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October - What are you currently reading?
message 51:
by
Narnies
(new)
Oct 09, 2009 07:05PM
I think the movie ruined Twilight for me, i just finished reading the book today for the first time and while i don't think it was brilliant it was entertaining to read on a rainy day. The movie however, was just a whole lot of meaningful looks..
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Ariana wrote: "I think the movie ruined Twilight for me, i just finished reading the book today for the first time and while i don't think it was brilliant it was entertaining to read on a rainy day. The movie h..."I was one of the ones who was thrilled for the movie, however, I agree about the meaningful looks. And there were also alot of looks meant to be meaningful, but fell short.
While I was impressed with how true they were able to stay to the actual story, I thought the acting sucked.
Just my own, oh so humble opinion.
Lol, our opinions are always humble aren't they??? ;)I think I'm just not a movie fan, the actors are never how i imagined the character would look in my mind. It's the same with the True Blood series.
I will say that I think I'll read the rest of the series, but skip the movies.
And now I will stop complaining. :D
If you've never seen this, you've missed something funny.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaVSuM...
The acting is better than the real Twilight.
Started on 'swimsuit' James Patterson...good start for my first month challege.
I enjoyed the Twilight series and really liked The Host, which is also being made into a movie. I hope they do a better job with it than they did with Twilight.If it weren't for Stephenie Meyer and Twilight, I would NEVER have been introduced to my all time favorite author, J.R. Ward and the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Totally agree with you Uniquely Moi. In fact (dare I say) I used to think ppl were a bit dotty who used to take out so many vampire books from our library. Until I read Twilight that is. And now I have YET ANOTHER genre to read.Having got that off my chest, I have just picked up Oceans of Fire for my monthly challenge.
I admit that I blew through the Twilight series in a couple of days because I wanted to see what happened. The story is a decent story. I just hated the two main characters and the writing style. I wasn't so fond of the dependency message as well.I like strong heroines. I like a hero that changes and grows over time. I like a sentence structure that is more than just subject - predicate - verb repeated ad nauseum.
Granted, I am not the target audience for Twilight. I'm a 40 YO guy not a seventh grade girl pining for her first kiss obsessing over some 'perfect' guy.
As a contrast to the Twilight world, the other day I read The Widower A Novel. The story was so-so, but the writing was beautiful. When exploring some tourist attraction what kind of guide would you choose? Would you rather a guide that tells you half of what you want to know in a manner that keeps your rapt attention and makes you laugh and cry along the way? Or would you rather a guide that takes you through on a logical manner, filling in the blanks, but whose voice fills you with anguish and whose personal habits leave something to be desired? Give me the bard over the bored any day.
Oh well, I'm sure this will be argued again and again. I'll say that the Twilight books were decent for what they were. I really liked the first half of the last book. (let's not talk about the total crapfest that ended it shall we?) I just get a little testy when people claim that Twilight is the best thing ever written.
*Jim climbs down from his soap - box and puts away the 'end is nigh' sign. I'll go back to reading my fluff books now.
I think it's interesting, and it does my heart good, to hear some of the more adult authors of the PNR genre thanking Stephenie Meyer profusely. I've heard Maria V. Snyder say that she's not ashamed to be riding on her coat-tails. And J.R. Ward had been asked if she would ever consider writing YA. She laughed and said she's too much of a potty mouth, but went on to say that anyone who criticizes Stephenie Meyer needs to pull their head out (or something equally as catchy).It was refreshing to see authors I love giving credit for blowing the doors ofthe genre open, where credit is due.
I think it's wonderful that Meyer, Rowling, and Brown have opened so many new hearts to reading. I think it is great that so many other authors have benefited from the success these three have shared. All the credit in the world should be given to Meyer for opening the genre. I just think that people are going overboard in crediting her with writing the greatest book ever.
Photojim wrote: "I think it's wonderful that Meyer, Rowling, and Brown have opened so many new hearts to reading. I think it is great that so many other authors have benefited from the success these three have sha..."I agree with that, 100%. The series was an easy read to be certain and while enjoyable, it wasn't brilliant.
