Literary Quote of the Month

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies," said Jojen. "The man who never reads lives only one." - George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Host by Stephanie Meyer... A Giveaway!

The Wanderer invaded Her Soul...
But Melanie Refuses to Give Over Her Mind too...

Congrats to Bethie, Carina & Virginia! They each won a copy of The Host! And Thank you to EVERYONE who joined the fun! Tweeted and Blogged about the Giveaway!

How many of us adults have enjoyed the Twilight series?! Stephanie Meyer's brought us into the world of Vampires & young love and captured our attention. Now enjoy The Host by Stephanie Meyer, who creates a world we feel we can step right into... and a love story we can devour... all for adults!

Back of the Book... Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love...

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.


THE HOST debuted at #1 on The New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list and remained there for more than a year. Meyer’s first adult novel was not only a huge commercial success with more than 2 million copies sold, it also brought a whole new audience of readers to Stephenie Meyer. Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST, appeals to rabid Twilight Saga fans and readers of classic literary suspense alike. The Host has also been referred to as "science fiction for people who don't like science fiction". AND Movie rights to THE HOST have been optioned by Nick Wechsler and Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz, the team that produced the film of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Andrew Niccol of Gattaca and The Truman Show will write the script and direct.


Originally released May 2008, it is now available in a trade paperback edition WITH a New Bonus Chapter! Here's a link to a peak at the bonus chapter. Plus, there's a Reading Group Guide for book clubs (I've included that below). I've enjoyed the writing of Stephanie Meyer in her Twilight books, and I am enjoying reading The Host! She makes the setting she writes about and the characters so real. I'm not quite done with The Host yet, it's a nice thick book!, so my review is coming... In the meantime, here's the reading group guide, and following that are the details on how to enter to win your own copy of The Host!


The Host by Stephanie Meyer Reading Group Guide...

1. How does the poem “Question” by May Swenson, which appears as the epigraph at the beginning of the novel, relate to some of the important themes in The Host?

2. The souls are described as bright silver ribbonlike creatures with hundreds of tiny tentacles. To some they seem beautiful, while others liken them to “worms” and “centipedes.” Do you think the souls’ physical form suits their nature? If you were to imagine a different form to give the souls, what would it be?

3. There is an ongoing debate in The Host about the true nature of humans. Wanderer refl ects, “The humans were brutish and ungovernable. They had killed one another so frequently that murder had been an accepted part of life” (page 47). Do you think this brutality is innate to mankind? If so, does this make the peaceable souls’ decision to take over the earth more ethical?

4. While most of The Host is narrated by Wanderer, Melanie occasionally takes over the narration to relate important memories. Why might Stephenie Meyer have chosen to tell the story in this way? Did you connect more with one voice than the other?

5. The souls believe they are transforming the vicious human world into a utopia. Is the society the souls construct better than the natural society of humans? Melanie tells Wanderer that humans realized the souls were taking over bodies “when the evening news was nothing but inspiring human-interest stories…when everything morphed into Mayberry” (page 108). How does the society of the souls on earth compare to your image of “a perfect world”?

6. The souls are morally complicated creatures. On one hand, they are “all things good: compassionate, patient, honest, virtuous, and full of love” (page 3). On the other, they survive by taking over the bodies and minds of unsuspecting hosts. Does the parasitic nature of the souls overshadow their virtuous qualities? Did you sympathize with the souls, or did you view them as the clear enemies of humans?

7. When Wanderer is lost in the desert searching for Jared and Jamie, Melanie tells her, “You’ve finally found the place and the body you’d die for. I think you’ve found your home, Wanderer” (page 113). What is the significance of “home” in The Host? Why has Wanderer chosen to move from world to world for so many millennia? Can earth ever really be home for a soul?

8. When Wanderer first arrives in the caves, she reflects, “This place was truly the highest and the lowest of all worlds --- the most beautiful senses, the most exquisite emotions…the most malevolent desires, the darkest deeds” (page 141). Are these extremes inevitable? Are our darker inclinations essential to the richness of human experience? Do you agree with the premise that more purely “good” beings like the souls can’t experience life as fully as humans can?

9. The humans in the caves are divided about how to view and treat Wanderer. Do you think it is more reasonable to extend kindness to Wanderer or to ostracize her as a potential threat to the group? If you lived in the caves, how would you greet her arrival?

10. Of everybody in the caves, Jared reacts to Wanderer in a manner that is perhaps the most complex. Does the way he treats her surprise you? What do you imagine is going through his head in the first days after Wanderer’s arrival? What instigates the change in his attitude toward her?

11. When Wanderer /Melanie first arrive at the caves, Melanie is eager for them to explain their situation, but Wanderer insists on staying mute, even if it means being subject to imprisonment and abuse. Why does Wanderer make this choice? Do you think it is a wise one? How might things have played out differently if they had done it Melanie’s way?

12. While Wanderer describes many of the worlds where she has lived in great detail, we learn very little about her birth world, The Origin. How do you imagine The Origin? What would a world populated only by souls be like?

13. Near the novel’s end, Wanda makes a deal with Doc. Do you think she makes the right decision about Melanie’s fate and her own? Were you satisfied with the humans’ response to her decision?

