Today I will discuss what is possibly the most embarrassing fandom I belong to: I'm a "Twilighter."
When I first heard of the Twilight books by Stephenie Meyer, I rolled my eyes. Teenage vampire romance? I love vampires, as I've mentioned in previous posts, but these books were for kids. But when I heard there was a movie coming out based on the first book I broke. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
So one Friday evening after work, I found myself standing in the teen section of BookPeople, staring down my nose at the display of Meyer books on a table in front of me. The bright red apple on the cover boldly taunted me, daring me to pick it up in full view of the other adults milling around nearby. Forbidden fruit indeed. It was a challenge from which I wasn't about to back down. I did, however, hastily tell the cashier (who didn't ask) that the book was for my niece (who doesn't exist). Once I got home, I couldn't bring myself to start reading it. It sat on my bookshelf untouched for a month because I was too afraid. Even then I knew I'd love it, that I'd be sucked in and feel ridiculous for it. I was trying to delay the inevitable.
When I finally began Twilight, I found it incredibly easy to read. Too easy, really. The writing was sub-par and the plot all too predictable, and it's a feminist's nightmare. I finished it in two days and immediately went out and bought the next two. All three were devoured in a week. It was the characters, dammit! I fell in love. I fell in love with a fictional, undead teenage boy. I was ashamed, but I'm even more ashamed to admit it's happened before. My love for men that don't exist has been a problem of mine since adolescence. Maybe I need therapy. But if I do, then so do thousands of other women across the globe.
The books have had incredible success, with people comparing Meyer to J.K. Rowling. While I still maintain that the Harry Potter author is more pen savvy, you can't deny that Meyer has become a formidable contemporary. Both have writing styles that are easily accessible to a broad spectrum of readers from all ages and walks of life. Both have characters I adore. And now, both have movies based on them.
Here is an example of the insanity my love of all things Twilight has become: When I saw the cover of the new Entertainment Weekly yesterday, I immediately emailed it to five people who love it as much as me, and then promptly went into a co-worker's cubicle. As she opened up my message and the picture popped up large on her screen, I started squealing and jumping up and down. No lie. Squealing. And jumping. I might've even been clapping a little. I have been reduced to a twelve year old girl. Stephenie Meyer has done this to me.
On Friday, August 1st, I will be at BookPeople attending a midnight release party for the 4th book: Breaking Dawn. It's a compulsion I cannot refuse. To wait even an extra twelve hours to buy the book when I can get it at 12:01am on August 2nd is a travesty. I'm sure I'll be done with it by August 4th, tops. And this time, I won't pretend it's for my niece.
So one Friday evening after work, I found myself standing in the teen section of BookPeople, staring down my nose at the display of Meyer books on a table in front of me. The bright red apple on the cover boldly taunted me, daring me to pick it up in full view of the other adults milling around nearby. Forbidden fruit indeed. It was a challenge from which I wasn't about to back down. I did, however, hastily tell the cashier (who didn't ask) that the book was for my niece (who doesn't exist). Once I got home, I couldn't bring myself to start reading it. It sat on my bookshelf untouched for a month because I was too afraid. Even then I knew I'd love it, that I'd be sucked in and feel ridiculous for it. I was trying to delay the inevitable.
When I finally began Twilight, I found it incredibly easy to read. Too easy, really. The writing was sub-par and the plot all too predictable, and it's a feminist's nightmare. I finished it in two days and immediately went out and bought the next two. All three were devoured in a week. It was the characters, dammit! I fell in love. I fell in love with a fictional, undead teenage boy. I was ashamed, but I'm even more ashamed to admit it's happened before. My love for men that don't exist has been a problem of mine since adolescence. Maybe I need therapy. But if I do, then so do thousands of other women across the globe.
The books have had incredible success, with people comparing Meyer to J.K. Rowling. While I still maintain that the Harry Potter author is more pen savvy, you can't deny that Meyer has become a formidable contemporary. Both have writing styles that are easily accessible to a broad spectrum of readers from all ages and walks of life. Both have characters I adore. And now, both have movies based on them.
Here is an example of the insanity my love of all things Twilight has become: When I saw the cover of the new Entertainment Weekly yesterday, I immediately emailed it to five people who love it as much as me, and then promptly went into a co-worker's cubicle. As she opened up my message and the picture popped up large on her screen, I started squealing and jumping up and down. No lie. Squealing. And jumping. I might've even been clapping a little. I have been reduced to a twelve year old girl. Stephenie Meyer has done this to me.On Friday, August 1st, I will be at BookPeople attending a midnight release party for the 4th book: Breaking Dawn. It's a compulsion I cannot refuse. To wait even an extra twelve hours to buy the book when I can get it at 12:01am on August 2nd is a travesty. I'm sure I'll be done with it by August 4th, tops. And this time, I won't pretend it's for my niece.
6 comments:
Forbidden fruit, indeed. Make sure you pick up a copy for me while you're at it.
I'll pick up a copy for anyone who gives me the money beforehand.
So I have a random question. How many guys do you know that are as into this series as you are?
I only know of two that are as into it as me, but I know of several who enjoy it immensely.
And she'll be waiting in line for me too--a 40 something year old that has also fallen in love with the characters. DG and I have already worked this out. My husband just walked around me all weekend long looking at me like I was crazy because I wouldn't put the other three books down. I even made him drive to my nieces (real one) graduation so that I could read in the car.
Meyers didn't do this to me though--Dork Girl did. Love you for that and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
edited "niece's"
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