This blog...
I have made this blog for the sole purpose of keeping track of the books I have read. Some day I will look back and say "WOW! I sure do read a lot!"
For those of you that come across this blog, I hope you find it useful. It may help you find your next book, get a new perspective on a book you've already read, or at the very least, provide a new way for you to waste a few minutes of your day.
If you have not started reading this series you need to. The characters are amazing, the storyline is incredible, the length is perfect, and it is totally unpredictable. I love this series! No offense to all the other vampire stories...but this one is so much better. The reason is because it realizes that everything is fictional, and just takes it to a whole new level. It's not just vampires; there are shifters, fairies, demons...and who knows what else!
I am so excited for the next book. I hope the authors does a good job wrapping up the whole series and does not leave it open because then I will be constantly wondering what happens next.
I also want to say that I am happy that Sookie might finally have a good relationship. Especially since Bill, Eric and Alcide all seem to have had ulterior motives for being with her. I hope that Quinn turns out to be a good guy...all the others started out good and then turned out to horrible.
The truth about this book is that I started reading it multiple times, and I read it in between waiting for other books. I am really proud of myself that I finally finished it because for a while there I had given up. So, now that I am done with it the question is...What did I think about it? And after thinking about it for a bit, I have decided that I am on the fence. The idea was very interesting, and the fact that she went through with it all was very admirable.
My problem is this; what are the possible implication a book like this is going to have on others? Especially women who might be having a hard time with their marriage? Those who read this book may be more likely to decide to leave their loved ones and go on this soul searching trip. The fact that Elizabeth finds this crazy "Brazilian lover" as the end, is probably what have the most issue with. What is the reality of other women doing this year long soul search trip and finding an incredible man? I mean, seriously.
I think it is great for her, but I think that there is a possibility of their being a larger repercussion and affect on the readers.
I spent months waiting for this book, I knew more or less what it was about and it sounded really interesting. At the beginning it was incredible, I love the writing style and the imagination behind it. I have always been drawn to books that jump around in time and place, but come together in the end. This book was living up to my expectations, it had such great twists and turns.
And then it all went south!! The last fifth of the book was horrible. I mean it was well written and the imagination is there...but I cannot believe she actually wrote it. I guess I am spoiled and expect a happy ending, or at the very least not a gruesome one!! It does not seem fair, Clare's life was entirely based on Henry's presence...and then she is left alone at 37?! It's almost like her life is jaded by him and he knows it, and doesn't change it!
It makes me wonder what kind of a childhood the author had? She had it in her power to give her readers a happy and hopeful ending, but she did not. Instead she robs us of any sense of security and self preservation. If she ever writes another book...I really do hope she redeems herself.
This series is incredible! I cannot wait to see what happens next. Almost everything I said after the last book has changed. The way that Alcide acted towards Sookie and blames her for his father's death, that is just ridiculous. I really liked his character, I thought he would be the one untainted, nice person...but that was wrong. He was so rude and mean to Sookie, and sneaky about his intentions. I really hope he explains himself and comes clean in the next novel.
I have also decided that I really like the fairies!! They are so entertaining; everything from the way they dress, to what they say, their reactions and better the places they end up. I also changed my opinion about Sookie being single. I thought it would be good for her, but now she seems to be kissing all the main characters!! I do not like that side of it. She should either be single and happy, or with someone and strong.
I hope the next novel is better than this one. I really liked it, but some of the characters could use a break and need a change in attitude!!
I love this series! There are so many awesome characters, and every novel we are introduced to new ones. I cannot wait to read the next book, I'm actually glad that the it has to come from another library or I would not get anything done today!!
I am really happy that it looks like Bill is going to be out of the picture. I mean he is in and out, but not in Sookie's life. She needs more than him. Eric was cool without a memory, and extremely sweet...but I missed the usual Eric. I kept expecting him to switch back to his original way of being and start laughing at Sookie for finally getting to her! Then when it actually happened, I felt so sad for Sookie...she is so alone.
