Honestly - - and this is going to be an unpopular opinion - - I kind of like the movie better. To be sure, the book has some really good things going for it: the pretty original and horrifying premise, a main character with an authentic voice, some really touching moments, and really good pacing. However, I wasn't a big fan of the writing in general; there were a lot of info dumps, which I find annoying, and a lot of it felt awkwardly phrased. It really seemed like this book was written with an adaptation in mind, because so much of it worked better, for me, as a movie rather than as a book.

That being said, it was really the little things that made it a decent read. My favourite moment was when Katniss received the bread from District 11 after Rue's death. It really hit me hard, and I found myself on the verge of crying because it was such a touching gesture. I do really wish they'd kept that in the movie. It was so, so powerful. Also, Peeta's leg at the end! I loved how that was a permanent result of the Games, and how it is a physical manifestation of how the Games will impact him for the rest of his life. That's another thing I wish made it into the movies.

Overall, though, The Hunger Games is just an okay read. It is fairly easy to read, and it has good enough pacing to keep you invested, but I didn't like the writing style enough to really connect with it.