Sheesh, I can't believe I'm such a weakling. Well, today I've hit another low on my weakling chart.
After the previous post you'd think I'd steer away from the Twilight madness...Okay, so I bought the soundtrack, but that's because it was one of the few (very few, too few) good things about the movie.
The low hitting came today in the bookstore, though. I really should stop venturing into them, you know, I'm trying to read through my TBR pile not add to it, but I just can't help myself. I'm a bookaholic. I need some serious help, I think.
Anyway, about the hitting the lowest of the low...I've spent the past week perusing different Twilight forums on the net. There are those who love it, and those who absolutely hate it, there seems to be no gray area about this series. Which bugs me a little. I know different people have different tastes, but still, there are (or should be) good and bad points to everything. I didn't like the movie as a whole, for example, but there were three good scenes...And the soundtrack and score, obviously...So the "you love it or you hate it" shebang about the series strikes me as a little odd.
Yet again I've ventured off the subject. Oh, well.
As stated, I've been perusing the forums, visiting the author's website, reading excerpts, quotes, reviews and all that jazz, and...Well, I was torn.
I'm still quite torn and conflicted about it, but I have all four books next to me as I'm writing this. Yes, I went and bought the entire series, despite the being torn and conflicted part. Damn, but I can't resist a happy ending...And the cry-fest in the middle.
I'm so weak!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Twilight, the movie
I've been aware of the so-called "Twilight series madness" for some time now, but I was quite skeptical about reading the book that started it all...And subsequent sequels. I don't know exactly why. Maybe it's the fact it's a vampire YA and as far as I'm concerned, a vampire book has to have loads of "steam" and blood drinking. And you won't find that in a young adult novel.
I'm fully aware I'm risking quite an outraged uproar with what I'm about to write, but it needs to be said. I need an advice after all.
On Saturday I decided to go see the movie Twilight. In this time of recession we have to look at cost and save whenever possible, so the movie is cheaper than getting the book - it's impossible to get in at the library until next year, I checked - and it's just two hours instead of four/five I'd spend reading.
Well, I don't exactly know just what expression I wore upon exiting the cinema, but my friends tell me it was like I ate something that didn't agree with me.
The movie didn't agree with me, that's the thing!
I'm never getting those two hours back, that's for sure and if the movie is anything like the book (which I guess it is - it is based on it!), I'm quite glad I didn't get to read it. The story was all over the place, I had the impression the characters had no idea just what the heck they were doing most of the time, the long looks and silences were reminiscent of some 1980 South American telenovela, the dialogues were sappy and utterly unrealistic (isn't this supposed to be a book for young adults?!?)...And if the guy playing Edward was the best of 5000 guys that auditioned, I can't even imagine how much worse those other poor souls must have sucked.
And the make-up people totally screwed the boy up. With all that lipstick on he was just a dress shy from twirling his purse on a corner alongside Julia Robert's Pretty Woman.
The movie had only three good scenes: when Edward drives Bella to school for the first time (when they "go public"), the amazing thunderstorm/baseball scene, and the final fight scene at the ballet studio.
Now I'm faced with a dilemma. I'm not a glutton for punishment or anything, it's just that I'm incredibly curious, and despite the debacle the movie is (I loved the soundtrack, though), I'm very, very, very interested in the book...Only, I don't know whether the creators of the movie ruined the book (how can you make a good movie in only 48 days?) or is the book the sucky reason the movie sucked in the end.
Is it worth reading it and (maybe) correct the horrible impression the movie left or is it better if I don't get even close to the book?
Maybe those of you who've read it, and possibly seen the movie, can give me an advice?
___
Update 03/08:
Last night I saw the movie in Italian - don't ask - and I couldn't believe what a change the language made for Edward. Robert Pattison's delivery was dull, and quite painful to behold, since he appeared he had something stuck up his back door, yet hearing his part in Italian made all the difference. Don't get me wrong, the lines were still as sappy as in English, but the dubbing actor at least made an effort to convey more than just "I've got something stuck up my butt" pain...And his voice...Oh, boy. That is how Edward should sound!
It still isn't the greatest movie ever made, but the Italian version was a vast improvement. I'm not as averse to reading the books now, and I'm sure I'll hear the Italian actors voice in my head as I read Edward's lines.
I'm fully aware I'm risking quite an outraged uproar with what I'm about to write, but it needs to be said. I need an advice after all.
On Saturday I decided to go see the movie Twilight. In this time of recession we have to look at cost and save whenever possible, so the movie is cheaper than getting the book - it's impossible to get in at the library until next year, I checked - and it's just two hours instead of four/five I'd spend reading.
Well, I don't exactly know just what expression I wore upon exiting the cinema, but my friends tell me it was like I ate something that didn't agree with me.
The movie didn't agree with me, that's the thing!
I'm never getting those two hours back, that's for sure and if the movie is anything like the book (which I guess it is - it is based on it!), I'm quite glad I didn't get to read it. The story was all over the place, I had the impression the characters had no idea just what the heck they were doing most of the time, the long looks and silences were reminiscent of some 1980 South American telenovela, the dialogues were sappy and utterly unrealistic (isn't this supposed to be a book for young adults?!?)...And if the guy playing Edward was the best of 5000 guys that auditioned, I can't even imagine how much worse those other poor souls must have sucked.
