So, I just finished reading a new book today that had been recommended to me called 'The Nature of Jade' by Deb Caletti. I recommend it highly. It is about a girl struggling with anxieties who falls for a guy with a very interesting personal situation. She has to deal with a lot of adult issues as well as confronting a challenging family dynamic.
I am going to start her book called 'Honey, Baby, Sweetheart' next. Deb Caletti is a well known teen author who has won many awards.
Has anyone else read any of her books?
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Helena
In 7-81 we briefly talked about a possible connection between Helena's personality type and Rhianna. Helena has such low self-esteem that she allows Demetrius to treat her very badly and doesn't even believe Lysander when he professes his love to her because who could possibly love so hideous a creature as she. Any thoughts on this? What do you think about Rhianna deciding to go back to Chris Brown after he has hit her? What does this say about her self respect and self worth?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
book discussions
Mr. Gallo suggested that I post this discussion on my blog, so that it would be more accessible to everyone, even if they have not read the Twilight series. I copied it from what I wrote on Alex D.'s blog. I love books and love talking about them, so hope many of you will share in my enthusiasm. As some of you may have noticed, I am a self-professed 'twi-mom', but please don't hold that against me. My taste is actually quite eclectic. It ranges from sci-fi to historical fiction and everything in between.
Thanks for reading, Miss Barbara
Serene -
I agree with you about that Bella is co-dependent on Edward. She's almost in a sort of coma when Edward leaves, and even though his reasoning made sense to HIM, it was cruel and he probably should have tried to look at things in Bella's perspective. If you read any literature about abused women, Bella fits the profile - not physically, but emotionally.
Amanda -
Both Edward and Jacob have flaws. Edward is overprotective and only looks at the world as black and white. Jacob has a temper, and is holding on too tight to something he can't be sure of. Both are flawed, and the big difference between Edward/Bella and Jacob/Bella is that with Edward, Bella has to give everything else up to be with him, while Jacob is the "safe" choice - she can still have a human life with him.
Clearly, this author believes in the "Bad Boy" persona. The idea that a girl can "change someone," and that danger is attractive.
So, now let's talk about the writing.
I hope you all are in agreement with me that although the story is compelling, the writing itself is sub par. Stephanie Meyer writes like a Mormon romance writer. Her story appeals to us, but lacks depth and often uses cliches to express the character's feelings and emotions.
A lot of Stephenie's characters are 2-d. She doesn't usually take the time to develop them fully, and even Bella, as the protagonist, has little character traits of her own - instead serving as the "average girl" so that the reader can imagine themselves in her place.
If you would enjoy a better-written romance novel, try The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (it's coming out as a movie, as well). It involves fantasy as well as romance, like Twilight, but has more depth and is overall a more mature book.
I asked my daughter to recommend a teen novel, and she said to try The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti. It isn't exactly a romance novel, but its protagonist does end up falling in love and is a good example of a novel with round, developed characters, as well as good side characterizations.
Another book that is a good character study is The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It's a teen book, and it involves some mature subject matter, but deals with it in a very thoughtful way.
Thanks for reading, Miss Barbara
Serene -
I agree with you about that Bella is co-dependent on Edward. She's almost in a sort of coma when Edward leaves, and even though his reasoning made sense to HIM, it was cruel and he probably should have tried to look at things in Bella's perspective. If you read any literature about abused women, Bella fits the profile - not physically, but emotionally.
Amanda -
Both Edward and Jacob have flaws. Edward is overprotective and only looks at the world as black and white. Jacob has a temper, and is holding on too tight to something he can't be sure of. Both are flawed, and the big difference between Edward/Bella and Jacob/Bella is that with Edward, Bella has to give everything else up to be with him, while Jacob is the "safe" choice - she can still have a human life with him.
Clearly, this author believes in the "Bad Boy" persona. The idea that a girl can "change someone," and that danger is attractive.
So, now let's talk about the writing.
I hope you all are in agreement with me that although the story is compelling, the writing itself is sub par. Stephanie Meyer writes like a Mormon romance writer. Her story appeals to us, but lacks depth and often uses cliches to express the character's feelings and emotions.
A lot of Stephenie's characters are 2-d. She doesn't usually take the time to develop them fully, and even Bella, as the protagonist, has little character traits of her own - instead serving as the "average girl" so that the reader can imagine themselves in her place.
If you would enjoy a better-written romance novel, try The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (it's coming out as a movie, as well). It involves fantasy as well as romance, like Twilight, but has more depth and is overall a more mature book.
I asked my daughter to recommend a teen novel, and she said to try The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti. It isn't exactly a romance novel, but its protagonist does end up falling in love and is a good example of a novel with round, developed characters, as well as good side characterizations.
Another book that is a good character study is The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It's a teen book, and it involves some mature subject matter, but deals with it in a very thoughtful way.
Friday, March 6, 2009
welcome
welcome to my blog. I am so glad to have the opportunity to join Mr. Gallo's 7/8's. I hope I can be a valuable blogger!
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