Twilight by Stepheny Meyer

Originally published on MySpace, Nov 21, 2008

Twilight? NOT

Current mood:confused

Am I the only person in the world that is not completely head over heels in love with Stephenie Meyers and her Twilight books/now movie?

For me it all started at Barnes & Noble in Utah. One of the employees was a Twilight fanatic and it hadn't even become the mega hit it is now. At that time there was only one book out in the series and she begged EVERYONE to read it. I thought she was annoying (sorry J) and refused for a long time. Just to reiterate how obsessed this girl is with Twilight, she had the cover tattoo'd on her. Twilight tattoo

Then my daughter gave in and read it.

"Oh, Mom! You have to read this book!" Okay, so I gave in and read it. It was a cute story but not particularly gripping or developed as far as I was concerned. The thing I liked most about it was the location. It takes place in Forks, WA. I know that area. Hubby and I were in that area on our first anniversary and it was completely stormy and the power was out. We were in a small resort just west of First Beach, mentioned in the book. There is also a Second Beach and a Third Beach. As a child we camped in the area and hiked to all three beaches. As an adult with our first newborn baby, G'ma & G'pa camped in the RV and took care of baby while hubby and I backpacked up the beach. The area is rich with indian history, including petroglyphs on the beach.

So, yea, a story taking place in that location was kinda cool. Too bad SM had never even been there!

Working at the bookstore in a the center of the LDS universe and SM being LDS - well of course there were a number of people that shopped there that had to tell you they were related to Stephenie, or went to school with her at BYU.

So what is the attraction to these books and stories of hers? I don't know. I'm not a vampire fan, even if they don't suck human blood. I'm just not into these books, and SM is as famous as JK Rowlings now because of them. Maybe there is a pattern here - I didn't get past the 3rd HP book either....

7:15 PM

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    Mimi

    Kudo's to you Betsy. I as well came into the Twilight phenom. from miss "J". I resisted as long as I could be eventually picked them up. I almost feel guilty still when people come in and ask what I thought, clearly thinking that I am going to start screaming and drooling over my love for them, and I dash their expectations. I highly recommend it everyday, but not for serious readers who want something more than just a fun read.
    I know that you aren't a HP fan, but I swear to you that if you finished them, you would be appalled at the compairison. I am a HP fan FOREVER, and would never even think that they were even close to the same level.
    Pick up the book "Dead Until Dark" by Charlaine Harris. This book inspired the new HBO series True Bloods. The overall premise is very similar to SM novels. Female mind reader can't read her love interests mind. Sound familar?!
    I love the fact that not EVERYONE is enthralled by this series. Makes me feel like not so much of a loser.

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    2 years ago
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    Connie

    I'm back because I just read a blog about Twilight by one of my other favorite bloggers, and I really liked what she had to say - particularly this part. I think she's on to something:
    
    "When I first wrote about the book I said that it wasn't high brow reading. That the dialogue wasn't great. But something about the book tapped into that teenage girl I used to be. I remembered what it was like to be excited to go to school the next day just to be with your new love/crush. The feeling of "will this day ever end" when he's not around. What Twilight captured was this amazing first love experience for those that never experienced it. When you're of a certain age (teens) your worldview is shaped by the environment you're in, the type of books you read, and/or what you see on T.V. More often than not, teenagers base their opinions on what's hot, funny, how love should be, how marriage works, the best way to talk to boys, etc., on media because real life usually isn't as exciting. Then, when you know better (get older) you do better."
    
    BTW I did wonder while reading if Forks was a real place or not. (Yeah I could have looked it up but I was lazy!) How cool that you've been there! I bet it'll become a pretty hot tourist spot! (Did you know they actually do Harry-Potter themed tours of England now?) ;o)

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    2 years ago
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    Connie

    Ha! I *am* a huge vampire-novel fan (love Anne Rice, Laurel Hamilton, etc) but I resisted reading Twilight for a long time because it seemed like much more of a young-teen novel than the Harry Potter series. And it definitely IS aimed more at young teens. I don't think SM is as good a writer as Anne Rice or JK Rowling. But I can definitely see the appeal in the story for young teens. She does capture the realm of teen fantasy and teen angst quite well, particularly in the second book. I see it as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story; star-crossed lovers and all that. It's very...what's the word I want...archetypal in it's appeal. And if you love stories about vampires and werewolves, all the better. I'm not surprised it's popular, but I am amazed at what a HUGE phenomenon it's become. I would have said the same about the book - good, not great - the depth of the angst inspired a bit of eye-rolling at times, although again, I can see how teens would relate. But I found that the characters do suck you in (no pun intended) and I confess that I am getting very excited about seeing the movie!! I guess I'm still a teen at heart! ;o)

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    2 years ago

The Shack

Originally posted on MySpace May 23, 2008

Current mood:enlightened

4am in the morning and still awake. It's so peaceful. I can hear a few little bird chirps which seem odd since it's still so dark out. Bailey left me long ago to sleep in the bedroom where she knows I belong at this hour. She's probably having puppy dreams and snoring. Since Mark is out of town she's most likely crept up onto the bed. She knows I'll let her get away with it....