And the make-up people totally screwed the boy up. With all that lipstick on he was just a dress shy from twirling his purse on a corner alongside Julia Robert's Pretty Woman.
The movie had only three good scenes: when Edward drives Bella to school for the first time (when they "go public"), the amazing thunderstorm/baseball scene, and the final fight scene at the ballet studio.
Now I'm faced with a dilemma. I'm not a glutton for punishment or anything, it's just that I'm incredibly curious, and despite the debacle the movie is (I loved the soundtrack, though), I'm very, very, very interested in the book...Only, I don't know whether the creators of the movie ruined the book (how can you make a good movie in only 48 days?) or is the book the sucky reason the movie sucked in the end.
Is it worth reading it and (maybe) correct the horrible impression the movie left or is it better if I don't get even close to the book?
Maybe those of you who've read it, and possibly seen the movie, can give me an advice?
___
Update 03/08:
Last night I saw the movie in Italian - don't ask - and I couldn't believe what a change the language made for Edward. Robert Pattison's delivery was dull, and quite painful to behold, since he appeared he had something stuck up his back door, yet hearing his part in Italian made all the difference. Don't get me wrong, the lines were still as sappy as in English, but the dubbing actor at least made an effort to convey more than just "I've got something stuck up my butt" pain...And his voice...Oh, boy. That is how Edward should sound!
It still isn't the greatest movie ever made, but the Italian version was a vast improvement. I'm not as averse to reading the books now, and I'm sure I'll hear the Italian actors voice in my head as I read Edward's lines.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Website is temporarily unavailable
For all those of you who've tried to access my website and got the 404 - Not Found error, do not despair.
My hosting company is upgrading the PHP version on my server, so please, be patient with the hiccups. Hopefully all will be resolved as soon as possible.
My hosting company is upgrading the PHP version on my server, so please, be patient with the hiccups. Hopefully all will be resolved as soon as possible.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Humans vs. "Others"
I'm reading Jacob
by Jacquelyn Frank at the moment and two words (written in a passage of Demon "law") made me think. According to that Demon law we humans are supposed to be "lesser creatures".
Huh!
When I read it, it made me roll my eyes. It is fiction, after all. Everyone has to be a lesser creature once in a while, especially in paranormal romance, it makes for a more interesting read. Usually we women are regarded as the "lesser creatures" and usually it is the men doing the writing down (in some ancient tome or another) of this idiotic statement.
So, these two words were just a part of a fictitious law of an even more fictitious paranormal species, but somewhere in the middle of the night, my brain suddenly woke up and, extremely fuzzy (I was sleeping after all), started processing this information.
Humans = lesser creatures (Women = lesser creatures)
Huh!...Again...Wait a sec!
According to this much advertised statement, the paranormal creatures should me cavorting among themselves.
Then why is it, that all variations of vampire, werewolf, magick wielders, demons, etc. always come to the lesser creatures we humans are supposed to be to find their mate, the one person who can ease their dark and lonely existence?
And they're mostly male!
And the women these creatures of the night and darkness find as their other halves (sometimes you can almost hear the snap of the proverbial puzzle pieces falling into place) are no pushovers. Though they might appear fragile at the beginning of the story, they soon turn into protective lionesses determined to do anything to keep their man...ahem, creature...safe.
That is what makes a good paranormal romance. A kick-ass heroine...And lots of sex, but let's leave that for some other post.
So, a mere human woman (twice the lesser creature according to some male creatures of the night) is the only being strong, determined, and capable enough to bring peace or light or _____ [fill in the blank] to a male with paranormal abilities, powers or whatever else an author might come up with.
Lesser creatures my patootie! We gals RULE!
by Jacquelyn Frank at the moment and two words (written in a passage of Demon "law") made me think. According to that Demon law we humans are supposed to be "lesser creatures".Huh!
When I read it, it made me roll my eyes. It is fiction, after all. Everyone has to be a lesser creature once in a while, especially in paranormal romance, it makes for a more interesting read. Usually we women are regarded as the "lesser creatures" and usually it is the men doing the writing down (in some ancient tome or another) of this idiotic statement.
So, these two words were just a part of a fictitious law of an even more fictitious paranormal species, but somewhere in the middle of the night, my brain suddenly woke up and, extremely fuzzy (I was sleeping after all), started processing this information.
Humans = lesser creatures (Women = lesser creatures)
Huh!...Again...Wait a sec!
According to this much advertised statement, the paranormal creatures should me cavorting among themselves.
Then why is it, that all variations of vampire, werewolf, magick wielders, demons, etc. always come to the lesser creatures we humans are supposed to be to find their mate, the one person who can ease their dark and lonely existence?
And they're mostly male!
