11/27/2011

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Out of all the books in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn is the one that I have the most conflicting emotions about. As the culmination of the series, I had high expectations for it.

For me, Breaking Dawn is the greatest departure from reality. It requires a greater "leap" into the world of fantasy than the other books in the series. I felt like even though the previous three books are fiction, they still had elements that grounded them in reality.

However, most of that goes out the proverbial window in Breaking Dawn. There are several elements of the story that require one to turn off the rational part of your brain and simply accept them as fact - such as the fact that Edward, an undead vampire, having the ability to create live offspring - in order for the story to work.

You have to be willing to make that jump with Stephenie if you are going to accept and appreciate Breaking Dawn. I have to admit that the first time I read Breaking Dawn, during the marathon weekend when I read the whole series, the departure from reality didn't bother me so much because I was already so lost in the world of Twilight. However, after subsequent readings, I found myself questioning the story more, and it started to ruin it for me...until I turned off the rational part of my brain.

I think that all book lovers find a book or series (I have several!!) that we come back to again and again because it offers us what all great stories do - an escape...a chance to go places we can only dream of, to see things we can only imagine, and to do things that we may never have the real courage to do. Twilight is one of those series for me...

People always ask me why I read it again and again. It's because I don't have to rationalize it. I have a job that requires me to make rational decisions all day, and I love being able to turn that side off once in awhile. I love it because I love the characters, and the fantasy, and the cliche theme of love conquering all and living happily ever after.

P.S.
I did see Breaking Dawn - Part I and I wasn't disappointed. There was some artistic licenses taken and some things that I didn't care for, but overall I feel it was fairly true to the book. But fair warning...the movie also requires a "leap."

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

This novella is a fun little departure from the Twilight Series. Stephenie Meyer has a talent for creating compelling characters - for me, the characters are the reason that I keep coming back to the series.

I have to admit, that I didn't pay Bree Tanner much attention when I originally read Eclipse. She was just there in the background, but after reading this novella, I can see why Stephenie would have been drawn to her story.

It is certainly interesting to see the darker side of Stephenie's vampire world. To see it through the eyes of the more "traditional" vampires, and the contrast between it and the world of the Cullens. Yet, even though it is a darker world, friendship and love still exist. It's a theme that appears throughout the series - the hope that even in darkness there is light, or a least the hope of light.

I think that if Stephenie wanted to she could create a whole series of these short novellas. There are so many characters in Twilight that I would love to read more about and see the world from their perspective. 

11/23/2011

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

I always found the cover art for the Twilight books interesting, and Eclipse might be my favorite one. The red ribbon symbolizes Bella's final struggle - choosing between Edward and Jacob, mortality and immortality. The threads of her life were unraveled in New Moon, and now she must choose to break the final thread - holding her to life before - or breaking the final thread and embarking on a new life altogether.

Eclipse is a close second behind Twilight as my favorite book in the series - and it is probably my favorite movie out the films. I love the action! I'm always slightly annoyed to have to re-live Bella's struggle with choosing between Edward and Jacob, because for me, her decision had already been made. This just seems like beating a dead horse, but again, I can understand why it is necessary. How the inevitability of their relationship would force all other options to be eliminated before they could truly be together forever.

11/21/2011

As Kingfishers Catch Fire by Gerard Manley Hopkins

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves — goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying Whát I dó is me: for that I came.

I say móre: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: thát keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is — Chríst — for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men's faces.

11/19/2011

Sonnet 22 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I had to memorize this poem in college...don't know what made me think of it today. Enjoy!

When our two souls stand up erect and strong,
Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
Until the lengthening wings break into fire
At either curvèd point,---what bitter wrong
Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
Be here contented? Think! In mounting higher,
The angels would press on us and aspire
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
Rather on earth, Belovèd,---where the unfit
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
And isolate pure spirits, and permit
A place to stand and love in for a day,
With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

As an ardent member of Team Edward, New Moon is my least favorite book out of the series. This stems only from the fact that Edward is absent for half of the book, and has nothing to do with the writing or characters. When I read New Moon I often find myself counting the pages until his return.

The first time I read the book, I was utterly dismayed at Edward's departure and became irrationally angry with Stephenie Meyer. I continued reading it only because I knew that the story could not end this way. Bella could not end up with Jacob. I even had thoughts of writing a strongly worded letter to Stephenie if Edward did not reappear...

