The Bookie In Me

I am a major bookie, which would make me a book purist by nature. I am fine with changes within the movie adaptation of one of my favorite books or book series if ‘the spirit of the material’ is adhered to for the most part. I understand some changes as long as they don’t take away from the character’s arc.

Needless to say, when I read that one of my favorite new books/series, ‘A Discovery of Witches’, written brilliantly by Deborah Harkness, was to be adapted into a movie courtesy of Warner Brothers, I was a little nervous and apprehensive about the idea. The reason for this is that I have been burned before and deeply disappointed with some of these adaptations. And I am not even the author!

I posed this question to the author on her Facebook Page “How much input are you going to have with the Warner Brothers adaptation of A Discovery of Witches?” and she kindly responded.

Here is her response: “I’m sort of like the Queen of England: I am allowed to advise, counsel, and warn. But I have no veto power, or creative control–nor should I. I’m a novelist, not a film maker and I would like to finish book #3 for you!”

I loved her answer, especially the “I’m sort of like the Queen of England’ bit and it is comforting to know that she will be a part of the movie adaptation in some capacity so I am looking forward to seeing this on the big screen. Deborah has such a strong sense of her character’s and their motivations that I know she will ‘advise and counsel’ well. Who else is looking forward to seeing ADOW on the big screen? Now, the next big question is who will play Matthew? I’ve got some ideas! What are yours? Who will play Diana? Sound off below!

Special thanks to Deborah Harkness for answering a bookie’s question!

*top image from roberson.edublog

The Great Debaters of the SSN.

Well, my fellow bookies in just a little over four months we will have the final Sookie Stackhouse novel in our hot little hands. I am sure it will be a sad moment for all and we may want to prolong the reading of Dead Ever After to make the magic last longer. Oh, who the hell am I kidding? We are going to devour that book in one night, if not in a few hours. At least, I know I am.

There has been speculation after speculation regarding the final book of this much beloved series, maybe more than the other books that have been released thus far. Dead Ever After, the penultimate novel in the Sookieverse was speculated about even before it had been given a title. I believe discussion started on this final book after Deadlocked was released and read by all the fans of this series. I know my friends and I have discussed it endlessly and it is a good thing that we are all on the same page.

There are some, however; who are not on the same page at all and everything about this final book has been picked apart before it even had a cover, not to mention the ones that came before it. I am all for speculation and it being expressed but some of the theories I have read are just so far out there, I cannot even stomach reading them. Disclaimer: I, for the most part, stay in my own little corner of the (Sookieverse) world but every now and then I like to read what others are saying about my favorite book series. I must tell you that when I do step away, I am astonished by some of the discussions and speculations. I often wonder if people have been reading the same series I have been delighted to read. Other than that, people might as well play, rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock as to the outcome of the final Sookie Stackhouse novel. Just a little Sheldon humor there.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, thoughts, speculations and theories but I really can’t help but wonder if some of the discussions are taking place with what is ‘in the text’ of these novels. The only conclusion that I can come to is that the answer is no. I am sure I have not been to every place on the NET that discusses the SSN but if the author’s own website’s community board is any indication that it is the same all over the net then I am well and truly glad I stay in my own little corner of the world. I have been venturing over there the past couple of weeks and I read a lot of what I like to call ‘grasping at straws’ posts about things that are no longer relevant or about things that have been made very clear.

As I am sure most of you know, a lot of the talk is centered on Sookie’s HEA (happily ever after for those who might not know lol) and who will be her suitor. In my opinion and many others, this is a no-brainer and has been for several books. I believe it has been Eric for quite some time because I listen to Sookie and her inner dialogue. The following question(s) were posted at CH’s site recently: “How does Eric fit into Sookie’s life?” and “Can anyone HONESTLY say they could see Eric befriending her friends , going to a backyard BBQ and playing football with Jason?” This is where it would help to leave how we would feel out of it and listen to Sookie’s inner dialogue. Of course I answered and I thought it was a simple, straight-forward answer.

