Smart Mouths Book Club Episode #1: The Hunger Games
by Penny on Feb.26, 2010, under Episodes
We’ve been throwing around the idea of starting a Smart Mouths book club and we decided to start with the VERY popular book, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
Join Matt and Penny for our FIRST ever Smart Mouths Book Club episode. We hope you enjoy it and we can’t wait to hear your feedback!
In this episode we discuss:
-The general plot of The Hunger Games
-The main characters
-The themes and messages of this book, and how it relates to the real world: the media, our country and politics.
-A possible movie adaptation of The Hunger Games: who would we choose to act?
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As always, thanks for listening to our little show and Enjoy!
***NOTE***There are spoilers for The Hunger Games contained in this podcast. Listen at your own risk. No Catching Fire spoilers in this one 
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Smart Mouths Podcast is a brand new show brought to you by the creators of MuggleCast, HPProgs, and Imprint. Upon first listen, you may be surprised - this show is unlike the ones you're used to listening to. Smart Mouths is about anything we want to discuss, and we're not holding back!
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February 26th, 2010 on 1:50 PM
I’m in the middle of reading Catching Fire at the moment, are there any spoilers regarding it?
So excited to listen, though!!
February 26th, 2010 on 1:52 PM
I loved The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I can’t wait to hear what you think the messages are.
February 26th, 2010 on 1:52 PM
YAY!! I’m so glad you guys are doing this. As soon as I finished reading THG and CF I kept thinking that I wish at least some of you guys would do a podcast about it. I love Imprint and Mugglenet and of course Smart Mouths so I am super excited for you guys to branch out and talk about other subjects that interest me. Going to listen right now!
February 26th, 2010 on 1:59 PM
OMG YAYY!!
downloading NOW =)
Monica, you could listen to JabberJays, Andrew was on it a couple of times
x
February 26th, 2010 on 2:02 PM
Ohhh I love this book
I really could not put it down. The books are barely 400 pages each and story just consumes you.
Will there be a Catching Fire episode?
February 26th, 2010 on 2:04 PM
Haven’t listen to the BC Episode yet, but I LOVE this new idea. I’m looking forward to it. See, reading isn’t exactly one of the hobbies of my close friends. I’m always looking for ways to exchange thoughts about books.
The Hunger Games is an amazing book to start with.
February 26th, 2010 on 2:14 PM
Is this gonna be available on iTunes?
February 26th, 2010 on 2:18 PM
is this on itunes yet??
February 26th, 2010 on 2:44 PM
Wow. What great timing guys!
I just started reading this last week and I’m about half way through and loving it.
February 26th, 2010 on 4:32 PM
great episode! and i agree with penny, Cinna is one of my favorite characters too! although i pronounced it See-na like matt did.
February 26th, 2010 on 4:45 PM
This episode was so great! I absolutely love The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I nearly died though when Penny compared Peeta to Jacob (there’s no way any of that Twilight crap comes anywhere near the awesomeness of The Hunger Games).
February 26th, 2010 on 5:26 PM
yay! listening to it now, but one suggestion. since these episodes are for people who already read the books maybe cut down on the plot summaries and stuff.
but anyway good job matt and penny
February 26th, 2010 on 6:39 PM
I love your show and now you have this, maybe i can finally get my friend to listen to your show, also, you guys should make a Hunger Games Podcast. I love your analysis and review. I’ll go post a link on my blog now so you guys get more listeners.
February 26th, 2010 on 7:42 PM
HOLY SHIT! I’ve just finished THG and CF about a week ago and you guys release THIS! This is sooo awesome
If only my iTunes would download it faster..! :/
February 26th, 2010 on 8:24 PM
Yay!!! I’m a lot more excited for this then I should be. I’m so glad other people share my obsession
February 26th, 2010 on 9:02 PM
how bout Max Thieriot for Peeta, and Caitlin Stasey or Keisha Castle-Hughes for Katniss? google them
and i totally agree with Robert Downey Jr. as Haymitch!
