« Thyroid Update | Home | Bonjour Hello Kitty! »
Twilight Saga
By Laurie | August 8, 2008
I haven’t felt like doing much of anything lately, hence the neglect in my posting among many other things. Tomorrow I am going to complete the sleep study I talked about in my last post. I’m not too excited about that, but I will be glad to find out if there is a reason that I’m not getting the right amount of rest. I bought a giant Coach travel bag on my trip to Austin a month ago. I’m taking it with me for my overnighter. It was still wrapped in the tissue paper inside the shopping bag and was shoved in the corner of our bedroom, further proof that I am not myself. I must admit that I felt slightly giddy opening it just now, so maybe I’m alright afterall.
 |
Also while I was down in Austin, Kat loaned me the first two books of the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. They sat on my desk untouched until last Sunday when I picked up Twilight to read during my weekly relaxation time. I had been hearing about the books for awhile, and have meant to pick up the first one myself based on my love of Anne Rice and her vampire novels. When I say love, that is probably an understatement. I’m a fangirl to the core, and even wrote her a letter when I was 14 or 15 years old, in addition to taking pictures of her house when I visited New Orleans around the same time. Anything vampire related the woman wrote, I would read. Those were the characters that I loved, and she always had a fascinating story and history to tell. I always learned something about the world, human nature, and myself. |
That being said, I didn’t have very high expectations for Twilight. I admit, after three chapters I was hooked. I didn’t put the damn thing down for hours. I was halfway done by the time I went to bed, and finished it off the next night… less than 24 hours later. Did I keep reading because it was that good? It’s hard to explain. This isn’t even close to Anne Rice caliber. I actually didn’t realize these were books for “Young Adults” (think Harry Potter, but it doesn’t even touch the talent of J.K. Rowling either). It’s like a teenage romance novel. I have to admit I’ve never read a real romance novel, but if I had… I think it would be like this. It is completely fluff. I kept reading because I was actually angry at the main character, Bella Swan. I shouted at her in my head. Shouldn’t she be smarter? More grounded? Less flighty? Why is her every action hanging on this guy (er… vampire). Is this a good role model for young girls today?
Then I stopped to think back to my teens. Is it possible that I was once this hopeless, reckless, and irrational? Did I stupidly fall in love at the drop of a hat? Did I neglect to ask the important questions? Did I engage in acts of foolish teenage irresponsibility? Oh my gawd!1! I was Isabella Swan. Well, something like her at least.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since those days when I was first reading Anne Rice’s much more sophisticated and mature vampire stories. Now at 30, I’m reading the teenage equivalent. Strange, eh? I wanted to grow up so badly back then. This week I’ve been thinking how nice it was to be 15, carefree, and hopelessly, recklessly, stupidly… “in love”. A few of you reading this even knew me back then, and can vouch for my teenage insanity. Thank goodness things turned out well for me and I went off to college, married a fabulous man who loves me, and have an overall great life.
On December 12, Twilight is going to be a movie too. I predict it will not be good. It’s going to be a challenge for someone to give it the substance of an actual feature length film in my opinion. Also, I never feel movies are as good as the book. I’m going to see it, of course. I saw Queen of the Damned, also a mess waiting to happen. *edit* I just finished watching an interview with Stephenie on EW.com, and I must say that I really like her. She seems like a really cool and down to earth person. I am hoping that with her involvment and guidance, the movie turns out to be her vision and that my prediction is wrong. I’ve watched the trailers, and I have to admit it is exciting to see something that I just read already come to life.
I also read New Moon, the second in the Saga, in less than 24 hours. This time I was mad at her vampire hero, Edward Cullen. You’d think a guy who’s lived as long as he has, despite being forever 17, would be a little more mature and have more life experience that the typical high school guy. But eh. I guess when you’re a teenager, eventually all guys suck at some point and break your heart.
| I haven’t purchased the third novel, Eclipse, yet. I will probably pick it up tomorrow. The finale, Breaking Dawn just came out last Saturday, and I have already seen some unflattering reviews. I admit to cheating and reading some spoilers, so I have a basic idea of how the end is going to be. Instead of being angry though (it’s going to be hopelessly cheesey and forced), I suppose Bella is going to have her own “happy ending” and that’s about all I can wish for a character that helped me relive my own adolescence.
