Okay, admittedly, I’m swamped with these revisions to Book 3. And hopefully I’ll have time to write more later in the week, but in the meantime I thought I’d start planning what I’m going to do with all my luscious free time once I’m done with these revisions. So I thought I’d ask: read any good books lately? Seen any good movies? I’m going to start making my lists now, of all the things I’ll catch up on in a couple of weeks. I’m so looking forward to it…
I’ll start: the most recent movie I watched was Twilight. Now, I haven’t read the books, although I’m thinking about it, but I don’t think I got a sense of the depth of the connection between Bella and Edward from the movie. There were things that happened in the film where I thought, “Hmm… I bet this is a lot more developed/a bigger moment in the book.” I didn’t dislike the movie, though– just thought it was kind of so-so.
And–again, haven’t read the books– but does anyone see some similarities with Buffy and Angel? He can’t have sex with her b/c he’s afraid of losing control? Boy, if I had a dime every time a vampire said that to me…
In terms of books, I’m making my way (in my .2 minutes of free time each day) through Interpreter of Maladies, which is wonderful. Pulitzer prize winner, so I guess I kind of expected that.
How about you?
Hi Julie!
I read two books that I liked but didn’t love this weekend, in addition to revisiting the Travis family just for kicks.
I’m headed to the beach on Friday, so I’m kind of hording books for my week at the beach. The last book I read that I really loved was probably Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. It’s a Young Adult book, but very lush and dark. She’s an amazing world builder, at the heroine in it is very smart.
Hopefully my week at the beach will bring me a bunch more fun reads! Good luck with the revisions!
Twilight:
I’ve read the series and seen the movie. Of course, I thought the books were better. You get a much greater sense of how charming Bella is in the books, and scenes that were shoe-horned in for the movie take on much greater significance when you’re reading them.
BTVS:
I was a devotee from the first season. I don’t know what books you’re thinking of reading, but don’t bother, just watch the show.
It may seem tame and / or cliched compared to all the vampire gore that’s so popular now, but you have to remember, this was on air before the paranormal craze.
Hi Julie!
The Twilight Saga books are better than the movie by about 100%. The first book is YA, but they get more grown up as the series matures. I had issues with Bella’s characterization, I didn’t know if it was Kristen Stewart or how she was directed. But after seeing in other situations, I think she’s genuinely uncomfortable in public and acting. I still enjoyed the movie, and can’t wait for New Moon.
The best movie I’ve seen so far this summer is Star Trek 2009, it was too cool. I’m waiting patiently for Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince. The clips are promising. Also supposed to be a new Buffy movie and Sherlock Holmes movie….waiting to hear more. Angel was always so full of angst, even when he had his own series. Every time they try to push it to a sexual encounter, he vamps out. Funny, he was able to control himself (mostly) in Angel Series where he has a son (although he’s stolen as a baby and returns a few epis later as full grown [?]).
I’ve been in a sort of paranormal/urban fantasy feeding frenzy lately, so all of my reads have been fantasy related, Jocelynn Drake is my fav right now.
Dottie 🙂
I enjoyed Twilight even though I can’t stand Robert bushy eyebrows aka Edward.
One movie I recommend is Pixar’s UP. Too cute for words and teaches you a lesson about life.
Good luck on the revisions. 😀
Hey Julie, I’m jonesing for a Buffy fix right about now. Sadly I don’t have time to watch all the seasons…
It’s true that the movie can’t compare to the book, which I ended up reading after seeing the movie. I think the movie was just a little too angsty and serious, whereas in the book I felt Bella and Edward were more well-adjusted. Yeah I get they’re teenagers, and that’s how teenagers in love are, but it was a bit over the top for me. Still, I liked it enough to see the next one, and then read the book.
I’m reading “Angels’ Blood” by Nalini and I’m loving it. I’m so relieved to see that Raphael hasn’t turned into an ooey, gooey male, mooning over Elena. They’ve just gotten down and dirty and it’s back to business for the Hunter. I also read Barry Eisler’s “Hard Rain”, the 2nd book in his Japanese assassin story. I usually read these on the plane (just back from Oakland) and it wasn’t bad. I little violent, but to be expected. Next up is a bunch of books for review, unless I try to sneak in the 2nd book in Lara Adrians’ vamp series.
Hi Julie
I really enjoyed Romeo, Romeo & Too Hot To Handle by Robin Kaye. Snappy dialogue, funny & romantic. Trial by Fire & Under Fire by Jo Davis. Hot books & not just because they are firefighters. All three romantic suspense by Christy Reece. Couldn’t put those down. Just started Jaci Burton’s Demon Hunter series (I’ve read her contemporaries). Lea at Closetwriter just reveiwed these.
