Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Who's Reading "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner"???


If your lives are anything like our lives (and I know they are...), sometime stuff slips through the cracks. So when Jenny Jerkface told me she ordered "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" on Amazon, it took me a second to recall and remind her that Stephenie Meyer has made the entire thing available online at BreeTanner.com - so go now and check it out! It's only 150 or so pages, and like all the other Twilighty stuff she's written, it's a fast read. Aaaand nobody says "fuck" or talks about sex. Gah - fanfic really has changed the way I view all of these characters! Speaking of which, towards the end when there are numerous mentions of "the redhead," I actually had to go back and reread to see who the heck she was talking about... And I'll be gosh-darned if it wasn't Edward! But really, who refers to Edward as a redhead??? Gingerward? Really? Anyone??? I didn't think so. Golly.

So if you haven't already, go read it now because JJ plans on devouring the entire story on her commute Friday morning (sacrificing her usual slumped-sleeping-drooly-commuter power-nap for a change) and then talking about it more in depth this Friday night.

JJ sleeps like this in the train, but more lolly and with people cringing away from her.

Someone [inotu] mentioned in the comments the other night that they weren't sure if I would read this because of the spoiler potential, but it seems like something that's cool to read pre-movie. I know that Twilight (the movie) made a whole hell of a lot more sense to me after I read Midnight Sun, that's for sure! So while we poked fun (and lamented) that this novella is centered on such a seemingly inconsequential character, we're still happy to have it!

Save your discussion about the actual details of the story for the Friday night/Saturday post - we want to hear about it then! - but chat it up in the comments about what you think about spoiler potential and if you think this is a "must read" pre-Eclipse (which comes out in 20 days - SQUEEEEEE!!!).

47 comments:

  1. i just ordered it yesterday from amazon. but speaking of spoilers-- anyone get the music yet. normally i wait to see the movie first but i wanted to hear it now. i honestly dont know how to make it for the next 20days.

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  2. I did too. It comes tomorrow -- along with my soundtrack. Not sure which one I'm more excited about...

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  3. Alright, well, I read it and already wrote a post about it and am not above pimping myself: http://musingbella.blogspot.com/2010/06/ok-i-read-it.html

    I do NOT think it's a must-read pre-Eclipse (although I will be interested to see if any of it shows up in the movie), and therefore has NO spoiler potential. Honestly, the most interesting character in the Bree book(IMO) is not at all introduced in the saga and will therefore, most likely, not be in the movie.

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  4. I read it online... its not any more of a spoiler than reading the book Eclipse itself. And after reading I do think its a must read because it just gives you more character insight, which is always nice. And I also scratched my head when I read "the redhead". I didn't realize Edward is a redhead lol. I dont remember her exact description of Edward from Twilight but I'm fairly certain redhead was never a part of the description.

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  5. I read it in an hour after the UPS gal dropped it off. Going into it I wasn't expecting it to be great b/c all of my favorite characters weren't involved, but I was pleasantly surprised (It was difficult to ignore Smeyer's lame attempts at "teen speak"--her Mormonism is glaringly obvious here). I think that it's probably clutch to read this before the movie as a lot of the content is used in the movie--she hints at this in the forward.

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  6. I don't need to read it now... just read this instead. Hysterical!
    http://cleolinda.livejournal.com/884974.html

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  7. Meh...just not feeling it.

    Why oh why won't just finish Midnight Sun already??? Why this of all things??

    Grrrr....not that I am bitter about it or anything...

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  8. I think it's a definite must read before watching Eclipse. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would :)

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  9. I just finished it today. I thought it was actually pretty good. It makes you really dislike Riley, Victoria and Jane A LOT.

    Spoiler Alert (nothing plot wise or anything)

    It was really cool to see the Cullens through someone other than Bella or Jake. Those two have very slanted views of the Cullens where as Bree doesn't. And it's also really nice to see a teenager go through a more "realistic" crush exploration.

    It was good, SM focused on Bree who didn't want to fight but was roped into something bigger that she didn't understand. We get to see some things into the newborns, into Riley's character and Victoria that we may have expected but it was nice to see it.

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  10. I really liked it! Can't wait for the discussion! Personally, I liked reading it pre-Eclipse, it's a really cool perspective.

    Also, YES about the "redhead." Sorry, guys, Bronze does not = red! Haha, I had to go back, I was like "wait, WHAT?" Oh, SM, you joker you.

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  11. I know this is the thread for it and all, but *SPOILER ALERT*

    Im glad most of you liked it as well. I was expecting to be bored out of my gorde while reading it. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that, by the end, I cared about Bree, Deigo and Fred.