The realization for me though, is what I wanted back when I was fifteen was not the best thing for me. I suppose that’s what it’s like to grow up and realize you’re really an adult. |
 |
Topics: Daily Ramble |
I’m half done with the fourth book, Breaking Dawn. I’m 41 years old and I got hooked on these books about a month ago when my youngest sister (she’s 27) turned me on to them. I loved the first book. I had no idea it was a vampire novel though when I first picked it up to read it. My sister wouldn’t tell me about it - but insisted that if I just kept reading that I would love it - and she was right. I read the first three books within a couple of weeks and bought the fourth book on Wednesday night. I haven’t read any reviews about the fourth book but my own opinion at this point is that I’m not in love with it. I’m not happy with the direction the characters are taking and I’m just hoping that it at least has an ending that will make me feel a little bit better about spending so much money on this book. I think what I like most about this series is that I don’t have to think while reading it. I like that it’s very easy reading and I can just lose myself in my reading. After reading text books for the last 7 years, this has been a nice change of pace! I’m looking forward to the movie because the guy playing Edward also played Cedric Diggory in a couple Harry Potter movies and YUMMY! The girl playing Bella looks exactely how I pictured her in my head too!! So there ya go! Oh and total bummer that I didn’t win the Coach bag.
Better luck next time for me! Take care!!!
Posted by: Jill on August 9th, 2008 at 12:51 amp.s - I could send you the last two books if you want. That way you don’t have to spend the money on them and I’ll feel better about the money I did!! Right now the third one is collecting dust on my desk and the fourth one will be right there next to it by tomorrow night. Let me know! I’ll mail them on Monday.
Posted by: Jill on August 9th, 2008 at 12:53 amI didn’t know that you got into them too! I won’t be able to wait past this weekend to read the third one (sad, huh?), but I appreciate your offer to send it my way. I can’t believe Danielle is not asking to borrow them yet. You should keep them around for when she does. It’s only a matter of time– especially once the movie comes out. You’re the perfect person to ask though… how young is too young for these books? In the interview that I just watched with the author, she stated that she actually didn’t write them for young adults. Yet after I read the first one and was doing some research I definitely noticed it was being categorized as such and she really has a big teenage following. I question whether if I had a daughter I’d want her reading them. What do you think?
Posted by: Laurie on August 9th, 2008 at 1:57 amI don’t know that age really has to do with someone reading these books - it’s more about maturity to me. I don’t think Danielle would be able to understand them just because she is so very young maturity wise. I would let her read them if she wanted though but I don’t think she would get much out of them. I can’t believe the author thought that these weren’t directed towards a younger audience. They are such an easy read and with the “beautiful teen” characters common sense would tell you that that was most definately the audience being written to. (did that make sense?) I think about the books I read when I was Danielle’s age and I don’t think they were any different that these Twilight books. I’m almost done with the last book and it’s been almost torture trying to get through it. I’m so disappointed! I hope you like it better than I have though. Maybe I just expected something different and that is why I’m disappointed. The material flows like the other books - I just don’t like the content.
Posted by: Jill on August 9th, 2008 at 3:10 pmI hope your sleep test goes well!!! Keep us posted!
(((HUGS)))
I’m behind on blog reading…I’ve been really sick with my stomach!!!!
Jeannies last blog post..Menu Plan Monday ~ August 11th
Posted by: Jeannie on August 14th, 2008 at 9:33 amWelcome to my world. I finished Eclipse before I boarded the plane to NYC (mostly b/c it was too big to pack). I’m glad you’re hooked! Happy reading!
Posted by: Kat on August 14th, 2008 at 11:28 pmKat– I’m still trying to get into Eclipse… I was full speed ahead with the first two books, but now I have the Olympics to keep me occupied.
Posted by: Laurie on August 17th, 2008 at 1:48 pmJeannie– the sleep test went well, but it turns out I do have sleep apnea. It runs in my family. Both my father, and brother (who isn’t even overweight) have it too. I’m still debating whether or not I am going to go back and get the CPAP machine.
In happier news, a surpise will be on it’s way to you next week to your P.O. Box. Have a good week!
Posted by: Laurie on August 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pmJill– I’m on the way to the Post Office to mail your surprise too
FINALLY.
Posted by: Laurie on August 17th, 2008 at 1:51 pmOk - even though it is so not necessary that you send me that birthday present - I can’t help but be totally honest and say that I’m really excited about it’s pending arrival.
So did you finish the Twilight series yet? I got through that last book and was happy that I did. Even though it wasn’t my favorite book I was still happy with the ending. I’m still not sure I’m thrilled with the direction the characters took in this book though but after thinking about it quite a bit I suppose it was the best way to wrap everything all up.
Posted by: Jill on August 18th, 2008 at 12:31 amI am on the fourth book “Breaking Dawn” and still can’t get enough of the series. I have to admit though that this one is so much darker then the rest. I was sad to hear that she was delaying “Midnight Sun”. I honestly thought that “Breaking Dawn” was the last - but am open to having another book. I hope she ends up finishing it.
Posted by: Anon on September 4th, 2008 at 12:26 pmI have the books but have not found the time to read. When I start a book, I just have to finish the whole thing. If not, I lost track with so many things going on. But with the weekend coming up, I just might cozy up and finish the first book.
Posted by: jackie on September 17th, 2008 at 12:03 am