CHROLS--Eclipse

After a several-month layoff, I picked up Eclipse again this week and just finished it last night. I liked it much more than the other two books, making me slightly motivated to continue on pretty soon into Breaking Dawn. Bella's is still not my favorite head to be inside--still too guilty and self-loathing, too emotional and weak/swoony, though admittedly with some courage when it comes to battle. I liked hearing the Quileute mythology about how they came to be wolves, and I was interested in hearing about Jasper's back story and wars among the vampire groups and the stuff about armies of newborns. I'm still Team Alice, so it's good that Jasper is a bit more worthy a companion for her than the earlier books (and especially the movies) have presented him.

I can see why Lorri and Hope both told me they liked the camping scene with Jacob playing space heater and he and Edward finally communicating. Overall, I guess I liked it, too, but it was also really contrived feeling with neither of the two guys seeming like real people at all (then and hardly ever). Too eloquent, too noble, too "ooh, look how cleverly I'm playing the game to win Bella." And it cracks me up how riled up and ready for sex Meyer has Bella practically every minute of the book yet any of the intense scenes where Bella or someone else is actually pushing the matter are so chastely written. Ah, Mormonism ... ye crack me up many times.

I guess in the next book I'm looking forward to Jacob finding someone and how all of Bella's imperviousness to the Cullen and Volturi "gifts" plays out. Plus, did I hear there's finally some headboard banging? If so, I'm looking forward to seeing again how Meyer manages to keep all the characters hands and mouths solely resting upon lips, necks, collar bones, and waists!

Oh, and I still can't see why none of you (the Spoon women included) like Kristen Stewart as Bella. Having read in these books, she seems like she's playing Bella exactly as written. Is it that you somehow are thinking Bella's a stronger person than Stewart is showing? If so, I say read again!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

3 1/2 stars!

I am guessing that most of you have heard of this book since it caused a fair stir in the literary world when it came out last year. I was drawn to it right away once I heard about it, (I don't know- something about combining a great Jane Austen book with zombies was just so cheeky and weird, I had to see what it was all about). But since fetus Elinor was inexplicably rather bent on keeping me from reading anything at all, I didn't get around to it until now. So, if any of you have been wondering about it, I thought I would be the guinea pig and read it and let you know of my opinion.

My opinion:
It was a lot of fun and I fully enjoyed it.

The secret of enjoying it I think, is to pick it up with a sense of humor. If you think you will be put off or think it lame- you probably will. But, if say, hearing that the first ball in the novel where Lizzy meets Mr. Darcy for the first time is interrupted by zombies crashing through the windows and feasting on the brains of the nearest dancers interests you- well, I recommend it. The author left the original story in tact as much as he could, but had to change a few plot points to make room for the "unmentionables" that live in this alternate world.
England for a long time (over 50 years) has been plagued by dead people leaving their graves to eat human brains. Since it is not a new thing, it has made it a mundane part of life for the characters. The ability to behead a zombie is one of the many accomplishments an "accomplished" lady may add to her list of respectabilities. All of the Bennett sisters are very accomplished in this regard, but none more then the spunky Elizabeth of course (which is one of the attractions Darcy is intrigued by). Simple things are changed to the story, for example- when Jane goes to Mr. Bingley's estate in the rain and gets ill, which leads to Lizzy walking there to see her (and getting mud on her hems), she is actually met on the road by zombies and gets a bit cut before saving herself (see how it works: zombies and fighting instead of rain and fever). Darcy's Aunt Miss Catherine is one of England's most accomplished zombie fighters having studied in Japan (and Lizzy was only a student in China, which put Lizzy down several notches in her eyes upon their meeting). You may guess how the sparring at the end between the two goes in this book as opposed to the original (which actually made me miss some of the wit that Austin's version had).
Anyway, it was a bit of fun and it's always good to read Pride and Prejudice. The zombies really take a back seat to the story and are written to the point where you actually buy it and kind of forget they aren't in the original story. Funny thing: half way through me reading the book, I came across the Kiera Knightly version on tv, so I dvr'd it. I have never seen that version since I have never had any interest in a world where Colin Firth is not Mr. Darcy. I thought it would be fun to see the story in it's purer form since I was in the middle of the book. I had to divide it up in two different nights. The first half was normal, but when I got to the second half (now almost done with the book) I was half expecting the zombies to come around since they had become such a natural part of the story for me. Oh, my biggest complaint was that about 3 times the author slipped in some "double entendres" (I really don't know how to spell that and hope I'm close), they are totally PG but that fact didn't stop it from being very aggrieves to me! Zombies- sure. They belonged in my Jane Austin stories WAY more then those couple little throw in ends of conversation that made Lizzy blush. They didn't have anything to do with the original characters/story OR zombies.
By the way, I really liked the movie- Kiera Knightly made a fine Miss Bennett, but I did miss Colin greatly.