Take care.
Julie, I whole-heartedly recommend you read the Twilight books. They are TONS better than the movie. Although I admit to being excited for the next one after seeing the trailer for “New Moon”.
I loved Buffy. I miss Buffy. That little Twilight/Buffy video Kati put up on her blog had me LingOL but it also reminded me how much I missed her.
Hi everyone! Sorry I’ve been so delinquent in replying… darn revisions…
Kati: You know, I’ve never read a Young Adult romance. Unless Sweet Valley High counts. 😉 Wicked Lovely sounds intriguing, though. Have fun at the beach!
Oh, Venus– trust me, I know all about Buffy. Huge fan here. I even have the comic books that are “Season 8”, although I haven’t read them yet. Thanks for the heads-up on the Twilight books– I think I will try them.
Dottie: I SO want to see the Star Trek movie!! Have to get that in before Harry Potter comes out. I’m not familiar with Jocelyn Drake… I’ll have to check her books out.
Katiebabs: Pixar is where it’s at in my house these days. My two-year old son is obsessed with Cars. We will definitely be checking Up out when it comes out on DVD.
Stacy: that is the exact feeling I had when watching Twilight. That I just wasn’t seeing the real extent of their relationship. As for Angels’ Blood, I loved that book. First time ever I’ve written an author to say that. 😉
Hi Mary! Thanks for all the great recs! I’ve read the two Jo Davis books, but will have to check out the others you mention.
Julie: I miss Buffy too. Particularly around Halloween every year. I own the DVDs and have re-watched the entire series.
I just glommed all 6 of Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampire series. I *heart* her Weather Warden series. Don’t know why it took me so long to read these. They were GREAT! 😀
Oh, and to add a comment about your blog. My biggest issue w/ the Twilight series is that the heroine NEVER GROWS as a characters. She’s still the same obnoxious brat at the end as she was at the beginning (can you tell I’m not a fan? :P).
Buffy, on the other hand, was a character with growth. She started out the series a young rebel w/ great fashion sense who’d been handed this HUGE responsibility she never wanted and by the end of the series she was a strong woman who was willing to make a huge sacrifice to save those she loved. *sigh* I miss Buffy. 🙁
Hi Bridget! Thanks for the rec on the Weather Warden series! Also: I so agree with your comments about Buffy. I was just talking about this last night, that Joss Whedon deserves some serious props for writing one of the best, strongest heroines of late.
I used to be such a big fan of the book Twilight and then of the movie, I still liked the movie but agree that book was good. And KB, you leave Robert’s bushy eyebrows, he’s a cutie pie!
But it sucks that I have to eat my words about Jacob, because Taylor Lautner though he’s young enough to be my son (well not really but maybe) turned out really hot for New Moon. Good gosh!
Bridget,
Respectfully, I must disagree. Bella may not have grown in the way you (and many other readers) wanted, but she did grow.
I know yours is a popular opinion – I’ve seen it around more than once – so I’ve given it some thought. Bella as a character grows from, what? … a 16 year old to an 18 or 19 year old by the time the books have finished?
She learns things about herself and the world. She grows from under the wing of her parents to building her own life. I would defend my opinion more, but it would take me into spoiler territory, and that simply isn’t fair.
I ask you to consider that simply because she didn’t become who you wanted her to be, that doesn’t mean she didn’t change or grow at all.
I read all four Twlight books and enjoyed every one. The movie does lack in a lot of ways, but it was still entertaining. It can be tough to connect the dots though if you haven’t read the books. I never really did get into Buffy, although I did enjoy the spinoff–Angel. I’m now hooked on the Sookie Stackhouse novels and eagerly awaiting book 10.
Hi! I just stumbled upon this and I have a comment. I did kind of like Twilight the movie, but the books were much more in depth.
On the BTVS, Angel could have done the deed, but not with Buffy herself. Reason why was because his soul found peace being with her and that triggered the curse and him going killer psycho. Edward just didn’t have control. I do look forward in seeing New Moon because of the Werewolf angle and how they are making it work.
when i read to books they where great but i am so sick of Twilight it is everywhere. Buffy and Angel is , the best way much better than edward bella story,(my opinion) i just can stand edward, he is so afraid of everything, i can understand him in the situation he is in but plz, this vampire story is so lame , but that is who i feel