My response went a little something like this: “Sookie is not your ordinary girl as I said above who dreams of the things you mentioned, i.e. the backyard BBQ with her husband and family and him tossing a football around with Jason. Sookie has never been a normal person that way so I expect she does not view her HEA as normal either. That is the reason I mentioned the roses and what not. I guess what I am trying to say is that Sookie has what she feels she needs in her life to make her happy. Why does her HEA have to fit what WE would consider good for her? She knows her heart and mind like I said before so to answer your question, Eric fits into Sookie’s life where and as long as she wants him in it and in whatever capacity she wants. It may not be normal but if it is what she wants then I am all for it. It does not matter where I can see Eric fitting into Sookie’s life; it is how Sookie sees it and what she wants.”

There has also been plenty of talk of Eric and how he wants power and moving up in the vampire hierarchy and this is not within the text of the series. It really baffles the mind how these types of conclusions can be made when it has been made clear that it is not so. If Eric wanted power, he could have had it by now but I think Sookie and Eric are both comfortable enough in their own little corner of the world that they do not need more. I think Eric gets a bad rep because he is pragmatic and resourceful and it might seem mean and high-handed but it always work for him and those he loves as well.

Every time I make my over to CH’s site as well as Amazon and read all the talk about Bill and how he could still be the one that Sookie chooses to be with, I want to puke. I wonder if they are reading the same book series and recall the fact that the author is a rape survivor herself. Bill raped Sookie in the trunk of that car and there is no denying that fact, no matter how hard people try to spin it. It does not matter that Sookie forgave him; she still would not ever forget it. There is a reason she does not share things with him and she also finds it creepy that he sits outs in the woods and watches what goes on.

I was new to Ms. Harris’s site so I had no clue about the level of discussions that went over there but I have skimmed the archives and it seems to me that a shift occurred over there. I have been told by friends that this is indeed the case. It does not matter to me who people ship for Sookie and her HEA in the book series, what matters to me is WHEN this shift started. It seems to me that this shift occurred after the start of True Blood. I believe that it is okay to back your favorite for an HEA but at least base it on the content of what is in the text and not about ANYTHING pertaining to True Blood. The two mediums are different entities altogether and should not be lumped as one. For starters, the SSN is 50 times better than True Blood ever could be so there is no comparison. Sookie can feel love for another man, such as Sam or Bill but it is not the kind of love that some people would like it to be. She may have some residual feelings for Bill that seem like it could be something, but it is only residual and nothing more.

Ms. Harris was asked on her Facebook page: “At what point while writing the Sookie Stackhouse stories did you realize Bill Compton was not going to be the main romantic partner for Sookie?” and her reply was “Probably by the second book”. My question is: Why do people insist on beating this dead horse into the ground? Bill and his fans should be glad that Sookie even considers him a friend if you ask me. Ms. Harris also confirmed in the past that Bill may be redeemed but can’t be totally forgiven and won’t be a contender in the romance department. I don’t need any more confirmation than that so I would not make a fool of myself by continuing to bring it up. Shouldn’t they be listening to what the author has said on the subject? They are her characters after all and she knows them quite well.

I don’t get where Sam is the obvious choice for Sookie for she has said many, many times and in different ways that she only views him as a friend. She truly values that friendship and would not want to see that come to an end. In STW, she made it very clear that she only views Sam as a friend. She was not comfortable that his family thought they were an item and did not want to give that impression. If it was about her loving Sam in the same manner that she loves Eric, it would have been shown to us before now and it has not. There has been no set up for Sookie to ‘all of a sudden’ love Sam.

Everyone who knows me will tell you that I am a major Eric/Sookie shipper, books and show but more so for the book series. I will go down with my ship. I wish Bill well but I cannot forget what he did to Sookie, both emotionally and physically to Sookie for she is who I care about. With all that being said though, when all the comparisons are done between Bill and Eric, I find them very lame. I personally love reading about all the secrets, lies and abuse Sookie has been enduring from Eric. I am not denying that Eric has not told lies to her but as he said “I may not tell you everything I know but what I do tell you is the truth”. It is moot because Eric’s lies were not a betrayal. I challenge anyone to name one (legitimate) time when Eric abused Sookie.

I am concerned for Sookie in the final installment of this series because she is obviously going to be in the dark about what is going on with Eric. I understand that a lot of it is for her own safety but she has a right to know. I don’t always agree with Eric but everything he has done has been for the better so I will trust it. I have been thinking about Quinn and what his role will be in all this. I was wondering if he was brought in for a Summit of some sort, for example Eric could be going to try and get Appius’s marriage contract null and void in a sort of trial with the AP, bringing in the fact that he was already married as well.