    I think what I most appreciated about the short story was the way Stephenie shed some light on the reality of the newborn phase; how chaotic and gruelling it really is. It also shed much needed light on Jaspers behavior. I mean, we knew he was Maria's golden boy/vamp/soldier/thingy, but did we really understand why he struggles so much throughout the series? I certainly didn't. I thought he was just weak. Now, after the novella, I totally get it. Just experiencing Bree's life for one week was enough to make me breathe a sigh of reliefe for her when it came to an end. Imagine Jasper living like that for decades? Nothing but ripping apart stone bodies, venomous biting, blood and battling for survival/dominance. *patting Jasper on the back* I also would snap at humans once in a while too, Jazz. No worries.

    Now can you write Midnight Sun, Stephene? Just sayin'.

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  12. I'm about halfway through it.... My brain is so into fanfiction that I got to a certain spot and thought, "ooohhhh hot vampire sex, awesome!!" then "sonofabitch, this is smeyer, I'll be lucky to get a goddam handhold". Gotta go read some smut.....

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  13. Yeah, I wouldn't say it's an absolute must-read before watching Eclipse either, but I think it's cool to see that portion in Eclipse from the newborn's perspective.

    Give it a whirl (oh wait, you are). I'm curious to hear what you think.

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  14. I just bought it from Walmart because I liked the cover.

    I wish she'd start on something new, but I think she's afraid that nothing will surpass the Twilight Saga. Which, really, it won't.

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  15. k, was not too pumped to read it at first (a lil' bitter & busy pining away for my Midnight Sun) but meh I gave Bree a shot and was pleasantly surprised too! Reading Eclipse, it never really sunk in just HOW much danger Bella was in. But this def made the danger more 'real.'

    I felt for Bree... well, until she referred to Edward as the 'redhead..jk jk. But really, 'redhead?' Try bronze, copper, maybe even auburn! I kept on having to remind myself she wasn't talking about Victoria.

    I came out of it realizing Riley and Jane were def a couple of a-holes... well more so than I thought before.
    *Kinda spoilerish below*
    Oh and wanna say one thing......
    FREAKY FRED!!!!!! --lol my fave.
    Where the hell does Stephenie come up with these 'gifts' for her characters?! Props to Steph for her cuh-razy imagination. So does this mean Fred's still out there?..Perhaps he'll run into the Cullen's one day?!

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  16. I just bought the book tonight and can't wait to hear JJ's take on it & everyone's comments. So this is almost going to be like a real book club, huh? (Do you hear that Sidewalk Candy & ZanyMouse? We're gonna be legit!)

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  17. Read it the other night and I think it's totally worth reading!! It completely changed my perception of the newborn ahhh-meee. Although I too was a bit freaked out by the "redhead" reference. I actually liked it way better than I expected to.

    Lindsay and I were chatting about it this afternoon and what it comes to for me anyway is this. Most of us started out as SM h00rs. So if you have any lingering loyalty to the universe and characters she created, it's totally worth checking it out.(even though we all know we'd rather be reading a finished version of midnight sun right now!)

    @Twilightized ...I SOOO know what you mean about looking for the lemons. I've been reading WAY to much FF lately!

    I'm looking forward to discussing it with you guys this weekend!

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  18. I haven't actually purchased it [bad twifan!] but i read it online.

    I thought it was going to be shit, but like the rabid twifan i am i had to read it anyway. I thought it was actually pretty good!

    but thats all i can say for now without giving out details..

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  19. I have read part of at and i'm digging it. But 'redhead'? Excuse me??

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  20. I would love for @STY to read Bree, but I am also a bit of a Twi-pusher so I can not decide if it is truely spoiler material (you've read Eclipse, that's sort of spoiler material, right?) or my own needs to push Twi related material to everyone I know...you decide. I could make an argument for either side.

    And I too liked it more than expected. It's a great character sketch. It still could have used more Edward, by name. But I will save that for Friday's discussion.

    Did I mention it's a quick read, one sitting kind of thing, I like that **cough, Myg, cough Osa Bella, cough, cough**

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  21. Read it, loved it. Not an essential pre-Eclipse read but agree with others about insights into the story. So pissed about the 'redhead' bits though!

    I've also had the soundtrack for a week or so now (early release date in NZ!) and I LURVE it. So, so good!! By far the best soundtrack of the three IMHO.

    Can't wait to discuss Bree more on the weekend...

    W/V - aymene: Aymene to the altar of Robward...

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  22. I read it yesterday (that's what I call a perfect timing!)and think it's pretty good.
    I think for people who just watched the movie it's not really interesting but as we are all twi-hards I think it's a must read!

    Like Kerri said... I could understand Jasper's behavior and also how Bella should have acted in BD!


    my first comment... whoot whoot :)

    Those who find mistakes may keep them :)

    Caro from Germany

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  23. Am reading it online now. Liking it so far. What is weird for me is that my 4 year old son is named Diego & my nickname is Bri (short for Sabrina). Glad Diego is a good guy.
    Don't think it is a must read but it is interesting.

