My sister-in-law loaned me two books that she said she had read and really enjoyed. She's loaned me lots of books--and I've always really enjoyed each and every one of them, and have been grateful for her recommendations and for sharing the books with me so that I wouldn't have to go through the library or have to purchase the books. These books have included: Because of Winn-Dixie, Peter and the Star-Catchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, The Goose Girl (actually, all of Shannon Hale's books) Pictures of Hollis Woods...all really fabulous books. Well, I was a little doubtful about the last set that she loaned to me. She had told me last year that she would have never ever read these books, due to the subject matter, but she had to give a presentation or something, and so thought she would just "scan" the book and ended up reading and becoming so engrossed that she didn't sleep the whole night to finish the book.
Well, despite the track record of recommendations from her, I rather skeptically brought the books home, thinking I'd get around to them whenever, and have to take little bites here and there over an extended period of time. I should know myself better, though, I get so absorbed in a story, I just get frustrated when I have to take it in little pieces, and so end up just plowing through. Even books that I have read before, like the Chronicles of Narnia or Persuasion. (Those familiar ones are a little easier to take in bites, though, than a new story, but still.)
Well, last Tuesday, I picked up the first of the set that she gave me, called Twilight. I read the first chapter, thinking I could maybe do a chapter at a time. Which was fine with the first chapter. I have to admit, I was curious due to the subject matter (vampires) because I've never been interested in that type of story, EVER, but because Vicki liked it so much, I was curious. The curiosity pulled me through the first chapter, and then I HAD to find out, and then--I was hooked. I finished the book on Thursday morning, and then picked up the next book (New Moon) and finished that one by Friday. You have to understand, I've been obsessive about sleeping what with Oliver and his continuous night-wakings or extremely early mornings, and I got three hours of sleep two nights in a row because I just had to finish these books (it's rather hard to read when Oliver is awake). And then I picked up the first book again (Twilight) and finished it yesterday. It was just as good as the first time around. I could read it again, and I don't think I would still be tired of it. I'm itching to read New Moon again, the only thing stopping me is that I have so much to do Wednesday and Thursday. But I'm obsessed! I've been to her website and I just can't get enough of her characters! I would have to say that I love this book as much as I love Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. And that is really saying a lot, because I really, really, love those books.
I guess this is just to say that I loved the books, they are fabulous, and if you are in the mood to become completely absorbed in a fictional story, these are the books for you. I highly, highly recommend them. However, I must warn you that if you don't want to get as hung up as I am right now, don't read the second book, New Moon. Twilight holds together itself as a complete, finished story, but I couldn't get enough of the characters and that is why I continued on with New Moon. But if you can read the first one and not read the second one, let me know! I'm so unsatisfied, (think: the last Pirates of the Carribean movie unsatisfied) and can't wait until September for the next book. And then I will have to wait an entire year for the next book, and another year or more or forever for the last book, which is really the one I am dying to read at this moment.
I would love to meet Stephenie Meyer and get my books signed (I went out and bought them the day I gave them back to Vicki, heh, because I was already to read them again, because I can't get enough of her characters!) She'll be here in Provo on Friday and Saturday at the Provo library but I think it's an exclusive club pary and then an expensive symposium the next day. Oh, well.
Here's the weird part, and I don't know if it's just because I'm kind of a freak, and perhaps overly sentimental or something? I don't know what it is, but after I read a really good book like that, I get a little depressed. Or melancholy, perhaps is a better word. Perhaps its because it was such a good story, and then, it's over. Is it because I was so absorbed in the story, that for a few days I became "friends" with the characters, and then I have to say goodbye, never to see them again? Am I mourning the end of the book? Am I sad because real-life is just not as fabulous as a story? Or is it simply because I've had my decadent indulgence and have to face the chores and mundanity of everyday life again? I don't know exactly what it is, maybe it is somehow all of those things combined. But what I'm curious to know, is if anyone else in the world ever feels that way after reading a fabulous book or seeing a really really good movie. Or is it just me?
11 comments:
I just finished reading Goose Girl (Sara gave it to me for my birthday) and loved it. I can't wait to read the next one, Enna's Burning. I totally agree with you though. When I was reading Goose Girl I planned to read it slowly, a little each day but I read it all in one night (started at 11 pm and read until 3 am). I was sad when it ended. I just wanted it to keep going. I want to read the books you posted and I'm so excited I have so many options. I haven't read for a while b/c of school but my load is a little lighter this semester and I am just gobbling books up. Aren't they wonderful? I hate when they end though, especially when I don't have other prospects. Anyways, happy reading.
