Thursday, September 25, 2008

Twilight (Darn you, Michelle! :)

For those of you who've been living under a rock, or have just touched down from another planet, let me enlighten you about the whole "Twilight" phenomenon. Stephenie Meyer is a cute, young author from Utah, who just happened to write a series of four books that are equal in popularity, and often compared to J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series. However, instead of young witches and warlocks in training, and the Muggles who just don't seem to understand their importance, Ms. Meyer's theme went down an entirely different path of good vs. evil. Her main subject of choice was a family of vampires, with specific emphasis on the "Romeo and Juliet"-esque love affair that develops between a young vampire named Edward, and his beloved Bella.

















(L to R: Alice, Emmett, Bella, Edward, Rosalie and Jasper.)

Now, I know... before you start groaning and throwing things at your computer monitor, I will say I felt the same way when I heard of this series. I couldn't seem to quite grasp how a love affair between a vampire and a human could amass such a frenzy, especially with seemingly intelligent, rational, grown women. It sounded far too much like Harlequin Romance meets Stephen King, and I resisted heading down that path.

That is, until I read my friend Michelle's blog.

She expressed her sheer excitement about standing in line at Borders Bookstore at midnight, with a HUGE group of her peers, waiting for the latest installment ("Breaking Dawn") to be released. I must say, my curiosity was definitely piqued. When I questioned the validity of this phenomenon, both she and our mutual friend Natalie strongly urged me to read it, and see for myself just how engaging the books can be.

So... I succumbed. I went on EBay, and found a copy of "Twilight" at a fairly reasonable price. Since my oldest daughter was back to school, I knew I had a fair amount of reading time coming up, during my sit and wait time before she got out of school for the day. I figured I'd give it a shot. I mean, with all the frenzy surrounding these books, I figured if I didn't like it, I would most certainly find someone who would be more than happy to take it off of my hands.

I started tentatively, still fairly dubious. But, by the time I was 20 pages or so in, I was completely hooked (or, as Bella states, "I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love...").

I devoured the book in just a few short days, and have already purchased "New Moon", the second book in the series (to be put away as a Christmas present from my husband). Earlier this afternoon, I was sitting up in my bed reading while my little one was napping next to me. My husband came into our room to talk, and when he saw how far into the book I'd gotten, and teased me to "read slower", so as not to be too anxious to receive my present!! :)

Late last week, I also stepped a bit out of my comfort zone, and went on an excursion to snag "Breaking Dawn" from a generous Freecycler, and will now STRONGLY encourage my husband to buy "Eclipse" for me, so I can read the rest of the series over Christmas break.

I only hope he's hidden the second book well. I don't know if I can wait that long! :)

And, I may have to take a solo trip to see the movie in December. That is, unless one of my friends from Utah happens to be in the neighborhood at the time! ;)

6 comments:

Erica said...

I want to read those books. :D But first... must locate and finish reading the Chronicles of Narnia!

Mama C. said...

We have all of them in one big book. I got the collection LONG before the movies came out, in the hopes that my (then) two children would take interest. So far... they haven't. But, never say never! :)

Erica said...

my dad had the collection for as long as I can remember. :D My 4th grade teacher read some of them to us. So, with there being ever soo many books to read I never read them on my own. Now I am!

Michelle D. said...

YEAH! I love the Twilight books. Glad I inspired you to read them. I hope your husband has hid the book well, I don't know how you'll wait until Christmas! I think you need to come to Utah to see the movie with us...it would be a blast! We could show you a fun time :)

Mama C. said...

I was talking with my husband last night about how torturous it's going to be for me to have to wait a whole three months to read the next book, ESPECIALLY since they printed an excerpt from "New Moon" at the end. Now I'm DYING to know what happens to Bella at her birthday party!

So, he said to me... "Does this mean you want the second book now?", and I told him no, but I only hope you hid it well, 'cause I could find it, and read it, and you'd never know! :P

I swear, Michelle, if I could afford a plane ticket to Utah, I just might take you up on your offer! I think it would be such a hoot to go to that screening with you guys! :)

Robin L Greenslade said...

C ~ I loved your comment of Harlequin Romance / Stephen King! Cracked me up!

I have to admit, that the whole series is on my "to be read" list. I have to finish my shelf of Harlequin Romances up first though. (No, not kidding. My grandmother got me totally addicted to them. My favorite HR author is Brenda Novak.)

For my daughter's upcoming birthday I am taking her and 3 of her friends to see Twilight when it comes out. Yes, I do intend to read the series BEFORE the movie premiers.

Hmmm.... teenager is grounded to her room this weekend, house is already clean, and hubby is working. Maybe the cat and I will curl up on the couch and start reading the Twilight series.

Wish me luck, I am sure the house will find another way of getting my attention this weekend.