There are books that when you read them for the first time you like them but upon re-reading them you find small mistakes that drive you nuts. This is true for the Twilight series. I really enjoyed reading it but when I re-read the first one and then continued on to the second one I found a big plot mistake. If you recall reading in Twilight that Edward sought the help and advice of his brothers you would remember that he said Emmett was immortal longer than Jasper and had encountered strong scents like Bella's. Emmett killed these two people.
Anyway, in the second book when Bella is freaking out over her birthday Edward says that no one had celebrated a human birthday since Emmett. Now this shows that there are three possible reason's for this mistake.
a.) vegetarian vampires are more sensitive to blood scent than regular vampires
b.) She messed up on Emmett and Jasper's ages and back stories
c.) She simply wasn't paying attention and didn't elaborate on this part of the book
I believe the first of these can be eliminated because the Volturi call Bella a blood singer so therefore they have some knowledge and experience with enticing blood. Therefore its not only vegetarians that are sensitive to "blood heroin."
I think b is the most reasonable explanation. C is plausible but just shows a lack of note keeping abilities and an uncaring nature for her work; her fans should be pissed off if this is the reason. But I did find a similar mistake regarding the color of Bella's eyes. When she is shocked at how red they are Edward says "Animal blood dilutes them faster." I believe she meant that herbivore's blood would dilute them faster than carnivore since we know that red eyes are common in non-vegetarian vampires and all the Cullens have topaz eyes even though they drink bears or mountain lions which are predators.
I also find that Meyer is a one trick pony. While we love, love triangles I think this is a major part of any novel she writes. It was in Twilight and it was in The Host. She should really try creating some tension on the relationship in some other way like Edward's stalker like behavior. I also think Twilight is potentially harmful to young girls who haven't discovered what is healthy in a relationship. By the way I think the fact that she allows Edward in her room without parental consent is in blatant disregard to a teen's health as well. There are reasons parents do what they do. Honestly I think Bella and Charlie's father and daughter relationship is the fakest thing in the book.
Moving on to the Host I think it is the Twilight series condensed, with a splash of aliens, and the same love triangle dilemma.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles
No vampire book from the last twenty years would be popular if it hadn't been for the sensually dark Lestat from Anne Rice. She penned more than a masterpiece when she introduced the character in Interview With a Vampire, she created a sexy and provocative vampire who captured our interest and hearts. Her books are more than just a well crafted interesting piece of literature; it was a world.
A world where we learn why humans are not meant to live forever, and why immortality is no gift. Imagine if you were to live forever. What would you do to occupy your vast amount of nighttime hours? This is what Rice thinks about and gives us an answer to in her novels. We meet Marius who is a lover of humanity and the arts, Gabrielle who is a bed ridden young woman who gains a second chance at life, Armand the brat prince, and many others who cannot be forgotten. Each reader will gain their favorites while exploring the world of Anne Rice.
Sometimes in our lives we find writers who truly do create a world all their own like J.K.Rowling, Tolkien, and Anne Rice. In the end though it is the characters themselves that imprint on us and change how we view our world. But most of all for a brief pause in time we are part of that world, immortal, and more powerful than we could ever be in real life.
A world where we learn why humans are not meant to live forever, and why immortality is no gift. Imagine if you were to live forever. What would you do to occupy your vast amount of nighttime hours? This is what Rice thinks about and gives us an answer to in her novels. We meet Marius who is a lover of humanity and the arts, Gabrielle who is a bed ridden young woman who gains a second chance at life, Armand the brat prince, and many others who cannot be forgotten. Each reader will gain their favorites while exploring the world of Anne Rice.
Sometimes in our lives we find writers who truly do create a world all their own like J.K.Rowling, Tolkien, and Anne Rice. In the end though it is the characters themselves that imprint on us and change how we view our world. But most of all for a brief pause in time we are part of that world, immortal, and more powerful than we could ever be in real life.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Lauren Oliver's Delirium Series
Honestly I really enjoyed this book. We have seen quite a few dystopia novels in the last four or five years and sometimes I think its wrong to compare them. I mean the Hunger Games were amazing and now Divergent is popular but I think Delirium is a great novel in itself. My reasoning is this. In the Hunger Games we were shocked that the contests were doomed to die since they were children, that was what initially hooked us. I know when I read Divergent I was constantly thinking of clicks in high school and which group I would be in. Every book has to have a hook.
