There are other quirks to her writing too, which I find distracting. The vampire-hero, Edward, is good looking. And, lest you forget, it is mentioned every time he is. The book could have been twenty-five pages shorter had just half of the adjectives describing this boy's beauty been edited out. He has ocher eyes and bronze hair. Really? He sounds like a paint-by-number set gone wrong.
I applaud any woman who can craft such a popular story while her three children sleep. Good for her. But, what about the women who don't have blockbuster films made out of their work? What about some of my favorite women in Bloggyland?
Instead of Twilight, may I suggest the following.
If you want super natural stories, visit Tina at The Clean White Page. She even does vampires. Check out her Velvet series.
If you want to read about a small town in the Pacific North West, Rebecca from Letters to the World has lived in several and writes lovingly about them.
If you want to read a love story written by a Mormon (Stephanie Meyer is Mormon, but if you are a big fan you probably already know that.) then Fruit of the Carolyn has just that.
If you want to read someone dreamy and funky at the same time, go see Leah at The Weather in the Streets.
For heartbreak and happiness, nothing beats Kate at Calamity, Kids, and Other Stuff.
And these are just the ones suggested by Twilight. So, put that book down! And spend more time at your computer.
UPDATE, JANUARY 8, 2009
I am half way through the book. I like the main character. She is very likable. And I am enjoying the story.As an added layer of enjoyment, the hero's eyes have now been described as like honey, butterscotch, and liquid topaz. Each new one give me a giggle.
'statuesque', is this not code for big girl. What used to be called the farmers daughter type. 'Well fed', would that have worked any better.
ReplyDeleteBut you are correct the amount of useless waffle in the current Novel is beyond a joke. Still having said that, gumption and moxy are two words that are going in in the next month. But I feel you could begin to build something with them.
Thank you Tracey!
ReplyDeleteAh - thanks for the lovely mention, and for your comments over at my blog. I do feel a little warmer now you come to mention it!! I mentioned you in a comment over at Rebecca's blog too - it's all getting too complicated, basically cos I should have passed the baton over to 5 people not 1 person. I'm not to be trusted, clearly! And of course it goes without saying that you would have been in my 5!!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't read the book, but saw the movie and didn't really enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog recommendations...I will check them out : )
My daughter is in the midst of a Twilight obsession (which I hope will burn out fast). She asked me to read the book and I got to page 2 before I said, "I think it's not for me." Now, off to read your other suggestions!
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny!
ReplyDeleteI have never felt drawn to young adult vampire romance novels myself, even when I was a young adult, but I did wait for my daughter to bring it home so I could check it out. She never did - I guess there are no horses in it.
The actor who plays Edward is certainly every teenage girl's dream - but I've seen him interviewed and I squirm for him - he's so uncomfortable with his fame gone wild.
Kate, obviously I am not to be trusted either, as I only mentioned two people.
Oh, and thanks so much for including me in your five! I hope I get out of making another list. Do I? You could think up something different for me to do...I guess.
ReplyDeleteBTW I have relatives in San Pedro, though I have never met them. My Granny was American.
I thought you were witty and wise before but after this I believe the title genius fits you best.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the compliment and for your comments. I truly enjoy reading your thoughts.
Vince~I have not heard statuesque used in that way. Since it literally means "like a statue" I have always heard it used to imply tall.
ReplyDeleteTina~You are welcome. Your stuff today was great!
Kate~I saw your comment at Rebecca's and thank you. I have morphed the meme into this. No work on your part required. You can see my previous post for a better explanation.
Kate H~It is turning out to be a rather fun story.
Rebecca~I am not even sure where San Pedro is. My inlaws live in north west Washington, which is almost to Canada. :) And there will be no work on your part. See comment to Kate.
Carolyn~Genious? Really. My husband is mocking me.
"The tall one was statuesque"? That's just atrocious! Where was her editor? I will check out your blog recommendations, though. I'm a fan of Rebecca's so look forward to reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI read the "Twilight" books (3 out of 4 before I gave up, but don't tell anyone...) and yes, where in heck was the editor?? Happily napping, I think. You made me giggle at "a paint-by-numbers set gone wrong." Seriously wrong.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for the mention! Now I'm going to check out these other ladies too.
I was equally sniffy about the Twilight books, but, writing a novel myself, decided to read the first one to get an idea of what made the book so popular. I have to confess, although the writing was a tad suspect at times, I became hooked by the simmering sexual relationship and borrowed the next 3 books just to see it all consummated! At least I didn't part with my own good money to buy them! However, respect to her for writing them and sustaining the characters whilst being a Mum of 3. I find it difficult enough to find time to write and blog with 1 child at home. Pleased I've checked out your great blog.
ReplyDeleteI had always thought that 'statuesque' followed from and refered to the Caryatids of the Erechtheon. Big strong Spartan chicks. Holding a Building up on their heads.
ReplyDeleteVince~You may very well be right, but I don't think the word has that connotation in American English. Here it usually means tall, well formed and beautiful, with the strongest connotation toward tall. So much so, that to say the tall one was statuesque is redundant even though statuesque technically means more than just tall.
ReplyDeleteDiney~Thank you for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI started reading the book for the same reason. And I have to admit to getting rather sucked in by the story. As I mentioned, I do keep finding time to read it. And one thing I think Meyer does well is build characters you like.
i read the first 3 in the series really to see what people were talking about...they were ok. clean white page...velvet series is really good!
ReplyDeleteOh Brian. You read the first one to see what people are talking about. You read the next two because you want to. Admit it. (I'd put a little smiley here to let you know I am not being mean, but I have grown to dislike the smiley. I am drier than that.)
ReplyDeletei didn't think i'd like the book, but i couldn't put it down. or the next one. and before i knew it, it was a week later and i had read the entire series.
ReplyDeletethere's something oddly addictive about vampires.