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Dinnerables

December 11, 2008

Dinnerables

Dinnerisserved

Yep. That’s what we call ’em ’round these parts. Mmmmm. Beef taco, served cold, complete with MMM (mystery meat mixture.) ENJOY, Coleman. I serve them with love.

(Note to self: this is extreme payback for all of your picky eating habits as a child. Hi Mom! Yes, you can laugh your tushka off now. Thank you.)

In other news, I am obsessed (thanks to Paula)  with this:

Obsessed

The Sookie Stackhouse books, by Charlaine Harris, which are also the reason behind HBO’s True Blood  (which I have FINALLY managed to catch a few episodes, and Donna, I know you think they are weird but I love them!)

I’m on the 4th or 5th book now, and it’s very hard for me to NOT pick it up and just blow off everything to read. I have long been a fan of vampires in fiction, going back to The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice right up until today, and the insane popularity of the Twilight series.

I like Harris’ storytelling a lot. But unlike Twilight, these books are decidedly NOT PG-13. So don’t be grabbing one for your tween’s stocking after reading this or that tween will get FAR more than just implied or cryptic undead lovin’.

And I think the HBO show is really well cast. And at the end of the day, I hate to say this, but Edward Cullen may  have to step aside.

Hello, Vampire Bill.

Trueblood06

I’m telling Dan to stay out of the sun a bit more next summer. That’s all I’m sayin’.

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Comments

  1. Brigid G says

    December 11, 2008 at 10:25 am

    Thanks for the book recommendation! I’m starting to get Twilight withdrawl, and I need something new to read…

    Reply
  2. amy j. says

    December 11, 2008 at 10:27 am

    Cathy…you are a woman after my own heart, lol.

    And have you rented Buffy yet??!!! I’m gonna keep at ya until I see Angel or Spike’s face up on this blog as your new crush, lol.

    I gotta check these out now…and the True Blood thing, still don’t know what you’re talking about. Will go look now since I’m having a snow day (rain, but I’m pretending it’s snow).

    Oh, and you will LOVE this…I put it on Facebook too, but wanted to make sure you saw it…streaming cool Christmas music, 100s of songs! Um, your man Neil and Alexi Murdoch!! You have to wait for them to play, but it’s worth it believe me.

    http://woxy.lala.com/holiday.php

    Reply
  3. Aimee Confer says

    December 11, 2008 at 10:30 am

    I am with you on Edward Cullen moving aside! Bill Compton is a much better vampire and actor. I totally love True Blood…much better than Twilight (which was entertaining but laughable). I am reading the books and can only pick one up when I have very little else to do! I am 27 weeks pregnant and waiting until the end of my pregnancy to finish both series!

    Reply
  4. Carrie H. says

    December 11, 2008 at 10:39 am

    OMG I have to agree!!! That show is amazing!!! I love twilight but I love this so much more ;O) Not really comparable. My girlfriend and I are passing the books around….

    Reply
  5. rebecca k says

    December 11, 2008 at 10:43 am

    I second that…Love me some Bill πŸ™‚ I keep trying to tell my friends to catch up on True Blood too. So glad a new season starts up next summer!

    Reply
  6. christine says

    December 11, 2008 at 10:44 am

    bought the complete set from amazon ($30 good deal) solely on your rec! Love a good read.

    Reply
  7. Kim Sonksen says

    December 11, 2008 at 10:48 am

    It’ll pass cathy – I’d be surprised if you do not change from Bill to Eric, I sure did πŸ™‚

    Charlaine Harris is a genius and I cannot wait for the next book to come out

    Reply
  8. Marta Valdes says

    December 11, 2008 at 11:03 am

    I haven’t seen Twilight yet, but it is on my list of things to do, as well as read all of the books. Thank you for letting me know there are books to go along with True Blood had no idea.

    I had heard everyone around me talking about the new HBO series “True Blood”. I didn’t want to be left out, so I decided to look into this and watch season 1 in one day. I was hooked. I absolutely loved it. Can’t wait for next season. Bill is definitely hot, but Eric is right up there with him.

    Reply
  9. Jeanette says

    December 11, 2008 at 11:15 am

    I’ll second or third whoever mentioned Buffy. Seriously one of the best shows I’ve watched. Some of the most fun, sarcastic, and HOT vampires out there. I am as obsessed with it as I was/am with Twilight. I think Spike might be more fun than Edward.