After reading this, I have now decided to give Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters a go.

Yeah. It really exists.

CHROLS--New Moon Book Thoughts, I

I finished New Moon this morning. Hmmm. Want to say I liked it and liked the books so far, but I can’t say I do. I’m still only barely sympathetic to Bella (and if it weren’t for Kristen Stewart playing her in the movies, I know I’d like her even less!), and I’m now less sympathetic to Edward than I used to be.

Overall, I still like Charlie, and I like the Cullens, and the La Push wolves, and Billy and Emily. To me, their ongoing struggle to transcend their biology and live in a new way that overcomes their baser urges and live with love and as family is the only really compelling part of the novels. Bella’s line to Jacob to the effect of “It isn’t what you are, it’s what you do” that is the heart of the story and the only thing (besides urging from all of you) that keeps me mildly interested in finishing any of the books. The Volturi were kind of fun (especially Aro) but at their glee when the tourists came to their lair for dinner, I lost interest in them.

The major exasperation to me, and where Edward fell many notches in my mind (though he still gets points for choosing the Cullen way of being), is how both Bella and he clearly hate themselves. (I know some people really do care this little for themselves so perhaps it's good to get a glimpse into this kind of mindset, but I just don't enjoy spending time there.) This mutual self-loathing causes them to cling so tightly together—they are each other’s fix—in ways that make me completely uncomfortable. And this is especially bad—-harmful to people, even-—because Meyer thinks, and I think that most readers must think, that theirs is some great love story when it’s really just major dysfunction. Romeo and Juliet are NOT models for genuine love yet Meyer and others hold their story up that way. These books (so far, at least) are, like that play, heroin for romance junkies. “If only I can find my one and only, I will be complete…” “I’d rather have him here with me for just a few more minutes and die than face life without him.” “I can’t live in a world without you in it…” Holy crap! That’s obsession, not love. It’s unhealthy, and far too many people who don't get that will feel badly that they have never felt so deeply about another that they will think there is something wrong with them. I know I need to give folks more credit than that but here in the midst of New Moon mania it's hard to think there is a lot of deep self-reflection going on. (Of course, much of it may simply be because of beautiful boys and beautiful abs and women now feeling empowered to lust much more openly than they used to.... I hope it's mostly that!)

I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m really feeling pretty worked up right now. Sorry to be so blunt! Please fire back and help mellow me!

CHROLS--Twilight Progress Report 1

Hey Fellow CHROLS... Finished Twilight yet?

I finished it a few days ago. For the first couple hundred pages I was going a bit crazy being inside Bella's head. I couldn't believe all the angst and second-guessing herself and her feelings and Edward's feelings and all the other high schoolers' feelings and all the rest that apparently goes through a teenage girl's brain. I had to check with Hope to see if it was pretty accurate, which she assured me it was. Yikes. New respect for anyone who makes it through their day with all of that going on!

Things got a bit better in this way after they declared their feelings for each other and the plot turned toward the Cullens and then the other vampires who they meet up with. The action wasn't all that compelling from that point on, but I'll have to say I kind of liked the Cullen stuff (maybe have to rethink the acronym for our little group?). The theological/philosophical issue of overcoming one's nature, striving to be something higher than one's biology encourages one to, is always worth chewing on, and my guess is that theme will continue in the coming books as we meet werewolves and Bella continues to make her choices. I was actually surprised by her being so desirous of being turned so early in the game. I sure as heck hope that Hope wouldn't ever be that boy crazy after just a few weeks that she'd be willing to leave everything behind to follow him into his world.

In that same vein (pun intended), I can't say that I'm all that impressed with Bella as a character so far. She's smart and articulate but her klutzy stuff is a bit overplayed for my taste, and I'd like to see her actually NOT need rescuing quite so often. She's a companion for Edward who has been lonely for so long, but does she really bring much of anything else to the table for the Cullen family? What can/do they learn from her and her particular qualities. Her blood smells really good but I'd like to think it will be more than that as the books unfold.

Overall, I can't say that I'd for certain keep reading the series if it weren't for our Thanksgiving Day New Moon plans, but I'll definitely have at least that one read between now and then. Thanks for encouraging me to venture into Forks at least this far. I'll keep you posted as I look around some more.