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  24. I read it. It was good, but nowhere near as good as the rest of the saga. It provided some background info that I hadn't realized was missing. Plus now I better appreciate a few things from the trailers/clips that were initially pissing me off.

    Having said that, I also need to add that I still really don't give a flying fuck about Bree Tanner. :)

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  25. I read it. It was good :) There were some great parts that enhanced Eclipse. I think it should have been right in there, a part of Eclipse, but I can see how that would have messed the book up since Eclipse is actaully all from Bella's perspective. I would say there are spoliers, and I would say there aren't. I mean, it's not any more of a spoiler to the movie than actually reading Eclipse would be. Some parts of the trailers make more sense now that I've read Bree Tanner. If you read it before the movie you'll be less likely to blurt out in teh theatere "Arsholes, THAT didn't happen in the book!!"
    -EliMacD_NS

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  26. Read the book online. It was ok. 3/5 stars. The red hair thing really made me scratch my head.
    Was anyone bothered by the complete lack of chapters or chapter breaks? I mean in 190 pages, she couldn't have put a break?
    Plan your bio-breaks well.

    Loved Freaky Fred. He will probably appear in BD movie.

    VW = intess - Bree book not intess.

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  27. Yep, the red head thing threw me for a loop. I figured either SM wanted us to think Bree had a very limited vocabulary, or she was throwing a bone to the very bad wigs and dye jobs in Eclipse.

    I got to give it to Cougar Cathy, Edward's hair in Twilight was a work of art, deserving of an Oscar for "Best Hair". Perfect caramel blond highlights dispersed among bronzy strands and chocolate low lights. Gorgeous. I had to constrain myself from ripping out a page from People magazine and bring to my hairdresser saying "I want this".

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  28. I read it on Sunday, and yes it's a quick read, only took about an hour or so. I was definitely pleasantly surprised. (and a bit perplexed over the "red head" thing. Must be those super newborn vampire eyes.) I think it's a nice addition to Eclipse and I'm glad I read it before the movie.

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  29. Totally off topic but I was just on Perez. I'm not sure if you've seen this quote yet (I've been away from the Twi-World the past little while)

    From R-Patz about Breaking Dawn: "She becomes a vampire in this movie. We get married and sleep together…I haven’t read the script yet but I’m sure it’ll be good…I’m wondering how they will be able to translate this on screen. We’ll end up with a R-rated movie. Can you imagine if we decided to go in and turn Twilight into a hardcore saga for adults with sex scenes and everything?”

    Yes Rob, we definitely can imagine this...

    http://perezhilton.com/2010-06-09-r-patz-talks-breaking-dawn

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  30. Bree and the soundtrack are supposed to arrive in the mail on Friday. Happy weekend to me! Can't wait to read it. Yes, I wish it were MS (who doesn't?!), but I've said it before and I'll say it again - @Lorabell, it really is TwiCRACK and I'll take anything that SM will give me!

    How appropriate - w/v is 'delin.' SM is delin and I'm buyin'!

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  31. stilllookingformyvampJune 10, 2010 at 9:02 AM

    I just ordered my copy yesterday, and am now kicking myself in the ass. I totally forgot SM put it up online.

    Amazon said I will have it on Friday, so I will be pulling a JJ and reading it Friday. Except I don't have a commute. Looks like I will be taking a lot of bathroom breaks at work...

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  32. @apotampkin-thanks for the cleolinda link. I just love that snarkie chick! Because as much as my overly educated ass( and slightly overweight ass) is enthralled with Twilight and deranged by all things Rob, SM's writing does rather suck from a purely literary perspective. Midnight Sun is the best example of her talent. She needs to get over her disappointment. Put on her big girl panties and finish it already.

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  33. I finished it last night (and damn, some of you are fast readers, it took me a few hours). I loved it, I really enjoy getting a bit of Bree's backstory. And I adored Diego, and then Fred, who knew?! I think it's good pre-Eclipse reading if only so you know what's going through Bree's head as she 'meets' the Cullen's and awaits her fate. Two thumbs up!

    I received the soundtrack two days ago and think it's the best one so far. It's a nice mix of artists and music styles. The Florence & the Machine song knocked my socks off. Two more thumbs up!

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  34. Meh. I can't be bothered. Maybe one of you could call me & read it to me. I'll put you on speaker while I pretend to listen. The answer to "Is Edward the main character?" & "Is TK going to read?" are always the same.

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  35. @ahz1 - the lack of breaks bothered me too. It was like one big run-on chapter.

    vw-dillymo. LOL, I'd like to dillymo with RPattz :)

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  36. I thought it was really great -- and it leaves the door open for future books. I have no idea if SM plans on writing any more (other than Midnight Sun - which I am dying for her to finish - please!) but there's lots more to develop with Fred...