I've been reading a book called "The Shack" by William P Young. It's a story about God's love, written from the perspective of Mackenzie, a man who has lost a child in the most horrible way. After four years of bearing the Great Sadness, Mackenzie receives a note from God to meet him at the shack where his daughter was killed. (I know - not just anybody gets a note from God!) When he meets God "face to face" he becomes involved in a relationship with three people: "God" who is a black woman who calls herself Papa, "Jesus" (self explanatory) and "Sarayu" a sort of translucent, airy, light filled being who is the Holy Ghost. These three characters who are all God, yet appear as three separate beings, interacting and sharing wonderful relationships with each other begin to show Mackenzie what God's love really is.

My faith is something fluid. It grows and changes with my experience(s) and what I believe I understand. I am open to new fresh ideas because everything I have seen as reference and truth about God has actually been provided or interpreted by man. I believe in a totally loving and forgiving God. That doesn't mean I should be a horrible person because in the long run it won't matter, forgiveness will still be mine, but that I should live in God's love and with him at the center I am living in his example.

In many ways this book reflects what I have felt about God and clarifies many things that I couldn't grasp. How can I be this religion or that religion if one is right and one is not? I have believed that many roads lead to heaven (God) but then I am told that only through Jesus can I get there. Can a loving/forgiving God really turn away anyone of a religion that isn't Christian? That can't be right my heart tells me. One of the most striking ideas in this book (paraphrasing here) is, by many roads, God will find his children. Wow.

A believer of God and/or Jesus or not, I think this book is a good read for anyone. It's been sort of a slow read for me, but I really think that is because some of the ideas are so profound that I have to allow myself time to absorb them. I am sure I will be reading this book again.

Atonement

Atonement
by Ian McEwan

I'm really interested in what others have to say about this book. I HATED reading it. There was far too much detail and so very little action or plot. Worse yet, though, after wading through it for three weeks (yes, it took me forever to get through it!) it wouldn't let me go when I finally did reach the end.

The story line is one of those book within a book types. Part one of the book is through the eyes of a 13 year old girl, who is also the author who is telling the story in her old age. Later on in the story, she submits the transcript of the story (part I of the book) to a magazine for publication, and although they turn it down, they rave about her ability to write and bring detail to life. Now this is where I wonder if it's the author's intention (McEwan, not the fictionalized author) to write with so much detail that boredom overtakes the reader and the search for a story line becomes the readers' obsession. I never saw enough of a story in part I for the fictional author to write about to submit for publication.

There is a crime, a punishment and an attempt at atonement. The crime is not the event the punishment is levelled for and the atonement is far from satisfactory. The plot was far too thin for the length of the novel.
My daughter did see the movie version in theatres now and loved it. Should I tell you every movie is "the best movie ever!" to her? I think I will give the movie a shot, though, simply because of the fact the ending of the book wouldn't release me. If I don't like it at least it's only a couple of hours rather than three weeks!

Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife

Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife

by: Irene Spencer

This was a very interesting look into plural marriage and the true story of Irene Spencer.  She shares most every aspect of living in plural marriage, extreme poverty, secrecy, and strict religious beliefs. The communities they lived in were in Mexico and they moved often to build new communities for the believers of living The Principle.

I can't really think of what to say about this book other than how fascinated I was with the world Irene was born into and believed in for many years. I work with a former plural wife who confirms the experiences described in the book and how difficult the lifestyle is. She also confirms that there are many plural marriages existing currently all around us.

It's hard to understand and believe when I have been raised so very differently.  If you have an interest in comparative religions or visiting the lifestyle of the FLDS, read this book. It's very interesting and enlightening about a religious subculture that exists here in our own neighborhoods.

12:08 AM

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    ♥Cid not so Vicious♥ That seems like a very interesting read. I just may have to pick that up!

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    3 years ago

My Lobotomy

That's a title that should receive alot of attention!     Actually, it's a book title and now is time for another book review.  I have read so many that I haven't reviewed in a long while - 'bout time I start to catch up.  

My Lobotomy
by Howard Dully

"My Lobotomy" is the biography of Howard Dully who actually had a lobotomy at age 12. The subject of this book seemed quite intriguing to me but the book itself is rather tedious.  Mr. Duffy doesn't present himself as an accomplished writer and the writing of this book felt more like I was reading someone's highschool report. I was tempted to put the book down and call it quits, but the best was saved for last and I was happy that I stuck it out.