February 26th, 2010 on 9:32 PM
Loved this guys. Can’t wait for your Catching Fire discussion! (And next time, the moment of truth… Team Peeta or Team Gale? cought*Peeta!!!*cough
February 26th, 2010 on 11:02 PM
I absolutely love that this has been added to the smart mouths library, hope you continue this past the two eventually three hunger games books
February 27th, 2010 on 4:38 AM
A Smart Mouths Book Club, thats a cool idea. I haven’t read the Hunger Games but you guys have talked about it enough on the show and so’ll i’ll check it out. Also love the show, so keep up the good work guys!
February 27th, 2010 on 8:04 AM
A Smart Mouths book club is an awsome idé! I loved the episode and can´t wait for the next one
February 27th, 2010 on 9:36 AM
You guys spent too much time talking through the plot ;( more time on themes and characters and stuff next time? There is so much in the book!
February 27th, 2010 on 10:32 AM
Am I the only one having such a hard time downloading the episode on iTunes? Or is it not up yet?
February 27th, 2010 on 10:40 AM
Hey Guys. Loved this book review. really great, I hope you do these more often because I need books to read for my english class, and hearing these recommendations from you will help me want to read the book. I’ve already read both hunger game books, and just wanted to say one thing, in my opinion a good person for Peeta in the Movie is Josh Hutcherson, just dye the hair blonde.
February 27th, 2010 on 3:07 PM
I’m reading the book right now, so I can’t wait to listen when I’m finished with it. So probably in a couple of hours….
The first thing I thought of when i read this post was MuggleCast… and the amazingness of how it’s basically a -so far- 192 episode long “Book Club” =D
February 27th, 2010 on 5:26 PM
This is such agreat idea! I’ve been hoping you guys would do something like this for a while. I really hope you guys continueto do these!
February 27th, 2010 on 7:17 PM
Loved the intro, Greg!
February 27th, 2010 on 7:49 PM
I didn’t think about this until Penny mentioned it, but Jack Black looks a lot like the Haymitch I pictured in my head.
February 27th, 2010 on 11:54 PM
Hey! Just listened to the episode. Great job, guys.
My biggest recommendation would be to spend LESS time summarizing the plot, and more time discussing themes, characters ideas, and sharing your personal impressions while reading. Most people listening have already read it. A short synopsis should be enough. Other important aspects of the plot can be discussed as you are bouncing ideas off each other.
… I guess it depends on what you were trying to do. In my mind, I was half-expecting that you guys were going to talk about The Hunger Games as if we had all read it too… (like we are a group, a Book Club.) So that part confused me.
Another recommendation would be to tell us which book you are going to discuss next, so we can read it before (if we haven’t read it yet) the episode comes out.
*****
My Favorite characters are Haymitch, Katniss (of course), Gale and Cinna.
Funny how Penny made a comparison of Peeta and Jacob, ’cause I do the same, but with Gale, lol. The good guy with a rebel streak, slightly unapologetic, sarcastic, with a mission … I like Peeta, ’cause there’s no way one cannot (which is part of my hesitance with his character; he is “too good”), but I find Gale to be a much believable, likable (in that sense) character.
John Granger has done a bunch of marvelous post on these books: ***SPOILER ALERT*** (1) http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/who-is-the-mockingjay-the-hidden-key-to-suzanne-collins-hunger-games-trilogy/ (which is Predictions on Book 3, with an incredible theory) (2) http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/unlocking-the-hunger-games-four-layers-of-meaning/ (3) A bunch of post of Q&A and rebuttals linked all throughout.
So, pretty good first episode. Can’t wait to listen to more.
Love you, guys.