I am interested to see how things change now that Jason knows about the supernatural world. Maybe now Sookie will have someone to talk, as hard as that seems given Jason's character. It would be nice to see Sookie completely on her own for a while. However, I still think she should get together with Alcide, especially now that stupid Debbie Pelt is now out of the picture (which she rightly deserved everything she got). Who knows what is going to happen next? And that is what I love the most about the series! Also the fact that there are eleven novels...
I definitely like the books better than the True Blood version. I will most likely continue to watch the show, but I'm not nearly as excited for the next season as I am for the next book. I am curious to see how they represent all the new characters.
I love the fact that in this book Sookie is on her own more or less, and she is out there showing off her awesome girl power. I am also getting sick of Bill and Eric, I think that they are way to overpowering and extremely dominant. Sookie would be so much better off with Alcide, I hope to read more of him in the next book.
Overall I really like this series, I think in a lot of ways it is better than Twilight. Especially the fact that it is not all about a weak main character and the vampires are seen as gods. Sookie is a lot more down to Earth and a strong woman.
I re-read this book for the sole purpose of adding it to my blog with it fresh in my memory. There is no doubt that it is my favorite book ever. I have read tons of other authors, styles and stories...but nothing equals the way I feel about this book. The characters are amazing, the story is incredible and the writing is inspiring. I am positive that there is no other book I could read that will top this one.
The manner in which Jane Austen manages to make you truly dislike Mr. Darcy throughout the beginning of the book, and then by the end you cannot help by smiling and laughing and feeling warm and fuzzy inside about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth being together. I love the way their relationship works out, and most of all I adore the way in which Elizabeth can speak so openly to Mr. Darcy.
And the rest of the characters!! Jane being so extremely nice she is almost naive. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are so different, and yet similar in so many way. And the dreadful Mr. Wickham, another example of Jane Austen's amazing writing skills. And then there is Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation between Elizabeth and Lady Catherine regarding Mr. Darcy. So many great characters!!
I will definitely be reading it again soon!!
As I mentioned before I have been following the True Blood series on HBO. After finishing Dead Until Dark I clearly saw the differences between the book and the series. I think it sets them apart quite well, in my opinion it is better to use a book as the beginning of an idea and not try following word for word. The point is that I was very excited to read this book not only to see what happens, but also to see how different it is from the series. All I can say is that I was not disappointed.
I am not sure whether I like the book or the series more. I like the fact that the series has more characters to follow, but the book has a lot more action. I think the next book will help me decide because the third season for True Blood won't be out yet, and I can enjoy the book for itself and not compare it to anything. If I were not set on using my local library I would have bought the whole series by now...but I think that would turn me in to a hermit and I don't think my loved ones would appreciate that; plus the library is awesome!
I really like Stephenie Meyer’s way of writing, there is something about it that just pulls me in and I cannot put the book down. She also has a great way of creating love and relationships that make you have butterflies in your tummy!
The Host was a great book. I was stuck in the whole Twilight type of story, so at first it took me a bit to open up to a new idea. The story itself is extremely creative and wild. I love the amazing way the aliens have all these other worlds, each being so incredibly different. The stories Wanda tells are really something else.
The best part about this book is the hope and happiness of the end. The idea that human feelings underestimated and are more powerful than we believe, that as long as we care there is hope. Even more awesome is the fact that happiness can be found, even if it is in brief pockets…it’s still something to look forward to.(Winter 2009)
This book was very hard to get in to. The use of footnotes to tell full side-stories is very different. I am also lucky I speak Spanish or half of the story would have been unknown to me. The hardest part was the time line of the story, it jumped around a bit and sometimes I was confused about who was the narrator. Junot Díaz has a very interesting writing style, at times it was not my cup of tea...but I am very glad that I pulled through and finished the book.
I am not sure who I would recommend this book to, they would definitely need to speak Spanish, but other than that I am not sure. In the end I did like it, I think I mostly appreciate it for how different it is. I like the fact that the characters could have actually existed and they could have been put through all of it. I also like the mixture of languages, it adds something to the story...maybe it's what makes it less fictional!
