Dead and Gone - Charlaine Harris

The newest Sookie Stackhouse is out. Just in time for season two of True Blood.

I enjoyed Dead and Gone more than the last Stackhouse novel, which I thought had too much crammed in there. There's still plenty going on but it felt more manageable. I'll keep it vague to avoid spoilers - the shifters including werewolves come out and no shock, not everyone's happy. Sookie is also drawn into a growing conflict involving her grandfather.

There's intrigue, mystery, danger and a little bit of romance. All the things I look for in a Sookie Stackhouse novel.

Speaking of drama -- True Blood season two is on HBO. I've been taping it but am reluctant to watch. I fear I may be disappointed. I thought last season veered too much of the book. I'm understand wanting to add subplots, but I felt the characters that they fleshed out were made too one dimensional. I'll just say it, Tara annoyed me.

We shall see.

Some interesting reading in Fast Company

Did HBO's 'True Blood' Campaign Achieve Immortality or Just Plain Suck?

Q&A with Pop Candy

Fun video with Tom of Top Chef fame.

What are you reading about True Blood?!

Book vs. Movie

I always get excited when a book I enjoy is turned into a movie/ tv series, but that excitement inevitably turns into disappointment when I see the final product. I'm not sure why this is. Maybe books are too nuanced to successfully translate onto the screen. Or perhaps my expectations are too high.

Recent disappointments:

True Blood. I had really high expectations for HBO's series, which is based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels. I was irritated that there wasn't more Sookie. While there were some quotes/ passages lifted directly from the book, there were new subplots that weren't in the book. I understand the need to pad the book a little, but at the same time felt that the weakness of the subplots were due to how one dimensional the characters were.

I was particularly peeved with the ending. In the book, Bill is not brought before the tribunal for killing another vampire. Rather he's away securing his position amongst the New Orleans vampires to have more independence from Eric and he does not try and rescue Sookie from the killer. He's out of town.

Silver lining: If more people are reading Charlaine Harris because of this show, that makes me happy. I also discovered Octavia Butler as a result of the documentaries HBO did before the show. (Seeing Stephen Root aka Jimmy James on tv is also a plus!)

Twilight. I just felt like it really didn't capture the essence of the book and rather came off as kind of cheesy. The low-budget special effects and giggling teenage girls might have distracted me. I also wasn't crazy about the makeup job for Edward and the music was slightly grating.

Some movies really capture a book ... Antonement, A&E's Pride & Prejudice and Masterpiece Theater's Jane Eyre and Anne of Green Gables. But the clunkers are what stand out. I still wonder if the people involved with Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont ever read the novel they "based" their movie on.

Maybe a book's appeal lies in the fact that your imagination shapes what you read. After creating an image of the characters and becoming emotionally attached, it's difficult to accept someone else's vision. Perhaps the magic of books can't be captured in a tv series or movie. Doesn't mean I'll stop going to the movies though, I'm just resigned to that fact that I'll probably leave the theater feeling let down.

Do you have a favorite movie adaptation or a real stinker you can't get out of your mind?

True Blood update

So, I'm sticking with True Blood but mostly at this point for the hope that it will actually achieve it's full potential and because I love the Sookie Stackhouse books so much.

Maybe I'm too literal but I find it jarring how one minute they have dialog verbatim from the book and the next minute they're adding subplots that aren't in any of the books. I don't if they felt they had to pad it because the first book was too short for a whole season.

Things that annoy me:

The Tara subplot - don't know why they have to make Tara so grating and abrasive when in the books she's actually successful and owns her own clothing store. The unrequited love for Jason... yeah, that's never been done before. And sleeping with Sam, ugh, do NOT get me started.

V juice - Yes people drink vampire blood and its sold on the black market. Last week's episode with Jason drinking a whole vial of vampire blood to me was ridiculous and over the top.

Sookie's abilities - Yes Sookie can read people's minds, but it's only explicitly acknowledged by a few people. For the most part, Sookie tries to downplay her ability and others attempt to live in a state of denial about it.

That said, the actor who plays Bill is growing on me and I think Anna Paquin is great. I also like the feel of the show. There's been some great images and scenes like when Bill wiped his tears and they flashed on his hankerchief with a smear of blood on it.

Dear CW: Take a note, look at HBO

Wow, that was fast. Only after two episodes, HBO is renewing True Blood. Based on Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse novels. Regular readers, may recall I have ambivalent feelings. In all fairness, rare is the tv/ movie adaption I like 100 percent.

I have some problems with the series ... it plays a little loose and fast with the novels, I sort of detest the Tara/ best friend subplot. However, I'm hanging in there. I think Anna Paquin is great as Sookie.