And the women these creatures of the night and darkness find as their other halves (sometimes you can almost hear the snap of the proverbial puzzle pieces falling into place) are no pushovers. Though they might appear fragile at the beginning of the story, they soon turn into protective lionesses determined to do anything to keep their man...ahem, creature...safe.
That is what makes a good paranormal romance. A kick-ass heroine...And lots of sex, but let's leave that for some other post.
So, a mere human woman (twice the lesser creature according to some male creatures of the night) is the only being strong, determined, and capable enough to bring peace or light or _____ [fill in the blank] to a male with paranormal abilities, powers or whatever else an author might come up with.
Lesser creatures my patootie! We gals RULE!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Bookstores
I decided to spend some hard-earned money yesterday, so I went on a shopping-spree. Needless to say, I didn't buy not even a scrap of clothing or a pair of boots. I just went traipsing around the mall, shaking my head at the people (mostly women) carrying an assortment of bags in all shapes and sizes in all colors of the rainbow with different logos.
And to think the politicians are preaching about the economic crisis. Have they been in the mall lately? There wasn't anything remotely resembling an economic crisis in the mall yesterday.
Anyway, I was walking leisurely around the mall, took the escalator to the top floor of it...And walked into the bookstore.
It felt like walking home after a year abroad. My knees went weak and, oh so conveniently, there was a plush armchair nearby, so I could throw my wobbly self into it... The scent of paper assaulted my nostrils, the mellow song selection flowing down from the speakers was gentle and soothing, the lighting was just right to calm the eyes, and the conversation between the cashier and the woman buying a children's book for her niece was hushed to perfection to cause as little a distraction as possible...
It hit me then. I haven't seen the inside of a bookstore for too long. I can't even remember when I was last inside one. And I have no idea how that happened. I love books, I adore books, I'd kill for a good book...I'd take a book on a deserted island with me... Okay, I'd take a book and a hunk to try the hot scenes with, but that's another story.
I figure I rely too much on the Internet. Amazon is my home away from home, nowadays. I have a few of my favorite authors, read their series (they all write series, have you noticed that?), and I don't bother with discovering new voices in fiction.
That's what bookstores are for me. A place to explore the back-covers, brush your fingers over the cover art, read a chapter or two...I used to read the ending of books, luckily (or not) I overcome that nasty habit. But maybe it wasn't that nasty. It's quite a comfort knowing the book will have a desired ending before purchase. Oh, well, I grew out of it, and I'm sticking with the not-reading-the-ending part.
Bookstores are also those wondrous places where I could always discover new authors, that's how I became hooked on Sherrilyn Kenyon, Karen Marie Moning, Christine Feehan, and many, many, many more. So by not visiting the bookstores anymore I have neglected this aspect of my reading personality. I have no intention whatsoever of purchasing an "unknown" from Amazon or Barnes&Noble, I need to have the book in my hands to decide whether to buy it or not (if it's not from a known - and loved - author).
Yesterday, I discovered seven new authors (one book was an anthology) and I can't wait to read what they have to say. The blurbs looked promising enough...
And no, I didn't read the ending!
And to think the politicians are preaching about the economic crisis. Have they been in the mall lately? There wasn't anything remotely resembling an economic crisis in the mall yesterday.
Anyway, I was walking leisurely around the mall, took the escalator to the top floor of it...And walked into the bookstore.
It felt like walking home after a year abroad. My knees went weak and, oh so conveniently, there was a plush armchair nearby, so I could throw my wobbly self into it... The scent of paper assaulted my nostrils, the mellow song selection flowing down from the speakers was gentle and soothing, the lighting was just right to calm the eyes, and the conversation between the cashier and the woman buying a children's book for her niece was hushed to perfection to cause as little a distraction as possible...
It hit me then. I haven't seen the inside of a bookstore for too long. I can't even remember when I was last inside one. And I have no idea how that happened. I love books, I adore books, I'd kill for a good book...I'd take a book on a deserted island with me... Okay, I'd take a book and a hunk to try the hot scenes with, but that's another story.
I figure I rely too much on the Internet. Amazon is my home away from home, nowadays. I have a few of my favorite authors, read their series (they all write series, have you noticed that?), and I don't bother with discovering new voices in fiction.
That's what bookstores are for me. A place to explore the back-covers, brush your fingers over the cover art, read a chapter or two...I used to read the ending of books, luckily (or not) I overcome that nasty habit. But maybe it wasn't that nasty. It's quite a comfort knowing the book will have a desired ending before purchase. Oh, well, I grew out of it, and I'm sticking with the not-reading-the-ending part.
Bookstores are also those wondrous places where I could always discover new authors, that's how I became hooked on Sherrilyn Kenyon, Karen Marie Moning, Christine Feehan, and many, many, many more. So by not visiting the bookstores anymore I have neglected this aspect of my reading personality. I have no intention whatsoever of purchasing an "unknown" from Amazon or Barnes&Noble, I need to have the book in my hands to decide whether to buy it or not (if it's not from a known - and loved - author).
Yesterday, I discovered seven new authors (one book was an anthology) and I can't wait to read what they have to say. The blurbs looked promising enough...
And no, I didn't read the ending!
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