Did you ever read The Host by Stephenie Meyer? I actually really liked that one quite a bit once I got past all the ways a cactus could be described, somewhere after page like.... 100.
No. I haven't read it. But if you say it's decent, maybe I'll give it a shot.
I agree that SM is not the greatest writer, neither is JKR, but they are clever writers. Their books have an enormous hook to them. Even ladies my age (44), who would never normally go near the PNR genre, but have read Twilight (a lot of times to check whether their daughters should read them), get hooked. In fact we have had mothers and daughters in our library arguing over who gets to read the next one first!So, for me, any writer that can write a book that will get kids, teens or adults sticking their toes into reading has got to be great. That's is the only reason I would describe these authors as 'great'cos if you actually get down to the nitty-gritty and psychoanalyse these books, they are not 'good' writing at all. They are what they are.... highly entertaining reading.
(At work we tend to have MAJOR discussions on the validity of these books and their adult counterparts as a type of book which should be on public library shelves)
Photojim wrote: "No. I haven't read it. But if you say it's decent, maybe I'll give it a shot."It's much more adult. Not a whole lot more sexual, she is a Mormon after all, so all her books are on the tamer side. It's been called Sci-Fi for people who don't like Sci-Fi and that was true for me. I hope you try it and like it.
LibraryLass wrote: "I agree that SM is not the greatest writer, neither is JKR, but they are clever writers. Their books have an enormous hook to them. Even ladies my age (44), who would never normally go near the P..."That was a great way to put it. Not brilliant, but clever for sure. They've both created wonderful new worlds.
Uniquely Moi wrote: "Photojim wrote: "No. I haven't read it. But if you say it's decent, maybe I'll give it a shot."It's much more adult. Not a whole lot more sexual, she is a Mormon after all, so all her books a..."
I haven't read this either, but have heard great things about it. Must put it on my TBR mountain.
LibraryLass wrote: "Uniquely Moi wrote: "Photojim wrote: "No. I haven't read it. But if you say it's decent, maybe I'll give it a shot."It's much more adult. Not a whole lot more sexual, she is a Mormon after al..."
There is a part of the book where someone is traveling to another place and that was hard for me to get through. How many ways can you describe the desert? But if you can get past that, it's a good story.
A few books at the moment but one I'm actually liking quite a bit: The One That Got Away by Rhianne Aile.Absolutely agree with you LibraryLass - any book that gets people excited about reading (and gets them into the library as a result of it) is a good book (even if the female character is a little too wet for my taste). I freely admit to watching the movie twice - once with a whole bunch of our young adult book club members (from across our 13 branches) and once with my nephews and a whole bunch of library staff :) And I have to admit that the scene where he was in her room watching her sleep? I turned to my colleague and said, 'That is so hot! But so creepy. And yet so hot.' Shameless!
i just started on the edge by ilona andrews
Rhonda wrote: "i just started on the edge by ilona andrews"What's it like? Still patiently (ok, maybe not so patiently) waiting for my copy from our public library.
I just finished Out of Sight by Cherry Adair and I reaaally liked that one. Funny, good story, lot's of believable conflicts and emotions. Good, sexual intensity... so far my favorite of the series.
I read Shadow Hawk by Jill Shalvis over the weekend. It's a Blaze novel so sexual intensity is a given but culmination isn't - or at least, not in this novel, because some charming customer ripped out any and all scenes that were even slightly sexual *sigh* It's not that I particularly want to read them but it's an integral part of the story! So now my story goes something like: he likes her, she likes him, they love each other, the end. The ending is therefore not believable because I cannot get an emotional feel for them. Hmm, although I suppose at its most basic that is the story, huh: they meet, they fall in lurve, the end. Bah humbug.