I also (painstakingly) wondered if Eric’s marriage to Sookie would be disavowed, through some work of Felipe’s so that he could have Sookie being that she is no longer protected by Eric. In this case scenario, it would not matter if the marriage deal with Freyda went through because he could keep Eric in his retinue and have Sookie to boot. I believe Felipe is ruthless enough to do this and make it serve as Eric’s and Sookie’s punishment for killing Victor. It would break her heart if she had to this from Quinn or someone else, like Felipe sending his minions to get her so he could use her gift.

I do know one thing for sure and that is that Sookie loves Eric, all on her own and they both are going to have to fight to stay together. I go back to Sookie’s words in Deadlocked that kind of mirrored Eric’s in Dead to the World and makes me trust her inner thoughts and that she knows her own heart and mind.

Eric: “Sookie, if I turn down this opportunity, Felipe will punish both of us. Our lives will not be worth living.”
Sookie: “Then we’ll leave,” I said quietly. “We’ll go somewhere else. You’ll work for some other King or Queen. I’ll find a job’

This is a very big thing for Sookie to say because she loves Bon Temps and the home she grew up in. If Sookie did not love Eric, this thought would never have occurred to her for even a second. This simple line spoken by her told me all I need to know for I want what Sookie wants and to me her heart says Eric. We shall see in about four months. At the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and speculations but it does need to be in respect to what has been previously written. I know I will miss Sookie Stackhouse and all her adventures.

My Great Big Fat ‘Sire’ Rant

I normally rant or rave about True Blood (mostly a rabid rant) but The Vampire Diaries is very deserving of one of my epic rants this week. I hope you are ready for this one. I have said before that The Vampire Diaries have been pretty good about continutity and merging the side stories in with the main one and for the most part, that still remains true; with the exception of this sire bond shit that seems to have come up all of a sudden! I thought to myself surely the Salvatore’s (beside Damon) have turned other people before and this sire thing never seemed to be an issue where feelings and doing what you are told. Damon turned Vicki and she was not in love with him and never acted like it. I don’t recall her really listenting to Damon either for that matter but then again maybe he did not tell her to do too many things. I digress and really who cares? The point I am trying to make here is that all of a sudden it is like being ‘sired’ to a vampire is what makes you have feelings for a person. Enough already with the excuses of why Elena loves Damon, the fact of the matter is that she does and it is real. This is like True Blood all over again, with that stupid ass blood bond, I am so over it.

I really just want to smack Caroline’s judgmental ass, either that or take her daylight ring off and feed her to the sun so she can burn to a crisp! She just could not wait to blurt out the ‘sire’ news to Elena just because she disapproves of the way Elena is acting. “You’re not falling in love with him Elena, you’re sired to him!” Caroline acts as if she never does anything wrong and is a saint and I am so tired of hearing her bash Damon and praise Stefan every time she turns around. In case, she has not forgotten, he is no SAINT. <>”Say what you want about Ripper Stefan but at least he wasn’t a man slut.” I think everyone has forgotten that Damon did not want to complete the transformation to vampire because he thought Katherine was dead. Stefan forced it on him and was the ‘ripper’ for a long time while Damon fed normally. He was the one who orignally loathed being a vampire while Stefan marvelled in it, sure he fed but not like Stefan did in the early days. Don’t get me started on the wench who told Damon that he would only send Stefan back to being the ‘ripper’ if he were to go to war with him. Why does Damon get the blame for Stefan’s actions all the time? It really makes no sense to me at all. I am so over Stefan and his ‘woe is me’ plight. If you ask me, it should be ‘Poor Damon’ not ‘Poor Stefan’ because he is the one who has lost the most.

