Welcome to the new
Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Bill @
What to Do
1.) Post on your blog answering this question:
What was the last book you re-read?
Or, name a book you would like
to re-read.
2.) Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Bill's blog.
3.) Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts.
4.) Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit Bill's blog!
My Answer
Well, since I like to write, I'll answer both questions!
The last book I re-read is actually one I'm re-reading now -- in Spanish! It's Twilight, the first novel of the Twilight Saga. Since I'm fluent in Spanish, I decided to read the book again in that language, because I just can't get enough of it! Although millions of copies of this book have been published, and millions of people have seen the movies, I've noticed that there are those in the blogosphere who don't like the Twilight novels. So I unashamedly proclaim that I love, love, love The Twilight Saga!! And the first book is my favorite!
(Saga Crepúsculo #1)
(Jose Miguel Pallares, translator)
Trade Paperback, 512 pages
Punto de Lectura
November 17, 2008
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, YA
You can read my review of the
original English edition HERE.
In any language, The Twilight Saga is a wonderful paranormal romance! It also contains a lot of action, complicated plotting, and characters that stay with you forever! (At least they have with me, since I love this series so much.) The novels also contain philosophical underpinnings, even though some people might think this is a ridiculous statement. However, they're there to be found. Meyer also has very strong religious convictions, which are also part of the novels, although their general tone is not overtly religious.
I think I will continue to re-read these books from time to time, for as long as I live!
This novel is not only a science fiction classic, but also literary fiction, written in a beautifully poetic style. The subject matter is a controversial one -- book censorship. In this novel's dystopian future, books have been prohibited. It's actually illegal to own one. When a book stash is discovered, firemen are immediately dispatched to burn the books. Because of my great love of books, I found this to be an emotional read at times. It was also very intellectually engaging.
Mass Market Paperback, 179 pages
Ballantine Books, 1976
Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction
You can read my review HERE.
This was one of those books that left me pondering about the subject of book censorship. Interestingly, Bradbury apparently did not foresee the development of digital books. Of course, the fact that actual printed books were forbidden and burned in this novel created more emotional impact, because there's just something so very special about printed books...
I might very well re-read this SF classic this year. It's one of those books that I simply can't forget!
What was the last book you read?
Or is there a book you'd
like to re-read?
Link up and let me know!
Chica, don't be ashamed of what you like to read. I'm not a Twilight fan but I do not discriminate against those who adore it. It's funny because I actually liked the first book in the Twilight series. The other ones just got on my nerves; also, the fact that it was blown out of proportion with the media turned me off to the series.
ReplyDeleteBtw, how does Twilight translate into Spanish? Is it still the same or does it lose its charm with the translation?
Fahrenheit 451 was an awesome book! I read a few years back and it too got me thinking. I want to listen to the audio next time and see what I could get out of it.
Hey, Vonnie!
DeleteNaw...I'm not ashamed, believe me! I'm REAL proud of loving The Twilight Saga!!! Although the first book is definitely my favorite, I do love the others, as well. And the Saga has become a total obsession with me, so I don't mind the media hype at all!!
Yes, the book has indeed lost something in translation. I guess that's sometimes inevitable when a book is translated from its original language into another. There are sentences, phrases, slang, etc., that I can tell have not been rendered correctly, simply because the author is not completely familiar with the exact meaning of these things. Or there's a particularly American meaning that, because of the translator's different culture, he doesn't quite understand.
I'm referring specifically to this book. Of course, some translators are more familiar with the culture associated with the original book's language, so they are able to give an excellent equivalent of what's written in the original language.
I have persisted in reading the book in spite of this, though, simply because I LOVE it!! It is kinda funny, though, seeing Bella and Edward speaking Spanish. Lol.
Oh, I LOVE "Fahrenheit 451"!! It's a pretty 'heavy' book -- not that it's difficult to read, but it does have profound philosophical implications. I think listening to this book as a way of 're-reading' it is an excellent idea! That will add extra emotional impact, as well as get you totally involved in the story!
Thanks for such an interesting comment!! :)
"It is kinda funny, though, seeing Bella and Edward speaking Spanish. Lol."
DeleteThis reminds me when I would watch the Disney movies and change the language to Spanish just to see how it is. I always found myself laughing so hard and not be able to watch more than five minutes of it.
I have this weird thing that if I read a book in Spanish, it has to be originally written in Spanish. I've encountered a few translations of English to Spanish books that I did not enjoy, thus I prefer the book written in its original language. The hard thing about this is that most of the original books are hard to comprehend for me because the Spanish is advanced for me. I am fluent in the language but my language has been heavily influenced what's here in California.
You know what? We should try Fahrenheit 451 in audio together. Maybe we can discuss after we finish listening to it.
Yeah, it's true -- something is always lost in translation. I, too, prefer reading a book in its original language -- if I know the language. Of course, if I don't, I have no choice but to read a translation. For example, one of my favorite writers, Hermann Hesse, was German, so I had to read his books in English.
DeleteIn the case of "Twilight", I just wanted an excuse to enjoy the book again, so decided to try reading it in another language. Lol.
I studied French in high school and college, but it's very, very rusty...so there's no way I could read a book in that language. I would have to brush up on it A LOT first.
I love the idea of listening to "Fahrenheit 451" along with you! We need to coordinate a good time, though. Right now, I'm almost done with "Crepusculo", and am planning to read "Prophecy Foretold" in order to review it for I.O. Book Tours (Amazon review). Maybe after that? Let me know. Meanwhile, I'll go about getting the audio CD.