Wow, you are a very fast reader, Mindy! You'd probably get through the twilight books a lot faster than me! I LOVED Goose Girl. It took me a while though, because it was last year when Oliver was still tiny. I have Enna Burning if you would like to borrow it. Princess Acadamy and River Secrets are almost equally as good!
Yes, books are wonderful. I've been gobbling them up a little more than is good for me, heh. I'm glad that you have a chance this semester for more relaxation.
It's relieving to know that someone else feels the same way when they finish a good story. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks again for your recommendations. I have really enjoyed reading them, so I am going to have to read these! I have'nt read any sequels to Goose Girl yet either. Sweet! The last time I went to the library I walked around for a while and didn't check anything out. So odd. So I am especially thankful for ideas. Also the airplane trips will go a lot quicker I'm thinking.
Have you guys read Leven Thumps? I really enjoyed these too, and Adria was saying something about the author having wanted to submit them as non-fiction, but the publishing co. or someone wouldn't do it. It is fun to figure out why that could be though, come to think of it I'm going to have to read them again (there is a sequel, waiting on the next I believe).
I was the same with Harry Potter waiting with baited breath for the next one to come out, until the last couple I guess. It was just to long to wait and the story lost it's draw I think.
Uh, maybe I should have put this response as a post on my blog, heh.
Then at least I could have used spell check.
OHMYGOODNESS! You discovered MY books! I can't tell you how much I loved those books. I could talk a long time about them! THat is the whole reason I made the Halloween costume I made this year. (spent two months sewing) I have a signed copy of New Moon because she came to LA last September and my friends all went to it. I was in charge of Book Club for October and so I picked that book and threw a spooky Halloween party book club in my backyard with a fire pit. THere were about 30 girls there (biggest ever) who couldn't stop talking about Edward. There were only 4 copies of the books in the ward, but everyone read it in two days and kept passing them on and then buying their own. It's funny because so many girls loved the books so much they made their husbands read with them as soon as they finished the first time around. I can't tell you how much I love these books. They are on my top favorite as well. I went through mourning afterwards too. I just finished another book last night that made me mourn a little (not even a tenth the amount I did after Stephenie Meyeres, but still some) It is called "Enthusiasm" and is clean and fun young love the same age as Twilight. Very fun. (sorry so long- we should talk on the phone, because I could go on for pages).
I read Enna's Burning. Loved it! I think it was a little bit deeper than Goose Girl with Enna's struggle. The characters were more complex. I also read Princess Academy. Very good as well. I can't wait to read River Secrets next and then I'll move on to Twilight. I'm so excited about all of these prospects. It will help keep my mind busy while Bryant is away.
Twilight was on sale at the bookstore (25% off). I couldn't resist after you raved about it so. I'm very excited to immerse myself in it once I have any spare time to read a book of my choice. Thanks for the recommendations! I just love getting caught up in the fictional lives of fantastic characters.
Thanks for posting on my blog! Is this Megan (avoiding last names) from the talent show the other night and college illustration? :) I'm so excited to find your blog!
So, I forgot to comment on the books because I was so excited to find your blog, but I have a few things to say. First, YES, I feel what my husband and I term post-book withdrawal. Usually it's post-series with us, because we usually find a good series to read together. It is like you're living a different life the whole time you're reading, then once it's over, reality is a big slap in the face, and it's pretty drudgerific.
I was very excited to read about all these good books you've been reading. I've read some lately on tape so I could draw and be entertained at the same time. I read the whole Children of the Promise and Hearts of the Children series and loved them, even though I've never read LDS fiction before, and I highly reccomend them, especially if you're interested at all in American history. I also just read Dragonsong, and my husband recommends Ender's Game. Can you believe I never read those as a kid? I've also reread The Giver, and discovered the sequels, Gathering Blue and Messenger, which are all excellent. Thanks for the new recommendations! I am a closet Buffy the Vampire Slayer freak, so I think I could really like these.
yes, amy it's me from that talent show. Thanks for reading my blog. I can't tell you how much better it makes me feel to know other people have "post-book-withdrawal" as you termed it. Excellent way of putting it. I haven't read much LDS fiction either, but I did enjoy ender's game. I liked The Giver, too, and had no idea that their were sequels! I've never read Dragonsong, but the author of Twilight says it was one of her favorites growing up, so I'll definitely have to look it up. Thanks for the recommendations!
When you mentioned "Twilight" and "New Moon," they sounded familiar. Then yesterday I was cleaning out all the clutter on my nightstand and opened up the BYU Magazine, and there was an article about Stephanie Meyer and her books! That's where I'd heard of them before. Have you read how she got the ideas from a really vivid dream, and that she graduated from BYU in 1997? I've checked the library, and they're all checked out and on hold. I was already interested, but now I'm really intrigued and want to read them!
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