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  37. I read it a few days ago. (Don't worry, I will keep this completely spoiler-free.) For what it is, it's good. For me, it started getting really interesting from about page 76 onward. It's definitely worth reading because it gives you insight into the newborn world and what was going on in Seattle. It also makes you actually give a shit about Bree. In Eclipse, I was like, "Who gives a fuck if this bitch dies?" But now, I'm actually sad that she died. I am also positive that Bree and the newborns are going to have a much larger role in the movie than they did in the book, so this book is worth reading prior to seeing the movie.

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  38. Oh, and TeamBiceps: I just downloaded the soundtrack last night & I'm loving it. Favorite song that literally gives me goosebumps? "Heavy in Your Arms," Florence + The Machine.

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  39. *Bangs fists on the counter* DAMN IT! I knew I would miss this post if I went to the bar last night! Damn you, Rogue, and your delicious beer! ...But not really...I love you.

    I read it. You know I did. I was home at 3pm (12pm EST) when it went up, and I think I was on the site at like.....3:15. And only because the dog needed to take a trip around the yard. I busted through that sucker in a couple hours, and I was desperate to talk to someone about it...Mostly you guys. When I finally got to talk to Toefunny yesterday, I felt like I got a huge weight lifted. So now I'm prepping for the upcoming posts, b/c I will not spoil things up in herr.

    I can say that I have my theories on the whole "redhead" thing, as well as other tidbits of crucial Bella-centric details that were altered in this POV. Overall, I really liked it (I was kind of pissed that I did). The whole "battle" really takes on new depth after reading this piece. *PAGE 78!!!!*

    Oh, and yeah. I was totes pissed that there wasn't a single lemon. This is the first fic I've read that didn't have an NC-17/M rating since I started reading fanfic.

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  40. Okay, I have to admit that I've been a bad TwiFan, because until I got an email notice from B&N today, I didn't know anything about SM writing this book. When I saw the email I immediately thought "nope, not interested..no Edward = BORING". But now that I've read all of your comments I'm probably going to read it so I am up to snuff for the movie.

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  41. No way am I reading it. I tried to over on the website, but I couldn't get past the first page. Hello - newborns are supposed to be ruled by bloodlust right, so why the hell is this broad reading a damn newspaper. I understand that she is supposed to be writing for her teen audience, but lord in heaven teen doesn't equal stupid. I might have to agree w/ STY that fanfic has changed the way I am able to read Meyer, some of the fanfic are so well written and intelligent. It's hard to go back to 2D writing after that.

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  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  43. Well I just read it and all I gotta say is...meh..an hour of my life I'll never get back and it was reeeeeeellllleeeey hard to read a Twi story without the word cock in it even once. Oh how mine virgin eyes have been whored over by fan fic...As far as spoiler potential, I don't think there's any, unless some of the volturi scenes from it that weren't in Eclipse wind up in the film. Anyone have a reliable link to the parts of Midnight Sun that were written before Smeyer abandoned us in favor of this lackluster affair?

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  44. I'm glad I am not the only one who was disappointed at the lack of banging in the first 50 pages. And unlike you h00rs I have only read a few fan fics. Completely ruined me though. I saw the redhead tip here first, so I don't know when I would have figured it out.

    *Spoiler*: the image/sound of two stone statues kissing really ruins it for me!!!!

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  45. OK I have not read through all the comments so if this has already been said than I'll duck and run while people throw stuff at me.

    I have a theory about the redheaded Edward:
    Bella HUMAN POV always described Edward with bronze hair. Well in the books they always talked about how Vamps could see things differently than humans and that human vision was weak or whatever so maybe to the vamps(like Bree) his hair was actually red....just a theory

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  46. *Bangs fists on the counter* DAMN IT! I knew I would miss this post if I went to the bar last night! Damn you, Rogue, and your delicious beer! ...But not really...I love you.

    I read it. You know I did. I was home at 3pm (12pm EST) when it went up, and I think I was on the site at like.....3:15. And only because the dog needed to take a trip around the yard. I busted through that sucker in a couple hours, and I was desperate to talk to someone about it...Mostly you guys. When I finally got to talk to Toefunny yesterday, I felt like I got a huge weight lifted. So now I'm prepping for the upcoming posts, b/c I will not spoil things up in herr.

    I can say that I have my theories on the whole "redhead" thing, as well as other tidbits of crucial Bella-centric details that were altered in this POV. Overall, I really liked it (I was kind of pissed that I did). The whole "battle" really takes on new depth after reading this piece. *PAGE 78!!!!*

    Oh, and yeah. I was totes pissed that there wasn't a single lemon. This is the first fic I've read that didn't have an NC-17/M rating since I started reading fanfic.

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  47. I have read part of at and i'm digging it. But 'redhead'? Excuse me??

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