True Blood goes for second bite

Five Reasons: True Blood

* The post title refers to my bitterness about CW's habit of canceling my favorite shows. Oh, bookworm Rory and super sleuth Veronica, tv is not the same without you.

Any True Blood watchers out there. What do you think?

True Blood merch

I'm still on the fence about HBO's True Blood, but I don't know if that's because it seems like it's not completely true to the book. I know they probably need to add some elements that aren't in the book, but the Tara subplot is wearing thin on me.

I'm realizing I'm going to have to view separately from the book. However, I am love with these bar glasses. The glasses are from Merlotte's, the bar Sookie works at.

Links!

True Blood

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20222109,00.html

Our Second Date With True Blood Leaves Us Confused But Wanting More

http://io9.com/5050185/our-second-date-with-true-blood-leaves-us-confused-but-wanting-more

TV Review: TRUE BLOOD - SEASON ONE - 'The First Taste'

http://www.ifmagazine.com/review.asp?article=2741

HBO's new vampire series "True Blood" doesn't suck

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/entertainment-general/index.ssf/2008/09/hbos_new_vampire_series_true_b.html

The Review: True Blood Needs to Sharpen Its Fangs

Give HBO Some Credit

http://www.newsweek.com/id/158744

HBO's 'True Blood': What did you think?

http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/09/true-blood-hbo.html

True Blood premieres! Sookie is on TV

I’ve been lax about blogging this past month; I’ve also been lax about reading. Hopefully, that’s about to change. Just in time to justify subscribing to HBO, True Blood premiered last night!!!

I thought the "documentaries" before hand were interesting. One thing I pondered this summer is how various authors interpret the vampire myth. Reaction to sunlight, Holy Water, crucifixes and vampires vary depending on the author. For instance, Charlaine Harris’ vampires can’t go out in the sunlight and cannot enter someone’s home unless explicitly invited.

Overall, I’m excited about True Blood, which is based on Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse novels. For the uninitiated, True Blood is the name of the synthetic blood that allows vampires to “come out of the coffin” and openly participate in society. Sookie is a barmaid in a small Louisiana town (she's also telepathic). She becomes enmeshed in the vampire world after meeting Bill.

I’m horribly picky when it comes to movie/ television adoptions. I thought this seemed pretty true to the spirit of the book.

Nit picks first. I did not like how they’ve changed Tara’s character and downplayed Arlene’s. In the first book, Arlene, a fellow waitress/ friend plays a more prominent role. I thought the way they handled Sookie’s telepathy was a little heavy handed. Most of her close friends do not know she can read their minds, they just think there’s something off with her. Although, I can see why HBO went in that direction. Her ability plays a crucial role in the story, but she can’t read her boss Sam’s mind as clearly as other humans (and this will be important later).

I also really can’t picture the actors who play Sam or Bill as these characters. I picture Sam as a little more stocky, with reddish/blonde curly hair. And Bill (pictured left/ played by

Stephen Moyer), for some reason I pictured him with ink black hair and alabaster skin.

After reading the description again I realized I substituted my own image for how the character is really described. I still would have liked to see Henry (Kyle Schmid) from Lifetimes Blood Ties as Bill. I thought he was great in that series, which was based on Tayna Huff’s novels. (BTW: Still not over Lifetime canceling this series. BOOOO)

Now, it probably sounds like I didn’t like the first episode. However, that’s not the case. It’s just that I’ve enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse books so much, that I’m probably way too critical. I think it’s great that someone recognized the potential for these books to be turned into a gripping series. There’s excitement, mystery, romance and the supernatural. They’ve also had some pretty creative ads and seem to be really promoting this series.

HBO, please don’t disappoint me like some other networks cough ::Lifetime:: cough did.

Pinch me, I'm dreaming!

Pardon me while I squeal like a crazed fan girl for a minute. WHHEEE!!!

Ahem. So Comic Book Tattoo comes out July 29.

Spinner interviews one of the artists involved in the project.

Comic Book Tattoo: Colleen Doran – http://www.spinner.com/2008/07/21/comic-book-tattoo-colleen-doran/

Tori Amos Inks Her 'Comic Book Tattoo' – http://www.spinner.com/2008/07/21/tori-amos-inks-her-comic-book-tattoo/

Tori’s doing a musical!

Tori Amos Is Writing a Musical – http://www.film.com/celebrities/story/tori-amos-writing-a-musical/11784156/21865972

Speaking of swooning (somebody catch me quick!), HBO has some videos for True Blood are online. True Blood are based on Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books.

http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=HBO&search_query=blood%20copy

Sookie's coming to TV

Hmmm… I may just have to check with the lovely folks at RCN to see how much HBO is because… deep breath … True Blood is coming this fall! True Blood is based on Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse books.