I started watching the HBO series True Blood one day when I was bored. I found out afterward that they are based on a series of books called The Southern Vampire Mysteries. Out of curiosity I picked up the first one and found it to me very enthralling. Especially after reading the Twilight series, it was interesting to compare the various characteristics of the vampires. It made me realize how annoyed I was with the Twilight movie, which represented the vampires in such a dark and mean way. But if you look at the fact that they do not burn in the sunlight, they sparkle; they cannot be staked, they do not come out only at night...if you just make a list of the characteristics of the Cullens and compare them to any other vampire book or movie....it is obvious that they are not meant to be dark and gloomy creatures.
Now, for the Dead Until Dark book. I really liked the difference in the writing style, the other books I have been reading are a lot more proper. I like the use of the southern accents and the colloquial way the characters speak. Another aspect that I enjoyed was the creativity involved, the fact that the vampires "came out of the coffin" and are trying to "mainstream" is very entertaining. The best description in the book is the fact that they do not say that vampires are dead, instead they say that they got a "virus" that makes them allergic to sunlight, garlic and silver!!
I am excited for the next book!
I struggled a bit with this book at the beginning, but now I can easily say it is my FAVORITE!! This book has the most sarcasm, the most character revealing moments, and the best turning points in the entire series!! And we get it through two different perspective, which makes it that much more interesting and new.At first I had issues with the whole pregnancy part of the book. The biggest reason being that my younger sister was one of the many people to recommend the series to me, and the idea of her reading this section was a little scary. Not because it was wrong, but Bella is still young despite being married…it was a little too much information at times. I think of all the books this was the goriest part of all for me, not even the fight scenes could come close.Once this part was over…WOW!! I absolutely LOVE Bella as a vampire, the way she thinks, reacts and most of all how amazingly perfect she is at it. If there is such thing! I have re-read that part multiple times and I still do not get sick or tired of it. And then during the fight…she is no longer weak and a liability. She has the coolest talent ever, so like her to protect those she loves!!The BEST part of the ENTIRE series is when Jacob imprints on Renesmee!! Finally Jacob gets a break, and Nessie is adorable. This was by far the best way to bring everyone together…a clear happy ending. I never, ever would have seen this coming. Stephenie Meyer is a GENIUS, there is no other way to describe her.(Fall 2008...)
As I mentioned in my previous post, I think that the rivalry between Edward and Jacob is very entertaining. In this book we see SO much more of it...I laughed so hard. Especially in the part where Bella punches Jacob!! What I like the most is the fact that they each bring out a different side of Bella. When she is with Edward she is more responsible and seems older. When she is with Jacob she is more reckless and acts more like a teenager.
During this book I finally felt Bella’s humanity. Throughout the two previous books we are constantly reminded by everyone, Bella included, how fragile and human she is. But in Eclipse we finally see deeper in to her feeling and her subconscious, specifically in the strange magnet scene. This gave me a greater sense of who she is, and finally made me feel compassion for her situation and also feel her pain when she makes her final choice.I found the ending to be extremely sad. I like the fact that Edward and Bella are getting married, but where does that leave Jacob? Over and over again Jacob gets rejected, and keeps coming back…does he finally have enough? All I could think about when I finished this book was that the last one better be something pretty darn amazing and give poor Jacob a break.(Fall 2008...)
I think this might have been my least favorite of the entire series. That does not mean I did not like it, just that I had a few issues with it. The biggest being the fact that Jacob gives himself entirely to Bella and would probably crawl through fire for her, and yet all she does is obsess over Edward. I understand that it is supposed to be in her nature to be constant, and also that she is in love with him; but if she believe that he did not love her, why would she torture herself in such a way.Not everything about it is negative. I think that the werewolves are a cool twist to the story line, and add a lot more mystery to everything. Also, I am happy that Edward comes back in to the picture. I was unsure of how the series would continue without him or the other vampires. And I also think that the rivalry between Jacob and Edwards adds a lot of entertainment to the story.(Fall 2008...)
It took a few people telling me I should read it before I actually did, and now I have to admit that I have read it multiple times. I really disliked the movie because it did a terrible job of representing the actual relationship between Bella and Edward. There is a lot that is left out, and I fear it will have a terrible effect on the future movies.
Despite the clear obsession Bella has with Edward, I really enjoy the development of their relationship. Especially the way we get to know each of them and their families. Most of all I LOVE the sarcasm!! Stephenie Meyer does a great job of taking an intense moment and finding an extraordinary comic relief, like Bella’s constant clumsiness. Even more entertaining are the one liners...especially the ones when Bella makes the whole vampire thing sound like something completely normal, like having blue eyes!