14. Jamie tells Wanderer he chose Pet because “I was looking for someone who looked like you. And I thought this looked like you” (page 605). Do you agree with Jamie? Do you think Pet’s body matches Wanderer’s nature?

15. Imagine a prequel to The Host. Of the different worlds Wanderer lived on before arriving on Earth, which would you be most interested in imagining more fully? Similarly, each of the humans living in the caves during The Host has a back story. Which of these would you be most interested in learning more about?


You can read more about the book at The Host Website. You can also learn more about Stephanie, her books and movies at her website, StephanieMeyers.com. AND Courtesy of Hachette Book Group I have 3 paperback copies of The Host to GIVE AWAY! Here's how to enter...


To Enter this giveaway...

*For one entry leave me a comment with your email address!

*Get an extra entry for following my blog! Just leave a comment letting me know you're a follower! ( Not a follower yet? No problem, sign up by clicking on the 'followers" button on the sidebar to the left! Just let me know you became a new follower!)

*Blog or tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (No PO boxes). The books will be shipped to the winners directly from the publisher. Contest ends 11:59pm EST on May 19th. I will randomly pick the winners the next day and email them! (please check your email.. winner must reply to me within 3 days! Thanks!) Good Luck!

38 comments:

Chennifer said...

Is there a bonus chapter???? Now I'm jealous! I love this book - but I can't enter the giveaway though. as I live in Sweden.

I think the more correct thing to say that this book is a science-fiction book - for those who think that science-fiction only is about spaceships,- and don't like it- Because it's not very different from other sci-fi books I've read - it belongs to one of the sub-categories of sci-fi that I love.

Linda said...

I have not read anything by Stephanie Meyer, but she is a favorite with my granddaughters. I would love to win The Host.

extra entry - I follow through Google Reader

lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

This book sounds so interesting that I would like to win and read it.

I follow by google reader.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Heidi V said...

My daughter would love to read this one.

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Unknown said...

I read the Twilight series and loved it! I think I would enjoy this book too! I know my niece would love it! Please enter me!

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

Unknown said...

I have been waiting to read this book. Thank you for posting it ion a contest :)

I am a follower.

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/IntenseWhisper/status/13625260588

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Elise said...

I would love to enter this giveaway.
caliblue7@gmail.com

Elise said...

I am a follower via GFC
caliblue7@gmail.com

anthy said...

I haven't read this book yet, but have heard that it's really good, so I'd love to win it. Thank you for the giveaway!

anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

anthy said...

I now follow via Google Friend Connect.
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

Linda Kish said...

I would like to read this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

anthy said...

tweet! http://twitter.com/my_twitraccount/status/13641271237
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

Martha Lawson said...

I would love to be entered to win this one, as I am probably the only person on the planet who hasn't read it!!!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

I follow on gfc

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Fokxxy said...

I would love to be entered please.

ssummmer(at)gmail(dot)com

skkorman said...

I would love to read this book—please enter me to win!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

dlhaley said...

Please include me in your giveaway!

dlhaley[at]hotmail[dot]com

chey said...

I'm looking forward to reading this book!

chey127 at hotmail dot com

chey said...

Old gfc follower.

chey127 at hotmail dot com

Jo said...

I'd love to win this!

jo.tee35(at)gmail(dot)com

Jo said...

I'm your follower ;)

jo.tee35(at)gmail(dot)comtrd

Carina said...

Count me in!

carina(dot)riffert(dot)schneider(at)gmail(dot)com

Carina said...

I'm a follower!

carina(dot)riffert(dot)schneider(at)gmail(dot)com

Carina said...

I tweeted the giveaway! (@readthroughlife)

carina(dot)riffert(dot)schneider(at)gmail(dot)com

Jess said...

I loved this book and would love to have my own copy!

jess
jedziedz(at)hotmail(dot)com
barney's book blog

Jess said...

I am a follower.

jess
jedziedz(at)hotmail(dot)com
barney's book blog

Nan said...

I'd love to win a copy of this book for my sister!

vtgoat[at]gmail[dot]com

Aik said...

I'd love to read this book!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I'm a follower.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/13905792777

aikychien at yahoo dot com

mrsshukra said...

Please count me in, thank you!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Dawn M. said...

I read this when it first came out and loved it. But after reading the Group Guide questions, I think I need to read it again. I've forgotten a few things. Heh. Count me in, please! :0)

I subscribe with google reader.

Thanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com

Aisle B said...

The Host... sign me up Scotty!
I put my name in and let karma take it's ride... As long as I don't come back as a cockroach I'm fine! ;)
Have to get back to reading more of your reviews now.
Thanks for all the give aways you post for your fans. Have a great weekend !

Aisle B said...

OOps helps if I leave an email....
is this karma again???
aisleb@hotmail.com

:)

Laurie G said...

Hi,

I'm relatively new to the para normal scene . I did enjoy the Twilight series. My daughter had all of the books and raved about the. The Host taking over bodies... sounds like the Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I'd be interesting in reading this book!

As for scifi, I like Jayne Castle's books: The Green Light , The Silver Master and the three flower books: Amarilla, Orchid and Zinnia.
I also liked Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card and his book The Songmaster.

THANKS!

johnslake at usa dot com

Jennifer said...

Thanks...I've been wanting to read this book!

Jennifer said...

I'm a follower!

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