Upcoming:
My first giveaway!
Review of Twilight: The Graphic Novel and Eclipse (on re-read)
Review of Eclipse the movie
Twilight music posts
and more...
First...the origins of my
I got hooked on Twilight in October 2008 when I was visiting my parents in Arizona. My dad bought Twilight for my mom on a whim for Mother's Day the previous May. They'd both read it (yes...my dad has actually read the entire series). They thought it was okay; interesting enough, but a little silly. I was intrigued by the book, but wasn't sure if I'd like it. I'd heard so many good and bad things. And my only knowledge of the movie was irritation that it had pushed back the 6th Harry Potter film.
I started Twilight Sunday afternoon. I rolled my eyes at the writing at first, but the story kept me interested. I finished the book at 9 AM on Monday morning and immediately got in the car, drove to Barnes & Noble, and bought the other 3 books. Spending $50 on books at one time is a big deal to a cheap library-girl like me. But I knew I'd dieif I didn't immediately read the other three books. I finished Breaking Dawn on Thursday and immediately started re-reading the series. My parents thought I was crazy.
Twilight has changed my life. It's affected the music I listen to, the websites I visit, the movies I watch, the books I read...everything. I highly doubt I'd be doing a purely YA blog if it wasn't for Twilight. Not since the Babysitter's Club in 2nd grade has a book series changed me so dramatically, although Harry Potter comes pretty close. And I love it!
Why I Love Twilight
1. The Cullen Family - I love the Cullens. I love Bella and Jacob and the wolf pack too. But the magic of Twilight is really about the Cullens for me. Each member of the family is so different but together they form an unbreakable unit. They are the big, mostly happy, loving family everyone hopes to have.
2. Alice and Jasper - If I could have a relationship like of the couples in Twilight, I would go for Alice and Jasper's love. It's quiet, subtle, but unbreakable. Alice is my favorite Twilight character. She is the perfect best friend. She brings light and energy to Bella's more quiet and serious life. But unlike many literary best friends, she doesn't spend all her time joking. She's smart and fiercely devoted and protective of Jasper, Bella, and her family. Jasper is introverted, thoughtful, and troubled by knowledge of his past and the weight of the world's emotions. I relate to him in my quiet moments.
2. Vampire Mythology - Stephenie created a vampire mythology widely divergent from any before. I especially like the addition of special powers - mind-reading, torture by glare, future-telling, emotion-controlling. And the politics and history of the vampire world is fascinating. The dictatorial Volturi add a richness to the mythology that the Cullens alone can't bring. I also think Jasper's back-story is fascinating - the newborn armies and Mexican wars.
3. Edward - Swoon...I'm am totally 100% Team Edward. Funny enough, I would never date a guy like Edward in real life (especially because I'm married :-) ). He's intelligent, kind, reflective, romantic, funny, sarcastic, devoted to family... On the negative side, he is jealous and possessive in a way I would never tolerate. Especially in Eclipse. But he learns from his mistakes; he protects Bella as best he can but learns to give her freedom. In real life, I would be much more attracted to someone like Jacob, but for whatever intangible reason, he holds no magic for me. A lovable sweet guy, but I'm all about Edward.
4. Bella - Bella is a stubborn, determined girl...in a good way. Too many Twi-haters only focus on how frequently she capitulates to Edward's viewpoint, but I see her differently. She knows exactly what she wants. She gives in to Edward both because she's the type of person who lives to serve others, but also because she wants to become a vampire. Many of her actions are concrete decisions to further her path toward eternity with Edward and vampire-dom. But I do wish she spent a little less time simpering about Edward's god-like beauty.
5. Carlisle and Esme - Carlisle and Esme are models of generosity and compassion. They hold the family together. Their relationship is subtle and quiet, but feels more mature. They really do seem like the parents. Carlisle's back-story is fascinating. To be so kind and compassionate to turn your back on your body's natural desires is about as admirable as you can get. His only flaw is, I suppose, loneliness. By turning Edward, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett, he gave four people lives they never chose (although Emmett was turned at Rosalie's request). It turned out very well for him but could have gone badly.
6. Rosalie and Emmett - Rosalie is selfish and vain, but has such a sad back-story that I pity her. She's also forthright and outspoken in a way I wish I could be. I like that she protects her family and Bella even when she doesn't really want to. I especially love her sparring with Jacob in Breaking Dawn. Emmett is fun and kind - the paragon of a big brother.
7. Jacob - I love the idea of Jacob as a contrast to Edward. He provides a window into the life Bella gives up. He is Bella's sun. But he does play just as dirty as Edward in Eclipse and holds the same prejudices. I enjoyed seeing him grow and learn acceptance as the series went on. He has a great sarcastic humor. I'm really glad that he will stay in the Cullens' lives. I'd love to see how that works out.
If you are a Twilight fan, what do you like best about the series?
Jane is by far my favorite character. She's just generally awesome. And I don't really know what I like best about the series. Like isn't a strong enough word for a series I spent months rereading every weekend. These books hold some sort of magical sparkly power over me that I can't explain.
ReplyDeleteUgh, now I'm going to reread Eclipse and Breaking Dawn and it's all your fault! I was hoping to get something done tonight. Sigh.
By the way, have you read this? http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/2010/05/breaking-dawn-wedding-night_18.html
Hilarious!
I loved how completely the books immersed me in their world. I haven't been that sucked into a book since Jane Eyre.
ReplyDeleteI'm torn, but I suspect I'm team Jacob. Oh, I can't decide. I just like how pure Jacob's love for Bella seems. But Edward's got that magic vampireness.
Like you, I don't normally drop that much money at one time on books (other than school). I purchased Twilight for vacation reading, ended up getting sick in bed for a day, and devoured the book. I HAD to find New Moon. Being in Italy, it was hard to track down an English version. But I managed at THE LAST moment to get one before flying home. Once home I immediately bought Eclipse. Then I waited two agonizing days for a 30% off coupon to buy Breaking Dawn. lol. I so terribly hope Meyer will finish Midnight Sun. I don't care if her writing is not Pulitzer worthy. She's got stories to tell and that's more important that great mechanics.
Can't wait to see what you think of the movie!
A great post, I'm so looking forward to your week of events.
ReplyDeleteThe first 'vampire' books I read since school when I read Dracula. I don't know what it is about them, not particularly well written, I didn't like Edward and grew to dislike Bella with a passion. They just had something, perhaps the idea that they were so far away from the old vampire myths intrigued me.
This is a great post. I feel the same way about the Twilight series. It was my entree into YA and the paranormal world, and I've never looked back since. And I would never have started reading YA as an adult if it hadn't been for Twilight.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for following! I am now a proud follower!