Now back to this ‘sire’ shit which makes more sense when it comes to Klaus’s hybrids because that seems like a wolf thing to me but it just seemed to come out of nowhere and smack us in the face when it comes to explaining why Elena has feelings for Damon. We were told twice in the last episode that it does not effect feelings and yet Stefan and Caroline cannot shut up about it. I am quite sure that Stefan has turned quite a few peeps and none of them ever loved him. It just seems like a very convenient excuse and I am really tired of hearing the ‘sire bond’ or the ‘blood’ made me fall in love. I am sorry but the writing should not get off that easy. Tyler flat out said, “the bond affects how you act, not how you feel” yet it is still an issue for some (Caroline Stefan) and if that was not enough, the witch in New Orleans let it be known as well. The witch stated that a vampire can only bond to their sire when she has feelings for him before she was turned and those feelings were human feelings and being a vampire only heightens the emotions. Stefan still wants it to be her own chose. Caroline simply thinks that “She’s become Damon’s lapdog!” . Sounds like someone is jealous..lol!

So now in order for Elena to truly be free, Damon must set her free by telling her she must live her life without him. If it is meant to be, blah blah blah blah! I feel so sorry for Damon, he had to share Katherine with his brother and now Elena too? I am torn between him breaking the sire bond in this manner because while he does need to know if she truly loves him, it will break his heart all over again if she were return to Stefan. How much more can that vampire take? What makes no sense to me (as of yet) is that we and the characters have been told twice now that the sire bond did not create the feelings because they were already there, it only heightened them, so why make a big damn deal out of it? I will tell you why, it is to make this roller coaster of a triangle last longer than it should. I am starting to feel (just like True Blood) that I want off the bloody ride. With that being said, I am looking forward to tonight’s mid-season finale to hear what bullshit comes out of the story (and out of Carolines mouth) tonight?

Any thoughts on the ‘sire bond’? Share them below!

Fifty Shades of ‘Crap’!

Everywhere I surfed the internet, all I would hear about is ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. I listened to what my friends told me and thought BDSM is not my cup of tea. I am certainly not that much into fan-fiction either so I passed on reading the series, although I was given the set on PDF by an HH Chick (back when I wanted to know what the big damn deal was).  I just could not bring myself to read them.

Then everyone on the net starts carrying on about the book being made into a movie so I am thinking there has to be something to these books. Then people start talking about who should play the lead male character and one of my absolute favorite actors names kept popping up, saying he would be perfect for the role. Of course not everyone agreed, especially my fellow Skars chicks! I decided that I will finally sit down and read these books, when time away from college homework permitted that is.

First off let me start off by saying that I know I am going to piss some people off with my thoughts about this series and I will not be nice either. If you do not like my opinion, that is fine but if you give me crap about it on my blog or my Facebook page, then be prepared for what you get from me in return.

This whole series was a HOT mess from beginning to end and on so many levels that I find myself wondering how in the hell a publishing company got past the first pages, let alone publish the dame thing. I am not even sure how I got through it without crying or ripping my hair out. It was that terrible and to quote a good friend of mine, “I lost some brain cells after reading that series” and I want them back damnit! I said that part but I am sure she would like hers back as well.

On that note, let’s start with the grammar, which was beyond awful and one of the reasons it took me so long to get through the series. Before I go any further on the grammar issue, I need to point out one thing to the author, UNDOES is NOT a word! She used this non-word constantly and it was all I could do not to scream. Here are some examples of the many, many times she uses this NON-WORD and then you tell me if you don’t want to pull your hair out. “His grin widens, and leaning down, he undoes the tie” and “Leaning forward, he slowly undoes one of my pigtails, his fingers freeing my hair”. There is more where that came from but I won’t bore you, just remember that the one NON-WORD is used over and over again in each of the books.

The author uses the NON-WORD a total of 35 times between the three books. It is not only bad writing but her editor apparently does not know proper grammar either and here I thought people went to college to become an editor. I guess they will hire anybody these days. Where grammar is concerned, that is just the tip of the iceberg but I don’t think I need to give any other ‘grammar’ examples because you got my point.

Well, now that I am done with the grammar portion of this seriously messed up series, how about we move on to the storyline, which was non-existent. This was nothing but badly written porn, and what plot that was there was ruined by the game Christian and Ana liked to play. Ana herself was a confusing person and did not want it really rough and one minute she liked the playroom and the next she did not. He told her that he was like a recovering alcoholic but she dangled that ‘playroom’ shit in his face. He won’t recover that way lady. I could have gotten into this story more had the author made Christian likeable, every time I started to soften toward him, the author had him reverting back to the Dom and I found myself rolling my eyes. In my opinion, she redeemed him a little too late, if at all.

