When people leave funny notes in their library books 😜
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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0) | 
When people leave funny notes in their library books 😜
so-soI attempted to read this before, but I just couldn't bring myself to care about the characters.
This time, I decided to get the audiobook, which made it a little easier to listen to and complete the story. However, I'm not a fan.
The narrative felt redundant since we already knew Snow was an evil tyrant. The details of how it happened didn't interest me, and I believe that contributes to my dislike.
The story wasn't bad, it just wasn't needed.
#WickedWords wrap for August. I think my pick would be Lost in the Moment and Found, though Ballad wins in the Exceeding my Expectations (which were low) stakes. @AsYouWish
so-soI wasn‘t really interested in reading Snow‘s story but after reading Haymitch‘s story and the innuendos about Snow, I became more intrigued. I still don‘t like Snow. The characters in general didn‘t do much for me, but I liked learning more in detail about how the concept of the games began and I‘ve officially completed the series. My daughter skipped the series as a kid and is now reading them, so YAY!
pickThe villian origin story of Coriolanus Snow adds nuance to his character, and now I want to read the entire series again. Ambitious, determined, and on the sociopathic side of the personality spectrum, he was always going to be ruthless in pursuit of power, but it is interesting to see how manipulative authority figures and events slowly mold him into the particular monster he becomes.
bailedI was hoping to like this more than the movie, but I just don‘t enjoy Snow‘s story. #hailthebail
pickFinally got the hold from the library so I could finish this one. What a fantastic book. Cory in all his delusional youth making all the right connections to become a better person and actively choosing to ignore that impulse. What a fantastic look into the mind of a guy who looked at his life and went “I think I can make the world worse on purpose” and then committed himself to that full throttle. Fantastic, snow certainly does land on top.
I was tentative going in, but ended up really enjoying this! It's not super pace-y or anything, but I thought Collins adeptly trod the balance of writing a character who we all know turns out terribly.
#WickedWords @AsYouWish
pick8-2-25: My 51st finished book of 2025! A prequel to The Hunger Games series, this tale tells the story of Coriolanus Snow, the eventual president of Panem. He is likable and detestable in equal measure. When he is chosen to be a mentor in the 10th Hunger Games, the first time a mentor was used, he receives a tribute in Lucy Gray Baird, a singer and show-woman, who might just lead him to victory and love if it can show him a better way of life.
I‘ve finished seven chapters so far. I just have to say, this Dr. Gaul character? What. The. FLIP. She is insane and dangerous, and allowed an influential position over the early Hunger Games? Oh, okay then. The Island of Dr. Moreau has nothing on her nightmarish mutant creatures, and she just giggles over them. What a scary freak. No wonder the Hunger Games became so terrifying.
pick⭐⭐⭐/5
I went into this one thinking I might dislike it due to seeing so many negative reviews but I honestly enjoyed it for most part. There were some parts that dragged a bit but overall it's a rather decent back story with some interesting characters. Only down side is that I'd love to have a bit of a time jump and insight into Snow's later life
It seems as if the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes gets a lot of hate, but I'm kind of loving it so far - saying that I'm only 35% in so thoughts might change ☺️
pickSuzanne Collins is a phenomenal writer! I adored every page of getting to know Snow and understand why he is the way he is. It was fascinating! Can‘t wait to read about Haymitch next!
pick“‘People aren‘t so bad, really,‘ she said. ‘It‘s what the world does to them.‘”
Finally getting round to starting this! ❤️
panI was not a fan the first time I read this. I reread it to see all the connections with the new Sunrise prequel, and though I enjoyed the Covey ties, I‘m still not a fan. I feel like the book is way too long, and yet somehow she rushed the ending. My least favorite of the series, though it does give an interesting perspective from the Capitol. Snow is such a deeply selfish person, but I do think Dr. Gaul is an incredible villain.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
President Snow‘s backstory. Particularly happy I procrastinated on this one, finally reading it after completing the newest installment, Sunrise on the Reaping.
pickThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins 🎧
I am usually not particularly fond of villain origin stories. But I enjoyed this book. It raised questions of choices, and of being too much inside own‘s head. The descent from sincerity into selfishness felt a little too steep to me. Music is a central theme in this book. This book gave a lot of context to what happened in the original trilogy and made sense of certain obsessions.
#sundayfunday worse than movie tie in covers for me are when there is a sudden change in cover design midway through a series that I'm buying.
pickThis was better than I thought it‘d be. I disliked the ending most; I always felt like Mockingjay‘s ending was rushed, and this felt similar. Still a good read if you like the Hunger Games books!
