Comments on: Jim talks about himself (and books)

By: Tim Dicks

Tim Dicks — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:00:41 +0000

I like your thoughts on Sick City–that juxtaposition of oppressive darkness with the tenderness of certain points in the narrative made for a memorable read. I wouldn't say the book was one of my favorites, but while I was reading it I couldn't stop. I was reminded at times of Will Christopher Baer's first novel, although O'Neill's characters are a little more endearingly flawed/recognizable.

By: Jessica Lee

Jessica Lee — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:42:09 +0000

I think it's okay to be selfish in that sense. We all want to read great books and we want more great books to be published for us to read them all the time–which is why you're fabulous. I wouldn't want your job just for those jewels! I think that makes me a bit more selfish.

By: Kristin Laughtin

Kristin Laughtin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:14:51 +0000

I must be the only person not reading Mockingjay. Perhaps I should pick them up. Like you, I always want mooooore books…even though I had to pick up another bookcase when I moved recently because mine were getting full, and my to-be-read shelves are full, and my to-be-read list is monstrous….

By: Meagan Spooner

Meagan Spooner — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:36:11 +0000

I'm still working on Mockingjay myself. After devouring the first two books in a day each, I'm astonished that I'm on day four of reading Mockingjay and STILL NOT DONE. I'm just finding it really difficult. Not that it's bad--not at all. But somehow at times it feels like a slog. AND I keep having to take breaks. I keep having to put the book down and burst into tears and wail "Peetaaaaaa!" Is that a good thing? Yes. No. Augh, I don' know. At some point does something being so viscerally hellish become less enjoyable? All I know is that I can't NOT read it. Suzanne, what are you doing to me?!

Anyway--I love your posts about graphic novels. It seems like more agents are interested in them these days, which is just awesome. I think it'd be completely amazing to work on a graphic novel project, and it's definitely one of my career goals down the road.

By: buildingalife

buildingalife — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:25:34 +0000

I have about hundred pages left of Mockingjay, as my pre-ordered Borders copy just arrived (grr…). One of the things Collins does so well, that I think is often overlooked, is comedic relief. The Hunger Games is so heavy in action and grit that I think this quality is often overlooked, and it's probably written that way on purpose. Often there's one line that will make me chuckle in the mist of shooting down helicopters. The tension has lifted some and I can continue. Without this little quality I often wonder if we'd be able to finish the intense series.

By: Kristi Helvig

Kristi Helvig — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:33:29 +0000

I'm on page 75 of Mockingjay. I loved the first two so much and am having serious quibbles right now, so I'm hoping I'm about to get to the part where I get past it.

By: Sangu

Sangu — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:47:18 +0000

I'm with you on that, Jim. I am incredibly greedy and selfish when it comes to books. I want more, constantly. More great fiction, more great stories, more books that make me feel a million different emotions with just a few hundred pages! As I writer, I want to keep writing, but I also want other writers to keep writing so that I can get those books I crave. May this greed live on!

PS. Not sure what quibbles you had with MOCKINGJAY, but I had my own and I agree with you that, ultimately, I looked past them because it was such a great book anyway!