When I was in middle school, I went through my vampire stage. I read Anne Rice like nobody's business. I read Laurell K. Hamilton. At the time, I was convinced that this is what I should be reading. Good, worthy literature. And I was really into vampires: ageless and immortal men, blood, biting. It was heaven. (It also wonderfully complimented my goth attire, alternative makeup and trance music.)

I'm sad to say that young adult minds are no longer being polluted and poisoned by Anne Rice, by the Sleeping Beauty series or by the trashy Laurell K. Hamilton. No, my friends. They are instead reading Twilight.

Stephenie Meyer released her "Twilight" series a while ago. It has just recently become a huge thing.

Positive things:

• It has vampires.
• It is in Washington.

Negative things:

• It is in Forks, Washington. The city named after an eating utensil.
• It is a romance/horror/fantasy book.
• It doesn't have nearly enough horror in it.
• It is being turned into a movie.
• Borders is pimping it at every corner and offering coupons on it like nobody's business.
• Even Authwhore thinks it is silly.
• The main vampire boy, Edward, is a VEGETARIAN vampire. Oxymoron.
• Vegetarian boy won't let his girlfriend become a vamp.

At least Anne Rice kept it real and let the vampire drink some blood, pillage some towns, rape. That's the kind of stuff I want my young adult reading.

I mean, look at me. I turned out great. :)

Vampires are not only cold and hard as a stone, strong and quick as a bullet. They don't get reduced to ashes but they glitter like diamonds when exposed to sunshine!

You haven't recovered from the glimmer fiction factoid when you also find out that each vampire has a gift. Their best characteristic in their human life becomes intensified when they become immortal! If one is at best intuitive in his mortal life, he will be able to see the future once he becomes a vampire!

A coven of vampires swears to protect human life. So instead of sucking people's blood out, they opt for animal blood. Wow, in the same light as vegetarians, only with more heart!

The main female protagonist not only associates herself with vampires. She also befriends werewolves. She becomes bestfriends with one. And get this, the bff werewolf also falls in love with her.

Werewolves imprint. Imprinting is like finding your soulmate, only way creepier. A teenage werewolf can imprint on a two-year old and take care of the baby until she is old enough to have a labeled commitment with.

The mortal female protagonist asks the immortal male protagonist to make her a vampire. He refuses because he does not want her to miss out on the varied important events of her finite life. He gives his yes in one condition, she should marry him first.

The annoying and asinine heroine refuses at first because she does not quite believe in marriage, since her parents are divorced. She gives her yes when she learns he will only have sex with her after they wed.

The heroine delays her immortality by reasoning she's not yet ready to give up her perishable life. She says she wants to attend college first. The real reason: she's afraid that sex will not be as good once she's in eternal form.

You know you are still in fiction hell when...

The ditz gets pregnant and she gives birth after a month to a half-vampire baby who has the ability to communicate by sending images to people's minds through touch.

The werewolf bestfriend imprints on the half-vampire baby! The vampire-turned heroine attacks the bff werewolf for naming her child after the Loch Ness monster.

Royal vampires from Italy come to destroy the baby as it poses as danger to the secrecy of their race. The baby's immediate vampire family and her werewolf friends protect her.

The final showdown has two of the most dangerous fictional creatures known to man yet they resort to a peaceful agreement with the realization that the hybrid child is not a threat.

The royal vampires return to Italy. The werewolf bff waits for the hybrid child to reach her full growth for concrete imprinting.

The hero and the heroine talk about forever and have more vampire sex.

The heroine realizes that vampire sex is more gratifying than human sex.

And you realize it's the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer.

-----

Despite the aforementioned, I have no regrets reading Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. In fact, I liked Twilight, but only because of two things. One, Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire) will star as Edward Cullen in the film adaptation and I can hardly wait for December to watch it. Two, if I were Isabella Swan, I'd also have a difficult time sacrificing my sex life.

No regrets, but I had more pleasure reading a chapter of Harry Potter than the entire Twilight Saga. JK Rowling can kick Stephenie Meyer's ass.

Anne Rice can go for the kill.

-----

listening to: Coldplay - Scientist

I started reading this book kinda late already, around March. We were in Greenhills at that time and my cousins told me to buy that book because the story was so nice and very romantic. I didn't know what the book was all about. So, I believed them and I bought it.

When I started reading Twilight I found out that it was about vampires. I was always fascinated by Vampires. I remember I wanted to be a vampire before. Hehe.

As I was reading the book, a mental picture of what Edward Cullenformed in my mind. I was really happy that the actor who will play as Edward looks like the Edward I was thinking.

