Stacked: A booklog

New Moon

"Shoot," I muttered when the paper sliced my finger; I pulled it out to examine the damage. A single drop of blood oozed from the tiny cut. It all happened very quickly then. Edward threw himself at me, flinging me back across the table... I tumbled down to the floor by the piano, with my arms thrown out instinctively to catch my fall, into the jagged shards of glass. I felt the searing, stinging pain that ran from my wrist to the crease inside my elbow. Dazed and disoriented, I looked up from the bright red blood pulsing out of my arm-into the fevered eyes of the six suddenly ravenous vampires.

Bella from New Moon

Title:  New Moon

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publisher/Publisher Date: Little, Brown and Company/2006

Library/Bookstore: Borders

Date Borrowed/Bought/Read: November 2009

Rating: **

What It's About:  Bella is depressed because her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullins, has decided to leave her for her own good.  Her best friend, Jacob Black, is all-to-happy to help her forget about Edward.  Bella finally has a chance to have a normal relationship, until she discovers that her new love interest may be a different kind of monster.   

Why I Chose to Read It:  Peer pressure.  My friends and co-workers forced me to read it.

Notes About the Book:

1. I don't like the relationship Bella has with Edward.  It bothers me how obsessed she is with him.  Other than the fact that he's super hot, what is there to love about him?  He's kind of boring.   Jacob would be a lot more fun to hang out with.
2. Bella and Edward are both self-centered brats who deserve each other. 
3. Edward is kind of MIA in this book.  After he ditches Bella, he doesn't show up again until the end.
4. I wish the books focused more on the Volturi.  That part with the tourists actually kind of creeped me out.
5. The vampires should probably be thankful that they can't read Bella's boring thoughts.  Um, unless they find Edward just as hot and perfect as she does. 
6. I found myself constantly rolling my eyes while reading this book.
7. Why exactly does this book have to be over 500 pages long?

Do I Recommend It?  Yes.  The writing is so bad that it's fun to just pick the book apart.

Links:

Twilight Saga Wiki

The New Moon Movie site

Emma

"Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her."

-- Jane Austen, Emma

Title:  Emma

Author: Jane Austen

Publisher/Publisher Date: Signet Classic, 1996

Library/Bookstore: I bought this book when I was in high school, so I don't remember.

Date Read: May 2009

Rating: ****

What It's About:  Emma Woodhouse is a young, privileged woman who likes to play matchmaker among her small circle of friends and acquaintences.  Unfortunately for them, she's not very good at it.  She means well, but her meddling soon causes everyone (including herself) nothing but heartache.  Can Emma fix the damage she has done? 

Why I Chose to Read It: It was the May book selection for an on-line book club that I'm in.  I'm ashamed to admit that this is the first Jane Austen book I have read. 

Notes About the Book:

1. Emma is a clueless snob, but I couldn't help liking her.  I was surprised at how many people didn't like this book because they hated how Emma was always looking down on everyone.  In my opinion, people are way too harsh on her.  She's only 21 (lord knows I was still immature at that age) and she has lead a very sheltered life.  Give the girl a break! 
2. As I was reading this book, I constantly found myself comparing it to Clueless.   "Why should I listen to you, anyway? You're a virgin who can't drive."  "That was way harsh, Tai."
3. Mr. Knightley is too good for Emma.  I wish he had been in the book more.   
4. It was recommended that I read Pride and Prejudice next because it is a hundred times better than Emma.  Do you think it would be bad to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies before reading the original?   

Do I Recommend It?  Yes.  Despite Emma's character flaws, I found the book to be charming. 

Links:

Jane Austen's World

Jane Austen Today

Jane Austen & PBS

Jane Austen Fans