B&A: Why do readers like the Hunger Games books, for the plot or writing style?

I would say for the writing style although I, personally, didn't like the present tense format. The writing is intended for teen readers and, while the plot is good, the back-story development leaves something to be desired.

Suzanne Collins pulls no punches in terms of death and gore and her protagonist is a strong, flawed, complex, individual. She tells a thought-provoking story through simple, direct language. The YA genre was in desperate need of a strong heroine. When the Twilight craze hit, a big flood of flimsy protagonists followed. So it was refreshing.

That being said, I didn't like how simple the story was. It was exciting and had a lot of action, sure, but at the end of the day it didn't really give you anything to think on other than a ham-fisted metaphor on how obsessed our culture is with reality TV. But once you get past the disgustingly cliche romance and weak-at-best sequels, it's really quite a fascinating read. The ending is what makes me like it even more. The writer didn't cater to the audience, she made it realistic.

When I first read the book I really enjoyed it. Then again when I first read it I hadn't heard anything about it and didn't expect much, but I ended up enjoying both the plot and the writing style. In your case, maybe your expectations were too high. In my opinion, it does seem like the book is aimed at a younger audience, and I did read it a few years ago. However many people of all ages really enjoy reading the book and I think it is because of the writing style, but also because of the unique storyline.

I enjoyed The Hunger Games because it has a unique plot for something written at this time and is written in such a way that it is easy to follow. Personally I found the first book to be quite good, if a bit cliche, but I found that the books got progressively worse leaving me feeling the same as you by the end of the third and final book.

I loved the books, it's one of my favourite series :] I can't really explain why I like it.. I zoomed right through the books, found it hard to put them down. Didn't find a single page of the books boring. I think I liked that the characters were real, and Katniss and Peeta were very likeable. The emotion was real. I haven't read anything that has moved me like The Hunger Games has, nothing that has brought a tear to my eye on several occassions.

Anyway, you either like or don't like the book. It's nothing that can be "explained". You either get it and are touched, or you're not.

I love it, and, being a writer, plot and writing style matter to me. My mother liked it, and my little sister liked it. I guess I like how Katniss feels she is being used by the capitol, and the suspense. I like Rue's Lullabye, and how Katniss recognizes her flaws. It is well written, and I love how we only have Katniss' opinion on things, as well as Gale's. And it wasn't boring, at least for me, because I could get through it. I've had to put down books because they bored me so much. I've tried multiple times to read the Lord of the Rings, and I had to put it down. I've cried at it, and the characters are funny, and not excessively angsty. I love it.

I hated the writing style. The plot was good enough that I still liked reading the book.

I personally enjoyed the plot because it was different and I could almost relate to Katniss.

People think it's something new because kids are killing each other (forgetting about wonders like Battle Royale or Lord of the Flies).

It also adds class warfare into the mix which is a huge turn-on for people lately.

So you have "OMG kids are killing each other" combined with "because they HAVE to since greedy corporations are making them do it"