Can't wait for the movie already! But, I suggest that your read the book also.

So, I have to ask the question: How "true" should historical fiction be?

A lot of readers want to hold authors of historical fiction to a ridiculously high standard. Like they should have some moral duty to have all their facts straight and to teach us something en route.

I got news for you, people. It's Fiction. Made-up, spun-from-brain-goo, don't-quote-it-in-a-term-paper fiction. Funny. You wouldn't think it. It being called "historical fiction" and all.

Yeah, that's right. They don't call it a novel from nothin'. Now memoirs...that's a different donkey. But, I digress.

The goals of an author of historical fiction are much like the goals of any other old author. They want to create a convincing illusion, to help the reader to suspend disbelief. William Styron wrote a fake "historical document" at the beginning of Confessions of Nat Turner. Sort of a false author's note of sorts. Did I slam down my Diet Coke and shake my fist at the heavens praying that they'd take away Styron's Pulitzer? No. And believe me, I didn't realize it was fake--author's note, that is--right away. Once I did realize, I kind of laughed to myself and thought: Chandler 0-Willie 1. And then moved quickly on before I could add up how much Styron was really beating me by.

The point is that he suspended my disbelief. He made me believe that's how it happened.

Sure, writers of historical fiction do research. What writer doesn't. But are you going to unleash on an author who mixed up how many cylinders there are in a well known car?

The point of historical fiction is to convey the spirit of the times more than the facts.

Otherwise, why not go read a textbook? Because historical fiction adds the human dimension and that's what the author must strive for. It let's us look at the little decisions that led up to an event or how a larger decision affected the daily lives of individuals.

The point is not for the author to be a historian or a scholar.

Now, If I were an author of historical fiction I would certainly do my homework. Otherwise, as we've already seen, you're gonna get those front row dork types raising their hands in your face and telling you your story is all wrong.

So, here's the thing. All you front row handraisers, it's cool to know your stuff, to know you're right. But let yourself smile smugly and then continue reading because what's most important is to remember what's so wonderful about fiction: it's made up.

 Check out Jay's blog for a very different take on this!

Status: Not an incredibly productive day. But I am reading Breaking Dawn like my life depended on it! Working on some SCOUT stuff and waiting on the word from Scott. Again, keep your fingers crossed for me.

This post will contain spoilers. If you haven't read the book, best you leave now.

I'm not happy about this book. I read it last week and decided to give myself a few days to cool off a bit and see if my initial response was too emotional. Instead, the more I think about it, the more frustrated I get.

First and foremost, this is supposed to be a YA book. Sex and vioIence are indeed found within the YA genre, but marriage and motherhood? How about  at least some sort of character growth that involves pain and consequences for the average 12-18 year old reader. I really don't care if a book aims to send a particular message to a reader. Reading is fun, and honestly, if I wanted deeper meaning in my reading content, I wouldn't be reading much fiction at all. My question, or concern rather, regarding this book is, is it trying to send the message it actually conveys?

I guess the moral dilema of having your teenage character having sex is apparently solved by having her get married first. What? I guess life is pretty easy for teenage wives, let's go ahead and add a little motherhood to the mix. Oh and BTW, if you think you aren't pretty enough, fast enough, smart enough.... let's just become immortal too and improve your looks. They wern't good enough when you were mortal. Now you are beautiful, sans depth, but beautiful.

The cost of immortality? Losing your family and becoming a bloodlusting lunatic. I could live with that. I was looking forward to that. Oh, but I forgot, this is Bella we're talking about. For some reason, there are no consequences to her actions. She miraculously bypasses all the horrors that new vampires are subject to, and did I mention she gets to keep her family in the picture too..... they understand. How nice.

Oh and let us not forget poor Jacob. How oh how are we gonna fix this poor boy's broken heart? Since he can't have Bella, let's imprint him on Bella's child. Bella no longer has to feel pain and regret over not loving Jacob because once he see's Nessie (oh, please)..... Problem fixed.

But this is a book about vampires, so let's get the bad guys in there for the big battle. Let's rally the troops and take a stand against the evil Volturi. Tense, ready and waiting, finally some action............

Oops, on second thought, let's resolve this peacefully by ripping off the ending of The Host. Everyone go home now, it was a false alarm.

And all you other members of the Cullen clan: Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmet, Jasper and Alice.... you aren't important enough to have more than a few lines in this novel.

The two best characters in this book were the two Romanian vampires, Vladimir and Stefan. Too bad they couldn't get their own book.

