# Catching Fire
Author:: Suzanne Collins
## Highlights
> There’s always too much light from the city to see the stars here. ([Location 957](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=957))
> “Why aren’t you eating?” asks Octavia. “I have been, but I can’t hold another bite,” I say. They all laugh as if that’s the silliest thing they’ve ever heard. “No one lets that stop them!” says Flavius. They lead us over to a table that holds tiny stemmed wineglasses filled with clear liquid. “Drink this!” Peeta picks one up to take a sip and they lose it. “Not here!” shrieks Octavia. “You have to do it in there,” says Venia, pointing to doors that lead to the toilets. “Or you’ll get it all over the floor!” Peeta looks at the glass again and puts it together. “You mean this will make me puke?” My prep team laughs hysterically. “Of course, so you can keep eating,” says Octavia. “I’ve been in there twice already. Everyone does it, or else how would you have any fun at a feast?” I’m speechless, staring at the pretty little glasses and all they imply. Peeta sets his back on the table with such precision you’d think it might detonate. “Come on, Katniss, let’s dance.” ([Location 986](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=986))
> All I can think of is the emaciated bodies of the children on our kitchen table as my mother prescribes what the parents can’t give. More food. ([Location 1002](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=1002))
> Now that we’re rich, she’ll send some home with them. But often in the old days, there was nothing to give and the child was past saving, anyway. And here in the Capitol they’re vomiting for the pleasure of filling their bellies again and again. Not from some illness of body or mind, not from spoiled food. It’s what everyone does at a party. Expected. Part of the fun. ([Location 1003](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=1003))
> The berries. I realize the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit. If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable. If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self-centered, although forgivable. But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth. The trouble is, I don’t know exactly what was going on inside me at that moment. ([Location 1486](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=1486))
> Life in District 12 isn’t really so different from life in the arena. At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead. ([Location 1492](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=1492))
> Yes, victors are our strongest. They’re the ones who survived the arena and slipped the noose of poverty that strangles the rest of us. They, or should I say we, are the very embodiment of hope where there is no hope. And now twenty-three of us will be killed to show how even that hope was an illusion. ([Location 2154](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=2154))
> And if I really could save Peeta…in terms of a revolution, this would be ideal. Because I will be more valuable dead. They can turn me into some kind of martyr for the cause and paint my face on banners, and it will do more to rally people than anything I could do if I was living. But Peeta would be more valuable alive, and tragic, because he will be able to turn his pain into words that will transform people. ([Location 3006](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=3006))
> I realize it’s just another disadvantage the District 12 tributes have faced over the years. We don’t go down in the mines until we’re eighteen. It looks like most of the other tributes learn something about their trades early on. There are things you do in a mine that could come in handy in the Games. Wielding a pick. Blowing things up. Give you an edge. The way my hunting did. But we learn them too late. ([Location 4076](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=4076))
---
Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Tags: readwise, books
date: 2024-01-30
---
# Catching Fire
Author:: Suzanne Collins
## AI-Generated Summary
None
## Highlights
> There’s always too much light from the city to see the stars here. ([Location 957](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=957))
> “Why aren’t you eating?” asks Octavia. “I have been, but I can’t hold another bite,” I say. They all laugh as if that’s the silliest thing they’ve ever heard. “No one lets that stop them!” says Flavius. They lead us over to a table that holds tiny stemmed wineglasses filled with clear liquid. “Drink this!” Peeta picks one up to take a sip and they lose it. “Not here!” shrieks Octavia. “You have to do it in there,” says Venia, pointing to doors that lead to the toilets. “Or you’ll get it all over the floor!” Peeta looks at the glass again and puts it together. “You mean this will make me puke?” My prep team laughs hysterically. “Of course, so you can keep eating,” says Octavia. “I’ve been in there twice already. Everyone does it, or else how would you have any fun at a feast?” I’m speechless, staring at the pretty little glasses and all they imply. Peeta sets his back on the table with such precision you’d think it might detonate. “Come on, Katniss, let’s dance.” ([Location 986](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=986))
> All I can think of is the emaciated bodies of the children on our kitchen table as my mother prescribes what the parents can’t give. More food. ([Location 1002](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=1002))
> Now that we’re rich, she’ll send some home with them. But often in the old days, there was nothing to give and the child was past saving, anyway. And here in the Capitol they’re vomiting for the pleasure of filling their bellies again and again. Not from some illness of body or mind, not from spoiled food. It’s what everyone does at a party. Expected. Part of the fun. ([Location 1003](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=1003))
> The berries. I realize the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit. If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable. If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self-centered, although forgivable. But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth. The trouble is, I don’t know exactly what was going on inside me at that moment. ([Location 1486](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=1486))
> Life in District 12 isn’t really so different from life in the arena. At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead. ([Location 1492](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=1492))
> Yes, victors are our strongest. They’re the ones who survived the arena and slipped the noose of poverty that strangles the rest of us. They, or should I say we, are the very embodiment of hope where there is no hope. And now twenty-three of us will be killed to show how even that hope was an illusion. ([Location 2154](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=2154))
> And if I really could save Peeta…in terms of a revolution, this would be ideal. Because I will be more valuable dead. They can turn me into some kind of martyr for the cause and paint my face on banners, and it will do more to rally people than anything I could do if I was living. But Peeta would be more valuable alive, and tragic, because he will be able to turn his pain into words that will transform people. ([Location 3006](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=3006))
> I realize it’s just another disadvantage the District 12 tributes have faced over the years. We don’t go down in the mines until we’re eighteen. It looks like most of the other tributes learn something about their trades early on. There are things you do in a mine that could come in handy in the Games. Wielding a pick. Blowing things up. Give you an edge. The way my hunting did. But we learn them too late. ([Location 4076](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B003O86FMW&location=4076))