I’m a Hunger Games fan and you can be one too! Ask me how.

A couple of hours ago, I got a message from a friend from one of my older fandoms saying that she’s going to start reading The Hunger Games. Yes! I thought to myself. I’ve got another one.

See, I have a confession to make. I get extreme pleasure out of getting people, from my closest friends in real life to those I’ve met online from other fandoms, to start reading this beloved series. As of today, pretty much everyone I hang out with regularly has read the books, and a good chunk of my long time online friends who weren’t already Hunger Games fans have picked up the books specifically because of me. And I take so much pride in converting (let’s face it, fandom is basically a religion) them.

I keep how happy this all makes me pretty quiet for the most part because it feels like the equivalent to going “NA NA NA-NA NA I told you so!” at your friends, and our kindergarten teachers have taught us how not nice that is. But I bring this up because online I see fans lamenting about not having any friends who like The Hunger Games, and it makes me a little sad.  So I have taken it upon myself to provide my method to conversion as kind of a hopefully helpful guideline*.

1) Be friends with the right kind of people.

Okay, I’m kidding. Well, half-kidding. I won’t tell anyone who they should be friends with, but if you want your friends to like a book series, it’s helpful if they like to read. For example, I’ve loved the Harry Potter books and subsequent movies for a good 10+ years so inevitably Harry Potter is deep in the foundation of some of my friendships. And it’s hard to be a hardcore Harry Potter fan if you hate to read. There’s a John Waters quote that’s been floating around Tumblr (I won’t post it here because of the cursing, but Google “John Waters reading” – it will come up) that basically sums it up. If we meet and you say you don’t like books or can’t get into reading, we can’t be friends. Sorry.

2) Talk about it. A lot.

All right, this helps if you have at least one friend who likes The Hunger Games. Or a blog. Someone to talk to or a platform to talk on. And this helps for a number of reasons. First, your friends will see your enthusiasm for it, and given they trust your taste, your enthusiasm alone will pique their interest. Wow, she really likes this book series, I wonder why. See, you’re planting seeds.

Second, it’s human nature to want to be included. Scenario: You’re on Tumblr and you’re reblogging Hunger Games movie news posts and adding your “I’m excited” gifs and ranting about stuff in the comments. Eventually, those not in the know will want to be in the know, just so they can figure out exactly what the heck you’re talking about.

Now, I’m not telling you all to spoil the whole thing. Up until a month or so ago, I’ve been really careful about the specifics I bring up. It’s hard to censor yourself, but it’s also important not to say too much.  Remember: talk about the series a lot, not say a lot about it. There’s a difference.

Which brings me to my third reason why this works. Leaving out details or talking in code if you have to (“You know when Prim did that thing in front of that place and then something happened and Katniss saw…”) will annoy the crap out of your friends, but hopefully in a good way (like I said, you need to have the right friends).

3) Answer your friends’ questions calmly and thoughtfully, and set them straight on any misconceptions.

This is important. It shows that your enthusiasm for the series (hopefully) isn’t for totally shallow reasons. You have intelligent thoughts and feelings for this series, and the fact that you have those is a reflection on the quality of the series.

Basically, as much as you want to just yell at them to read the series, a lot of people are skeptical of book recommendations, especially the older and more jaded you get. Your friends will have made assumptions about the books (“So there’s a love triangle, and it’s centered around a teenage girl? Isn’t that kind of like-” “No.”), and the media isn’t exactly helping. You all know what article I’m talking about.

Remember though that if your friends are asking you questions, you’re halfway there. If you’re at this stage, you’re in a good position.

4) Help them out.

Let your friends borrow your books, assuming that they can be trusted with them. If not, find out ways for them to get the series as inexpensively as possible. The library is an option, depending on the wait list for the books in your area since they’re somewhat of a hot commodity. And there are also ebooks. The Kindle version of the first book is under $5 at the moment. But really, I’d suggest the lending option first. Back to #1 again, you have to be friends with the right kind of people, and the right kind includes those who won’t destroy your books, and if they do, will pay for it. I once lent a friend one of my Harry Potter books who got caught in the rain with it, and she bought me a new one without even my having to ask.

5) (Optional) Point them to your favorite fan sites and blogs when they’re done.

Now there’s a difference between liking the books and participating in the fandom. If you want your friends to reach the next step, you need to give them a few resources. What are your favorite Hunger Games Tumblrs, Twitters, ARGs, fanfic, fan art, fan sites, opinion blogs (*coughs*Victor’s Village*coughs*), podcasts, etc.? Mention it to them. The more they have a chance to discuss the series with others, the more likely they’ll be as into it as you.

And when all else fails…

Make friends with people who are already fans. For the most part, The Hunger Games fandom is very friendly and accepting. Comment here and there on blog posts (not just ours but we do appreciate them). Actively listen to the Hunger Games Fireside Chat live every week and tweet or chat along. Start conversations with other fans online. Reblog and follow HG Tumblrs and start your own if you feel there’s a void to be filled. Make fan creations and share them. Find a way to be involved.

Now go forth, convert, and spread The Books of Collins to the world
Twiffidy

*I swear I’m not as manipulative as this post might make me seem. For the most part. These are just the result of observations I’ve made since becoming a Hunger Games fan.