Well Tosca, I can tell you that I only rated that one two stars. I seem to remember not believing anything that happened. *** Spoiler alert *****
I seem to remember the story going, they avoid each other as they thought each other were hot. They get into a setup gone bad. People get shot. He kidnaps her when he gets framed. They go on the run together. They have SEX. They are still running. They have SEX. They work through some of the issues about not trusting each other. They have SEX. They get the proof to catch the real bad guy. HEA.
*** END SPOILERS ****
Maybe I'm not remember it right, as it was a few months and dozens of books ago.
I'm currently reading Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart and Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan, both for the monthly challenge. HOPEFULLY, I can complete this month's because I'm not sure how much challenge reading I'm going to be able to get done in November. NaNoWriMo's coming up again, and, though I failed hard last year, I'm gonna try again this year.
tosca wrote: "I read Shadow Hawk by Jill Shalvis over the weekend. It's a Blaze novel so sexual intensity is a given but culmination isn't - or at least, not in this novel, because ..."I would take it back to the store. What a crock.
I think - and I haven't quite thought this idea through and so I may recant it at any time in the future - but I think I would gladly give up the sex scenes for a well written book :) Although that's not to say badly written books with interesting and unusual and varied sex scenes don't have their place.Oohh, Photojim, I'm gutted! I wanted it to be a great book (although the fact that I kept putting it down to do other stuff should have clued me in that I was not enjoying it even without the sex). Back to hunting for another book.
Uniquely Moi - tis a library book. One of our own, I'm afraid, so have had to email the branch concerned to let them know I didn't do it and that I was sending it back. We have a few books like that. I'd really like to know if it's a form of censorship and protest or if it's something much simpler. I'm imagining a superthick collection of pages that are one long neverending sex scene sitting on someone's bedside table...
For me, the story has to be really good plot wise, the characters strong people even though they might be struggling to always do the right thing and the relationships have to be multi-faceted, which does include the sexual aspect as well.
Rhonda wrote: "i just started on the edge by ilona andrews"tosca wrote: "What's it like? Still patiently (ok, maybe not so patiently) waiting for my copy from our public library."
I read it a few days back and it was a blast. I liked it much better than her previous books. The beginning is a little bumpy. And the main love interest a little too perfect, but who cares right, he sure was yummy. And overall the book was fun, fun, fun. The characterization was awesome, the plot suspenseful and fight scenes aplenty. Andrews is getting better and better at this game.
Rhonda wrote: "i just started on the edge by ilona andrews"i like it so far, its unusual, the characters plot ect, this is a new author for me, i would defintely read other books by her
Finished Project Date by Kate Perry today. Review posted. Decent overall. Wish I liked the heroine a little more consistently. She'd do something nice. She'd do something not so nice (and not in a good way either). Maybe I'll finally read the book club book for the group I'm hosting this Sunday. We read a book and then gather to talk about it for 30 minutes and eat and drink for five hours.
That sounds like my kind of book club, Jim. You could also try multi-tasking and discuss the book while eating and drinking for 5 hours and 30 minutes!
@Kasia and @Rhonda - am still waiting for my copy of On the Edge by Ilona Andrews and I've never considered patience a virtue and may soon succumb to the lure of the ebook (but sshh let's not tell my debit card that).Have just finished reading Secret Identity The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-creator Joe Shuster by Craig Yoe. Shuster's artwork is fantastic and probably some of the best work of his career - although it was a tad bit surreal to see the characters resemble Clarke Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and, sometimes, even Lois Lane's sister. Whether that was intentional or not on Shuster's part I don't know, but seeing Clarke whipping or spanking Lois was just plain off the wall LOL What bugged me the most was that these images portrayed fetishists as demonic (literally, in some instances) and perverted. I had to keep reminding myself that these pulp serials were aimed at ppl who deliberately wanted to see those themes in that light. There wasn't really an explanation given as to whether or not he really wanted to draw these images or if a need for money drove him. Maybe nobody really ever knew. Still, what a way for the co-creator of Superman to end up. If you're after cheap thrills the pictures certainly give that, but better, if you're a fan of classic graphic novel artwork then you'd enjoy this.