    Reply
  10. robyn says

    December 11, 2008 at 11:16 am

    i agree with Kim s. up there – book six put me off Bill compton forever. i love me some eric!!!

    (and for kim, book nine comes out in may and is supposed to be ALL sookie and eric!!!!)

    Reply
  11. broni says

    December 11, 2008 at 11:20 am

    I always know I’m going to be totally entertained when I pop in to read your posts! Glad to see you’ve joined the Sookie fan club too! Bill?? I think not. I’m choosing Quinn. Not there yet? Just wait!!!

    Reply
  12. Kelli says

    December 11, 2008 at 11:40 am

    You always provide me with a good chuckle but the part about telling Dan to stay out of the sun! You are one funny lady!

    Reply
  13. Krissy Marcie says

    December 11, 2008 at 11:45 am

    OMG! I’m on the same book you are….Just finished Dead to the World last night….I just have to say HEELLLLLOOOOOO Vampire ERIC!!

    Reply
  14. cathy says

    December 11, 2008 at 11:54 am

    OKAY, i will say this too: Dead to the World made me want to snuggle up to Eric. And by “snuggle” i mean, well… you can guess.

    Reply
  15. Lisa Along says

    December 11, 2008 at 12:21 pm

    Okay, if you want a girl vampire story with a sense of humor – you have to check out my sister-in-law (yes a shameless plug for her). Her name is Mary Janice Davidson and she has a series of books (the first is Undead & Unwed) about Betsy, a 30 something girl who loves designer shoes and gets bitten by a vampire on her 30th birthday. The lead male vampire is Sinclair and he is gorgeous! Her writing style is very conversational and hilarious. Enjoy!

    Reply
  16. Sarah says

    December 11, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    Who’d a thunk you’d find a vampire fanclub on CZ’s blog? I was an early fan, I blame Buffy too, Amy J! I still *heart* Angel(thank you Bones)!! Now that I’m through the Twilight series a couple times, I better get back on the Sookie books! Anybody have any OTHER vampire books to recommend, for when we’re done with these ?

    Reply
  17. Sandi says

    December 11, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    After I started watching TrueBlood I also started reading her books.
    I like the books alot and am a big fan of TrueBlood. I also love Vampire Bill!!!

    Reply
  18. Susan says

    December 11, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    you just make me laugh…that’s all, you just make me laugh!!

    Reply
  19. LisaE says

    December 11, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    Love all the reading you’ve listed. Have you checked out Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series? I really enjoyed her earlier work in the series…

    Reply
  20. Melanie K. says

    December 11, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    OH, some new vampires to read about? I too fell in love with all of Anne Rice’s books – so we DO have a lot in common! No wonder I like your blog so much! Will check these out then – thanks!

    Reply
  21. Leea says

    December 11, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    I love vampires for some strange reason too…which is funny when I watched Dark Shadows reruns as a kid, had to sleep with garlic around me for about a month…will have to check out the books, no HBO though…thanks for sharing

    Reply
  22. Tiffany K says

    December 11, 2008 at 1:35 pm

    I’m addicted too! I’m on book 4 and can’t get enough! Check out my Dec.5th blog entry about my vampire addiction…
    http://tiffanyscrapmatrix.typepad.com/tiffany_scrap_matrix/
    there are some yummy pics there too!

    Reply
  23. Zandra says

    December 11, 2008 at 2:27 pm

    Sometimes I wonder if we are the same person. I absolutely love True Blood and the Sookie Stackhouse books. I’ve only read book one but I finished it very quickly. My friend’s dad is bringing me the rest of the series. I might finish it over Christmas.
    There is no teenage tension in these books, she gets right to the point (if you know what I mean).

    Oh and Vampire Bill is on my Christmas list! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  24. Di Hickman says

    December 11, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    Love vamp stories myself, best one IMO is Bill Lumleys series, “the necroscope” it’s a series and though the first one has some vamp stuff it’s mostly setting the back story for the whole series (which are about 7? books)

    Reply
  25. Karen M. says

    December 11, 2008 at 3:19 pm

    Ok, fellow vampire addicts – check out the Christine Feehan Carpathian series! She is what got me hooked on these alpha males!!! Loved Twilight series – love True Blood. Check out the Carpathians – you will fall in love!

    Reply
  26. Jaana says

    December 11, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    Oh, Vampire Bill. Oh my, my, my. I love True Blood. There was a marathon of the first 6 episodes on a few weeks ago and I watched all 6. Straight. Apparently I have nothing better to do than watch TV, but that’s beside the point. I still have to catch up on a few episodes – maybe over the Christmas holidays.