Don't get me wrong, I like Jacob, and I could easily see how Bella (or anyone for that matter) could easily fall for him. He is a warm, caring character - a perfect match for Bella. However, when compared to Edward and Bella's love, there's just no contest for me. Edward and Bella belong together.

For me, New Moon was just one more step to reaffirming the inevitable - that Edward and Bella belonged together. I feel like it had to play out like this to dispel any thoughts of another possibility for Bella, to serve as yet another confirmation of the truth.

11/15/2011

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Here's one of my favorite poems from Maya Angelou. Enjoy!

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

Shout Out!!

A big shout out of congratulations to my good friend Tara Lewis who has fulfilled a life long dream of publishing her own book of poetry!

Check out the following link to find out more information! You go girl!!

http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/Default.aspx?bookID=SKU-000489851

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

As I took Twilight off the bookshelf, I couldn't help but smile and reminisce on how I almost missed out on this wonderful series. Back in 2008 when the movie was released, I had never heard of Edward Cullen or Bella Swan, and I had no idea who Stephenie Meyer was. I remember seeing the trailers for the movie and have to admit, despite my love of vampires, my interested was not piqued. Several weeks passed and my life went on as normal, until a friend of mine asked me if I had seen the movie.

She couldn't believe, being the vampire lover I was, that I had not seen the movie, or read the book. She had read the books and was a huge fan of the series, and she proceeded to tell me about the books and insist that I go home and give them a chance. It was her description of the characters and the story that finally turned me on to the series. I went home and sat down on my computer, and used one of my Amazon.com gift cards (a fabulous gift for any book lover by the way) to order the entire series.

While I waited for the books to arrive, I just happened to be bored one Sunday afternoon, and decided to head to the theaters to see the movie. It was towards the end of the movie's run in theaters - it was only showing on one screen and there were only like 3 showings to choose from. I have to admit, that while I didn't hate the movie, it certainly wasn't a cinematic masterpiece. I should stop and point out that I rarely enjoy a movie adaptation of a book as much as I love the book, and Twilight was no exception. I left the theater loving the idea of the story, and praying that the books turned out to be less of a disappointment.

When Twilight finally arrived at my house, I pulled it out of the box and instantly started reading. Once I began to read, I couldn't stop! I loved the story and loved Stephenie Meyer's writing style. I was instantly transported into the Twilight world and didn't want to leave. I actually read the entire series that weekend.

To think that I almost missed out entirely! I do not think that had I only seen the movie that I would have taken the time to read the books. As usual, the books are far better than the movies. In fact, I don't think one can really fully appreciate the movies without having read the books. I have seen all of the Twilight movies (and already have my tickets for Breaking Dawn!), and I know that I would not have the same connection to them without reading the books. There are so many little things that make these characters so special that do not come across on the big screen.

Now, Twilight is one of my "go to" books that I pull out when I want to escape reality for a bit and simply get lost in another world. Just goes to show...never judge a book by its movie...

11/13/2011

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

I have decided to re-read the Twilight Saga in anticipation of Breaking Dawn, Part I which opens this Friday, November 18th!! First up, Midnight Sun!

I wish that Stephenie Meyer would finish this. However, I can understand her reluctance to do so. Whoever leaked the story obviously doesn't understand what a true betrayal that was. As an author myself (amateur author that is) I know how personal your writing is and how difficult it is to share it, especially if you don't feel that it is perfect. To have it leaked before you are ready to share it, must have been devastating.

I loved Twilight and it is extremely interesting to me to read it from Edward's perspective. Don't get me wrong, I love Bella, but for me, Edward is the one that has a true transformation in Twilight. The transformation is clearer in Midnight Sun and reading it adds a new dimension to his character.

It moves him beyond the object of Bella's infatuation and really allows the reader to understand the struggle that he goes through.

I have always been a huge fan of vampires, and although Stephenie Meyer takes a "softer" approach to vampires, I have to admit that I am a huge fan of her writing. I am a total Twihard! Here's hoping that one day she will finish this book...

Announcing My Book Blog!

I have decided to jump on the bandwagon and start my own book blog! I'm new to this, so bear with me!