Thoughts 8.1

Wow, how long has it been since I put a Thoughts post up?! I love writing these; it is a bit like writing an internet version of a diary (you know, since people are totes obsessed with what is happing in my life lol) but I forget about them/ have other things planned/ are lazy/ thoughts too inappropriate for the internet.

I am currently reading Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris. This is the fourth book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries series and I have to say I am still having way too much fun with this. It is exactly the right type of book to read if you don’t want to break your brain. I am also reading Nora Roberts’ latest book, The Collector. Reading a new book by your favourite author is like holding a puppy, the pleasure is astronomical. So far, so good!

Series wise, I am watching Vampire Diaries Season 3. I watched it a while back, so the story is actually quite fresh – I remember only the major plot lines so the smaller plot lines are fun to follow. I am still on a Sherlock hangover, and I don’t think it will pass over soon. I reviewed season one here and two here, and the third should be going up sometime next week. I still need to put up my thoughts on the Mentalist Season 6, which will happen sometime in the next 50 years or so J

As for movies, I finally watched Frozen last week and it was so darn cute. I completely get the fan-base for the movie, and it is now one of the few animations I will watch again.

My Studies is going well – I have practicals for two weeks in September, and I am rather nervous about it. Chemistry is definitely one of the trickiest subjects I have and one in which I have the least experience. I have to start studying as well – I sincerely don’t want to stress myself out come October/November!

Random thoughts:

This one girl keeps calling me Natasher. I have no idea how to tell her there is no “er” to the end of my name. Sad, sad sigh. But, she also spells “Maternal”, “Martenal”, so she obviously has some issues with the letter R.

Why can’t people find solutions to their own problems before running to me? Really, do I look like I know everything? I do know a lot, but you have the answers for the questions you ask!

I actually broke my phone cover, and now I am living on the wild side until I get the chance to buy one again. I obviously need one, because really, who breaks a phone cover?

I am working on something rather exciting to replace my 5 Things Friday posts. 5 things was awesome and great fun, but it is feeling stale these days. Will let you know when it is more structured.

What is happening in your life lately? Tell me!

August 28, 2014August 27, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Thoughts, UnisaTags: Books, Charlaine Harris, Dead until Dark, Reviews, Series, Thoughts, Unisa, Vampire Diaries 11 Comments

Book Review: Living Dead in Dallas (Charlaine Harris)

Sookie Stackhouse is still dating the vampire Bill Compton, and still works as a waitress in Merlotte’s bar in Bon Temps, a small town in Louisana. With Bill’s new position in the vampire ranks they can live in relative surety that the Sheriff of the vampire Area Five, Eric Northman, will honour their relationship and not try and seduce Sookie.

Sookie’s friend and co-worker Lafayette is found murdered in the sheriff’s car, although Andy Bellefleur was taken home by his sister that night, suspicion does arise that Andy might have murdered the black, gay man, two unacceptable qualities to the primitive minds of some of the Bon Temps residents. Andy’s sister, Portia, asks Sookie to read the minds of the people and maybe find the true killer that way. Although Sookie doesn’t like the Bellefleurs much, she agrees to avenge her friend’s murder. Sookie starts looking for a secretive sex-club that has started in Bon Temps because Lafayette had bragged about attending one of their get-togethers, and was murdered shortly after his first visit.

Sookie is summoned by Eric for a job, and on the way there she is attacked by a maenad, a demon that wants Eric to offer up a tribute to her. The maenad attacks Sookie as a message to Eric, and both Bill and Eric are worried about the maenad’s presence, something Eric admits can be troublesome. The two vampires clean up Sookie well enough and promise to find an appropriate offering for the maenad to placate her.

Eric explains the mission: he is “loaning” her out to the Dallas vampire community to find Ferrell, one of their coven mates who went missing. Sookie agrees to head over to Dallas to read the minds of the humans there and search for Ferrell if Bill can accompany her.

In Dallas, Sookie learns about a new fanatical cult that is determined to rid the world of vampires. She is betrayed and kept captive in the cult’s basement, and a strange, suicidal vampire helps her escape and carry the news to her friends.

Will Sookie find the missing vampire in Dallas? How will the Fellowship retaliate? Who murdered Lafayette and can they be apprehended to clear the Sheriff’s name?

Rating: 7/10

Another short and quick read, Dead in Dallas is exactly the type of addicting literature that I love. It is so fast to get through, it is just on the right side of fluffy to not break your brain but keep you interested, and it has the supernatural element alongside the romance. I really like that each book has an entirely new story – the complete set of books don’t run one theme the entire time. It keeps the books fun with a new adventure each time.