The story about his upbringing could have been sadder and make me feel some sympathy for his character had the author not abandoned it every time she started to tell it. At the end of the day, it was all about sex, sex, sex and more sex. Kinky Fuckery, indeed! I know a couple folks who most likely had a few ‘flesh-quakes’ (is that even a word?) when reading this series. The reason I am writing this opinion piece on the hot mess that is ‘Fifty Shades’ is because I want my favorite actor, Alexander Skarsgård to stay as far away from this movie as he can get.

I hope his manager and agents are reading this because Alex can do so much better than this ’50 Shades of Crap’. He is more than a gorgeous face and way more than a sex symbol. The role of Christian Grey is so far beneath him and his acting is so much better than that. Alex, just say NO because you are far too talented to waste it on the crappy story that is Fifty Shades.

I am not a book burner but this book series definitely is not staying in my library to be read over and over again. I am glad it is in PDF form because all I have to do is drop it in the recycle bin where it belongs. It really is just garbage to me. I would not waste my money if it is made into a movie, NO MATTER WHO PLAYS THE CHARACTER. I just hope that it will not be Alexander Skarsgård, although if he should decide to make the movie, then I will respect his decision.

Shadow Of Night Giveaway!

For any of you who follow my blog and read my posts here or at Eric and Sookie Lovers, you know that I am a major book lover! One of my new favorite book series is the All Souls Trilogy BY Deborah Harkness. The next book set to released in this trilogy is Shadow of Night and I have just learned of a contest giveaway to receive a signed copy of SON and a set of specially designed Ashmole 782 temporary tattoos, 6 All Souls Trilogy-related buttons.

As a major fan of this book series, I just had to enter and share it with my readers! I have been waiting as patiently as possible for this book to be released and it won’t be long now. If you cannot tell, I am super excited!

For more information on how to enter the contest for these awesome items just click hereLush Budget Production and you will find all you need to know there! Good Luck!!

*images from Lush Budget Production

Oh True Blood, Where Art Thou?

Since my friend(s) and fellow bloggers at Eric and Sookie Lovers will be doing a recap of last night’s episode, I won’t be doing the same here. I will, however state my opinion of why True Blood is failing to truly entertain the audience (the way it used to) in so many ways. I did not go into the season 5 premiere of True Blood with any expectations because the show has not lived up to its own standard of greatness. I watched it without any lack of enthusiasm that it would completely woo me and I was not disappointed in that area at all. Woo’ed I was not. I enjoyed certain parts of the episode but for the most part, I felt like nothing connected. It was one BIG HOT MESS! Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

We did not need the recap of what happened in the finale, we remember it all too clearly. After the recap, they continued on with the ending when Tara’s head was blown off and I found this extremely unnecessary as it took up too much time for the new season episode. True Blood needs to work harder to keep folks interested and this 5 or 10 minute recap did not help matters any. From start to finish, this episode seemed rushed and hurried as if they were trying to get it over with.

The first item of annoyance to me is the Bill and Eric ‘BROMANCE’ but not for the reasons that some of you might think. The reason Bill and Eric were so entertaining is because it works better when they are at each others throats and at odds. There is no way on Earth that these two would build a friendship that fast or even at all. They might agree to work together because they have no choice but they would still have the animosity and the ‘trying to one up each other’ thing going on. They might eventually end up with some semblance of respect for each other later on down the line, but it is a building process. With that being said, when I heard Eric say to Bill’ “I am not leaving you” I was left with a ‘WHAT THE HELL?’ feeling. The Eric I know would have ‘vamp sped’ out of there faster than you can say ‘I rescind my invitation’ and run off without him. He might not have gotten very far but this is the Eric we all know. That concludes reason number one why True Blood, in its current stupidity state is not working as well in the entertainment process.

The next item of annoyance is that of Eric and Nora which I had a problem in understanding the dynamic of their relationship (not the sex so much because two vampires natures and all). What is their history and where was the buildup to it? We know nothing, Jon Snow , Alan Ball!  There was a buildup to Eric and Pam to which we saw first-hand of their relationship and feelings for each other over time and we have yet to see their history together although this is coming soon but with Eric and Nora (who are vampire siblings through Godric) all we get is that ‘they fight like siblings, but fuck like champions’ shit. She would do anything for him and vice versa. My first problem with this is the fact of the way Eric was with Godric, you would think that she felt the same so where was she when he was looking for him? We should have met or heard something about her before in order for this relationship between them to ring true. My second problem with this is that he seemed to be closer to her than Pam and the Eric/Pam dynamic is one of the best things about the show. That concludes reason number two why True Blood season 5 is starting to suck (pun intended) even worse than the previous season(s).

