So…What Did You Think of Twilight?

I finally bit the bullet this weekend.

photo from http://www.stepheniemeyer.com

I picked up a copy of Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I’ll admit, it’s been on my TBR list for quite some time. Everyone at work has been telling me to read it. I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit myself to reading it.
It’s not that I’ve never read books with that many pages before. After all, I’ve visited Harry Potter in all of his years at Hogwarts ( more than once, I might add).

So why did I finally cave?

Book Club.

Thanks ladies, for making this our May read.

Now, to answer your question: “How did I like it?”

I’ll agree with Julie on two points.

1.Great storyline. Wondering where things were going is what kept me turning the pages. I was convinced for awhile that Bella was actually some mutant form of a vampire, and it was for that reason that her mother left town with her years ago. I thought it was a possibility because of her  acceptance of the Cullen family. And the description of her made me think so as well.

2. I found Bella annoying ( at times). Now  for all you die hard Twilight fans out there, there’s no need to flame me. I think maybe a part of it is that I am no longer a teenage girl. The pining for Edward, the brooding, the feeling of not fitting in. (insert “old lady some day you’ll look back on this…” eye rolling here)

That being said, I CAN remember when I was that age and crazily attracted to a guy, wanting to be with him 24/7, sitting as close as possible, loving the smell of his cologne and memorizing the color of his eyes.

But he wasn’t a vampire.

I think.

So Bella served to transport me back to that time to remember that first exhilarating feeling of new love. It also caused me to think about that brooding phase of my life.

I had my moments, but I never wallowed in it the way Bella tends to do.

That’s the part of Bella that drove me nuts.

But fear not, vampire fans. I did enjoy the book. I even went out and got this:

photo from http://www.stepheniemeyer.com

And for those of you who have been prodding me to read these and cheering me on…

I finished BOTH books in under 24 hours.

And for awhile in New Moon, I began to think Bella might be part werewolf. Or maybe a distant relative.

Maybe.

See what you people are doing to me?!

Book Review and Giveaway: Sundays at Tiffany’s

Back in 2007 I had the opportunity to review a book by James Patterson. It was one of the books in the Maximum Ride series for the tween set.

And I loved it.

I love Patterson’s books for kids like my friends love Patterson’s Alex Cross or Women’s Murder Club series.

I haven’t gotten into any of his other books.

I recently read one, now out in paperback, that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Sundays at Tiffany’s

Patterson wrote this book with Gabrielle Charbonnet.

According to the Hatchette Book Group site:

“Sundays at Tiffany’s is a heart-wrenching love story that surpasses all expectations of why these people have been brought together. With the breathtaking momentum and gripping emotional twists that have made James Patterson a bestseller all over the world, Sundays at Tiffany’s takes an altogether fresh look at the timeless and transforming power of love.”

Many of us have navigated the world of adolescence with the help of an imaginary friend. (My friends were the characters of the books I read). The main character, Jane, is no different. Her friend Michael is an important staple in her lonely childhood. But while imaginary friends eventually fade out and are forgotten, Jane’s life takes an unexpected turn in her thirties that brings Michael back into her life in an unexpected way.

While the idea of an imaginary friend becoming real is impossible for many of us to believe, these characters are so wonderfully crafted that I found myself wishing, hoping that it COULD happen. I found myself rooting for Jane, and for Michael.

Remember the movie, City of Angels, with Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage? I was reminded of this movie when I was reading Sundays at Tiffany’s.

Sundays at Tiffany’s is a heartwarming book, guaranteed to remind us of the power of love, and the importance of friendship.

Would you like a copy of Sundays at Tiffany’s for yourself? Thanks to Hatchette Book Groups, I am giving away FIVE copies so you can enjoy it too!

Here are the rules to win a copy:

1. Leave me a comment telling me why you’d love a copy.

2. Blog about this contest on your blog and link back to me. = 1 Extra entry

3. Twitter about this contest with a link to my post (leave me your twitter link). = 1 extra entry

4. Make sure you leave me your email or blog link so I know how to contact you if your name is chosen.

***Contest is open to US and Canada residents only. No P.O. Boxes are accepted.

***Last day to enter contest is Tuesday, February 10th. 5PM EST.

good luck!

The Road

Here is the book I’m reading for book club this month.

Photo from amazon.com

Cormac McCarthy wrote this dark tale of a father and son’s journey through a post-apocalyptic America.

And man, is it dark.

This is the first book being read by a new book club being started by Tommie from 95.3 WAOR.

Tommie and others from the Michiana area will be meeting at the Hammes Notre Dame bookstore on Wednesday, January 28th at 7PM to discuss The Road.

Remember how I’ve mentioned before that I pick out books (sometimes) based on how the cover looks?

Yeah.

Wouldn’t have picked this one up with a ten-foot pole.

Not even out of curiosity.

So you’re probably wondering why I read it then.

(I work at the bookstore)

And I figured that I should at least give it a try before I dismiss it completely.

I tried it.

Don’t expect to see me in line when the movie comes out this year.

Even if Viggo Mortensen IS in it.

The Road does make you think.

1. What caused the state of the America the characters are now walking through?

2. What do the characters represent?

3. Are they even going to make it to their final destination?

4. What is their reasoning for going to that particular place?

I am still trying to answer these questions.

For me, The Road was not one of those can’t-put-down books.

It was more of a why-does-the-author-write-without-quotations-and-apostrophes-this-is-driving-me-insane kind of book. I had to put it down. Often. And gently, to avoid throwing it across the room. (because it would not do to make grammatical corrections in red pen on a library book).