Uniquely Moi wrote: "That sounds like my kind of book club, Jim. You could also try multi-tasking and discuss the book while eating and drinking for 5 hours and 30 minutes!"We call it the Derek Zoolander Bookclub For People Who Don't Read Good But Do Other Stuff Good. If you have any suggestions for what to serve for
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies let me know. My wife and I were thinking beef carpaccio to start and rare roast beef for the main course. I plan on serving afternoon tea. But that may interfere with out afternoon drinking. I think I have everything to make the bloody brains shooters. (take a clear shot glass and fill halfway with cold vodka. Drizzle some Bailey's Irish Cream into the glass. The Bailey's will congeal and look like a brain the the liquid. A couple drops of grenadine settles down into the crenulations quite nicely.)
Tosca - Thank you for the review. I don't know if I'll rush right out and buy it, but I'll keep it in mind in case I ever come across it somewhere.
Another early morning. Have just finished Allergies by T.A. Chase about a human male Ray who is allergic to his lycan boyfriend Lou Canis. Gave me the giggles - all of the siblings have dog related names: Rover, Bandit, Spot, Patches and Spike. Weirdly, Patches and Spike are the women. Go figure. Am off to work :)
I am reading Demon Forged by Meljean Brook
. and I just got a pre release of Deep kiss of Winter by Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole
, from a friend oddly enough I am not a great fan of any of these writers. Also going to start Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead today
Finished Three Fates by Nora Roberts last night. Another great read but then I am biased towards the author as she is one of my favourites :) I am now reading Touch the Dark by Karen Chance. I've only read the first 20 pages and I've put it down twice but I've heard it gets better after the first 50 or so pages so I'll keep reading.
I just started both
and
.Speak of the Devil is kind of blah at the moment and I hate when it gets to the point with a series that I'm only reading it because I like the characters. Kind of disheartening. I'm hoping things pick up but after scanning a few reviews I'm not all that hopeful.
I didn't get through too much of [book:Rosemary and Rue|6294549, but I like what I've read so far.
Julie (Mom2lnb) wrote: "I started The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt last night. Very good so far!"Let me know what you think when you've finished, Julie. I see it gets good reviews. I had both this and The Raven Prince in my hands yesterday at the bookstore but in the end put them back because the author is unknown to me. Plus I already had a pile of books to take to the checkout!
Just finished Touch the Dark. I tried to like it, really, but found it to be just so-so. I'm now reading Phantom in the Night.
Right now I'm reading Into the Fire and have been reading for 3 days. I only have 250 pages to go so will finish today. Great book just too damn tired from work to get much reading done. Find myself falling asleep with book in hand. Something I've never done. LOL
Mel W wrote: "Julie (Mom2lnb) wrote: "I started The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt last night. Very good so far!"Let me know what you think when you've finished, Julie. I see it gets good revi..."
Mel, I read The Raven Prince last month and would definitely recommend it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it 4.5 stars. I'm almost 150 pages into The Leopard Prince and I'm loving it. Right now it's shaping up to be another keeper, but I'll let you know for sure when I'm done.
Barbara wrote: "Right now I'm reading Into the Fire and have been reading for 3 days. I only have 250 pages to go so will finish today. Great book just too damn tired from work to get much reading..."I just LOVE The Troubleshooters!
Reading Must Love Hellhounds and am finding the first story, by Charlaine Harris quite hardgoing. I have high hopes of the other 3 authors in this anthology (Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews & Meljean Brook).
i am reading storm cycle by iris johansen and her son roy johansen, very good writing team.
Julie (Mom2lnb) wrote: "Mel, I read The Raven Prince last month and would definitely recommend it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it 4.5 stars. I'm almost 150 pages into The Leopard Prince and I'm loving it. Right now it's shaping up to be another keeper, but I'll let you know for sure when I'm done."Should have put them in my basket :) Shall have to
I'd say go for it, Mel. I just finished The Leopard Prince last night and will be giving another 4.5. I'm looking forward to The Serpent Prince now too.
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