February 28th, 2010 on 4:46 PM
hey guys! im so excited you guys guys decided to do a book club type podcast, and the hunger games series is probably one the best book series out right now so thanks so much. a couple of things for next time though:
like everyone said, i think its less important to summarize, because most like everyone listeninghas read the boo0ks so itd be better to go into themes and littler known character, like the other tributes Effie etc.
also, i think itd be beneficial for you guys so reread a book before you do the podcast because although im sure your memory is good, some of the stuff you said was just wrong, such as the tributes are districts 1, 2, & 4, not 3, and that the final 3 was katniss peeta cato & foxface, not clove (in fact, thresh also finished before her). i think if you reread you will be more prepared to really analyze the text making it more interesting, insightful and fun to liten to. Thanks!
March 1st, 2010 on 12:57 PM
lilyrose said: “Monica, you could listen to JabberJays, Andrew was on it a couple of times”
yeah… I have and um… I was left longing quite strongly for some SM people to do their own.
I agree with others who’ve said it might be best to summarize less and discuss/analyze more since I’m sure no one would bother listening if they haven’t already read it/them. But otherwise, awesome job.
Oh, and I’d like to throw in a recommendation for you guys to read/discuss in the future. I know at least Andrew has read it – in fact, that’s how I heard about it in the first place: The Magicians by Lev Grossman. I’d LOVE to hear a discussion of that one!
March 1st, 2010 on 1:33 PM
The Rockies = Alberta, Canada
March 1st, 2010 on 4:04 PM
a great book is The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice the daughter of the Lyricist Tim rice (did the lyrics of the lion king and many other musicals….) the book is a coming of age story set in london after world war two i really enjoyed it and i think it would be a great book that you can really have many conversations about. Plus i think it would be a big seperation fom the fantasy many of the host are known for talking (podcasting) about (hp,twilight.) .
March 1st, 2010 on 5:37 PM
I’m so glad you guys did this! I’m just about to start reading Catching Fire, but I read Hunger Games around November so I don’t remember it that well. You guys helped remind me of the details of that book. I’m really surprised Andrew wasn’t on this though, since it was his host recommendation for the longest time. I loved this show, and all your shows, good job! Can’t wait for the next one (:
March 1st, 2010 on 11:03 PM
SOOOOOO excited. I haven’t listened to it yet, but I can’t imagine it would be anything but amazing since I love all the podcasts and The Hunger Games series also has a special place in my heart!! And to think I wouldn’t have even picked up the books if it weren’t for Andrew. My favorite characters have to be Cinna and Gale (although I admit it’s more for the way both act in Catching Fire, not so much the Hunger Games) I’m hoping you guys keep this up, maybe give us the name of the book before hand, then give us a couple weeks to read it and then do the review. Maybe that’s the plan. I need to actually listen to the podcast. Here’s hoping Catching Fire is next on the list.
Team Gale all the way! (I know, it’s not popular, but I can’t help it)
March 5th, 2010 on 3:00 PM
Loved the Hunger Games and this was a great episode. A couple of comments:
I think they mention that the cause of the war in Panem was due to a shortness of resources. This would make sense because of the current state of the country.
March 6th, 2010 on 8:42 AM
Suggestion: less explaining the plot and more analysis. Isn’t the book club meant for people who have read the book…?
March 6th, 2010 on 1:57 PM
I literally just got my hands on this book (and finished it) yesterday after waiting on hold for 3 months. It was SO good, I couldn’t put it down! Going to listen to the book club episode tonight, can’t wait to hear your opinion of it!
March 10th, 2010 on 4:41 AM
Would just like to let you guys know that because of you I’ve ordered the book and it has just been delivered so I’m gonna hurry up and read it so I can listen to this podcast.
I love you guys! Seriously!!
March 18th, 2010 on 2:30 PM
heeeeey,
you said that you can get a free audio book and audible.com/smartmouth but i live in the UK so can i still od this???
love the show you inspired me to read the hunger games noval while i was recovering in hospital from eye surgery (i had the hunger games audiobook)
xxx (:
May 3rd, 2010 on 5:55 AM
i awlays pictured Zach Roerig as Peeta
September 26th, 2010 on 3:39 PM
I enjoyed lots of chuckles listening to this episode. Matt and Penny sounded exactly how I imagined Flavius and Octavia — the stylists from Katniss’s prep team.