Just finished reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. My cousin kept asking me to read it, as it was so addictive for her. Borrowed from her early this year but never had the time do read it. Finally, I decided to read the book during the weekend for a change, instead of surfing the Internet.
Without disclosing much on the story line (It's probably on wikipedia anyway), the book tells of a romance blossoming between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, and the complications that come along the way. The first 3/4 of Twilight feels like a Mills and Boons novel, of which Edward Cullen was constantly described as the perfect, dashing man in every woman's dream. Every other action he does just leaves Bella breathless, mesmerised. They were madly in love with each other.
Only exception to this was that the hero was a vampire, and they didn't ended up in bed like other Romance novels do. The last 1/4 part suddenly became an action movie, with Bella getting into trouble and Edward and his family getting involved in rescuing her. In the end, all is well, for and our hero and heroine, but will it be for long? (since there's already New Moon and Eclipse)
Honestly speaking, this book isn't quite my cup of tea. I'm not really a romance novel person, and I personally find books like this a little painful to read through. It reminded me of the days whereby I started choosing the books I read.
I had to admit I picked up my reading habit quite late, standard three to be exact. During primary school, I would be eagerly looking for Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew books in the library. I even kept a checklist to make sure I don't miss out on any of the books. Later I experimented with Sweet Valley Twins. Novel House in SS2 had a comprehensive collection, and the innocent looking covers and simple storyline caught my attention.
It was during Form 1 when I noticed there were two types of readers in school - One who dwells on Sweet Valley High and Sweet Dreams. The other ventured into Christopher Pike and Fear Street. I tried renting a few books from Sweet Dreams but gave up after the 2nd book. Despite different settings, the storyline is almost always the same. Don't the girls get bored over it? I never really got into Sweet Valley High, perhaps I was already tired from the Sweet Valley series.
My tuition friends introduced me to Christopher Pike's "Remember Me". I found myself drawn into that type of story telling. Later I would only read Christopher Pike and Fear Street for the next couple of years. Looking back, it's kind of ironic why I would even read Fear Street as I really, really hate horror films! As I progressed on during my teens, I got weary of Christopher Pike (his stories has gone a little out-of-the-world) and Fear Street (how much horror and gore can Shadyside take?). I tried reading a Mills & boons novel but never got to finish it, though the cover picture of Pablo and a sexy lady seems to indicate that the book was interesting in the first place. During that time, I discovered Michael Crichton, whom I later followed his works. It's sad that he has already passed on.
When I was working, my colleagues introduced me to a couple of romance authors - Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux. Again, someone borrowed me a book of which the title I can't recall. It took me a few months to read half the book. I never got to finish it. That's when I know romance novels are NOT for me. Surprisingly I find Chick Lit a bit more tolerable, perhaps they injected some form of wit and humour to keep me entertained. I've only read a couple of Chick Lit books (one being the Shopaholic series which I find amusing), but I probably wouldn't say it's my first choice.
Why I am not attracted to romance novels? I'm not sure. Perhaps I find it fake and predictable. Yes, A woman will always have their own romance fantasy, but must every fantasy have at least one bed scene with her lover, and then only to find she was betrayed, but in the end the ended up together again? Hmm... While reading Twilight I can imagine why girls go crazy over Edward Cullen (even before the movie) because of how the author kept describing him - charming, handsome, beautiful, perfect. Perhaps it's the same with the other books. The male character is often portrayed as the perfect man. All they need to do next is to come up with a storyline to keep the readers hooked.
Romance movies are a different thing altogether. I love romantic movies, and don't mind watching them over and over again. Favourites? My Sassy Girl, Il Mare, Romeo & Juliet, Beauty & The Beast, Love Letter, Working Girl, While You Were Sleeping, and so many much more!
Anyway, I won't be buying New Moon or Eclipse at the moment, unless I can borrow from my cousin or friend. Romance books? Certainly not for me at the moment. I don't mind a romantic adventure though. Indiana Jones anyone?
