Twilight
I’ve never read Anne Rice’s vampire novels. I did, however, see the film Interview with a Vampire, and it was years before I could watch Kirsten Dunst in a film without seeing her bloodstained lips saying, “Please, I want some more.” Shudder. I never saw the attraction to vampire stories, and so when I saw the reviews of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight
Then I read Sherry’s review at Semicolon, and I had to rethink my position. After all, Sherry is a serious book blogger. 
If she “read Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse last month, one after the other, like candy, in the course of two or three days,” then perhaps I would like them, too. When Twilight showed up on our library’s list of new audiobooks, I checked it out. I finished it tonight.
Oh, my. I like to listen to audiobooks while I do dishes, drive, fold laundry, and do all those other mindless chores that simply feel like a waste of good reading time. Once in a while, an audiobook will hook me so well that I find extra jobs to do around the house, because simply sitting and listening to an audiobook with idle hands seems a little lazy. That didn’t matter tonight as I sat on the couch while Kevin watched TV and listened to the final disc of Twilight, my hands completely still except for the times I gasped and covered my mouth in horror. I then headed over to Natasha’s blog to watch the movie trailer she posted earlier this week, and that I resisted watching until I finished the book. (The film will be released in December.)
Twilight is the story of Bella Swan, a junior in high school who leaves Phoenix and moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father. Forks is the rainiest town in the United States, and the sun rarely makes an appearance. Which makes it the perfect place for the Cullen family, since they just happen to be vampires. The Cullen family has found a way to live in harmony with human-kind, by hunting only animals. But, as Edward explains, it would be like a human living on soy milk and tofu. While the animal blood sates their thirst, the craving for human blood is never gone.
Bella runs into Edward Cullen at school, and immediately causes Edward to have a violent reaction. She thinks he has taken an instant dislike to her; in reality, he has become enraged by her scent and wants to drink her blood. Edward vows to stay away from Bella, but that proves more difficult than he imagined, since they are undeniably attracted to each other.
Will Edward be able to spend time with Bella, and yet resist his innate urge to gorge his thirst? Will Bella discover Edward’s true identity? And, what happens when Bella meets a vampire with more traditional eating – or should I say, drinking – habits?
Keep in mind, this is a YA novel, so it’s not meant for children younger than their teens. There isn’t any sexual content – only a few kisses – but Bella and Edward’s relationship is pretty charged wtih attraction and tension, which Meyers captures perfectly.
I put New Moon on hold at the library, but there are 12 people on the hold list in front of me! Sigh.
Hmmm. I am intrigued by this book. Like you, I have no interest in vampire novels (haven’t even seen the movie versions of Anne Rice’s books), but I keep seeing this book mentioned over and over.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:03 amI didn’t have any interest in vampire novels either, but these are fun, as I said. Thanks for the link and the compliment. I’ll have to remember that I’m a “serious” book blogger when I’m tempted to post something frivolous.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:18 amYeah, we have Twilight fever here. what with teen girls and all.
I will say it’s pretty light on Vampire fare and not scary at all.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:16 amGirl loves these books and has been after me to read them for ages. I suppose I should before the movie comes out.
I got hooked on vampire novels early by reading I am Legend – don’t believe the movie, it’s about vampires, not zombies.
My favorite vampire author is Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, she sets her novels in historic periods and they are great ways to learn about history. Her vampire needs human contact, not blood to survive.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pmIt’s set in Forks, WA? I’ve only driven through there but it’s so small! and isolated! almost perfect for a vampire except you’d run out of food pretty quick.
I did like vampire stories but I am so fried on them.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pmStaci – I bet you’d like it. Just have lots of free time, cause once you’re into it, you won’t want to stop till you finish.
Sherry – oh, no, don’t stick to serious review – I have to know which fluff is worth reading!
Andrea – I agree, not scary, just suspenseful. Though I wonder if the movie will be scarier, with everything being visual.
Meg – my sister said the same thing about I Am Legend. She and her husband had both read it and absolutely hated the movie. I liked the film, having never read the original, and not knowing that they messed it all up.
I’ll have to check out the Yarbro books.
Carrie K – I’ve never been to Forks. She described it so well, I could “see” it.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:55 pmI read, but didn’t really care for, Anne Rice’s first vampire novel. I’m not much for vampires, or other horror subjects, but after your review, plus Semicolon’s, plus the recommendations of my two older kids, maybe I’ll try it.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:47 pmM Light – I guess I would consider Twilight more fantasy than horror. And you should definitely give it a try – it’s un-put-down-able!
May 15th, 2008 at 8:30 pmI keep reading great reviews, shrugging and thinking “not my thing”. LOL After your review, okay you all twisted my arm, I’ll give it a try!
I’m going to put it on my TBR list right now.
May 16th, 2008 at 1:11 pmEileen – maybe you’ll have better luck with this one than you did with Broken for You.
May 16th, 2008 at 5:24 pmI didn’t want to read “Twilight” until I read Dracula, which I loved. But then I read it twice in about three days. It’s so entertaining and the other two are also. Can’t wait for book four to come out.
May 17th, 2008 at 8:57 pm[...] Kid)10. Amy(Keeper and Kid)11. Amy(Speak)12. Bonnie (A Year in Provence)13. Bonnie (Safely Home)14. Carrie K. (Twilight)15. Barbara H. (The Listener by Terri Blackstock)16. Maw Books (Sky Burial)17. Maw Books (The True [...]
May 30th, 2008 at 7:17 pmI read it in one day and loved it! Now I have to get daughter to borrow the others from one of her friends.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:53 pmM Light – glad you liked it!
July 29th, 2008 at 9:33 pm