I have heard a lot of people say that Delirium is just playing on the popularity of Dystopian novels. I disagree with that. Our ability to love is what separates us from animals. We are driven less by instinct and more by feelings. That is what makes us human. As a mother I cried when I realized what the procedure did. There are no words to describe the love I feel for my son and to think that there was a mandatory surgery to take away my feelings for him is horrible. That horror draws you into the novel.
I have to say I identified with Annabel the most. I would do anything to retain my love for my husband and baby. She was such a strong character to me. Finding out how people loved each other as teens and then didn't care afterwards drove me crazy. To me Annabel was the start of the revolution.
I must say Raven and Blue's endings haunted my sleep for a few weeks after reading about them. The final book was a bit bland in the ending, but perhaps, like a lot of other authors, Oliver will get an impulse to write one more. Never say never.
This is a great series and I hate that it sometimes gets overlooked. It has what I deem necessary for a good series, which is a well thought out plot, few mistakes, and a strong woman in place of the old damsel in distress. So give it a shot and make sure to comment and keep reading.
I have heard a lot of people say that Delirium is just playing on the popularity of Dystopian novels. I disagree with that. Our ability to love is what separates us from animals. We are driven less by instinct and more by feelings. That is what makes us human. As a mother I cried when I realized what the procedure did. There are no words to describe the love I feel for my son and to think that there was a mandatory surgery to take away my feelings for him is horrible. That horror draws you into the novel.
I have to say I identified with Annabel the most. I would do anything to retain my love for my husband and baby. She was such a strong character to me. Finding out how people loved each other as teens and then didn't care afterwards drove me crazy. To me Annabel was the start of the revolution.
I must say Raven and Blue's endings haunted my sleep for a few weeks after reading about them. The final book was a bit bland in the ending, but perhaps, like a lot of other authors, Oliver will get an impulse to write one more. Never say never.
This is a great series and I hate that it sometimes gets overlooked. It has what I deem necessary for a good series, which is a well thought out plot, few mistakes, and a strong woman in place of the old damsel in distress. So give it a shot and make sure to comment and keep reading.
The Fallen Series
This series was given to me as an engagement gift from my husband (he bought it for me because we couldn't afford rings at the time). It turned out to be one of my favorite series ever. The beginning is striking and makes you turn the pages to find out what Luce did. Then comes in the hero with an attitude problem and Luce is transformed. Throughout the series you see a relationship come together, hurt, and finally a love conquers all ending. The only bad thing about these books is that there are only four plus one side story novel (Fallen in Love).
Lauren Kate has a new book coming out called Teardrop and I hope it as well written and thought out as Fallen. She is truly a writer who is dedicated to her books and she has far fewer mistakes than some of the other bestselling authors. That's what makes or breaks a novel to me, the way an author thinks about the book enough to make it sensible and as unflawed as possible.
I recommend her books to anyone. They are books you can enjoy at any age. The way she recreates the Fall will leave you breathless. The angels, heaven, love...it is a series that will knock your socks off and leave you with your heart hammering for more. The kind of books that makes you cry for the characters.
Lauren Kate has a new book coming out called Teardrop and I hope it as well written and thought out as Fallen. She is truly a writer who is dedicated to her books and she has far fewer mistakes than some of the other bestselling authors. That's what makes or breaks a novel to me, the way an author thinks about the book enough to make it sensible and as unflawed as possible.
I recommend her books to anyone. They are books you can enjoy at any age. The way she recreates the Fall will leave you breathless. The angels, heaven, love...it is a series that will knock your socks off and leave you with your heart hammering for more. The kind of books that makes you cry for the characters.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
My Opinion on Writing Rules
Rules don't just exist in school or in the laws that govern us. No, now they are being thrust upon us by fellow writers. Certain conceited big shots think their ten rules are so clever. Well here's a news flash, I can find bestsellers to oppose every one of those silly rules. Some of the things they point out as don'ts are what readers love best about their favorite books. For example I recently read one of these ten rules and this person said that writing speech patterns like dialect wasn't a good idea. I believe there was also a remark about apostrophes. I know all of us LOVED HAGRID who spoke in a clipped sort of way. J.K.Rowling is quite possibly the best writer of our age. Before the next conceited writer who thinks he knows something and comes up with ten rules he needs to think about all the writers who use his DON'TS in their books and who he or she might offend! Oh look I just used an exclamation point someone call the literary police! Exclamation points are used to show emotion like when a character is yelling or upset. The length of the dialogue says how many you can have not the number of pages. Here are my ten rules:
1) Read if you want to write to get a feel for how a novel flows.
