Thoughts On: Gender Relations

Here's for another edition of Thoughtful Thursday, which actually takes place on Friday due to a crazy schedule. I really am sorry. Anyway, here's an interesting one. Gender relationships in novels. Obviously they've progressed far over time, but just how much have they changed in novels? Today's collection of feisty, kick-butt book heroines shows that intelligent girls who speak their mind are gaining popularity. The different sword-wielding versions of Katniss  show that girls who can fight are very well-liked. The main male characters fall head-over-heels and tell her they love her for who she is. They act as equals in the relationship. But then, how does the Bella Swan gain such popularity in novels too? The vulnerable, indecisive, although admittedly pretty airhead type female? The male characters can't take his eyes off her naive, ignorant self and decides to protect her while not telling her anything and being overly mysterious. Sigh. What a bore. Traditional values underestimate a girl's strength and intelligence, insulting pretty much the entire female population.   It's embarrassing really. We need less  wusses and more strong female characters who don't necessarily have to be ninjas, but who can at least speak (and make up) their minds. 

Thoughts On: Myth Based Books

I really love myths. Especially Greek, but Norse and Egyption stuff is very ok too. Lots of these are gaining prominence like, the Percy Jackson and Kane stuff by Rick Riordan (he’s a genius), Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, stuff about Valkyries (Norse) and Sirens, etc. It’s starting to become a whole little genre and for good reason. Because it’s fun to read. Yeah there is all that educational stuff (and I actually learn a lot) but mostly because it’s just good. It’s enjoyable having modern day mixed with ancient history and many authors actually balance it really, really well. Having modern day main characters thrust into a world of old stories, traditions, rules, and powers is really exciting to read about and I definitely want more! If you have any recommendations of books that include myths (any kind really) just reply or drop it off in my ask box!

Thoughts On: Love Triangles

Perfect topic for Valentines Day right? There are lots, I means LOTS of love triangles appearing in books these days.  It’s like authors think romance isn’t good unless it goes in three directions. So not true! I’m actually getting sick and tired of love triangles. Sure if done right they add romantic tension, add interest, and have you actually putting a personal stake in the book. They can be absolutely great too. But unfortunately they're usually not. A lot of the times they’re just useless, boring, annoying, gross, and you feel like shaking the stupid character who can’t make up their minds. Or the stupid authors who wrote them that way. Indecision is uncool. Angst, denial, dark pasts, forbidden love, fighting between the two characters without a third character, that really makes me more interested and adds excitement. Like, “When will they finally get together?? I NEED to know! They’re perfect for eachother!” It’s usually why I think a lot of the time the first book in a series is great, we get to see two soulmates overcome something and fall in love. Then in the next book (because the author doesn’t know how to continue properly) they add a love triangle just to add plotline. Bleh. A plea to authors out there, less love triangles and  more love!