    Oh, and P.S. I own all 7 seasons of Buffy. I’ve watched them twice. I. am. not. ashamed!!!!

    Reply
  27. Michelle says

    December 11, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    THERE ARE BOOKS????

    i.
    can’t.
    breathe.
    right.
    now!!!

    Reply
  28. Cathy K. says

    December 11, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    I have been reading about Sookie since the very beginning and eagerly await each new book. Love Vampire Bill (book and HBO versions) much more than Edward! Enjoy the rest of the books.

    Reply
  29. Sherry says

    December 11, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    love the Southern Vampire series… I think much better written that the Twilight series & directed toward an adult audience! Not too fond of the HBO series… not enough of the humor shows through for me…

    Reply
  30. sabrina says

    December 11, 2008 at 5:24 pm

    I’ll also recomend the Mary Janice Davidson series. They are less serious and a lot of fun. I’ve read all of the Sookie books, just finished the last one a few weeks ago.

    Reply
  31. Christine Campbell says

    December 11, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    You have me intrigued. I might just have to check those out!

    Reply
  32. Becky Reames says

    December 11, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    Ok Cathy,
    You should look into Laurell K. Hamilton. She has a vampire series featuring Anita Blake who is a vampire executioner. The books are dark and sexy and just smokin’ hot. They are very graphic however, some people might not care for them. I love love love them and can’t get enough, I’m now on book 9 I believe. The character Anita Blake is a chick who can kick some serious ass. I think you might like her. Let me know what you think if you try her out. Enjoy!

    Reply
  33. Buffy fan says

    December 11, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    Heh, heh, heh…

    Love your post!

    Reply
  34. Dana Lambert says

    December 11, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    I ADORE True Blood. You are the only other person I “know” that watches it. We live in south Mississippi about 30 miles from Louisiana. Some of the local characters ring so true and my husband and I just get the biggest kick out it. I really need to get the books, but I was just obsessed with the Vampire Chronicles a while back and then Harry Potter. I really don’t need another distraction like that, so thanks a lot Cathy! ; )

    Dana

    Reply
  35. Dana Lambert says

    December 11, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    I ADORE True Blood. You are the only other person I “know” that watches it. We live in south Mississippi about 30 miles from Louisiana. Some of the local characters ring so true and my husband and I just get the biggest kick out it. I really need to get the books, but I was just obsessed with the Vampire Chronicles a while back and then Harry Potter. I really don’t need another distraction like that, so thanks a lot Cathy! ; )

    Dana

    Reply
  36. May says

    December 11, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    I will have to wait for DVD (true blood), but the books… oh the books. I’m on the same one as you and it’s SO hard to put them down!!!

    Reply
  37. Donna says

    December 11, 2008 at 8:29 pm

    The Witching Hour is my all time favorite book…the rest of the series was a bit of a let down in comparison…but that one book was so incredibly good wasn’t it? I read the whole thing in about 2-3 days. I’m thinking I may need to read it again one day soon…

    Reply
  38. Tracy says

    December 11, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    So glad you found Sookie! I read all the Sookie books, then the “Harper Connelly’s”, then everything else I could find by Charlaine Harris!

    When you are done reading Sookie, go look for “Undead & Unwed” by Mary Janice Davidson – vampiric and hilarious! I see someone else posted about her as well – you will love them!

    See you in DYL! πŸ™‚
    Tracy

    Reply
  39. rmcabana says

    December 11, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Glad you’re liking the Sookie books! I just love them, so much more than True Blood. I got them last month and read them all in about two weeks!!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  40. Melanie says

    December 11, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    Your dinnerables comment reminded me of something my oldest once said one morning while we were getting ready for school. He sat down at the table for breakfast and shouted to his younger brother, “Quinn! Your Nutri-Grain bar is ready!” πŸ™‚

    Reply
  41. Lovebug Kat says

    December 11, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    Thanks for the heads up Cathy, my 11 year old son saw one of these at the library and since he has a new fascination with vampires he wanted to get it, I talked him out of it until I had time to check into it more and now you have saved me some legwork.

    Reply
  42. shelleymay says

    December 11, 2008 at 10:50 pm

    oh dear LORD! I had no idea there was a foundation of books that led to Sookie on TV! I am a HUGE True Blood fan… when i first hear dthe show was produced by the same guys that brought me 6 feet under – i was hooked. thanks, Cathy – for enabling me even further! more to add to my amazon wish list of things my husband will never buy for me! hehehe seriously – THANKS!