Another thing about this book that I enjoyed was how different it was from other vampire stories. I did not find the story to be dark and dreary, the way most vampire stories are and the way the movie portrays it. On the contrary, I find it to be the happy, funny book I turn to after a really depressing one. The whole “vegetarian vampire” description is hilarious. I also like the way that Stephanie Meyer refuted a lot of the ‘vampire myths,’ which made the story so much more extraordinary and unique.
(Fall 2008...)
I really do believe that Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite writers. I like the simplicity of her writing that how easily she manages to convey emotions. I am also very fond of how she tells the story from everyone’s point of view, giving you a full perspective of what is happening. Salem Falls was incredibly intriguing and slightly sad. I say this because the main character just seems to have the worst luck in the world. There is a happy ending, but it does not completely erase the hell he was put through.The main issue is rape, which I found to be interesting since that only other book of hers that I read was also about this topic. The difference with this book is that it was true, the character was wrongfully accused…TWICE!! This is where I find it to be very intriguing, because the book shows the way the system and those who implement it are very prejudicial when it comes to rape. The bias is to such an extent that they will send an innocent man to jail. This may not happen often in real life, but it does raise some interesting questions in my mind!
Previously known as Q & A
I had seen the movie multiple times before I got a hold of the book. I was hesitant at first to read it because I believe that the books are always better than the movie, however the movie was INCREDIBLE and I was afraid that reading the book might ruin the movie. The truth is that they are COMPLETELY different. They follow the same pattern of telling the story based on knowing the question to one of the answers. But the stories themselves are totally different.
The book is AMAZING! The things that he goes through, the reason he gets on the show, the girl he falls in love with…I could go on and on. Just thinking about it makes me smile. While I was reading it, it was hard because what happens to him is beyond words. He has a very hard life. The end, however, makes up for everything. All the pain, suffering, sadness and horror you feel…it all goes away in the end!
(Spring 2009)
One of my best friends recommended this book to me. She told me that the author was local to the area and she remembers interacting with him and other characters from the book. When I first started reading it I was under the impression that EVERYTHING was true. Once I finished it a friend of the author’s told me that not all of it was true, some of it was embellished. After that I felt a little better, until I realized that I was scared to know what was really true, because there were so many crazy things that happened in the story.I like the fact that all of the characters are real, and also knowing the places they hung out at and spent their time. It is very self-reflective and at times more and more disturbing. Again, this is the reason why I was afraid to know what was really true.
(Fall 2008)
That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you to another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive - all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
This book was like nothing I have ever read before. Almost the entire story is told through letters, and even then we do not see all of the letters. At first I was skeptical of how it would work out, especially as it becomes more romantic. But my worrying turned out to be all in vain, the storyline was amazing and I cannot see how it could have worked any other way!!
Not only does it have amazing insight in to the German Occupation in the Channel Island, but it has a wonderfully romantic ending. I personally had never known that the Germans played such a large role in this area and I found the book to be very knowledgeable. Despite the fact that the story itself is fictitious, it does not mean that all of the events that are told are. This is my favorite aspect of this book. It is telling the truth about a historical event through fiction, making the events themselves so much more realistic. I can easily see all of the characters existing in some shape or form and living through the German Occupation as they did.
This was the first book of hers that I read, and I cannot wait to read the rest. I love her writing style and how unpredictable the story is. Throughout the whole book I was on my toes. Each time I thought I was starting to figure out what had happened, another twist would be added.
Not only is the way the story is told and written amazing, but also the story itself is very interesting. Rape is not a light subject, it is something that ruins lives and gets very little persecution. The Tenth Circle does looks at this event from different people’s perspectives. It is not a simple story; it is complex and warped by lies and imperfect memories.
Finally, I like the way each chapter is precluded by a section of a comic book. I have never seen anything like it before and it does a good job of creating more potent emotions. The way in which the comic book and the story follow each other is very cool. And at the end you get to go on a hunt to find the hidden phrase…very entertaining!
