I’ve found myself engrossed in a book, and it’s hard to put it down and do any of the other millions of things that need to get done. I’m 3/4 of the way through New Moon, which is the second in a series of three books by Stephanie Meyer. Twilight was the first one, and yes, it’s about a girl who falls in love with a vampire. It sounds hokey, I know, and it kind of is. At times I get annoyed with the story, that it goes on and on and they don’t get to the action, even though I KNOW what’s going to happen a lot of the time. But it’s captivating and I WANT to read it. What’s your take on this? I think it’s too mature for the targeted teenage audience, and I even wish the main character, Bella, were not a high school student, as I feel that no girl that young could really fall in love that hard, nor should she be in a serious relationship (with vampire, werewolf or human). But it’s sweeping the neighborhood here, and even some of Megan’s 11 year old friends have read all three books. I’m glad that a BYU graduate has written these successful books, and I’m happy for her and her millions, and I think it’s a fun, entertaining read, but maybe not the best literature out there. What’s your opinion?
On the other hand, even though I’m not getting squat done here at the homestead, I like that feeling of being wrapped up in a book. I like thinking about the characters and wondering what they will do next. But I don’t like that disappointed let down feeling when it’s over.
I resisted reading these books for a long time – I mean, come on! A vampire love story? Then I caved in order to ‘pre screen’ the book for Meg (who is 13) and got hooked! It is not brilliant writing, but it is intriguing writing and that is pretty hard to find sometimes. It makes me feel 17 all over again when I was SURE I knew exactly what real love was. On a sad note, I hear book 3 is really ‘rated R’ and WAY innappropriate for kids. I was so sorry to have a BYU grad take this set of books in that directon. She is a good writer — she could have made better/different choices in her story.
these books are really the hot thing! everywhere i go i see people reading them. i am #782 on the wait list at the library. hmmmmmm. my friend has told me that she would loan me hers. i am excited to get into a good book. i just finished one on tuesday and have been craving some bedtime reading!
Finished all 3 books a couple of weeks ago. I was pretty annoyed with the main character in the first book and questioned my desire to continue in the series, but like you I enjoyed being distracted by a fictional world and wanted more brain candy! I definitely would have preferred Bella to be older, but it’s understandable since the author’s target audience is supposed to be younger. Like you, I kind of felt like some of the scenes were repetitive, but hey, who am I? She’s the one making bank! I say good for her!
I finished book three about a month ago, and I agree with most of you. It’s not the best literature in the world, but it reminds me of high school when I was OBSESSED with a certain guy. Unlike Bella, I got over it. I’m sad that Stephenie’s made it into a no-win love triangle, because now I’m disappointed either way. I like Jacob for her and think he’s more of a healthy fit (a werewolf is healthy?) than Edward, but Edward seems to have this thrall, can’t-breathe-without-you thing going. And he’s nice, and I guess a bit more civilized.
To Tess’s comment, I’m thinking carefully back through book three, and there are places where she WANTED to go further in their relationship, and it was discussed, but there wasn’t ever anything inappropriate that happened, other than saving someone from hypothermia by sharing a sleeping bag. I wouldn’t rate it any worse than PG-13. I was actually quite proud of Edward, the one without a soul (supposedly) being the upstanding moral character in the situation. Bella’s mostly atheist and self-serving, but Edward keeps her on the straight and narrow.
I hope that’s not too much of a spoiler for those who have not read Eclipse yet.