters You Love
April 13: Book three- Mockingjay - Live Discussion - we will discuss all of book three, and have a surprise giveaway!

Extras!

If you have been following along on Instagram already you might know that we are collecting goodies to giveaway during the live discussions! 

We are hoping to get some great products lined up for the giveaways at each live discussion,  so if you are a shop, or have a favorite shop, and have a Hunger Games themed product feel free to contact me via Instagram to discuss how to sponsor one of our discussions.

Just like before, Natelle and I will collect all those who participate in the live discussions (that means chiming in on the conversation, not just lurking, sorry), as well as photo challenges, and story mentions that utilize our hashtag, #readgushpanem.  Please understand that not all prizes will be available outside of the United States, as cost is often prohibitive, however, I am trying to arrange one international prize...

(with all giveaways please know that there will be rules and such... you must be 18 or older, or have the permission of a guardian to enter- you will have to have an address that USPS will mail to - each giveaway specifics will be mentioned during the live - but none of these will be associated with Instagram, or Facebook...)

Prizes:

Discussion one:  Mystery "grab bag" giveaway - will feature a Bookstagram tote bag and other goodies all book lovers will delight ove - As this is the kick off, be sure to follow your hosts, Marissa_writes and Tall_telle_tells_tales in order to qualify for this giveaway, you will have to be following the hosts each week in order to qualify for the giveaway.  

Discussion two: Hallie from Halthegal_StoryArt is giving one winner a $20 gift certificate to her store so the winner can purchase any item they want.  **In order to qualify for this giveaway, be sure to follow Halthegal_StoryArt on Instagram and check out her store, so you know what you want, in case you win!

Discussion three: Ruthie from Dust & Pages is giving one winner an enamel pin from her shop - the winner's choice, as long as it is in stock in the store at the time of the drawing. **In order to qualify for this giveaway be sure to follow Dust & Pages on Instagram, and check out her store to know which pin you would want if you won!

Discussion four:  Laurie from Howler's Emporium is designing a pin holder for one lucky winner. **In order to qualify for this giveaway be sure to follow Howler's Emporium on Instagram and check out her store! 

That pretty much covers it!

I think anyway - if you have any questions or concerns, let me know!  Leave a comment below or message me on Instagram.

I hope you will join in... just follow me on Instagram and Natelle: Tall_Telle_Tells_Tales and check it out!

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Are you going to join in?  Let me know!

*** Do you need to purchase a set of The Hunger Games to join us?  Considering clicking over to Amazon through this link before you buy and a small bit will come back to help fund this site - it won't cost you more, but I'll be forever grateful!