Message in a Bottle, Nicholas Sparks

*SPOILERS*

The only book of Mr. Sparks I had previously read was The Notebook. Overall, I found the story to be charming... to a degree. I've done a long distance relationship, so I could relate with Theresa and Garrett. However, I found myself hating the book at the end. I had skipped ahead and after seeing some of the last page, suspected that Garrett dies in the end. The fact that I was seeing it coming, and I still cried says something for Nicholas Sparks ability to write drama.

It is a thoughtful story though. Fueling the, "it is better to have lost and loved than to never have loved at all." I still wanted to chuck the book across the room because of the nature of his death. His final goodbye and letter to Cathrine, and him accepting a life with Theresa and he dies doing it?!?!?!?! WTF Nicholas? I love that Theresa sends Garrett letters in bottles so that he can still hear from her and that that is how the book ends.

Because of my frustration with the book, I have sworn off Sparks books for some time. a year or two at least. Because he always kills the characters in the end, I'm not ready for some more "chewy" romance novels.

Breaking Dawn, Stephanie Meyers

[CONTAINS SPOILERS]

The last one. In beginning to read this book, I wasn't entirely sure I was ready for my Bella and Edward romance fix to end. But on completing it, I find that I am perfectly fine with where it ended up, how it ended, and if she decides not to write anything more with these characters, I will be just fine. I was concerned that I would have the attachment that I had with Harry Potter. I am still crossing my fingers and hoping that J.K. will allow her readers to return to her world of witches and wizards with us as the muggles. But Stephanie, if she keeps it where it is, I'll survive. Not to say that I would not mind finding out what happens with Renesme. But I'm sure this would have turned into any good series tradgedy... where it burns out and you are left with anger at what has happened with your favorite characters if it hadn't ended.

Anyhow... the idea of a half-human half-vampire baby made me a little wry at first. I was not a fan. Not because it was an out there idea that I had not encountered before... but because it was one of those series tradgic moments where you want to throw the book because of what the author did. After Renesme is born, I grew to like the idea. I did see the imprinting coming though.

The end scene with the Volturi was disappointing. I was definately hoping for a big overthrow of power and kick-ass fight scene (which I'll admit I was thinking about how amazing a movie this book would make). Unfortunately, Alice showed up to save the day.

Series sum up: satisfying

Eclipse, Staphanie Meyers

TWILIGHT SERIES. I hate when I have to attempt patience for a book in a series. But, this was one of those pinacle moments where I had to practice it. My well meaning mother bought me Breaking Dawn, which is the book after Eclipse, for Christmas. I had to wait for my birthday a month later for Eclipse. AH. But I'm sure it was well worth it.

Things I have heard about the book: that it will piss me off royally. That it is the way it is written as well as what transpires. What I have found is that I am more irritated with the theme than I am with the book. Wuthering Heights!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!? Shoot me in the face. I hated it in High School, and though I feel like I need a refresher course on the famed novel, I want to throw Eclipse across the room and hunt Ms. Meyers down for inspiring such a revisit. I might end up checking out sparknotes at the end just so I can use the connections. I am seeing the main theme though, one girl torn between two men whom hate one another for various reasons. When I think of Wuthering Heights I picture the diagram my English Lit intern plastered on the wall to illustrate all the character movement throughout the book. I feel inspired in parts of this to move Bella around on a bulliten board concerning her interest. La Push. Charlie. La Push. Cullens. La Push. Charlie. Cullens. Seriously don't pull a Catherine. Choose Edward. NOT Jacob. Love not conveniance.

I found many of the scenes with Bella and Edward very touching. I loved the proposal. I actually liked them quoting Brote's book near the end.

It was irritating with Jacob. Just irritating.

I hated how it mirrored scenes from Wuthering Heights almost exactly at moments.

But at least she made the right choice in the end.

I do have this hope for Jacob. That he will find someone that he imprints on. The ending where you feel his pain, was touching cause I know that he loves Bella, but I also know that Bella belongs with Edward.

Vampire vs. Werewolf: I'll keep reading.

White Wash, Alex Kava

I don't have to give my praise for Kava. I've done it recently. :P In choosing this book, my attention was drawn to the caption for the USA Today about the book, "Short chapters with cliffhanger endings make this a perfect... escape." Bad flashback of the day: Da Vinci code. Cliffhangers were okay for a bit, but after awhile, they were definately tedious. This also seems to be a little more political than what I am used to from her. At least from the breif synopsis on the back cover and the authors note I have read. I'll keep you posted though.

I have been finding that overall, this feels more like a typical Grisham book. It's got the politics and I can tell she did an excellent job with research, but the fact and the "getting to the story" is more tedious than I had initially thought that the cliffhangers might be. Some of those leave me confused and wondering what will happen next, but they're not inspiring enough to have me flying through the book to find the answer.