I’ve heard McCarthy’s writing style described as “poetic.”

Okay.

Like e.e.cummings.

That’s what I thought of when I was reading.

But while I like e.e.cummings, I didn’t like that style in a novel.

The landscape was desolate. Grey.Silent. Cold. Damp.

Remember when the WTC came down?

The photos in People. Ash everywhere in NYC. Dazed people shuffling through the streets, covered in greyness.

That is the picture the characters in The Road painted for me.

I’ve been going over the reading guide questions since I finished the book. I’ll probably still be contemplating those questions when I get to the bookstore next week.

Has anyone else read this book? I’m open for discussion here. Feel free to leave your thoughts, insights or opinions.

Blog Tour Launch: Riding the Waves of Forty

Let me share a few things.

1. I’m nearing forty. (okay, I’ll be 39 soon, but who’s counting)

2. I’m not divorced.

3. I’m a mom.

4. And I hope that one of MY friends will book an awesome vacation for me when I DO turn forty.

(Ahem, Ladies, you know who YOU are)

There are days when I find myself having mini midlife crises. You know, the “What ifs” start knocking around in my head.

“What if I had stayed single?”

“What if I had married someone else?”

“What if MY marriage ended?”

You know readers, a gal could drive herself positively (yes, I’ll say it, so cover your eyes if bad words bother you) apeshit letting those “what ifs” take over.

Welcome into my rather bizarre segue into my book review.

Taaaaah Daaaah!

At the opening of Flirting With Forty, Jackie is lamenting single motherhood while trying to get ready for her first Christmas post divorce. The Mommy guilt is right there on the pages.

*Mom trying to find the perfect tree.

*Mom thinking back on Christmases past.

*Mom upset that her nine year old son is now the “man of the house.”

*After searching for the “perfect” tree and decorating it with her children, it comes crashing down during the night. (irony, metaphor, foreshadowing? You be the judge)

Jackie needs a glass of wine and a massage. Among other things.

But hold that thought what that “other” thing might be.

Jackie tries to make a perfect holiday for herself and her children, but can’t quite muster it, even after inviting her friends (still married) for dinner. The divorce has been too hard. Emotions are still running high.

Her friend Anne offers to plan a girls weekend trip to commemorate Jackie’s 40th birthday.

Sign me up, right?

They go to Hawaii.

Scratch that. Anne’s husband gets sick, so she bails at the last minute.

This is where the fun begins.

Sunshine.

Beaches.

Warm weather.

Tropical drinks.

No children.

And hot surf instructors.

Yeah baby.

When I saw When Stella Got Her Groove Back, seeing Taye Diggs put (ahem) a spring in Stella’s step was like putting buttah on a hot cornbread muffin.

Jackie finds her own hot cornbread muffin in Hawaii.

His name is Kai.

And he not only buttahs her cornbread.

No M’am.

Ladies, those of you with children…

remember life right after the baby came?

Sleepless nights?

Dazed?

Confused?

Goofy smile plastered on your face for whatever reason?

That’s Kai.

Without the diapers and 2 AM feedings.

What’s going to happen after she returns to the mainland?

Things didn’t quite turn out for Stella and Winston.

What happens to Jackie and Kai?

Ya Gotta Read The Book People!

You can enter my contest to win one. (see yesterday’s post)

And if you REALLY want a peek into Jackie’s experience, tune into Lifetime this Saturday night and watch the TV movie version of the book.

And if you do watch, come back and tell me what you thought.

We’ll compare notes, m’kay?

While you’re at it, visit some of these bloggers participating in this tour.

(and show them some comment love, eh?)

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com
http://BermudaOnion.wordpress.com
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/
http://sharonlovesbooksandcats.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://printedpage.wordpress.com
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com
http://Books-Movies-Chinesefood.blogspot.com
http://AllisonsAtticBlog.blogspot.com
http://Skrishnasbooks.blogspot.com
http://blog.literarily.com
http://www.bookingmama.blogspot.com
http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://booksbytjbaff.blogspot.com/
http://exlibrisbb.blogspot.com/
http://www.marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com
http://bookopolis.blogspot.com
http://www.anovelmenagerie.com
http://wendisbookcorner.blogspot.com
http://thebookczar.blogspot.com
http://www.thebookgirl.net
http://acircleofbooks.blogspot.com
http://01crazymomma.wordpress.com/
http://ablogofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com
http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/
http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com

*****This book has been rated five surfboards and a shaking hula booty.*****

Blog Tour: Surf’s Up Giveaway

Need something to read over the Christmas holidays, when the days are dark and cold?

Are you the type of person who always walks the straight and narrow, never jumping into something new feet first?

Meet Jackie:

Divorced.

Heart broken.

Mom of two kids.

Ex-Husband moved on with another woman.

And Jackie’s pushing forty.

What’s a girl to do?

Want to read more about Jackie?

Then you’ll have to come back tomorrow to read the full review, and check out the links of everyone else who have read this awesome, funny, book we all can relate to, whatever stage we’re at in our lives:

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

As part of this awesome blog tour, I am hosting a giveaway for FIVE copies of Jane Porter’s book: Flirting With Forty.

Here’s what you want to do:

1.Leave a comment about the most out of character thing you would do to put some “oomph” into your life.

2. Leave a link to your blog, if you have one. Or some way that I can contact you if you’ve been chosen to receive a copy of the book.

3. Got a milestone birthday coming up, like Jackie? Tell us how you’d celebrate.

Winners will be announced here on Sunday, December 7, at 6PM EST.