I am becoming such a fan of Sookie Stackhouse. She isn’t insanely book smart but she is street smart and sure of who she is, and believes enough in herself to stand up for who she is and what she believes in.

Eric Northman is such a hilarious brat of a character. The word “NO” is not in his realm of understanding and he couldn’t care less about the trivialities of the human nature. I respect him because while he is underhanded in his attempts to seduce Sookie he waits for her clearance and respects her “NO”, which is very surprising.

Bill Compton is a bit of a pain in my ass sometimes, although I generally enjoy him. He is very possessive but at the same time leaves Sookie in danger and won’t change his most annoying ways.

The books are well written in this series and that scores major points with me. I haven’t found any grammar mistakes or any ridiculous repeated phrases.

My only issue is a ridiculous one, and it is that the vampires have to sleep during the day. I mean that could really have not been in the books, you know? Would have made things a lot more fun!

Have you read these books? What did you think?

August 26, 2014August 26, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Books, Reviews, UncategorizedTags: Bill Compton, Bon Temps, Books, Dead until Dark, Eric Northman, Living Dead in Dallas, Reading, Reviews, Sam Merlotte, Sookie Stackhouse, Southern Vampire Mysteries, vampires 2 Comments

Book Review: Dead Until Dark (Charlaine Harris)

Sookie Stackhouse lives in Bon Temps, Louisiana, where she works as a waitress in Merlotte’sBar. Although pretty, she is regarded as “mad” because of her ability to read people’s thoughts. She works with her friend Arlene, and her boss, Sam Merlotte, has a crush on her, although he is always very respectful about it and her gifts.

After the successful manufacturing of synthetic blood vampires are out in the open and everyone is aware that they exist. There are three viewpoints on their existence: they must die or they are treated like gods or people are somewhat indifferent about it. Sookie in between thinking they are celebrities and not caring about what they do. She is excited when she meets Bill Compton, a 173 old vampire who is trying to fit in between humans. Initially she saves his life, then he saves hers, and they are soon romantically involved.

A series of murders on young women in Bon Temps happen and everyone starts suspecting the vampire. Bill explains to Sookie that a vampire would drain the body of blood, making sure not to waste a droplet of it. She believes him, but the fact remains that there are people in town who would hurt vampires – shown when another vampire dwelling is burnt down overnight.

Sookie’s brother Jason becomes a suspect because he had sexual relations with all the victims. He begs Sookie to use her mind reading abilities to find the killer, but that means that Sookie needs to embrace her powers and not suppress them, as she usually would.

As Sookie investigates the murders, she heads to a vampire bar, where she meets the mysterious vampire Eric Northman. He is obviously in some position of power as Bill respects him, but Sookie is unimpressed by his attitude and looks. Eric notices that Sookie is immune to his “glamor”, a form of compulsion, and this only makes him more curious. Realising what she can do, he soon requests her to help find a criminal that stole from his pub.

Will Sookie’s help be enough for Eric? Who is killing the girls in Bon Temps? Is Sookie and Bill’s relationship safe in their two perilously balanced worlds?

Rating: 7/10

So here it is: a little miracle on my blog. I have finally managed to get my brain back on a level where I can read new material. I reread the Nora Roberts Inn Boonsboro trilogy last week, and it was enormous fun, but it didn’t result in any literature post as I’ve already done it.

Zoë suggested that I read these books – a form of romance she actually likes, and I decided to give it a try.

This book had some good things going for it: The characters are all strong, the female lead can protect herself as well and also her boyfriend if needs be, the story is original. I like the direction that the author took – what if vampires existed and humanity knew about it? I like the length of the book (short) – a thick novel would not have worked with the material.

I enjoyed Sookie Stackhouse (you were completely right there, friend). She is no genius and obviously a bit cooked, but she is fearless and will stand up for herself and say what she wants.

This was a fun, sexy book, easy to enjoy and no one was breaking their brains trying to understand the plot and subplot and who is related to who (I love books like that, but sometimes you need to revert to the simple life of vampires)

I had a nice giggle with the whole vampire version of AIDS – I have been overthinking a vampire’s reaction to infected blood for ages and I am glad some author tried to give a way as to the effect it would have on vamps.

Recommendation: I don’t think a lot of men will enjoy it, so girls, go give it a try!

August 20, 2014October 5, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Books, ReviewsTags: Bill Compton, Bon Temps, Books, Dead until Dark, Eric Northman, Living Dead in Dallas, Reading, Reviews, Sam Merlotte, Sookie Stackhouse, Southern Vampire Mysteries, vampires 9 Comments