The Glass Castle

I just finished this great book. I love to read talented people telling stories about their messed up childhoods. Think David Sedaris; think Augusten Bourroughs. Well this is another great read in this genre. It's written by a woman named Jeannette Walls and this is her story. It is truley incredible in it's honesty. She is the second born in a four child family story born to these two people who you just have to read about to describe. It takes place in the fifties through the eighties. If you guys read this book, you will be amazed (as I was) at how these poor children had been forced to be grown-ups (because their parents just weren't) at such a young age. It really was entertaining an well-written. I really liked it, but it has a bad word or two.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - 4 Stars

So I finished the Chamber of Secrets even faster than the first one. I loved it! Even though I already knew the ending, I still was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen! I really enjoyed it. I am starting to really love the characters and the story. I am now reading the third one and also enjoying it. Marcus said that his favorite book was the fourth one which is my favorite movie so I am really excited to read that one. To let you know how much I enjoy the characters, I had a dream the other night that I was at the Weasley's house just hanging out! I really love the Weasley's, they are just so funny. Anyway, I thought this was another 4 stars. I hope Sue is enjoying them so far! I really like them more that I thought I would. I don't really know what else to say. I loved the mystery with Tom Riddle's diary and also the whole thing with Moaning Myrtle. I'm not going to say anymore but I thought all that was cool! So call me a nerd if you want, but I am now a full-fledged Harry Pot Pot Fan!

Moral Disorder

3 stars

This was actually a book I didn't read, but rather listened to it on my ipod while doing housework. Kind of the same thing, as I heard the book, but didn't actually "read" it. I find that listening to books while hanging up clothes, doing dishes, etc. breaks up the monotony of housework and sometimes, if the book is really good, I make up stuff to do so I may continue "reading". So anyway, just wanted to clear that up.
First I am going to talk a little about Margaret Atwood, she is a fairly well acclaimed author, the only books I am at all familiar with are: The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye and I believe Amy and Mom read "The Tent" in book club a while back? This is my first book of hers I have actually read (but didn't: see above). Anyway, all I have to say is that it was interesting stories to do housework to. I didn't find in particularly enlightening, nor did I get a big "wow" at the end. In fact, more then anything it got a big HUH?
It is cited as being a collection of stories which is true, as they all stand on their own, but it is stories of the same lady as a young girl, a teenager, a college age girl and an adult, then a (fairly) old lady.
Here is what the back had to say:

Margaret Atwood’s latest brilliant collection of short stories follows the life of a single character, seen as a girl growing up the 1930s, a young woman in the 50s and 60s, and, in the present day, half of a couple, no longer young, reflecting on the new state of the world. Each story focuses on the ways relationships transform a character’s life: a woman’s complex love for a married man, the grief upon the death of parents and the joy with the birth of children, the realization of what growing old with someone you love really means. By turns funny, lyrical, incisive, earthy, shocking, and deeply personal, Moral Disorder displays Atwood’s celebrated storytelling gifts and unmistakable style to their best advantage.

I've got to say, it was well written, she does seem to have a knack for storytelling, I suppose you could call it "earthy" but I gotta say, I certainly was never "shocked". To sum up: I liked it ok, I wouldn't call it a waste of time (how could you when you were able to put away 6 loads of laundry, clean 3 bathrooms including floors and tubs and showers, do countless amounts of dishes all while reading?) Although it certainly wasn't what I would describe as "memorable", but well written. Read this book if you are looking for something easy, relaxing, and good old fashioned storytelling, but don't expect to be totally wowed (or shocked).

Pops finished "Twilight"

Now that was a wierd story. Now what? Does Bella get bitten by that 100 year old high school Vampire? Boy, he would be a great football player for the H.S. team of Forks, WA. I can't get my head around kissing cold lips. Might as well go out with a turkey or a reptile. Do I understand right, that to kill a vampire you have to tear him up and burn him? Gross! Meyer is a good story teller. Very interesting reading and keeps you going as things get progressively more insane and wierd. Good though! I liked it. Im down for the next volume.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 4 Stars

I finally did it! I finally started reading Harry Potter after many proddings for many years I finally broke down and did it. I don't know what my hang-ups were. I guess, since I had seen the movies, I figured that I had seen it all and therefore, didn't need to read the books. I will admit, that I was wrong. There was a lot of stuff in the book that I loved that wasn't in the movie. I really thoroughly enjoyed the book and thought it was charming, witty, and fun. I guess one of my biggest reasons for not reading them also was that I was afraid that I wouldn't "care" much or have sympathy for Harry himself. Like it wasn't enough for me to keep reading and reading. I like to really care for the characters in a book and so I worried about that. I realize now that I do. I really like Harry and I actually feel really bad for him. I think he is a cute little kid and I think it is so sad that he lost his parents so young and had to live with those awful Durselys! Anyway, I thought the book was great and I am planning to start the Chamber of Secrets later on today!

I gave it four stars because I loved it but don't quite think it is a "Wright Classic."