Thanks for the FAB comment!! :)
That's not a problem. Just let me know when you are about done with Prophecy Foretold so I could get my hands on the audio. Luckily my library has it online through Overdrive and it's available all the time.
DeleteOkay, cool! I'll buy the CD. I don't like to download either music or spoken audio material. I like to have the actual CD. Just like I don't like e-books! Lol.
DeleteVery interesting that you would choose to re-read this in Spanish.
ReplyDeleteI actually think that rereading is very important on order to really get to the essence of a work. The problem as we have discussed is time! There is so much to read and the reading slows us down even more!
Fahrenheit 451 is such an interesting book. I would love to read your post if you reread it. I actually think that Bradbury's view on society being dumbed down and voluntary brought into a state of numbness is more intriguing then the related censorship theme.
Take care.
Hey, Brian!
DeleteOh, I totally agree with you -- many times, a second, and frequently a third reading of a book brings a reader greater insights than were acquired from the first reading. And yes, the problem is time...if only we didn't have to work, run errands, clean the house, and other necessary but VERY boring activities...if only we could just read and read and read with no worries! It's a constant frustration! Lol.
I have to make some time to re-read "Fahrenheit 451' It's such a GREAT novel!! I do believe Bradbury was prophetic in seeing television as 'an agent of dumbness' in society. For example, look at all of those stupid reality shows! And the soaps! UGH. Of course, there are some TV shows that are challenging and make one think. Unfortunately, they're mostly on cable. The regular TV channels, however, are a huge disappointment, with the sole exception of "Jeopardy". And sadly, there's nothing even REMOTELY close to "Star Trek" currently on 'the boob tube'....
That's why books are so precious! Books stimulate the mind much more than most TV does, except, of course, what you can see on cable, like on the History channel, for instance.
Thanks for another great, thought-provoking comment!! :)
I found you through Book Blogger Hop.
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of Ray Bradbury's books. I would love to. I have a blogger friend that loves them.
I'm a new follower.
I have 2 blogs:
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com
and
http://impressionsinink.blogspot.com
Hi, Annette!
DeleteI've read a few of Bradbury's books, and he's a true science fiction master! His ideas are not only brilliant, but are presented in a great prose style!
Thanks so much for commenting on this post, as well as following my blog! I'm following Watered Garden. I'll go check out Impressionist Ink, too. Nice blog titles, by the way!! :)
I LOVE re-reading the Twilight Saga as well! I think I've read them all at least 3 times, and Twilight and Eclipse I've read closer to 5 or 7 times. New follower here. :)
ReplyDeleteReading Lark After Dark's Feature Follow & Book Blogger Hop (18+ Book Blog)
Hi, Lark!
DeleteOh, how WONDERFUL to find someone who loves The Twilight Saga as much as I do!!! This is currently my FOURTH reading of the first book -- in Spanish. I've already read it in English three times! As for the entire Saga, I've read it twice. I will definitely be reading it more times in the future!!
Thanks for visiting and commenting!! :)
I've only read the first Twilight book. I never got around to reading the sequels because of my dislike for the movies.
ReplyDeleteHi, Billy!
DeleteThe first time I saw the movie adaptation of the first book, I didn't like it at all. The meadow scene, my favorite part of the book, was not included. At the time, I didn't understand why Hardwicke had done that! This scene is so beautiful, so romantic...
I also didn't like Kristen Stewart's acting. I guess the book had so much detail about what Bella was feeling that I thought Kristen's acting was just not up to par.
I have now seen this movie three times (not one after the other, lol). Now I LOVE it!!! I think the director portrayed Edward the way she did (when he sparkled) to bring out the angst more.
I also LOVE the rest of the movies!! And I was SO happy when subsequent directors included the meadow scene in the form of flashbacks!!!
Well, you know I'm a HUGE Twilight fan... In fact, I use the nickname "Twilightdreamlover" on Twifans! Lol.
I'll go over to your Hop answers. Thanks for visiting and commenting!! :)
That's cool that you're reading Twilight in Spanish. I want to read Harry Potter in Spanish. I think that would definitely help with getting back into the language. I know Spanish fairly well, but I'm very rusty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
Hi, Jenni! Yeah, it would be real cool to read the Harry Potter series in Spanish! You're very welcome for my visit and comment! Thanks for visiting and commenting back!! : )
DeleteOy, a Twilight fan? Just Oy.
ReplyDeleteNo, I think it is good that people find something they love and are passionate about and fully enjoy it no matter what someone says. My sister is Twilight fan, though the series just left me cold. But then again, I just don't get the whole YA genre. Of course, back when I was a YA all we had was Sweet Valley High and I didn't like them either. By the time I was of the age to read YA I was reading Science Fiction and Fantasy novels like Poul Anderson, Piers Anthony, Jennifer Roberson and Barbara Hambly.
As for Fahrenheit 451 it was required reading in high school. After we read the book, our English teacher showed the movie. Years later I barely remember reading the book, but some of the images from the movie are seared into my brain.
Oy!! I just saw this today! OMG. Sorry I didn't reply sooner!!
DeleteThanks for the vote of confidence regarding my preferred reading. Yes, it's great to find something one loves and is passionate about! And I'm VERY passionate about The Twilight Saga!!!
As for the YA genre, I love it, too! It was thanks to The Twilight Saga that I started to get into YA. I've never looked back since. Yes, I love adult fiction, too. And I'm a science fiction fan as well, as you can see from the second book I mentioned here. You know, I have yet to see the movie! I love the book!! I wonder if the movie is just as great. Well, if you say that certain images are seared into your brain, it must have been truly remarkable.
Thanks so much for commenting back!! :)