So this Twilight Tuesday featured an interview with Jackson Rathbone, who plays Jasper Hale in the film. Now keep in mind that everyone associated with the film has been very PC when it comes to discussing sequels (there are four total books in the series), because they want to "see how people respond to the first film and blah blah blah..."

I understand why people do this- you don't want to end up putting your foot in your mouth if the first film turns out to be a flop. You also don't want to sound arrogant or admit to something that doesn't yet have financial backing or the actor's support and commitment.

HOWEVER...you know darn well that Summit Entertainment already has screenwriters furiously working on sequels, as well as PA's scouting locations. Keep in mind that in the Twilight series, VAMPIRES DO NOT AGE. Unfortunately for movie directors...actors and actresses do. So if they are going to shoot the next three films, they need to do it FAST as the main characters are supposed to remain 17 and 18 respectively.

So that brings me to my point (have you enjoyed my warbling thus far?). Jackson Rathbone slips up in his interview and lets it out that he has signed on for the next two sequels...therefore, it seems that SOMEONE has thought to get moving on these films before their actors get too old to the play the part.

Get excited Twilighters...

September 6            10:00 – 11:00 am            TRAIN Meeting                        Conference Rm.

September: Throughout the month of September, members of TRAIN will be involved in a fundraiser to raise money for special projects, events and to expand our collection. This fundraiser will be operated through Southern Living At Home, and will be an exciting way to order products to beautify your home while supporting our young people. Contact any TRAIN member or Krissy Boccia to order!

Book Club begins September 15! Suggestions for books to talk about are always welcome, but this fall we will be working our way through the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, and finishing up with a field trip to see the first movie when it is released on 11-21-08. Book Club meets Mondays from 4:30-6:00 pm in the conference room. Call or come by to sign up. 

Another lock in is in the planning stages. We had such a terrific time the first time; we're having another one! We are looking at Halloween weekend, so keep your calendars open! More information will follow; watch the community section of the Sun Journal and the bulletin board in the library hallway.

October 4             10:00 – 11:00 am            TRAIN Meeting             Conference Rm.

For information on attending or volunteering to help with any Young Adult Programs or Events, contact Krissy Boccia, Young Adult Coordinator at 252-638-7807 or youngadultnb@gmail.com.

Read my Review of:
- Book 1: Twilight (at LibraryThing)
- Book 2: New Moon (at LibraryThing)
- Book 3: Eclipse

Length: 757 pages

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Romance

Started: 18 August 2008
Finished: 19 August 2008

Although probably everyone who cares has read it already, I am going to do my best to keep this review spoiler-free beyond the first few chapters, but if you're extremely spoiler-phobic, you may want to skip this one.

Summary: Summary: This final book in the Twilight series brings us several events that readers have been waiting for for thousands of pages, beginning with Bella and Edward's wedding. The ceremony surprisingly goes off without a hitch, but when Bella's life is put in unexpected danger on their honeymoon, they must return home. For danger to Bella is the only thing that can force Jacob and Edward to be allies... the only thing, that is, until the truly unforeseen happens, which forces the Cullens and the werewolves into an uneasy pact to protect their families against the greatest threat they've ever faced.

Review: I knew before I started this book that Edward and Bella got married early on (in fact, just looking at the title page, chapter 3 is called "The Big Day"), and I suspected that this meant that she was going to get her way regarding both the sex and the vampiric transformation. What I should have realized, but didn't, is that she had to have some twists up her sleeve to fill the other 700 pages, and I should have guessed which directions at least some of those twists were going to go. But I didn't, and so Meyer got at least one good shock of surprise out of me, at the end of the second section (which is narrated from Jacob's point of view.) Unfortunately, I didn't particularly like the direction in which these new twists took the story; up to this point, this series has been about Bella and Edward and Jacob and their melodramatic issues. I feel like if you're going to write about a love triangle, you have to really commit to dealing with the issues, and Breaking Dawn took the emotional power right out of the characters' hands and provided them the easiest possible way out, without anyone ever having to take emotional responsibility for the repercussions of their actions. Actually, this sense of an "easy way out" permeated most of the book - most of the conflict that's been building throughout the series was resolved in the first half of the book, leaving the characters nothing to do in the second half but prepare for a new conflict... which ultimately fizzles out. I have no problem with happy endings in general, but this one felt too facile, unearned, and ultimately unsatisfactory.

