Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Twilight

Aaah, the Twilight series. I have been trying to think of something meaningful and insightful to post about these amazing books. And all I have come up with is … they are amazing. You all know that I have a degree in math & stats, so eloquent writing is not my forte. Be that as it may, I LOVE these books. Currently there are 3 books in the series (she’s writing the 4th one, due sometime this year! I heard August 2008, but that may change – keep your fingers crossed!) They are named: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse – written by Stephenie Meyer (yes, she’s Mormon and yes, she graduated from BYU.) If you have not read them, then you are missing out BIG TIME. They are not going to be “required” reading for our book club, mostly because there are 3 of them and most everybody has read them already. This post is mainly for me – I want to hear what everyone else thought about the books. I love to pick apart a book I loved and discuss it with other people – and I loved these 3 books as much as I love Harry Potter – a rather bold statement. :) So while we getting started on our first book, I want your thoughts on the Twilight series. ***Warning – if you have not read them then stop reading RIGHT NOW – there are lots of spoilers*** I loved Stephenie’s writing style. I found the books to be heart-warming and heart-wrenching at the same time. I liked how we were “inside” Bella’s head and we could hear her thoughts – and I loved that Edward couldn’t hear her thoughts and the way that it drove him crazy. I thought some of the parts were so funny that I was laughing out loud (Bella on a motorcycle and subsequent injuries). I know that when I got near the end of Eclipse, I was fuming mad at Jacob for tricking Bella into kissing him, then by the very end, I felt bad for him (though not too bad – I am of the opinion that Bella belongs to Edward). Do you agree with Bella choosing Edward over Jacob? Who thinks Jacob is going to imprint in the next book? Who wants to see Bella become a vampire? (I DO!!) Assuming she does become a vampire, who is curious about what her “powers” are going to be? Any ideas? And what do you think the title of the 4th books means? (Breaking Dawn is the title) Any significance on whether or not she’ll become a vampire? Last but not least – who just adores the Cullen family? I love all of them! And yes, I think we are all in agreement – Edward is the PERFECT guy. I loved the conversation between him & Jacob when they are in the tent, before the big battle (in Eclipse). He’s simply perfect – sigh! I also liked how we get to hear everybody’s stories about becoming vampires – and I liked the insight into Rosalie’s life prior to becoming a vampire. It helps to explain her motivations for keeping Bella human. And does anyone else roll their eyes when they hear someone talking about the books and they say “Oh I don’t want to read a book that’s about vampires – too creepy” or “it’s a book for just for teenagers.” COME ON PEOPLE!! These are awesome books that deserve all the recognition they are getting!!!! Okay, soapbox done – thoughts from you guys?

8 comments:

bookclubfriends said...

Okay, so I think that I could go on all day with what I think of these books, but I must come clean first and say that I was one of those who thought I don't want to read those VAMPRIE books, it kind of seemed stupid to me...but I would like to note I am now eating my words!
I have heard that the book is not coming out until September...I sure hope that you are right.
I too love the way that she writes and I am so intrigued by hearing someones thoughts in writing. Although; there are times that I want to reach through the pages and just slap Bella. Some of her decisions frustrate me.
Okay, so I have my predictions for the 4th book. This has no basis in anything, it is purely a guess. I am thinking that Bella will talk Edward into "doing the deed" if you know what I mean, before she is turned into a vampire. Whether they get married first or not I am not sure...Then she will get pregnant and will not be able to turn into a vampire and then it will be a struggle for her to decide what to do now that she is a mom and has a baby. Then the Volvoutri will be after her and it will be a big mess!
I feel that Stephanie Meyer almost doesn't want us to like Jacob, because I really don't. I don't feel bad for him and he makes me angry when he tries to pull stunts. I agree that Bella belongs to Edward. PERIOD. Jacob just needs to get over it. Unless Jacob knows that Bella is the one...I am excited to see what a mess this new book will be and then to see how Meyer will reslove it! Talking about this makes me too excited!!

--Michelle

Sarah said...

oh my gosh! I LOVE it! I didn't even think about her getting pregnant ... hmmm. Yes, that would definitely complicate things! I do think that they will get married, then "do the deed" (I love how you put it) then maybe before he can turn her into a vampire, she'll find out she's pregnant. AHH! How would Stephenie resolve that?!?! And I, too, think the Voluri will be involved ... which is too bad since they give me the heeby-jeebies. Thanks Michelle!! Anyone else have thoughts about Bella getting pregnant?
~Sarah

Sarah said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sarah said...

I was talking about this to Pat, a friend in my office who is equally obsessed with the Twilight series. She was thinking that the Volturi are definitely going to make an appearance. Maybe they figure out about the werewolves and they come over to Forks to try and wipe them out??? Then it would be werewolves/Cullens vs. Volturi. Or maybe they come over to recruit the Cullens (possibly after Bella becomes a vampire??) and they refuse to join the Volturi ... so it becomes Cullens vs. Volturi??? I don't know - those were some of Pat's ideas. I definitely think the Volturi will be in it some way or another.
~Sarah

bookclubfriends said...

It took me a while to find time to read these books, but when I did, I read each one in one sitting. The first one I started at the airport when I was flying to New York. I read alnight during my redeye flight and finished it the next morning when I land at La Guardia! It was delicious!
The second one I read one evening (in 9 hours!) and loved it. It just might be my favorite out of the three...My heart physically hurt while reading what Bella went through after Edward left...Now that is powerful writing! The third one was just okay for me, but I can't wait to see what Stephanie's going to do for the 4th book!
I never thought about Bella getting pregnant...that would create quite a dilema!

bookclubfriends said...

oops, sorry...that last comment was from me, Lonnie

bookclubfriends said...

I am in the minority since I like Jacob. Don't get me wrong - Bella and Edward definitely belong together. My sister and I agree that they had their own type of imprinting with each other. But I do like Jacob and feel bad for him. But that's another subject.
The idea of Bella becoming pregnant before being a vampire is intriguing. (But she and Edward will definitely be married first. Stephenie Meyer won't let them break the law of chastity.)
And I agree the Volturi will be a large part of the story line. Can't wait to see what happens.
But keeping with the titles, I think that Bella will get exactly what she wants - although she may not be sure what that is right now. "Twilight" is the best time of day for vampires - that was Edward's best time, meeting Bella. "New Moon" is the darkest kind of night when there is no light from the moon at all - that was Bella's worst time, when Edward left. "Eclipse" was the choosing of Edward over Jacob - Edward's pull was stronger than that of Jacob's. And "Breaking Dawn" is when night is finally over and the light comes. Bella and Edward will get what's best for them and will be happy (I'd like to think they'll be together as vampires, but you never know). Anyway, that's my take on it all.

-Carly

Sarah said...

Me again. I want to say that I agree with Carly - I like Jacob, too, and feel bad for him (though I was furious about him tricking Bella into kissing him). I think the way that it's described in the book is best - that when Edward left Bella, he left her bleeding. Jacob was the one to "stitch her up" (so to speak) and those stitches don't just go away. So Bella and Jacob have a unique tie to each other that cannot just be severed ... which is what Bella finally comes to realize at the end of Eclipse. Don't get me wrong - I am still rooting for her to turn into a vampire and to live happily ever after (literally). I like your perspective, Carly. And I don't think Stephenie is intending for us to dislike Jacob - for proof go check out this link: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/nm_extras.html

~Sarah