Meyer, Stephenie - Twilight (series)

[Heidi Anderson]

This book is considered "young adult" so I wasn't really interested in reading it...until my niece and nephew got me the series for my birthday. I just finished Twilight (book one) and thought it was really good.

I kept having to remind myself that it is for young readers, but overall I'm looking forward to book #2!!

In reading it, I was reminded of how I resisted the Harry Potter series for the first few years as well...and loved it once I started!

I'm curious if anyone's read it and what you think?

[Katelynn Scott]

Heidi - I have resisted posting about this series because I am afraid of letting my inner adolescent girl shine through. Okay, imagine a very high pitched squeal ("eee!!") followed closely by me shouting, "I LOVE Stephenie Meyer!!!!!!"

Last school year, the school librarian where I teach told me that I had to read these books. I asked what they were about, and when she answered, "they're romance novels about vampires," I laughed in her face. Yet I had SO many students nag me about reading them, that I finally took the first book home on a Friday afternoon. I then stayed up until 2am reading the entire first book because I couldn't put it down.

That same weekend, I read all of the second book ("New Moon") on Saturday and Sunday. I then got back to school on Monday and had to sheepishly ask the librarian if I could have the third book ("Eclipse"). I read that one in only a couple of weekday evenings.

I have had countless students (and their parents!) read this series in the last year. I went to hear Stephenie Meyer speak and sign books last May, and she was absolutely charming and humble about her explosion of success.

The fourth book ("Breaking Dawn") released August 2nd and I went to the midnight release party to get it. I read it in about 10 hours. I think that the 4th book delves in to some more mature themes, and so I am not going to specifically go out of my way to recommend this book to any of my middle school students. If they ask, I'll tell them I enjoyed it, but I think the 4th book should probably be read by parents first.

In all, I just cannot say how much I've enjoyed reading these four books. Even as an English teacher, who has read hundred of books in my life, these four are probably in my top 10... they were that enjoyable to read. Stephenie Meyer also wrote The Host, which released May 2008 but I just read it for the first time this past weekend. She billed this book as "adult literature," and it certainly is a longer read with lots of themes and topics that are pretty deep (meaning of life type stuff). It's still sci-fi, but even Meyer says, "it's sci-fi for people who don't like sci-fi." This is true, and I think the quality of writing is better than her Twilight series. I hope you enjoy reading some of her other books - I think she's great (I even made a home-made t-shirt saying so.. ha ha)!

[Heidi Anderson]

Somehow...I knew you would like these books! Thanks for the tip on The Host as well...I love books on c.d. as I'm in the car a lot and whoever she has reading these is really great as well.

Vampires in love - what could be better!

[Christa Woodward]

Okay, I'll read them...I've been resisting for some reason - Maybe Heidi could loan me the first one???

I just loved Harry Potter so much that I have a hard time thinking that anything could be as good...Also, Katelynn, I'm in the middle of "The Book Thief" and I'm really loving it too...maybe I'll trade it with Heidi for the first Twilight book...

[Katelynn Scott]

I'm so glad you're reading The Book Thief! I think you'll enjoy Twilight as well (and the sequels). I haven't met a person yet who has read them and not liked them - that is the honest truth.

[Alisa Stoll]

My 21 year old is listening to book four as I type. She has not enjoyed this series as much as she enjoyed Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' books. Maegan is not a reader. But she enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's books (okay she listened to them on CD). But she has insisted on purchasing all of the Atwater-Rhodes books and has read them multiple times.

Alisa

[Katelynn Scott]

I haven't heard of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, but I love good books... I'll have to check them out! ;o )

[David Pettigrew]

Interesting sidenote - I understand Stephenie Meyer is a devout Mormon.

[Katelynn Scott]

Stephenie Meyer is a mormon and I sort of wondered at first how it would influence her writing. She does mention the possibility of an afterlife and raises questions in the Twilight series as to who can make it to the afterlife. One of the vampire characters seems to think that he will not be included because he has lost his soul in the process of being a vampire. Other vampires think that if they live as good people, they will. This, of course, was interesting.

Also, I appreciated that Meyer made it very clear that her characters would not engage in sex until after marriage. SHe was very firm on this and the male character was the one enforcing this rule in their relationship. He kept emphasizing that he loved his girlfriend so much that he didn't want to do anything which would question her purity. I think this was a positive.

Here is a recent quote in Time Magazine on the issue (Sept. 1, 2008):
Question: "Aside from Mitt Romney, you seem to be the most popular Mormon right now in the U.S. Do you feel that you are a good representative of your religion?"

Meyer: "Being Mormon is a big part of who I am, and I try very hard to live the right way, but I don't know that I am an example. I hate to say, 'Yes, look at me. I'm a good example of being Mormon.' I want to be the best person I can be, so in that aspect, maybe I'm a good example.

Just a bit more fodder for discussion...

[Katelynn Scott]

For anyone who has finished Twilight, here is a little tid-bit of information. When Stephenie Meyer first started writing the "Twilight" series, she was not sure if she wanted to tell the story from the male protagonist's point of view (Edward) or the female protagonist (Bella). She started writing it both ways, and eventually decided on Bella. Shortly after the release of the second book (New Moon), she posted to her website the beginning of Twilight from Edward's point of view, just for fun. She figured she wouldn't finish it and thought the fans might enjoy it.

Now that she finished the fourth book and the series has experienced so much success, apparently she decided to go back and finish writing the first book from Edward's point of view, figuring that her fans might like to hear other parts of the story in it's entirety, which she developed in her head (and also, an easy way probably to make more money off this series). She had apparently gotten to the twelfth chapter and had given a couple of copies of the draft to some trusted friends to proof-read and provide feed-back, and one of them leaked it online. So in response, Meyer decided to just post those chapters on her own website so that fans would not continue searching for the illegal copy and she could make a statement of her disappointment.