Now, moving on to another item of annoyance which is that EVERYTHING, from start to finish moved way too fast and they did not give the viewer time to immerse themselves into the storyline(s) before carting them off to the next. Speaking of storyline(s), there were too many once again that has nothing to do with the main at all. Continuity is a major issue with this show and it bores me because they don’t seem to remember what they write in previous seasons. It is like ‘oh that little thing never mind, it is not important’. For instance, Sookie should have known that Russell was not dead seeing as she dragged him back in and Eric told her that he was not planning on killing him. So Sookie saying ‘he’s over 3000 years old, what were they thinking, keeping him alive?” was just the stupid writers making Sookie appear to be dumb and ignorant of everything around her.

She also thought that Bill killed him when he said “Russell is gone, I ended him, Eric and Pam as well. I intend to bring the True Death to all that know who you are and tasted you” These are the issues I have with the show and people get mad at me when I mention it. This is reason number three why True Blood cannot be redeemed because of the way they throw out anything concrete that had already been established previously. The True Blood audience should not be treated as if they do not know or remember things that have taken place in previous episodes. There is no logic, rhyme or reason to this show anymore and at this point, it is nothing but badly written porn. We shall see if that changes but I won’t be holding my breath. I will continue to watch but it will be with a heavy heart because this show used to have so much promise and it is nothing but a hot mess.

I won’t even mention the ‘spoiled Jessica’ moments except to say that she has gone stale and needs to meet the True Death, ASAP and STAT! Nor will I mention the were’s and Alcide and the stupid wolf pack shit. Nor will I mention Terry, Arlene, the kids and his crazy Army buddy. Nor will I mention Andy, Holly and her ragtag boys.

Oh True Blood, Where Art Thou because the show and characters that I know were not on my flat screen last night.

A Discovery of a New Book Series

It was not that long ago that I was introduced to ‘A Discovery of Witches’ written by Deborah Harkness by a friend who recommended the book. I was looking for a new book to read and she delivered on the recommendation. I was told it was about witches, magic and vampires. Now, anyone who is my friend knows that this is right up my alley. I was already intrigued and was heading out to get the book.

I am now and there is no going back for me. I am hooked on the book and cannot wait to read and review the next book on the ‘All Souls Trilogy’ entitled ‘Shadow of Night’. I want to be taken back in time to the England of old and fall in love with Matthew and Diana all over again. I am literally getting goose bumps here. I might as well add to my goosebumps and our excitement by posting an excerpt from ‘Shadow of Night’ right here.

“My eyes adjusted to the dim light as I surveyed the room. A substantial bed, small table, narrow benches, and a single chair came into focus. Through the carved uprights supporting the bed’s canopy I spied a doorframe that connected this chamber to another room. Light spilled from it onto the coverlet and floor in a misshapen golden rectangle. The walls were covered with the linen-fold paneling that I remembered from the few times I’d visited Matthew’s home in present-dayWoodstock. Elaborately herringboned bricks lined the chimney, their outlines sharpened by the fire’s flames. They looked right, too. Such ornate brickwork would appeal to the stonemason Matthew had once been. Tipping my head back, I saw the ceiling – thickly plastered, coffered into squares, with a splashy red-and-white Tudor rose picked out in gilt in each recess.

‘The roses were obligatory when the house was built,’ Matthew commented drily. ‘I can’t stand them. We’ll paint them all white at the first opportunity.’

My gaze returned to my husband and I smiled with sudden excitement. ‘I really did it. I didn’t mess it up, or take us somewhere else likeMonticello, or—’

‘No,’ he said with an answering smile, ‘you did beautifully. Welcome to ElizabethanEngland. . .’”

*EXHALES* Well, now that was just a tease but it will hold me over until the book is released.I would like to thank my friend Joanne for leading me to the start of a fabulous book series.

*Thanks to Deborah Harkness and her Facebook page for the images*