I will admit that this book didn't enrage me nearly as much as its predecessors. I won't go so far as to say that I liked Edward, but his abusive-boyfriend (husband) tendencies weren't much on display, and I finally got at least an inkling of what the squealing hordes of pre-teens see in him. Jacob remains my favorite character, although I was really not fond of the direction his story in particular took. Bella, on the other hand, annoyed me as much as ever: she's so very passive, willing to let other people make decisions for her (a few arguments over whether Jacob or Edward should be "responsible" for her stuck in my craw the wrong way), and extraordinarily, self-effacingly concerned about what Edward wanted, regardless of her own feelings. Plus, Meyer's morality surrounding sex, marriage, gender roles, and now motherhood just squicks me out, especially when I see teens and pre-teens reading these books. Perhaps they should come with warning labels: "CAUTION! Bella and Edward are not role models of appropriate behavior or healthy relationships. Do not try this at home." 3 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Once again, Stephenie Meyer leaves me with a host (ha!) of conflicting impressions. I devoured this book in just over a day, but I was ultimately unimpressed.

This Review on LibraryThing | This Book on LibraryThing | This Book on Amazon

Other Reviews: Muse Books, Stephanie's Written Word, The Book Nest, Book Binge, So Many Books, So Little Time..., The Reading Zone, Maw Books Blog, The Bluestocking Society

First Line: I'd had more than my fair share of near-death experiences; it wasn't something you ever really got used to.

Vocab:

• p. 612: ""Carlisle," the taller of the two very tall ferine women greeted him when they arrived." - untamed; feral.
  .

Stephenie Meyer, is an author I accidently came across when it was first released, (approximately).
Despite the fact that her novels were not directed to my age bracket, I enjoyed her first and second novels. They were written quite simple, and yet delivered an interesting story about the connections between a mortal and an immortal being.

And oh how I loved how she portrayed Edward. Almost to the point where I decided that one of the three boys I hope to have in my future, will be named Edward! LOL. Okay, I'm not that weird...
Anyway moving right along...

I read her first two novels 2-3 times, as I was waiting for the last novel to come out. (I didn't bother reading the third one more than once. It actually didn't capture my attention much.)

As soon as it came out, the bad part of me searched up the novel online, and downloaded a part of it. So that I could actually fall asleep without having the book be ruined for me later on in the day.

Unforunately it was only the first few chapters. Though luckily one of my friends got it, so I was able to continue reading right after she was done...(about 9 hours after she got the book. Yeah, she's insane. But so am I :P )

Well, I know I am an a 'special' individual.

But the last novel just didn't do much for me. There were bits and pieces of it that I liked. But overall, I was a tad disappointed. It felt like the things I thought were weaknesses were really evident in her novel, and it almost felt like someone else was writing the novel. That perhaps some crazed anti-fan, wrote out a novel, and replaced the actual book with their novel.

I know, doesn't make much sense, though I hardly ever do.

But it was just a little too much for me.

Not impressed...but I can't say that I didn't like where she was going with her ideas. I liked that they were unique in their presentation. That they were different from what we tend to think about vampires.

Anyway...hopefully she comes out with another novel, that I will enjoy...

The Official Twilight movie YouTube channel has been updated with a new video. The release date for the movie has also been updated at the Official Twilight movie website.

More articles regarding the early release of Twilight - Film School Rejects: Edward is Coming Early, VideoETA: What's the reason behind the 'Harry Potter' and 'Twilight' date changes.

We have three new Twilight production stills. The stills are attached with an article at HorrorYearBook.com. See it here.

Entertainment Weekly has a new video interview with Catherine & Stephenie. Watch the video here.

Kristen Stewart was featured in Ellegirl. Read the exclusive interview: Bella in 'Twilight'.

We have a new HQ video recording of the Twilight movie panel from the recent San Diego Comic-Con. Thanks to Asian School Boy.

His Golden Eyes has a video footage of the panel from Twilight at the San Diego Comic-Con. Remember to watch it in HQ. Here is the YouTube link.

There has been some buzz around a new movie that is set for release in late November, Twilight.

The movie is an adaptation of a series written by Stephenie Meyer. Apparently in America these books receive a similar excitement that can be found around a potter book.

Now normally when people say that something is going to be the next big thing it does not always live up

to the hype. I think with this film we will just have wait and see, i will hold judgement.

The two automatic winners are Jay and GypsyScarlett. They completed the blog scavenger hunt with lightening speed and I can't wait to send them their books!

Then, I did a drawing for the others who turned in correct answers by Saturday and....

Allie B, Laurie H.K., and Arch Declaring have won!

Again, this is a fabulous book! And I can't wait for you to read it and then share your thoughts with me. You know I always love to talk books.

Enjoy The Gargoyle and get ready for some serious Topical Tuesday tomorrow!