Overall, it was an interesting take on the current energy crisis and some of the ramifications of it. But the book was kind of a drag. It was a little disappointing coming from Ms. Kava. Though well written, and having a decent ending, it left me with more questions at the end than answers. What happens with Sabrina? What exactly went on with Zack and the senator? What the hell was with all the stuff concerning the Arabic terrorists? And the assassination attempt? wtf? Perhaps I was just not perceptive enough for this book. This was where the constant stop and go chapters was problematic. I think it got in the way of her story-telling. I give her kudos for trying something new and more complex and encourage more attempts for improvement, but this one was kind of a flop for me.

Alt-Energy Mojo: What~A~Drag

Hot & Bothered, Susan Anderson

Reread. It's your typical story of the bad boy marine, the socialite girl, and their torrid love affair. The first of which begins as a fling six years prior to the actual storyline. A fling which a daughter is conceived.

I think the most prevelant thought I had during the book was how cheesy it was. Me, I like my action packed books. Not omigawddomenow. Throw in the I love you's and you have a not so typical novel. I can't judge whether it is written well for a romance, I have like... Nora Roberts to compare it to. I like the quirky romances, not the cheesy ones. Nora Roberts isn't a fair comparison really, cause she can write almost any genre.

The reason I picked this one back up was well, I remembered it to be one of my favorite romances. Not sure why. I was in high school. The thought occured to me that my problem with most romances is that I read the innevitable "love scenes" and think, "that is so not what sex is like." At least no sex I've had. Maybe I'm not having sex the right way. But whatever. No novel I've come across mentions how messy sex is. They don't give a fair description of the lover that can last all night but is doing absolutely nothing for you. No fakers of orgasms in romance novels. All the men are trained professionals in multi-orgasmic experiances. [so not real]. I need to meet a multi-orgasmic man. And the multi-orgasmic experiances are during intercourse, romance novels add the oral and hand jobs as bonus. Like I said, I would be much chipper if I had this much of an accomidating man.

Esme is by far my favorite character. Why I've picked a five year old as my favorite. Cause she is that little girl in the mall, who says cute things, that you look at her and think, "I want one like that." The effect she has on Rocket is adorable, he's a marine for god's sake... been up against the worst that none of us will see... but this tiny little girl scares the crap out of him.

All in all, I'll keep it on my shelf to pick up in a few years. Maybe by then I will have had some mind blowing, multi-orgasmic sex and can appreciate an above average male ego. It is odd how time can alter your opinion of a book, movie, or song. [just plain crazy]

Semper Fi Scream : mediocre romance

Seduced by Moonlight , Laurell K. Hamilton

Ah, Laurell. She is one of my guilty pleasures. Anita Blake more so than Merry Gentry, but on occasion I'll dive into a Merry book. Much to my dismay, I have a friend that devours this series as fast as Ms. Hamilton will spit them out at her, and she has blurted out her disappointments with the recent developments (i.e. the ending) of the series. Kudos to her attempt to save some of the secrets though. :)

I think the Merry Gentry storyline is perhaps less me than the Anita Blake. I'm more of "powerful, I-will-kick-your-ass-in-a-heartbeat" woman that comes in a small package than I am Princess Meridith of the fairies. Succubus who feeds off of sex, or woman in a race for the throne with the contest being she has an heir before her cousin. See my options? Sidenote: I am really excited that the next Anita book has brought Edward back, w00t.

It took quite a bit of time for me to get into the book. It has been so long since I had read a Merry book that in the first couple chapters, I was having to stop and think about what had happened previously. I had to familiarize myself with characters once more. But once I got to that point... whoa baby.

I love Laurell's endings. She writes great endings. Some of the middles are weak. But the endings make it all worth it. This book is no different. And it has left me sort of wanting more with the next one. No joke... Merry Gentry has not succeeded in that area, well, ever. But I can't wait to find out if she is immortal or not.

All in all, kudos to Laurell for peaking my interest some more.

Highlights: 2008

Hands down, my favorite discovery of this year is definitely the Twilight series. I can't wait to devour the next two. A must finish series.

I'm also excited to read Tales of Beadle Bard. Who doesn't love a little commentary from our favorite Hogwarts Headmaster. I adore J.K. Rowling and the small peek I've taken at the book, I noticed some hints about what has happened to our favorite characters in the prologue. I dearly hope this is not the last we have heard from J.K., her wizarding world, and Harry Potter.

I have to say my most disappointing read of the year was The Da Vinci Code. A lot of hype for little satisfaction at the end.

A series I have been itching to reread is Lovers & Dreamers by Nora Roberts. No idea why, but it has been sticking out of my shelf, calling to me. So perhaps those are soon to follow.