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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Oldies but Goodies

About Oldies but Goodies
Sometimes old books can get a little lost in blogland among the piles of ARCs and new releases. So every week on a Sunday, we're going to be focusing on an old favourite - a book that was published at least 5 years ago and deserves to be recognised.

How to Participate
If you would like to participate, please feel free to leave a comment with your favourite Oldie but Goodie or leave a link to a blogpost you've done on the topic using the Mr Linky at the bottom of the post.



THIS WEEK'S OLDIE BUT GOODIE:

Title: Dead Until Dark

Author: Charlaine Harris

Genre:
Urban Fantasy

Copyright:
2001

Pages:
292

Synopsis: Don't think this is necessary but just in case you DON'T know what Sookie is all about....Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

A fun, fast, funny, and wonderfully intriguing blend of vampire and mystery that's hard to put down, and should not be missed.

Why I love it:
Okay so I only started reading Urban Fantasy last year but this was the book that made me fall in love with the entire genre. I know that every man and his dog has read the Sookie Stackhouse novels but when I realised that this book was initially published in 2001 I was astounded! Here I was thinking Charlaine Harris was some sort of overnight success but I couldn't have been more wrong! Obviously these books had gained a big following before I heard about them and the True Blood series has just spiked the popularity of these novels through the roof (that's how I was introduce to Bill, Sookie and *sigh* Eric).

I loved this novel for so many, many reasons. It was a little book that packed a big punch - I sped through the pages one afternoon, completely absorbed by how different it was to anything else I'd ever read. I loved how the author stuck to tradition for most of the vampire mythology and how Sookie was so unique and battled such hardship throughout the novel. She really was a girl I could cheer for! It had me laughing, crying and completely engrossed.

Whose Team are you on: There remains but one question for fans of this series - who do you want Sookie to end up with? Bill, Erik or Sam?

I sit on the Sam/Erik fence. I think that Erik is one hot vamp but could Sookie really have a future with him? She can't exactly grow old with him and Charlaine Harris has already said she will NEVER turn Sookie into a vampire. I also think for all of Erik's depth of character, he is still to flighty to give Sookie any sort of permanent commitment.

Sam......Sam is gorgeous and as loyal as the Collie he shifts into. I don't think Sookie and Sam have ever really had their day. I think he's the only character in the series that can actually offer Sookie a future and a chance at a normal life with a family of her own. For Sookie's sake, I hope that's who she ends up with.

Just for fun, there's a poll running on the sidebar where you can officially cast your vote :-)

The below video is an interesting video interview with Charlaine Harris where she discusses her writing process, the TV series and other cool things about the books. It's about 6 mins long:


True Blood the TV Series: The highly anticipated Season 3 premieres on 3 June 2010. I cannot wait! Didn't Season 2 end on such a cliff-hanger!

The big question fans of the TV Series are asking is will Erik and Sookie hook up in this season? **Please please please please please!** Alan Ball's official answer to this question is below:

'I can’t tell you if they’re going to get together, because that’s going to ruin the anticipation. But, if you’ve been following season two, he’s definitely been doing things to make her more vulnerable and more susceptible to him. And he does want her, he’s just not sure why. I think it’s deeper than just, “I want her because Bill Compton has her.” Although that’s part of it, because Eric is a total alpha-dog.'

What a tease! I'm thinking that means yes. Here's my favourite scene from Season Two...you know, the dream scene between Eric and Sookie (safe to play in public):

Book 10 - Dead in the Family: The official release date for the latest Sookie Stackhouse novel is May 2010. I can't believe this series is up to 10 books already!

For everyone who was hanging on the last word of Book 9 - Dead and Gone - this wait feels excruciating. If you can bear it, here's the link to the opening chapter of the next book in PDF format: Chapter One of Dead in the Family

PS A big congratulations to Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings who became a Grandma yesterday!

Princess of the Past

9 comments:

Courtney said...

what a tough question! the book you can always go back to and enjoy it all over again? For me it has to be either:

The Phantom Tollbooth (N. Juster)
or
Pride & Prejudice (J. Austen)

Something about both books just keeps me inthralled in the pages no matter how many times I turn them!

Oh, and I am totally Team Eric :)

fredamans said...

Congrats Grammy Alaine!!!

fantasylover12001 said...

I've just recently gotten into the Sookie books myself this year (I'm on book 5). I honestly don't know WHO I want Sookie to end up with. Part of me does want it to be Eric but I'm still on the fence. I'm probably a rarity in the fact that I'd be happy with either Bill or Eric or Sam. I'm really not that picky as long it's a decent guy. But right now I'm more leaning towards Eric.

The Book Resort said...

Sooookkkiieee! lol.

The Book Resort said...

Love this feature.

Blodeuedd said...

It sure took me many years to read the Sookie books

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I also didn't discover Sookie until there were about 6 books out in the series. Like you I was so fascinated by Sookie. She made be different but she didn't take s*** from the people who thought she was weird. I read the first 6 books in a bout a week and was totally sold. The last book "Dead and Gone" wasn't up to the usual standard but I'll definitely be back. "Dead and Gone" just didn't seem to add anything to the story.
But the question- I want to see Eric with Sookie. Bill didn't realize what he had and doesn't deserve her and I just never felt the spark between Sookie and Sam

ibeeeg said...

I love this series!!! Good to know that book 10 is due out in May. Hey...May was the month that book 9 was released.
I was not thrilled with the last book...hope book 10 is far better. Still...I am going to read every book as I am hooked.

I am on the fence with Bill and Erik. I think overall Bill would be best but Erik...my god...the books exude steam from him.

True Blood...yeah...not a fan. I tried watching the first season and could not get through the first two episodes. I am sticking with the books.

Miss K said...

Ibeeeg you are so right about those steamy Eric books. My word! He is just gorgeous. I still think Sam though I don't think it'll be him in the end.

I haven't read all the books. I'm up to book 6 I think? I'm planning to do a big read on my uni holidays though.