Twilight Movie Review

OK, I thought while I was on here posting, I'd just make a little commentary about the Twilight Movie. I have seen it four times now (which is huge for me because I rarely ever see movies at the theater). The first time I saw it, I had really mixed emotions because I loved the book SO MUCH, and the movie of course was not as good as the book (what movie ever is?) Each time I have seen the movie since then, I have liked it better and better. I think the first time, I had a lot of gripes about how the movie differed from the book, and I couldn't get past that. I love the order that everything in their relationship happens in the book, and I was annoyed that some things were out of order, and I hated the meadow scene. But once I came to terms with the fact that the movie wasn't the same as the book, I was able to appreciate the movie for what it was. Chuck came with me the second time I saw the movie, and he thought it was really slow and uninteresting. It was fun to ask him if he understood the little things that the movie didn't explain very well (he didn't get why their eyes change color for instance). The third time I saw the movie, I went with my mom, who had read all the books but hadn't seen the movie yet. She LOVED the movie, and by that time, I loved it too. I checked back with Twilight (and Midnight Sun), and was surprised that some of the scenes that bugged me from the movie were straight from the books (like when Edward tears off the tree branch and throws it, and is saying something like, "as if you could outrun me...") And the way Rob Pattinson played certain scenes really bugged me the first time I saw it, but now I think he did a really good job playing a tourtured Edward. Kristen Stewart as Bella still bugs me--I think her acting was kind of lame. I hate how she never really smiles, and I think the depth of her feelings for Edward never really shines through. But even still, I really love the Twilight Movie now, and I can't wait to see it again, and to own it and watch it over and over. I know the movie came out almost two months ago, but I would love to hear anyone else's two cents about it. :) Love, Cherene

The Wednesday Letters

Hey Ladies!
I was at Half Price Books last week, and saw The Wednesday Letters there, so I went ahead and bought the book (because I had been on the waiting list at the library for a while, and didn't know how much longer it would be before it was available). ANYWAY, I finished reading it tonight (it was a really fast and easy read), so I just wanted to offer to lend it out if any of you don't have a copy yet. Just let me know if you'd like to borrow it. Also, I have The Host (by Stephenie Meyer) if anyone ever wants to borrow that (I thought it was really good). :)
~Cherene

Year End Thank You

Dear Fellow Book Club Ladies,

I almost called you book clubbers - but that sounded too violent. I wanted to take a moment of our time tonight to thank you for making my book club dreams come true. You have been true friends indeed to read, and read and read - and come each month to share the thoughts only you could share. Consider if you have read the books on our little list - you have read eight books (not including books 1, 2, and 3 of twilight!). Now I know some of us read many more and some maybe read less - but read we did - some very good books, from Austen's Captain Wentworth to Turner's Captian Elliott, from Twain's Joan to Bronte's Jane - let's not forget Meyer's Edward and Bella -

Don't worry, I don't have quiz, and sorry, I don't have a prize. But if you are here - then perhaps you think a little like me, that reading is usually it's own reward. So what I do have is a sincere thank you and word of congratulations on a year well read. Love, your fearless leader, Tamara

2009 Preview

Here is the calendar and book list for 2009!
A couple things to keep in mind: 1.) It is not set in stone. Especially if we add new members or we all agree to change a month's selection. (Ideally we will not change a book once we are within a month of the next meeting.) 2.) The author intro and treat schedule are totally negotiable. I just like working off a schedule - switching & trading assignments is OK. 3.) If you want to opt out of treat making or author introducing - that is OK, too - just let me know. That brings me to my next item 4.) This book club has always been intended to be a 'fun' thing for us: NOT a stressful thing to add to our busy lives. So no pressure - if there is a month you cannot make it - just RSVP and no worries. I'm looking forward to another great year of 'book clubbing' with you ladies.

Book Club Schedule of Events 2009
Month Book Author Introduction Treats
Jan 22 A Thousand Splendid Suns/Hosseini/432 Cherene/Amy
Feb 26 The Wednesday Letters/Wright/280 Sara/Shanie
Mar 26 Robinson Crusoe/Defoe/304 Colleen/Michelle
Apr 23 North and South/Gaskell/480 Tamara/Tamara
May 28 Little Britches/Moody/260 Michelle/Colleen
Jun 25 Screwtape Letters/Lewis/224 Shanie/Sara
Jul 23 Brave Companions/McCullough/256 Amy/Cherene
Aug 27 Laddie/Porter/400
Sep 24 The Lonesome Gods/L’Amour/464
Oct 22 I am a Mother/Clayson/144
Nov TBA Mere Christianity/Lewis/256

The Twilight Movie

Have you guys heard all the hype lately about theaters around the valley that are sold out of Twilight tickets for some showings already? I REALLY want to see the movie on Friday since we are heading out of town on Saturday, so I went ahead and bought myself a ticket from movietickets.com for the 11am show on Friday 11/21 at the Gateway Theaters. Do any of you guys want to go to see Twilight next Friday at 11am? We could have a discussion afterwards at Golden Spoon. :) FYI, showtimes that day at Gateway are 11, 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, and 10:20. Tickets for that showtime are $7.25. If you buy them from movietickets.com, they add a $1 service charge, so the price is $8.25, but they throw in a free music download of "Bella's Lullaby" so I figured it all evened out (plus peace of mind has got to be worth something, right?) Let me know if you want to go at 11am on Friday. :)

Who wants to see Wicked the Musical?

Hey Ladies! Wicked is coming to Gammage, and Sara R. has reserved some tickets at a group discount rate. The date is Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 7:30pm. The tickets are $31.15 for balcony seats, $61.75 for Tier B seats, or $73 for floor seats. Chuck and I are going to go (and sit in the balcony). If any of you guys would like to go that night, we can make it a Book Club Field Trip (open to spouses, friends, and significant others too). If you would like to purchase tickets for that night at those rates, let Sara R. know as soon as possible. She'll need to know how many tickets you would like, and where you would like to sit. Payment for the tickets will need to be made to Sara by Jan 5. This is an awesome show!! My sister and I saw it in NY this summer, and I would highly recommend it. :) For information about the show, you can check out the website: WickedTheMusical.com. Thank you, Sara for being willing to coordinate this!!!