HBO’s site: http://www.hbo.com/events/trueblood/

Pop Candy, http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2008/07/thirsty-for-blo.html#uslPageReturn

Anna Paquin is Sookie Stackhouse. Hmmm… the actor who plays Bill was in the Starter Wife. I was picturing a non-blond playing this role. Someone sort of like Rupert Everett.

Anyway, I cannot wait!!!

Betsy gets an unnecessary makeover

Another vampire series that I enjoy reading is Mary Janice’s Queen Betsy series. It started off with Undead and Unwed and is now up to number seven with Undead and Unworthy. I don’t enjoy these books as much as Sookie Stackhouse – I don’t feel they’re as rich and complex. They are, however, are fun, light reads. Perfect summer reading and although I hate to use the term very chick lit.

When I received the latest book in the series, I did a double take. Past covers featured whimsical illustrations. I don’t even know how to describe the new cover – it almost felt YAish. I don’t know what prompted this change, but not a big fan. I thought the illustrated covers really matched the writing style.

twilight

Since May is Vampires month, I thought I'd my part by reading by twilight by Stephenie Meyer. ;-) It's the first book in her series that's geared towards young adults. I thought this was a good start to her series - parts of it felt like it was building the foundation by introducing the characters and their back stories. I know this is technically a young adult book, but I thought it was rich and a surprisingly dense read. I really liked the characters, but the one thing that irritated me is how quickly the main characters fall in love.

Once I started reading, I was definitely hooked. I found myself skimming ahead, because I really wanted to know what happened next.

In a nutshell, Bella moves to a small town in Washington to live with her father. She meets Edward and falls in love. The hitch - Edward is a vampire.

About three things I was absolutely positive.
First Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally, and irrevocably in love with him.

I find interesting how vampire mythology really varies from author to author. For instance, in twilight, vampires can go outside during the day time, rather than burning in the sun, they sparkle almost irresistibly. They do prefer to go out in overcast/ rainy weather so at not attract attention. Meyer's vampires also don't need to sleep or breathe and are virtually indestructible. In contrast, in the Sookie Stackhouse series and other books like Tanya Huff's, vampires sleep during the day/ or spend the daylight hours in a suspended state, not alert/wake/alive. Charlaine Harris' vampires will burn and can die if they go out in the sunlight.

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html

Book purging

I recently had a little windfall (sidenote: you really can win money taking surveys!) and decided to buy bookshelves. Real bookshelves. Not the kind with weird cardboard particle material or the kind I have to (badly) put together. Since most of my books are in boxes, I decided it was time to organize them and do my yearly weed through. Like wardrobes, I think everyone should cull through their books at least once a year. I usually discover that I managed to have two copies of at least one book. Last year it was Fast Food Nation, this year it was Great Expectations. Sadly, after mailing out several books on Paperback Swap and putting about 20 books up to swap, I ordered several books on Paperback Swap to help fill in some missing holes. I thought I'd show some of the books that will soon be nicely displayed in my BRAND NEW bookshelves!!

In the stack on the left is my entire Sookie Stackhouse collection and Jasper Fforde's two series -- Thursday Next and nursery rhymes. I also included some of my nonfiction reads including The Worst Hard Time, a riveting look at the Dustbowl era and Nickel and Dimed, A Civil Action and No Matter How Loud I Shout.

What's on your bookshelf?

Wishful thinking

Although I clearly have a problem with hoarding books, I've managed to build a decent sized wish list on Amazon and Paperback Swap. I thought it'd be fun to share some of the books hanging out on my wish list right now.
As you can see it's a varied list including some books and authors I've blogged about.
Some highlights:
He's a Stud, She's a Slut, and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know. I'm a faithful Feministing reader. I'm eager to read Valenti's latest work.
The Film Club: A Memoir - I recently heard the author and his son on NPR. When his son wanted to drop of high school, David Gilmour had one stipulation. His son had to watch three movies a week with him. His son is now headed to film school. They both seemed very down to earth.
Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. I love this title and she's always cracked me up every time I've seen her on a VHS special.
Don't You Forget About Me -- I enjoyed but enough about me enough that I'd like to read Dunn's upcoming novel.
Dead as a Doornail -- Charlaine Harris. I recently realized I don't actually own the entire Sookie Stackhouse series. That can simply cannot be allowed.
What's on your wish list?

May is for vampires?!

I’ve been meaning to post about this for awhile because I think its fun.

