Archive for the ‘Books’ Category
Jul 8
From the back cover: About three things I was absolutely positive.
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him– and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be– that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
I have not been so absorbed in a book in…..well I honestly don’t know that I ever have! The way Stephenie Meyer writes–it’s just not enough to say you’re in the book. Every gasp, every flutter of anticipation or fear, every increase in heart rate–I truly experienced them all with Bella.
I bought Twilight and started reading it late Friday night after work. I had to force myself to go to sleep. I woke up and immediately started reading again until the last possible moment I had before I had to get ready and leave for work. I was reading at red lights! I was 15 minutes late on my lunch break, reading in the car. I got home Saturday night and didn’t even eat. I devoured the book until it was done and I was desperate for more. In less than 9 hours time in and around work, I had finished it and couldn’t stand the wait I knew I was in for before I could get the next book. I even dreamed I was a part of it. I was just that taken over by it. I toyed with the idea of skipping work to go buy the next book, but talked myself into my short shift. Again, I rushed to the bookstore to buy the next two books and reserve the 4th. I ran upstairs and started in….I finished the second book that night. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I finished a novel in a day. I didn’t eat until I absolutely had to.
I can’t describe for you the way the book pulls you in, but I can’t imagine anyone being able to resist the pull.
Of course they’re making it into a movie, set to come out in December, and I just don’t know how I feel. I can’t imagine them being able to duplicate the feelings of breathlessness the book inspires. I’m sure they’ll focus more on the action, and really, that was maybe 1/4 of the book.
I’m curious to see if their choice for Edward works out. I think he’s got a good shot. Of course, it’s going to be hard to live up to the image of Edward in my mind–strong, delicate, so very subtle but still aware that he could break you in half with just the wrong flick of his wrist.
I’m not thrilled with their choice for Bella. Her look is too distinct where Bella should look more fragile; the contrast of her bravery and determination against looking like she could crumble is something I don’t think the actress can achieve, but we’ll see.
I can absolutely tell you I’ll be re-reading Twilight. And probably soon. Very likely as soon as I finish the third book, which would likely be finished already had I not made plans with actual people…..
Just read it; you’ll thank me.
Apr 4
“Misty Wilmont has had it. Once a promising young artist, she’s drinking too much and working as a waitress in a hotel. Her husband, a contractor, is in a coma after a suicide attempt, and his clients are threatening Misty with lawsuits over a series of vile messages they’ve discovered on the walls of houses he remodeled.
Suddenly, Misty’s artistic talent returns. Inspired but confused by a burst of creativity, she soon finds herself a pawn in a larger conspiracy that threatens to cost hundreds of lives. What unfolds is a dark, hilarious story from America’s most inventive nihilist, and Palahniuk’s most impressive work to date.”
I love Chuck. I’ve been enthralled by his stories since the first time I read his short story, “Guts.” I’ve haven’t read everything he’s written, but I’ve read a solid handful and always been satisfied.
This was not one of those times. At most, I can call Diary interesting.
The story sort of drags on in a way that, if the ending had been satisfactory, could’ve made it all worth it. I read it all in two sittings. It wasn’t the kind of reading I couldn’t put down because I was enjoying it so much; I couldn’t put it down because I was intrigued by where it would lead. When it came down to it, it just ended up being exactly what you’d already figured out. Completely unsatisfying.
For me, there were too many things left up in the air as completely random. I can handle unexplained, but not when it comes to things that just felt out of nowhere in the first place. The biggest one for me was her daughter–her state of mind and her actions–there was never any explanation as to what put her there, and I think she was too young to have gotten that way on her own.
If you’ve never read Chuck or are just getting into him, I wouldn’t recommend Diary. I’m glad I read it. The story was interesting, but I know it’s definitely affected my desire to grab another Chuck book off my shelf. (I own a few I haven’t read yet.)
I’d love to hear other opinions if anyone disagrees. I’m more than happy to hear that I’ve overlooked something that would make it all make more sense to me and thus be more enjoyable.
Nov 6
Last night we got to talking about a new movie coming out soon with a plot that reminded me of one of my favorite Stephen King stories, Autopsy Room 4–found in Everything’s Eventual. The gist of the story is that a man finds himself paralyzed in an autopsy room, with the coroners preparing to perform an autopsy—on him! He’s fully aware of everything going on, but he can’t do anything about it.
It’s a short story, but it had me so on edge! Even after I was finished, I couldn’t get over the idea of being in a situation like that. How terrifying! The suspense was absolutely killer. Was he really just able to move his toe? Did anyone notice? Will he be able to move anything significant in time? Ahh!
The Mist by Stephen King is next on my list of must see’s. A group of townspeople find themselves trapped inside a local grocery store by an unrelenting mist. They soon discover that there’s something in the mist. But what’s more frightful, what’s in the mist, or what these ordinary people turn into in the face of otherworldly danger?
Be sure to check out the trailer yourself and think about how scary the unknown can be. Be even more sure to go out and see in on November 21st. I’m not expecting King to let us down.
