I didn't want to like it. I don't know why, exactly, but I considered myself immune to its appeal. I was one sucker who wouldn't be sucked in by a teen-vampire romance. But, the truth is, I finally read Twilight, and I liked it. A lot.
My sister Traci described Twilight as literary junk food, and I think she's right. You know how it is when you pop the lid to the Pringles canister or tear into a package of Oreos - you can't stop eating them, those empty-calorie, high-sodium, trans-fantaculous, utterly irresistible treats. That's what reading Twilight was like - once I cracked open the spine of the paperback book, I couldn't put it down. I brushed aside the book I was currently reading - The Post-American World - a real meat and potatoes kind of book - and feasted my eyes on something far less nourishing but infinitely more enjoyable.
I think I've been too hard on Stephenie Meyer. The truth is, Twilight won't win the Pulitzer Prize, but still, it takes a lot of talent to create a compelling story. In fact, it's been a long time since I've read a book that I didn't want to put down. It's been a week since I finished Twilight, and I'm only on page 105 of the aforementioned Post-American World. I think I was on page 75 when my task was interrupted by Twilight. Sorry, Fareed Zakaria. The decline of America's dominance as a superpower just isn't as compelling as Bella and Edward's love life.
I may not finish The Post-American World. I've heard there are a few more chronicles in this vampire series, and you know how it is with junk food: once you pop, you can't stop.
Monday, August 11, 2008
To Have Read
Posted by Kim at 6:31 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
I think I am giving in soon and going to read Twilight too. Vampire? and Love? I don't get it, but I hear I will after reading it. Thanks for the encouragement.
I miss you Kimmers! Are you going to the reunion by the way? I hope so. I am heading out next Tuesday to SLC. It would be AWESOME to see you!
By the way, which city do you live in? I wonder how far from each other we arae. Hmmmm
My fourth-grade teacher, a good friend of mine, still teases me about how many "Babysitters Club" books I read in my year in her class.
Literary junk food.
That is so true--in 4th grade, and now. And once I pop, I can't stop either. But at least I can speed read over the mushy, gushy romantic Bella parts. Is that like binging?
I liked "The Host" (by Stephanie Meyer) even better than the Twilight series. It's more like...granola bars than junk food. Not meat and potatoes, but not quite as empty-calorie. Maybe like a Krispy Kreme doughnut with a wood chip.
Oh Kim I am exactly the same way. I did not want to read it, but got hooked. Glad you enjoyed it.
I am slowly losing people who are just saying no. I might just have to give in! I am not so afraid of what I will read it's that once I pop I can't stop and that means I ignore my house, children, meals, laundry, dishes etc. I am already struggling in all of these areas, any more distractions and I just might find myself out of a job!
I love the analogy. I completely concur. Just like I preach to some how terrible Soda is but, when Mike orders a Dr. Pepper I help him drink it but then I feel I just poisened myself... the same was true for this series. I can complain about it for hours but it didn't stop me from reading all four books. Glad to be done now. Any suggestions for some wholesome meat and potato books would be greatly appreciated.
Who has the time or energy for meat and potatoes? I wish I did. Every time I try to read a good meaty book I end up falling asleep.
I really enjoyed the Twilight series and neglected my family enough to last a year. My mistake was convincing Seth to read them, I'm not quite as understanding when I'm the one being neglected. I'm going to be in trouble for outing Seth!
They are so addicting. I read all four books in a week. Which is crazy considering I have a newborn and a 2 year old. I think I was averaging 3 hours of sleep a night because I would stay up reading until Lila woke up around 2 or 3am. I loved all of them! I actually have the ebooks if you would like me to send you the last three.
Oh yeah, I finally caved also. I am definitely not a reader, but I am addicted to these books! I read the first two within less than two weeks. I just started Eclipse. Can't wait for the movie!
HAHAH I love twilight. You have been converted to the dark side. hehe. it is so good to see you are doing well.
Post a Comment