While I think it's a shame that someone would leak her work, it provided an interesting flurry of activity among fans who wanted to read more. So just so that you know, you can now read the first 264 pages of the book she's calling Midnight Sun on her website:
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

[Alisa Stoll]

I forwarded this on to my daughter to share with her future sister-in-law - you made her day!

My daughter found the last book to be by far the best - at least in her estimation.

For anyone who has finished Twilight, here is a little tid-bit of information. When Stephenie Meyer first started writing the "Twilight" series, she was not sure if she wanted to tell the story from the male protagonist's point of view (Edward) or the female protagonist (Bella). She started writing it both ways, and eventually decided on Bella. Shortly after the release of the second book (New Moon), she posted to her website the beginning of Twilight from Edward's point of view, just for fun. She figured she wouldn't finish it and thought the fans might enjoy it.

Now that she finished the fourth book and the series has experienced so much success, apparently she decided to go back and finish writing the first book from Edward's point of view, figuring that her fans might like to hear other parts of the story in it's entirety, which she developed in her head (and also, an easy way probably to make more money off this series). She had apparently gotten to the twelfth chapter and had given a couple of copies of the draft to some trusted friends to proof-read and provide feed-back, and one of them leaked it online. So in response, Meyer decided to just post those chapters on her own website so that fans would not continue searching for the illegal copy and she could make a statement of her disappointment.

While I think it's a shame that someone would leak her work, it provided an interesting flurry of activity among fans who wanted to read more. So just so that you know, you can now read the first 264 pages of the book she's calling Midnight Sun on her website:
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

[Marsha Lynn]

I read the first book in the series last spring for three reasons:

1. I love children's literature and find it a pleasure to keep up with the latest entries in that field.

2. I was taking a class on literature for young people and it counted toward my required reading for the semester.

3. It was the latest rage for the teen girls (and a few of the boys).

My take: It wasn't bad. However, it took me back to the days when I discovered the world of teen romance -- girl falls in love with boy; sooner or later, boy notices her and returns her affection; all is well. I rejected the lack of innovation in plot as a teenager and it has not grown on me. This series struck me as simply one more variation of that basic plot. The main variant in this case is the inherent danger of falling in love with a vampire. I can't decide how I feel about this series that capitalizes on the thrill of a dangerous relationship, one in which you could get badly hurt but which may be exciting enough to be worth the risk. Is there a danger of the young readers nurturing an appetite for relationships that aren't safe? I don't know.

I haven't read the other three books in the Twilight series. I much prefer Harry Potter, in which magic is simply the backdrop for working out life's difficult choices between right and wrong. I feel like there is more substance to that series, making the time investment more worth my while.

Just a personal opinion.

Marsha


This book is considered "young adult" so I wasn't really interested in reading it...until my niece and nephew got me the series for my birthday. I just finished Twilight (book one) and thought it was really good.

I kept having to remind myself that it is for young readers, but overall I'm looking forward to book #2!!

In reading it, I was reminded of how I resisted the Harry Potter series for the first few years as well...and loved it once I started!

I'm curious if anyone's read it and what you think?

[Katelynn Scott]

Marsha - I have struggled with the same issues when it comes to recommending books to students. Just because I found the story enjoyable, I do wonder how many positive life lessons are gained by this series. The fourth book is more explicit about their relationship, so I don't even mention that book around students. If one of them asks, I tell them that they may want to check a review or ask their parents before reading the book. I think you can probably look at many books from both points of view - some would say that Harry Potter is "dangerous" because it encourages witchcraft, but many of us disagree with that sentiment as well. I think it best to remind myself of the verse about not becoming a stumbling block for others. ;o )

[Katelynn Scott]

Has anyone else seen the movie "Twilight?" Just thought I would ask to perhaps initiate conversation...

[Heidi Anderson]

I saw it - I'm glad I read the books first as it gave a lot of clarity where the movie was a bit unclear.

Edward...oh....my....so cute!

Have you seen it?

[Alisa Stoll]

My daughter (21) wasn't real thrilled with the movie but the teen girls at church LOVED it. Many of them have seen it multiple times.

Alisa

[Heidi Anderson]

My daughter (21) wasn't real thrilled with the movie but the teen girls at church LOVED it. Many of them have seen it multiple times.

Alisa

I guess I have the heart of a teenage girl!! :laughing

[Katelynn Scott]

I went on opening weekend with 7 teachers and about 30 students from my school on a psuedo-field-trip. It was not school sponsored, we just happened to all show up at the same place at the same time. The first time I saw it, I sort of hated it. The make-up was terrible, the dialogue was lacking. The kept most of the story pretty intact and the scenery was beautiful, but I just wasn't that satisfied. However, I saw it again a couple of weeks later with some friends from church who have recently started reading the series, and I enjoyed it much better the second time. I think that once I knew not to expect too much, I was much more able to enjoy the story line and the relationship between Edward & Bella. I think that the issue lies more in the fact that the production budget was pretty small and therefore special effects and make-up artists weren't really the biggest portion of the total cost. I am excited to see the movie version they're producing of "New Moon." ;o ) It's okay to have the heart of a teenage girl... heaven knows I have one too!

[David Pettigrew]

Most teens I know that see it think it's the greatest story over told on celluloid. Most adults, including me, thought it was, well, "cheesy" is the word I hear over and over again. Present company excluded, of course.