2) Watch and observe people who annoy you and the ones you couldn't live without to find qualities for villains and heroes.
3) Think about what would have made your least favorite novels better. This gives you an idea on how to come up with your own.
4) Think about your target audience and what is appropriate for that age level.
5) Write everyday. Keep a journal, write poems to broaden your sentence structure, or just jot things down about your surroundings.
6) Live, no good writer can write if they haven't experienced things that would come up in a novel.
7) Write your own style, do what sounds good to you.
8) Read your stuff aloud because how it falls on the ear is important to get the flow of your book.
9) Don't be worried about criticism. It will come along with baskets of rejection letters. It only takes one yes in a sea of no's.
10) Don't listen to anyone about rules. Somewhere out there is a person who will love your work the way you wrote it. Just keep your spelling and grammar decent and pray your writing gels.
1) Read if you want to write to get a feel for how a novel flows.
2) Watch and observe people who annoy you and the ones you couldn't live without to find qualities for villains and heroes.
3) Think about what would have made your least favorite novels better. This gives you an idea on how to come up with your own.
4) Think about your target audience and what is appropriate for that age level.
5) Write everyday. Keep a journal, write poems to broaden your sentence structure, or just jot things down about your surroundings.
6) Live, no good writer can write if they haven't experienced things that would come up in a novel.
7) Write your own style, do what sounds good to you.
8) Read your stuff aloud because how it falls on the ear is important to get the flow of your book.
9) Don't be worried about criticism. It will come along with baskets of rejection letters. It only takes one yes in a sea of no's.
10) Don't listen to anyone about rules. Somewhere out there is a person who will love your work the way you wrote it. Just keep your spelling and grammar decent and pray your writing gels.
Monday, August 19, 2013
The Importance of Reading to Your Children!
Today I am going to talk about reading to your kids. When is the right time to start? What books to buy? How to make it fun? This will all be covered along with the benefits and reason WHY.
First off I think kids should be kids. They should play and while flash cards and teaching them words before they can walk seems best I hesitate to subject my child to that method of learning. Reading is no different than any other childhood skill they learn. When they walk you clap and shout. With reading it is no different. My son was six months old when I began to read to him. He LOVES dogs, it was even his first word. So my mom bought him the book Biscuit's Pet and Play Easter. He ran his chubby hands all over the fuzzy and scratchy parts while I read. Instead of saying woof woof I actually barked. And no I am not kidding. He laughed and realized when mommy reads she makes funny noises.
This brings us to the fun part. Babies respond to funny faces and noises. That's why we sing them to sleep, play peek a boo, and wrinkle our faces at them. Incorporate that into your reading. Make funny voices to go with your characters, try to make the moos and woofs sound like real critters, and above all be happy when you do it!
Books books everywhere and not a one they like. My son does not like books with people in it. I have to keep him stocked up on books that have animals that he is familiar with. If your son or daughter watches your cat or dog with interest try The Biscuit Series or Clifford. If they like certain colors find a book that has them in the pictures. Also I might add the touch and feel books give them something to do while you read and retains their interest. When you find a character they like don't be afraid to order books in the series that aren't in the same age level. My son reads all the Biscuit books not just the ones intended for babies. In short buy what they like and expand by finding similar characters.
Finally the benefits and reasons why. The benefits are endless. Having a child who excels in school later, a child who is confident, and on and on. Reasons why are a bit different, yes you want your child to do well in everything, but lets face facts people are always going to be needed at McDonalds and checking people out at the register. In order to do this everyone has to know how to read and in order to be promoted in any field most of the times there are forms to fill out or tests to take. Also when my toddler is cranky from nap time a book is the perfect way to calm the crying and moodiness. Those books may even help you keep your sanity when there is nothing else to do to comfort a child. Set your child up for success. Read to them all the time. Use books as rewards and always say yes when your toddler wobbles in with a favorite.
First off I think kids should be kids. They should play and while flash cards and teaching them words before they can walk seems best I hesitate to subject my child to that method of learning. Reading is no different than any other childhood skill they learn. When they walk you clap and shout. With reading it is no different. My son was six months old when I began to read to him. He LOVES dogs, it was even his first word. So my mom bought him the book Biscuit's Pet and Play Easter. He ran his chubby hands all over the fuzzy and scratchy parts while I read. Instead of saying woof woof I actually barked. And no I am not kidding. He laughed and realized when mommy reads she makes funny noises.
