Readers have been voting for the best book ever over on Goodreads. Suzanne Collins’ beloved book The Hunger Games, the first of the franchise, has come out on top. The book was published in late 2008 and has gone on to be one of the most successful books of all time.
The Hunger Games found even more popularity when the series was adapted for film, starring Jennifer Lawrence in the leading role. A new instalment of The Hunger Games was published earlier this year, Sunrise on the Reaping, proving that this adventure world is showing no signs of slowing down.
The book’s synopsis reads: “16-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in the annual Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death where one boy and one girl from each of Panem’s twelve districts are forced to compete.
“The story is set in a dystopian future where the Capitol controls the districts and uses the Games as a brutal reminder of their power.
“Katniss, along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark from District 12, must navigate the dangerous arena, relying on strategy, alliances, and her hunting skills to survive, while also grappling with the Games’ emotional toll and the growing rebellion against the Capitol.”
The book has 4.35 stars out of five, nearly 10 million reviews on Goodreads, and more than 42,000 people voted in the selection process. It is set in a dystopian future and follows the life of Katniss Everdeen as she cares for and protects her family while living in dire conditions.
One reviewer wrote: “As famous as these books are, their power is still grossly underestimated. It’s not exactly news that the Hunger Games, as a series, is very into its THEMES – but I don’t know if Suzanne Collins gets enough credit for how deeply her stories investigate the power of imagery, violence, and propaganda.”
Another reminisced about the book, stating, ” I’m rereading this for the first time in 10 years, and it feels more relevant than ever. Truly a timeless classic.”
One person said it was the book that “got them into reading,” and another called it an “absolute masterpiece.”
“Every time I re-read The Hunger Games, I’m reminded of why this series is so timeless,” added a reader.
A new Hunger Games movie is set for release in 2026.