Book: The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer

This was extremely slow going from the beginning for me. I was confused by the general storyline for a while, then I was just disappointed by it. I also have issues with the brutality Meyer's lead male character exhibits toward Wanda, the female lead. And that she just stands there and takes it because she loves him. I don't buy the whole "I looooove him with all my being, so whatever he does I will take, even if he slaps me across the face so hard it shoves me into the wall." It is all just so unbelievable and completely not empowering for women. It is a very black and white (and disturbing) way of viewing women and men and their gender roles.

This book is touted as being for adults, as opposed to the Twilight series which is written for a YA audience. I find that the character development is no more advanced than it is in the Twilight series, maybe even less so. There is so much irrational internal dialog that I had a hard time relating to the main character at all. And maybe that is because Meyer decided to make her 20 years old. I don't consider myself all that old, but I do think it is a stretch to think of the main character as an adult. I mean, gosh, we wouldn't want her to be, like, 25 or something. She would be all dried up.

I actually think this may have something to do with Meyer's Mormon upbringing, in a culture where many young women do get married and settle down at 20. This may also be the reason that there is no sexual action in the book whatsoever -- at least in the first half of the book. Again, it is the pattern of the lead male character having to exert his otherworldly restraint and put the kibosh on the wild and hormonal female lead. This may be explained away in a YA book (although I think a lot of YA books do touch on the subject of S-E-X), but not in a novel supposedly written for adults.

All in all, there is just way, waaaaaay too much filler. There is no reason for the story to be over 600 pages long. It could easily have been told in 330 pages -- the point that I just put the book down and stopped reading. There are way too many books out there to spend another 300 pages on a story so lackluster.

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Updateyness-ish

Hi Internets. I have been a busy bee for the past few weeks. For some reason the middle of the semester is a packed full of scholarly goodness. I have had five assignments and two group projects due. Thank goodness that next week is spring break. I am looking forward to six glorious days of thinking of things other than what is due next.

JP and I are still being money-conscious and that means being thrifty spenders and not going on overnight weekend trips. Really, though, that is ok because I have a lot to do around the house. I need to do a good spring cleaning, get my new recipes organized and started, and do lots of other odds and ends I just haven't had time to do recently.

I have been reading The Spectrum which is about the spectrum of choices we are able to make when it comes to our lives -- nutrition, meditation/de-stressing, exercise. It is a very comprehensive book and what I like most about it is that it is sound and based in science. I also like that it doesn't tell you what to do, but describes a variety of choices. Really, it is not about being forced to do things -- we are all making choices in our lives. Living (and staying!) at the healthy end of the spectrum is something I am choosing to learn how to do in the next few months. I will keep myself accountable on here.

The best news I have is that my camera is repaired and will get here tomorrow. I've missed it a lot! I cannot wait to get out with it next week.

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American Idol

Ugh. I am just not sure I can do this show anymore. It has gotten beyond pathetic. Maybe this is because I've gotten older. Maybe it's because the novelty of it wore off years ago. Maybe it's because Ryan keeps saying, "It's the most talented group of 24 ever!" and I want to slap the snot out of him for blatantly lying to all of us. (Ok, I realize Ryan is a puppet, but that doesn't change the urge to slap something violently.) Maybe it's because they have really tried to use the contestants' celebrity (e.g. former record contract and commercial acting) to make us vote for contestants.

In a season where the guys are pathetic, it's depressing when the girls are even MORE pathetic. Where did they find these people? I think they casted them because of qualities of which being able to carry a tune was pretty much optional -- a convenience in a few cases. JP was covering his head and begging for it to be over last night and, although I didn't cover my head, I was witnessing far too many cringe-worthy moments for my taste.

These are the people I think could/would/should/dontreallycareiftheydoornot make it to the final four. The thing is, I can't imagine buying any albums by any of these people.

Carly
I guess she can sing. I can't really tell through all the hype they have loaded on her each and every week. She can carry a tune. But I am not sure I have bought her being sick every single week up till now, and I am not feeling sorry for her in any way, even though the show producers would reallyreallyREALLY like me to. Also, her album would probably be a Heart rip off and there is no way I would purchase it.

David H
This guy can sing. The problem is, it skeeves me out to watch him. He makes hand gestures, squinty eyes, and constipated faces that rival the best of them. I can imagine him fronting a boy band or maybe making an album that is Enrique Iglesias-esque. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.


David A

Ok, considering pure vocal talent, this kid is definitely a front runner. He can throw out a ten-note run like he was blinking an eye. He definitely has the tween/mom/grandma vote. He may be cute and have some talent, but the problem is the only way I would ever buy his album is FOR my grandma.




Chikezie

Oh, I'm supposed to pick a final four. Um... yeah. How about Chikezie? His name alone could sell a million records. Plus, who doesn't like a guy who can pull off an orange suit and never once stop grinning?




Yeah, like I said, I am not sure how many more hours of my life I am willing to waste on this freak show.

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Charlie Wilson's War

Hi. I have been slacking off in the blogging department, but that should be remedied soon enough. My mind has been jumping all over the place lately with things I want to do. There is a lack of clarity and focus in my mind. I really need to sit down and map out some plans and get them in place. My jumpy thoughts make blogging neigh impossible. I am going to post up my goals for the year in the next couple of days.

Today we went to see Charlie Wilson's War. I did not like it at all. The screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin (of West Wing fame), so there was way too much unwarranted dialog about next to nothing. And honestly, the story didn't really need to be told. The movie could have reasonably been 30 minutes long, but who wants to pay $9 for a 30 minute movie? So we all have to suffer. Also, there were too many curse words flying around. I am all for free speech, but when a movie is rated R, it seems like they throw in as many gratuitous f-words and naked boobs that they can fit into the movie, and it becomes distracting to the central plot.

So, yeah, don't waste your money/time on Charlie Wilson's War.

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Bee Movie

JP and I went to see Bee Movie this evening. I have to say, it was the most visually stunning and funniest movie I have seen in a long time. It may come across as a kid's movie, but it really had a lot of humor in it for adults, too. I think a lot of movies, while the animation may be amazing, miss the mark on the story side. This one, though, had a great story that anyone could enjoy.



The animation is most impressive.


It looks so real that I found myself wishing I could pause the movie to drink in everything going on in each scene.



The animated movies today completely blow away movies from even five years ago, not to mention from when I was young and Who Framed Roger Rabbit was all the rage.

So yes, it is an animated movie, and animated movies are mostly tailored for kids, but this one is great for any age. Go see it and you won't be sorry. And if you can, see it in digital format -- the picture is so crisp!

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Movies

I am fairly discriminating when it comes to movies. The stupid comedies of late really don't do it for me -- it takes something more clever to make me laugh -- and I haven't seen very many interesting dramas lately either. So earlier this year, I was thrilled when not one, but TWO movies came out that are just amazing.

The first is Once, a heartfelt story about an Irish busker and a flower seller. There are songs (that they sing -- the actors are musicians) scattered throughout the movie. I listen to the songs from the movie all the time. It is very different and won me over. The DVD release date is 12/18, just in time for Christmas.

The second is Paris, Je T'Aime. It is just under two hours of 18 short films set in the city of lights. If you dream of Paris, if you have been there, if you enjoyed Amelie, or if you just want to see shorts directed by a slew of talented directors, then you will most likely enjoy this movie. I love, love, love it -- it completely captivated me. Even if there is a short you aren't particularly fond of, it will be over in six minutes or so! Not many movies can claim that. It was just released the other day, so go rent it or pick it up (you will want to watch it again) and tell me how much you want to wander the streets of Paris.

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