    Reply
  43. amy Jacobs says

    December 12, 2008 at 12:12 am

    Oh.MY.God.

    Just watched this on YouTube:

    Now I’m completely hooked after not even 10 minutes. Thank YOU Cathy! When did you say Season 1 comes out. How did I not know about this???

    You have filled my Twilight void and for that I am eternally grateful woman, LOL.

    Reply
  44. Noreen Smith says

    December 12, 2008 at 1:38 am

    OK…this whole Twilight thing is way overrated. Anne Rice does it/did it best with her whole series of books – now those are vampire tales for grown ups! And Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in “Interview with a Vampire?” Come’on…these other guys can’t compete! Mmmm…I wouldn’t mind being bitten!!!

    Reply
  45. cherylschwarz920 says

    December 12, 2008 at 6:29 am

    Yup…I’ve been a Sookie fan since the start of the book series. As for True Blood-the casting for Bill Compton is fantastic. I don’t like the pick for Eric though…bleah…he’s supposed to be “HOT”..IMHO the guy they chose is “not”.

    Reply
  46. Anna says

    December 12, 2008 at 7:39 am

    Cathy,
    You make me laugh!!! I love your blog!

    Reply
  47. Nie says

    December 12, 2008 at 9:39 am

    Yay! Another Sookie fan! Love the whole series – unfortunately “Breaking Dawn” ruined the whole Twilight series for me personally, so I was glad to find the Southern Vampire series.

    Happy reading!

    Reply
  48. Michele says

    December 12, 2008 at 9:52 am

    Yes! Love Sookie’s novels! I am on book 6 and already have book 7 lined up. Poor Sookie–her life is so crazy!

    DH and I really enjoyed the first season of “True Blood”. Some of the changes to the storyline drove me crazy, but we are waiting eagerly for the second season!

    Reply
  49. Michele says

    December 12, 2008 at 9:55 am

    Forgot to add: I really like Bill’s character on the show, but after his behavior in the books, I’m not sure if I will ever like him again.

    Reply
  50. Rosemary says

    December 12, 2008 at 10:47 am

    Back away from my Vampire Bill, lady. I saw him first (I’ve been watching True Blood from the beginning and am jonesing for the next season). I have asked for the books for Christmas and hopefully that will tide me over. Love your blog.

    Reply
  51. Shawn Koca says

    December 12, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    absolutely love the Sookie series and i total know where you are coming from…when i first discovered the series, i was obsessed with them and getting all of them and reading them ALL while dishes and laundry piled around me and my family starved from lack of grocery shopping! now i am caught up and just wait for the next one to be published! and…i have the hbo series on my dvr but haven’t had time to even start watching them (except for the very first one)…hubby will be out of town in Jan and then it will be a marathon of bill and sookie!!!

    have a very merry christmas!

    Reply
  52. Wendy in MD says

    December 12, 2008 at 2:15 pm

    Oh, yes, I’ve read all of the Sookie Stackhouse (Southern Vampire) Series books. And Twilight. And a host of other paranormal romance books. I’m hooked!

    Check out the Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward, and the The Immortals After Dark Series by Kresley Cole. There are other good series, too, if you like those. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  53. deann mcdaniel says

    December 12, 2008 at 3:27 pm

    Ohhh yes. Just keep reading – I’ve actually turned my loyalty over to Eric. πŸ˜‰ Maybe because we’re both Vikings, LOL! My best friend and I have been tearing through the series, she’s on 7 and I’m on 6. *sigh* Yet another book addiction – I suppose things could be worse! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  54. Sophie says

    December 12, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    I am reading the Sookie Series as well…but I’ll keep Edward…even though Bill is intriguing to say the least.

    Reply
  55. merry says

    December 12, 2008 at 6:06 pm

    If you haven’t picked them up, try Lyndsey Sand’s vampire books. Her books started my love of vampire genre and then a friend introduced me to the ‘vampire Bill’ books–couldn’t put them down either!

    Reply
  56. Denise Che says

    December 12, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    Oh! I am so happy to find another who loves the sexy, romantic vamps! I have read all 8 of the Charlaine Harris books, and of course the Twilight series. I could hardly put them down, either. Took them with me to soccer practice with the kids, and negleted the laundry for days. I enjoyed the 1st season of True Blood on HBO and am looking forward for the second season. The only problem is that my husband watches along with me and now calls me a Fang Banger!