Without disclosing much on the story line (It's probably on wikipedia anyway), the book tells of a romance blossoming between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, and the complications that come along the way. The first 3/4 of Twilight feels like a Mills and Boons novel, of which Edward Cullen was constantly described as the perfect, dashing man in every woman's dream. Every other action he does just leaves Bella breathless, mesmerised. They were madly in love with each other.
Only exception to this was that the hero was a vampire, and they didn't ended up in bed like other Romance novels do. The last 1/4 part suddenly became an action movie, with Bella getting into trouble and Edward and his family getting involved in rescuing her. In the end, all is well, for and our hero and heroine, but will it be for long? (since there's already New Moon and Eclipse)
Honestly speaking, this book isn't quite my cup of tea. I'm not really a romance novel person, and I personally find books like this a little painful to read through. It reminded me of the days whereby I started choosing the books I read.
I had to admit I picked up my reading habit quite late, standard three to be exact. During primary school, I would be eagerly looking for Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew books in the library. I even kept a checklist to make sure I don't miss out on any of the books. Later I experimented with Sweet Valley Twins. Novel House in SS2 had a comprehensive collection, and the innocent looking covers and simple storyline caught my attention.
It was during Form 1 when I noticed there were two types of readers in school - One who dwells on Sweet Valley High and Sweet Dreams. The other ventured into Christopher Pike and Fear Street. I tried renting a few books from Sweet Dreams but gave up after the 2nd book. Despite different settings, the storyline is almost always the same. Don't the girls get bored over it? I never really got into Sweet Valley High, perhaps I was already tired from the Sweet Valley series.
My tuition friends introduced me to Christopher Pike's "Remember Me". I found myself drawn into that type of story telling. Later I would only read Christopher Pike and Fear Street for the next couple of years. Looking back, it's kind of ironic why I would even read Fear Street as I really, really hate horror films! As I progressed on during my teens, I got weary of Christopher Pike (his stories has gone a little out-of-the-world) and Fear Street (how much horror and gore can Shadyside take?). I tried reading a Mills & boons novel but never got to finish it, though the cover picture of Pablo and a sexy lady seems to indicate that the book was interesting in the first place. During that time, I discovered Michael Crichton, whom I later followed his works. It's sad that he has already passed on.
When I was working, my colleagues introduced me to a couple of romance authors - Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux. Again, someone borrowed me a book of which the title I can't recall. It took me a few months to read half the book. I never got to finish it. That's when I know romance novels are NOT for me. Surprisingly I find Chick Lit a bit more tolerable, perhaps they injected some form of wit and humour to keep me entertained. I've only read a couple of Chick Lit books (one being the Shopaholic series which I find amusing), but I probably wouldn't say it's my first choice.
Why I am not attracted to romance novels? I'm not sure. Perhaps I find it fake and predictable. Yes, A woman will always have their own romance fantasy, but must every fantasy have at least one bed scene with her lover, and then only to find she was betrayed, but in the end the ended up together again? Hmm... While reading Twilight I can imagine why girls go crazy over Edward Cullen (even before the movie) because of how the author kept describing him - charming, handsome, beautiful, perfect. Perhaps it's the same with the other books. The male character is often portrayed as the perfect man. All they need to do next is to come up with a storyline to keep the readers hooked.
Romance movies are a different thing altogether. I love romantic movies, and don't mind watching them over and over again. Favourites? My Sassy Girl, Il Mare, Romeo & Juliet, Beauty & The Beast, Love Letter, Working Girl, While You Were Sleeping, and so many much more!
Anyway, I won't be buying New Moon or Eclipse at the moment, unless I can borrow from my cousin or friend. Romance books? Certainly not for me at the moment. I don't mind a romantic adventure though. Indiana Jones anyone?
Comments
As for Twilight, I didn't read the book but watched the movie recently. It wasn't really the type of movie I was expecting after much hype about the book ie. Edward Cullen.
I have yet to watch Twilight...