This brings us to the fun part. Babies respond to funny faces and noises. That's why we sing them to sleep, play peek a boo, and wrinkle our faces at them. Incorporate that into your reading. Make funny voices to go with your characters, try to make the moos and woofs sound like real critters, and above all be happy when you do it!
Books books everywhere and not a one they like. My son does not like books with people in it. I have to keep him stocked up on books that have animals that he is familiar with. If your son or daughter watches your cat or dog with interest try The Biscuit Series or Clifford. If they like certain colors find a book that has them in the pictures. Also I might add the touch and feel books give them something to do while you read and retains their interest. When you find a character they like don't be afraid to order books in the series that aren't in the same age level. My son reads all the Biscuit books not just the ones intended for babies. In short buy what they like and expand by finding similar characters.
Finally the benefits and reasons why. The benefits are endless. Having a child who excels in school later, a child who is confident, and on and on. Reasons why are a bit different, yes you want your child to do well in everything, but lets face facts people are always going to be needed at McDonalds and checking people out at the register. In order to do this everyone has to know how to read and in order to be promoted in any field most of the times there are forms to fill out or tests to take. Also when my toddler is cranky from nap time a book is the perfect way to calm the crying and moodiness. Those books may even help you keep your sanity when there is nothing else to do to comfort a child. Set your child up for success. Read to them all the time. Use books as rewards and always say yes when your toddler wobbles in with a favorite.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Harlequin Romance
People who say they hate fantasy should try this brand of books. I have found a lot of them have real jobs like lawyers or ranch hands. They are also not huge books that take you a few weeks or in my case a few days to read. These books are also not expensive so a good set to purchase if you are a waitress making two dollar tips every hour or so. Intriguing and keeps you guessing who the bad guy is. In my opinion a great way to keep the realist's mind sharp and a way to serve you bookaholics a tasty read at a decent price. Don't overlook this series just because of other popular genres.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Busy Moms and Anthologies
As a mother I have to say my love for reading is sometimes encumbered by my son's schedule. Nap times are a good time to read but you can't fit a full length novel in two hours or so. I have found that Anthologies that have multiple good quality short stories are perfect for satisfying a woman's hunger for reading that leaves her free to focus on what's important, raising your child. I guess I should say it is a good resource for any primary care giver, man or woman. Also it supports writers who are just begging to blossom in the industry. I recommend getting at least one anthology a month. My favorite source is Woodland Press. I highly suggest reading some of their anthologies if you love dark fiction. They also have a softer anthology called Fed From the Blade that is fantastic. So before you give up reading because of a child's schedule look up some independent publishers with anthologies. There are many good reasons as to why and it will keep your literary mind sharp.
The Thirteenth Tale
Some new books are beginning to sound like modern day classics. Within the last year I read The Thirteenth Tale and I have to say I was impressed. The book was spun so well that a person couldn't even form a good guess as to what would happen. The writer is a goddess to her craft. This is a book that enthralls the reader and has that rare sense of timelessness that will allow it to endure throughout the ages. When I finished the novel I wondered if one of those classic writers like Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, or Sophocles had been re-incarnated. A dark haunting tale that I give Two Thumbs UP!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
My Review of Halo and Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
Okay does it bother anyone else what garbage is getting published and put on shelves these days. I recently read Halo and Hades by Alexandra Adornetto. I was appalled at the utter and complete disregard of writing for a target audience. These books are aimed at teens and honestly they aren't suitable for anyone who isn't an adult. Putting things like angels who get drunk and think about having pre-marital sex in a book for teens whose hormones are already raging is just irresponsible!
If you took out all the inappropriate matter you would be left with a dry uninteresting love triangle that has been done a million times. While the author does have a talent for the basic grammar and word usage she squanders it on material that is too mature in nature for her young adult audience. When she next writes a book I hope she does her research on what is proper for her audience. Honestly, this piece of possibly mentally harmful trash should have never seen light and I am disappointed that the publishers who turn decent books away, let this devil in their door! I'd be ashamed to have my name on any book in this trilogy. Next time get Lauren Kate and not a knock off.
If you took out all the inappropriate matter you would be left with a dry uninteresting love triangle that has been done a million times. While the author does have a talent for the basic grammar and word usage she squanders it on material that is too mature in nature for her young adult audience. When she next writes a book I hope she does her research on what is proper for her audience. Honestly, this piece of possibly mentally harmful trash should have never seen light and I am disappointed that the publishers who turn decent books away, let this devil in their door! I'd be ashamed to have my name on any book in this trilogy. Next time get Lauren Kate and not a knock off.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)