    Reply
  57. Sara Roberts says

    December 12, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    Edward who?

    I’ll take Bill the Vampire any day of the week. Cannot believe we have to wait until next summer.

    Reply
  58. Kim Caldwell says

    December 13, 2008 at 6:50 am

    SO fun reading about all the women in vampire heaven — I am a junkie myself and totally get the drop everything to read concept. Question is what’s next – seems a year is a long time off for New Moon. . .

    Reply
  59. Tracey P. says

    December 13, 2008 at 7:18 am

    I whipped through all 8 Charlaine Harris books in 3 weeks. LOVE THEM! I did love Vampire Bill… but I’m an Eric fan now. You’ll understand by book 8 I think. ; ) Update us on your thoughts once you get through them all.

    Tracey P.

    Reply
  60. Robin M says

    December 13, 2008 at 10:25 am

    I’ve already got book 9 in the Sookie series preordered from Amazon! Have you checked out Charlaine’s web site? She was having a closet sale and I got the first Sookie book in hardback from her and she signed it! Merry christmas to me.

    Reply
  61. Margy Eastman says

    December 13, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    Must admit I’ve been on vampire-hiatus since I finished my Ann Rice books years ago – then I took your DYL class. Was interested in Twilight – then saw the movie trailer. Total babe! Lucky, me! My son can’t read, so I’m off to Barnes and Noble to pick up a Sookie book! So much for the Christmas letter getting written today:)

    Margy
    P.S. After previewing this post, I went back through and took out the second space after the periods. What have you done to me, Cathy?

    Reply
  62. Katie Scott says

    December 13, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    We don’t have HBO at the moment but maybe I’ll catch that on DVD. I think I read every thing Anne Rice ever wrote before I had kids (her and John Irving who prefers writing about missing limbs). I think the interesting thing about the vampires is the immortal thing & how the compelling characters are probably inherently evil, being vampires and all, but how they want to be good. I’m a vampire junkie too but I haven’t read a whole book since I had kids.

    Reply
  63. Vanessa Wheeler says

    December 14, 2008 at 6:49 am

    ooh I will have to check these out – I am an Anne Rice and Twilight Fan …. off to the book shop tomorrow and preparing myself to be addicted LOL
    Ness xo

    Reply
  64. Anilu Magloire says

    December 14, 2008 at 10:30 am

    I know you’ll appreciate this Twilight review:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441017770

    http://anilumagloire.blogspot.com/2008/12/hijack-day-2twilight-review-part-1.html

    http://anilumagloire.blogspot.com/2008/12/hijack-day-3twilight-review-part-2.html

    http://anilumagloire.blogspot.com/2008/12/hijack-day-4twilight-review-part-3.html

    Enjoy!

    Reply
  65. Anilu Magloire says

    December 14, 2008 at 10:31 am

    Oops, gave you one wrong link.
    Here it is:

    http://anilumagloire.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-blog-has-been-officially-hijacked.html

    Reply
  66. Sandy says

    December 14, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    Do you remember “Dark Shadows”? Barnabas Collins??? I used to watch that when I got home from school, but wasn’t allowed to watch it anymore with my older sisters when I started having nightmares about vampires!!!

    Reply
  67. Dawn says

    December 15, 2008 at 12:16 pm

    Can’t get enough of Vampire Bill!

    Reply
  68. Cheney says

    December 15, 2008 at 2:51 pm

    Thanks to you, I was intrigued and went out and bought the first two Sookie Stackhouse books, and I also can’t put them down. Now if only I could find someplace to watch True Blood and see how the show is..

    Thanks for the post about the books – love your blog, your books, and your scrapping!

    Reply
  69. Sheena says

    December 16, 2008 at 7:11 am

    You might want to also check out the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. Don’t get the wrong idea. She IS a vampire hunter, but only the bad guys. And on top of that, there’s plenty of interspecies love going on…if you get my drift!

    Reply
  70. stephanie says

    December 17, 2008 at 6:12 am

    oh yeah, these are good. i just started the book series and canot wait for the show to return next summer

    Reply
  71. Claudia says

    December 31, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    Oh Cathy…leave it to you to be a vampire fan. I love True Blood, and have read all the Sookie books and the Twilight books. I agree with you that Bill is HOT but you will be torn between him and Eric soon enough. But such is life. Have a happy New Year!

    Reply

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