Finally onto the Hunger Games books I haven‘t read yet. I‘m looking forward to SOTR a little more, but wanted to get through this one first.
pickSince a new book is coming out, I figured I needed to catch up and read this one. I did see the movie, so I knew the overall story, but I still enjoyed the book. Could‘ve been shorted; it dragged on in several places. It‘s a little clunky, but was interesting to see all the tie-ins to the original trilogy.
so-soThis book was unnecessarily long. Snow's backstory is interesting, but I think the author was trying to make him sympathetic, and I found him annoying and self consumed from the start. The book dragged on. So much could have been edited out without losing any character development or story. I found myself skimming a lot. It's definitely not on par with the original trilogy. Now, how do I tell my daughter who's been begging me to read it? 😟
pickIt was interesting to read President Snow‘s origin story!
#bookspinbingo
#pop25 - book with a snake on the cover or in the title
so-soComing down from reading the Hunger Games, I feel let down. It felt flat, learning of Snow when he was a teen. There were tidbits to connect the Hunger Games trilogy, though not enough to keep me engaged. I wish there was more of a connection of Snow of them and Snow of the trilogy. Felt like a totally different person, on a way that I don‘t see how he changed so much. Let alone everything with Lucy Gray. Who wass so much more interesting.
I really enjoyed reading this book to understand the up bringing of Coriolanus snow
pickThis book takes a unique approach on the hunger games series. By describing presidents snows up bringing before the original hunger games series.
pickIt‘s been 12 years since I read all of the Hunger Games books, and I never had read this one. Picked it up on a whim to read in a plane home. I really enjoyed it! I like a good villain origin story, and thought this was done really well.
pickLoved it! Suzanne Collins is a genius. I‘m going to watch the movie versions of Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and this one to prep myself for the next installment. Might just go ahead and preorder it 😎
pickIt took me a few months to finish on audio- but I finished it yesterday. I have to admit i was also reluctant to read it but my daughter wanted to be able to talk about it with me- of course I was going to- and it was very well done- although It drives me crazy that Suzanne Collins uses a lot of ambiguity at times- Lucy Grey???? (then ending of Gregor the Overlander)- The world through Snows eyes and experiences def enriched it all for me.
It‘s working for me so far, and that‘s saying a lot considering I‘ve only wanted to read romcoms for the last three months 🤪😅🤓
pickI really enjoy Collins‘ writing. I remember tearing through the trilogy so many years ago. This was quite a villain‘s origin story. Looking forward to discussing it with my daughter.
Starting my daughter‘s Mother‘s Day gift to me today: a BR with her. #firstlinefridays
Part 1 of my books from April 💜
Has anyone read any of them?
pickThis was so good 💚🐍🐦⬛ I loved The Hunger Games trilogy and was worried that I wouldn't like this and it would ruin it for me, but it actually enhanced the story so much that I need to go back and read the trilogy again! Seeing Coriolanus Snow become President Snow was so clever and this book really deepened his character. I'll be thinking about this book for awhile!
pickI absolutely loved it. It was just as good as the original trilogy. It was a little darker but it was completely engaging and interesting to see how the Hunger Games developed into what they were. Also, to see how someone becomes the President Snow of the future. The movie did a decent job depicting the book, but I‘d read it first otherwise you‘ll miss some important details and it could feel rushed at the end. Read don‘t listen to the audiobook.
pickThe differences between the hunger games in this book vs the future books was fascinating. Truly, this version of the games was pretty boring. Hours of nothing followed by minutes of action. Snow‘s character is pretty despicable. Other than his own family, he has no real feelings for anyone else. He only acts if it will make him look good. His relationship with the tribute Lucy Gray is a joke. Snow only wants her as a captive, dependent on him.
pickI enjoyed this one almost as much as I enjoyed the first two books. It kind of lost me at the end as I felt it moved too quickly too suddenly
Loving my three day weekend! 🍷
One of the perks of being a teacher…getting to check out books from our library!
panNot Collin‘s best work. Lucy Grays character never truly made sense or unfolded. Provided a little more depth to Snow‘s character later in the series, but not enough to justify the addition to the series. Some things are better left as is.
bailedMy first bail of the year. I am half in and I just don't see the point. Snow is a terrible person, for no reason. There is nothing redeemable about any of these characters. I don't understand Lucy's motivation or why she is acting how she is. The way the government treats the tributes makes zero sense (even for an evil entity it just doesn't make sense to starve your entertainment??)
I can't handle being with these characters any longer.
