Catching Fire This Summer
You may recall that I was one of the lucky few to score an advance reader’s copy of Suzanne Collin’s Catching Fire at Book Expo. I immediately took a picture of it, such was my disbelief at holding a copy. And now I’m ready to give it to you, but more on that in a bit.
Catching Fire is the follow-up to the incredible Hunger Games. Now, unlike so many of the good fans out there, I did not have the opportunity to read it the same night, or even the same weekend. No, it took me a vacation to have the time to enjoy it. And now I can tell you that it’s as unbelievable as the first. Katniss Everdeen is truly now one of my favorite fictional heroines. It’s especially poignant to read it now while also reading about the happenings in Iran, but I’ll say no more to avoid spoilers.
I stalked introduced myself to Suzanne Collins at Book Expo, and a quick first impression suggested that she is a lovely and pleasant woman. One could imagine a bird coming and landing on her shoulder as she walks through a flower-lined forest path. And yet, on reading The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, you realize that there are some very dark recesses in her imagination. VERY dark. And I’m thankful for that, because it’s what makes her books so extraordinary.
Anyway, I’ve finished the book and now it seems tragic for it to sit on my shelf when it makes such fantastic vacation reading (the publication date is not until September 1). So, I’d like to give it to one of you. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. I’ll choose a winner at random from all comments left by Sunday 6/28 at midnight EST.
Meanwhile, if you haven’t read The Hunger Games, I highly, highly recommend it. I talked my mom’s ear off suggesting it for her book group, whose latest selection is Twilight. Those of you who have read both books will understand that we’re talking about two different leagues here.
UPDATE: Congratulations, Alyssa! You’ll be Catching Fire this summer.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Ooh, pick me, pick me!
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Thanks for offering the book to a reader of your site.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
ME! MEMEMEMEMEME!
(are friends & family disqualified from entering? Probably so
I do really enjoy your posts and they give me great ideas for my brother’s daughters, 1 & 3. )
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
OMG. You are so awesome! I would love to get this. The Hunger Games was such a great book.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Oh, WOW! This is super exciting, thanks a ton for hosting a giveaway for this! I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I absolutely LOVED The Hunger Games (as evidenced by my gushing review) and was soooo disappointed to hear that Scholastic doesn’t mail ARCs to Canada.
I really like the site name, btw.
lucidconspiracy at gmail dot com
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:54 pm
So pumped about finding out about this contest that I just had to spread the word by sidebar linking it on my blog under the CONTESTS heading as well, hope that’s alright
The more the merrier?
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
How generous–I’m happy to throw my name in the pot!
And I’ve bookmarked the blog, too.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Thanks for the cool competition, Amy. It’s a great idea!
What other books are you going to be devouring this summer? I’m finishing up Skeleton Creek soon…
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Wow, this is super generous of you to do. Being the collector I am, I don’t know if I could do the same — but in light of your example, if chosen, I vow to pass the book along in the same fashion, once I’ve finished it of course!
good luck to all!!
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Thanks for passing on your copy. I loved Hunger Games and can’t wait to get my hands on Catching Fire. I’m not sure I can wait to September to read it!
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:20 pm
The first book is fantastic! Ms. Collins is a writer with one of the best imaginations that I have seen in some time. I am anxious to read book two! Thank you for offering it!
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I loved The Hunger Games & so did my 13-year-old son. We’ve been anxiously awaiting the sequel!
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Please pick this Southern Indiana teacher with his own ning site!
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I’d love a copy to read and then give as a prize to one of the teens at my library!
=)
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:58 am
I loved the Hunger Games! I can’t wait for Catching Fire, and I’d love a chance to get to it as soon as possible. ^^
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I would love to win this book! Enter me PLEASE!!!
June 24th, 2009 at 12:45 am
OOh OOh! Pick me! Are we only allowed to enter our names once??
It’s like a reaping that I WANT to win!
June 24th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Sorry, I should have specified – yes, only one entry per person. If I were picking the winner on content of the comment instead of randomly, I might have to go with Bethany for relating this giveaway to a reaping. hahahahahaha.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Please enter me (if international) and you are being extremely generous in general.
Thank-you
June 26th, 2009 at 4:32 am
I’d like a chance to win this book. Thanks and have an an awesome day.
June 26th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Let’s even up the odds for everyone just a little. Please take my name out of the mix. I have a copy coming from a friend in about a week or two. . .I can hold out until then. . .
June 26th, 2009 at 8:01 am
But please consider being a part of our website. We would love to have you at our Ning. . .we are small, but growing. I wish I would have thought of Media Macaroni. . .but we are rawinck.ning.com (read RAW INcK).
June 27th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Hey, i’d like a chance to be entered in this. I would love to have a chance to win this. After reading the Hunger Games I am dieing to read Catching Fire. I hope it lives up to my expectations. Thanks.
Fallon
June 27th, 2009 at 8:42 am
How did I manage to miss Hunger Games and Catching Fire? I sell books for goodness sake – my excuse – most of the books I sell are from the 1920’s – 1970’s but this looks too good to miss. Thank you for giving me a chance to catch up! Barbara.
PS Good job I’m following you on Twitter otherwise I might never have found out what I was missing.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Hey!
I am dying to read catching fire.
I loved the hunger games, I’d like a chance to win! I love The hunger Games since last year and it would be great if you could pick me
Thanks.
Renata
June 29th, 2009 at 2:11 am
Am I too late? Nvm, I’ll just try. :S
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 am
YAY! Thank you so much!