In mid-life Howard Dully finally decided to delve into the reasons he'd been lobotomized at such a young age. His operation was a transorbital lobotomy in which the doctor inserted an "ice-pick" into each eyesocket and "scrambled" his brains behind. The entire procedure took about 10 minutes once they subdued him through electroshock. Barbaric! Whether he thinks so or not, Howard was one of the lucky ones that survived the procedure pretty much intact. Many others  became functional zombies, non-functional zombies or lost their lives entirely. 

Much of the book tells of his life as a boy before and after the operation. Although he always felt different because of it, I believe the real issue was not so much the lobotomy but the lack of love and nurturing he received as a child. From his description of himself, he appeared to be a child that would have been diagnosed as ADHD today. Unfortunately, he had a stepmother full of anger that targeted him and him alone of the five boys in the family. She was full of hate and anger and Howard became her whipping post and the recipient of her abuse. She went shopping for a doctor who could "change" Howard. Most of the doctors she saw said she was the problem, not Howard, but she finally found a doctor she could manipulate with lies and eventually got her way. Howard was diagnosed as schizophrenic and removed from the family to be lobotomized. 

After the lobotomy, Howard never lived with his family again. He spent time in JV, half-way houses, and sanitoriums simply because his stepmother would not allow him back in her world and the "system" kept trying to find a place for him. His father never stood up to his stepmother, but in his defense, he was a regular visitor to Howard. It would take an incredible strong person to survive what Howard survived unscathed with or without the lobotomy, and I believe that is where the real issues are - not the lobotomy. I'd refer to the operation as an ill consequence of the issues, not the actual problem itself. In his adult years, Howard was in and out of trouble and had no self discipline or direction and blamed that on his past, saying he had no instruction in day to day living, grooming, working, or being responsible. I won't argue that point but he did eventually pull it together and became a respectable citizen. Some people manage to do that despite the odds and many never do. I give him kudos for that. 

Why am I glad I finished the book?  Because it's not until that last quarter of the book that it becomes clear that the book is the result of an NPR program that Howard became the subject of while seeking answers to his own lobotomy. If you are interested in this subject and this man's experience, I suggest you forgo the book and visit the NPR program. You can listen to the broadcast and read more about Howard in much less time in a much more interesting format. Check it out here:

NPR: Howard Dully talks about 'My Lobotomy'

Austenland

Austenland
by Shannon Hale

Austenland is chic-lit and a fast & fun read.  Jane, our heroine, is a 30-something single woman obsessed (like many) with Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice.  All her failed relationships never measure up to the incredible Mr. Darcy.

In her distant Aunt's will she is bequeathed a visit to "Austenland," an English resort catering to the bored and rich, offering a bit of fantasy direct from the pages of Jane Austen's books.

What follows is a reality check as Jane realizes that life in the day must have been pretty darn boring for sweet young things who sat and embroidered their days away just waiting for visitors to come by. However, Jane does manage to find some excitement and the game is on.

If you like chic-lit with satisfying endings, this is a book you must pick up. I'd lable it a beach read if it was April instead of nearly October.  But since it is getting colder out, it's a great curl-up-in-front-of-the-fireplace read. 

Fablehaven

"Fablehaven"

by Brandon Mull

Fablehaven is a juvenile book that is found in the kids department, but don't be mislead, after all, Harry Potter and his six (almost seven) books are located in the children's department, too.

I started reading this book as a requirement for work but it became a labor of pleasure only a few pages in. The story is a fantasy involving fairies and golems and satyrs and many other mythical magical creatures. Of course there is the human element and it's presented in a way in which you don't have to leave this world to believe in their world, Fablehaven.

It's the story of a couple of young kids who are spending two weeks with a set of grandparents that they are not close to or very familiar with. The drive to their grandparent's place is long and they are not looking forward to spending this time there. It turns out their grandparent's estate is quite remote and very lovely. The older couple set the kids up in a very nice kid friendly attic room and give them just a few rules, which must not be broken, and a challenge.

I don't want to give too much away, but they discover, through the challenge, that Fablehaven is a refuge of sorts. It's not a wild animal refuge, but a refuge of magical mystical creatures, a safe haven for fairies and more. Thus the adventure begins!

In comparing this book to Harry Potter, I enjoyed it as much if not more. The reading level is a bit lower and the story not as dark. The characters and adventure is quite good and keeps the reader's interest.  I do recommend it for adults and kids alike, although most of the time I was reading it I kept wishing I had grandkids I could read it to chapter by chapter.

Check out the website: Fablehaven

Don't hesitate to pick this one up! 

7:03 PM

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    Angelic Ross oh this is just my kind of book... and my daughter would love it too. We've been looking for a new bedtime book... I'm a story-teller..but to be honest.. this brain can only come up with so much...LOL (you should read my newest blog..dare to dream) Thanks for the review hun.. have a great week!
    

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    3 years ago
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    Katlanga SkyCherry I want it!!! This is just my kind of book! :))
    

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    3 years ago
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      Betsy Gully I may have a deal to make you if you can find a certain kind of candy in exchange....
      

      3 years ago