First Second, which specializes in graphic novels, has declared May Vampire Month.

Amazon: Vampires? In May? Why, First Second, You Are a Cheeky Publisher, Aren't You? - http://www.omnivoracious.com/2008/05/vampires-in-may.html

First Second’s blog: http://www.firstsecondbooks.typepad.com/mainblog/

There are many novels featuring vampires starting with Bram Stoker’s Dracula all the way up to Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series.

First Second publishes Little Vampire and Life Sucks. Both are vampire-themed graphic novels. (I’m eagerly awaiting both from the library.)

There must be something in the air or this idea is really catching on because the Seattle Public Library’s blog is doing a series of posts on vampire fiction.

The Vampire List, Part 1: Love Bites - http://shelftalk.spl.org/2008/05/14/the-vampire-list-part-1-love-bites/

I noticed another reader pointed out the absence of Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse books; apparently they’ll be included in later posts. Regular readers are aware I’m a big Charlaine Harris fan.

Update: Shelf Talk's has another vampire post -

http://shelftalk.spl.org/2008/05/21/the-vampire-list-part-2-urban-vamps/

I tried reading the Turning and just couldn't seem to get into it.

Some other vampire reading I’ve enjoyed includes Anita Blake – although I have to admit I lost steam. The earlier books are better. There are many fans who think this series went off the rails.

Mary Janice Davidson, who’s mentioned in Shelf Talk’s list. The first book in this series is Undead and Unwed. I really like these novels. It’s sort of like vampire chick lit. They’re fun, quick reads.

Another series I enjoy is Tanya Huff’s Blood Ties series that revolve around Vicki Nelson, who becomes a private detective after a degenerative eye disease forces her to retire. I would definitely check out Lifetime’s Blood Ties series. I think this really captures the essence of the books, but also stands on their own.

Ack! I didn’t realize this might not be coming back on the air. Really Lifetime you have a great show and you don’t renew it. Grhh. If anyone has positive news to share on this, please do so.

(Side note: Dear Lifetime, I’m watching you! Do NOT mess with my beloved Project Runway. Just DON’T).

********

Speaking of vampires – Stephenie Meyer is currently making the rounds for her latest novel, Host. Meyer is best known for her Twilight series – a vampire series geared towards young adults.

Stephenie Meyer By the Numbers - http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6559505.html?q=Stephenie+Meyer+

Meyer is also featured in Book Page, “Words to live by: there are no children’s books or adult books – there are only good books & bad boos. Everyone should read the good ones.”

Amen!

From Dead to Worse

Confession time: I love the Sookie Stackhouse series. They fall in the rare category of books that I will not only buy in hard cover, but faithfully pre-order on Amazon. It's really hard to describe, they’re a combination of fantasy, mystery, supernatural. Sookie is a telepathic bar maid living in a world occupied by werewolves, shape shifters and vampires. Only vampires have come out so to speak and have formed an uneasy relationship with humans.

I enjoyed the latest installment - From Dead to Worse. However, I didn't feel like it was the strongest book in the series. While the books have become longer and more complex as the series progresses, they've also become more unfocused. With the latest offering, it seem like Harris tried to cram too much in – strife within the vampire and werewolf communities, family issues, a roommate struggling with her relationship with her father and the fact she turned her boyfriend into a cat by accident, etc.

Phew. It just seemed a little too scattered.

That said, it was a fun read and I just love immersing myself in Sookie’s world. I can already anticipate what the next book might tackle.

Real Murders

For my New Year's resolutions, I decided to make affirmative resolutions. One of them was two read two books per month. I'm running a little behind this month. I just finished book one for this month -- Real Murders by Charlaine Harris.

I discovered Harris when I happened to randomly pick up the first Sookie Stackhouse book at the library. This series really defies explanation -- paranormal/ romance/ mystery/ thriller. Sookie is a psychic working in a bar when she meets a vampire. Turns out vampires exist and they've announced their presence. Sounds weird, but these books are fun.

I just finished Real Murders by Harris. It had an interesting premise -- librarian Aurora "Roe" Teagarden is a member of the "real murders" club. They meet once a month to discuss famous murder cases. One night before a meeting, Teagarden discovers a club member murdered in a manner very similar to the real life murder they were about to discuss. Soon it appears that there is a murderer on the loose copying famous murders.

I hate to say it but this was not my favorite Harris book. There were too many characters and as a result I felt like the character development, which is something Harris usually shines at, was weak. There was a little much going on -- too many people, too many murders. I'm willing to give the new Teagarden book, A Bone to Pick, a chance because Harris very rarely disappoints. Hopefully it will be a stronger showing.