Hunger Games Tag Questions

SPOILER ALERT!!!

THIS POST INCLUDES SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE HUNGER GAMES SERIES -- RIGHT UP TO THE END OF MOCKINGJAY, THE THIRD BOOK. IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED THE SERIES, STOP READING NOW.

My sister told me about The Hunger Games tag questions floating around YouTube and even though I don't make videos, I decided to see if I could find the questions written somewhere to answer. I managed to find them here on tumblr.

1. What is your favorite book in The Hunger Games trilogy?
Mockingjay. I realize this might be an unpopular opinion, but it was the best book I read in all of 2010, it's the best ending to a trilogy that I've ever read, and it struck just the right chord with me. As people started finishing this series I heard different terms: Mockingjay hangover and/or Post-Mockingjay-Stress-Disorder. Whatever the term used, it's safe to say that Mockingjay sort of broke my brain a little bit. I really had to recover from reading it. There were so many emotions, and so much to think about. It's one of the best stories I've read and I'm constantly confused and/or angered (in that way you get mad when people hate on your favorite books) when I hear people talk bad about this book or the epilogue. It just utterly confuses me.

2. How long would you last in the Hunger Games?
Well, I definitely wouldn't win. My best hope for surviving beyond the initial bloodbath would probably/definitely be to find a good hiding place and hope I could stay out of sight for as long as possible. I realize I'm not actually answering this question, but it's hard to say.

3. What's the strangest thing you thought was going to happen in the books (but didn't)?
The entire series was a total trip for me. I had no idea what was going to happen from one chapter to the next; Suzanne Collins managed to surprise me at nearly every turn and I didn't every try to guess what might happen. I do remember briefly thinking, in Catching Fire, that Haymitch might end up back in the games with Katniss. I'm not sure I really thought it would happen, but the thought did cross my mind.

4. How were you introduced to The Hunger Games?
Everyone was reading them. Not "everyone" everyone, but everyone in my very tuned-in, book-bloggers-and-authors community. Everyone I talk to about books seemed to have read and loved the book and I resisted for so long. I didn't seek out dystopian novels and the description of this book/series just did not appeal to me. A fight to the death? An evil government? It all sounded way too dark and way too violent for me. (I'm so not a fan of violence.) What I didn't realize was how brilliant the characters were and what an incredibly strong emotional core the story had. Nobody told me that it was more than just an action-filled fight book. It wasn't until I'd heard so much about the series (at this point the first two books were out and the third was well on its way) that I started having dreams about the Hunger Games (I was in the arena with Katniss. Or maybe I was Katniss. I don't really know.). After that, I knew I had to give the books a chance. The rest, as they say, is history. (Interestingly, the first post on this blog was about The Hunger Games.)

5. Favorite moment that happens in The Hunger Games?
The series or just the first book? Either way, it's difficult/impossible to choose just one moment. In the first book I do love the bookends of the Games -- the reaping, when Katniss volunteers in place of Prim, and the end when she and Peeta have the nightlock berries. In the series as a whole I loved loved loved the epilogue. Just perfect.

6. Who is your favorite character?
Peeta Mellark!! Cannot even explain it in words.

However, in rereading the first book I'm realizing that I like Katniss so much more this second time around. She's definitely one of my favorite all-time characters.

7. What district would you live in?
Okay, I did this by where I was born (northeastern Arizona) and what district I think that would have been part of. The Capitol was in the Rockies (Colorado) and I think where I lived would probably be District 2 - masonry and weapons. The Capitol's "pet," which is awful. Um, sorry?

8. What was the most emotional moment in the books for you?
Prim's death, followed closely (but not too closely) by the reaping. That wiped me out.

9. What item from home would you take into the arena with you as a token?
Um. I've given this a lot of thought, actually, and I don't have a lot of small, sentimental items that I could use as a token (either in The Hunger Games or Inception). There is, however, a medal I was given at the end of sixth grade when my school had its big awards ceremony. The story behind it is sort of long and basically the story of sixth grade itself, but the short version is that this medal would serve as a reminder of where I came from, who I am, and my own strength.

10. What was the most evil plan someone made in the books?
When they considered making future children compete in the Hunger Games. That's the moment, in Mockingjay, when I almost threw the book across the room.

11. What are you looking forward to most in the film?
I can't chose just one thing.

12. Who is your favorite villain in the trilogy?
Effie. I know she's technically evil and everything; I know she plays a big part in the Games, but she appears so clueless and, in her own naive way, really cares for Katniss and Peeta that I just can't help but love her.

So, what are your answers? I'd love to read them so link below (please) if you do your own post -- or feel free to answer in the comments!