Status: Powering through Breaking Dawn when I should be writing. Uh oh. Oh well. I figure I'm settling in and trying to get some leisure reading in before I start school Monday. Monday! wow.

Any tips for how to handle a job/school while writing would be welcome! Thanks.

Anyways, in other news, we are still trying to work out all the housing stuff for France, seeing as how I'm going to be moving in this time next week...  There are some definite drawbacks to being the first one to enter a program, and it certainly doesn't help to have a rookie study abroad advisor at my home school who seems to have even less of an idea of what's going on than I do.

The most exciting thing to happen this weekend was that i got to play with a Sony Reader.  Recently, I've been salivating over Amazon's Kindle, but have not had the chance to actually touch one since no one I know owns one and, considering Amazon is totally online, there's nowhere I can go to test one.  Thus, it was sooooo cool to actually be able to touch/handle/play with a Sony Reader even though I didn't know too much about it.  I really liked the design and ease of use, but since I have read so much about the Kindle, I was constantly comparing the two.  At least now I know that I really really do want one.  Of course, I would need unlimited funds to use it as I would like to, since they cost between $300 and $400 each, not to mention that books are $5-$10.  So in order to fill the Sony Reader with 160 books, as they advertise, I would have to be able to spend about $2,000, which, as a poor student who is about to go to expensive Europe for a few months, is nowhere near a good idea.  (And for the record, I would get the Kindle over the Reader even though I have not experienced the former, simply because it has more capabilities for only about $50 more.)

PS I know the title of this post doesn't make sense, but it popped into my head, so bear with me :D

Disgraziatamente le utopie sono destinate a rimanere deliri inapplicabili
e la biologia è sempre stata chiara a riguardo: tutti devono sperimentare
la vergogna della gioventù.
Ed è proprio con orgoglio che in questi tempi imperversa l'ultima moda
giovanile : la riesumazione dello stile gothic-dannato (a tratti emo).
Relegata per anni a clichè fine millennio, grazie alla prosa di qualità (??)
di scrittici del calibro di Anne Rice (foto) e altri minori,
che possono vantare l'ambito privilegio di essere i primi sostenitori indiretti
del disboscamento inutile in tutto il globo.
E proprio di scrittori semisconosciuti, non ancora diventati Cult da citazione antonomasica, che vogliamo parlare.

(Foto: Anne rice affiancata ai suoi pupill, frutto dell'immaginazione profusa nel suo ciclo di romanzi.
Da segnalare l'estrema cura della scrittrice nell'assomigliare il più possibile ai canoni estetici delle sue creature)

L'ultimo grido si chiama 'Twilight' ; si tratta di un libro (credo che stia per diventare film)
che è finalmente un rinnovamento per tutto il genere.
E' pesto di buio proprio.
Per descrivere l'originalità della storia seriverebbero disquisizioni forbite, accalorate discussioni su quali e quanti sentimenti vi sono riservati, ma io non sono in grando, perdonatemi, di produrre un'analisi degna del testo.
Mi limiterò a farlo in pochi punti.

1 la protagonista è una tizia un po' sfigata che vive col padre e si trasferisce in una nuova città molto più grande della sua natale.
2 La tizia ha i soliti problemi adolescenziali e si prende una cotta per uno.
3 Il tipo le confida di essere un vampiro
4 Comincia la narrazione prodotta dal desiderio di trombare selvaggiamente,
represso facendo uso di abbondanti seghe, mentali e non.

( foto: copertina di Twilight con un'assaggio dell'elevatura artistica del suo contenuto)

Colpi di scena, insomma, che necessitano di grandi scorte di pop-corn;
ti inchiodano alla lettura, difficile dire se per lo sbigottimento o per la trama.
I fans non si sono fatti attendere per onorare questo classico moderno;
forums di discussione, blog, chat hanno un fine solo: cercare di condividere e rendere reale l'immedesimazione patologica per i personaggi, che passa attraverso gusti già conosciuti e inopinatamente sottovalutati. Quelli del macellaio.
Si perché oltre i soliti buonismi, tutti voi potrete confermare la famosa consuetudine che i grandi amori assomigliano alle turpi tragedie. E se ci sta il sangue è ancora meglio...soprattutto perché contrasta fashiosamente con la divisa di ordinanza: il total black.

Noi che ci promettiamo umili ammiratori di quest'ennesima manifestazione di 'spirito dei tempi' attenderemo con entusiasmo il prossimo merchandising.
Ci sarebbe da snocciolare per ora fra le gustose anticipazioni dei futuri allori,
pupazzetti, seguiti e linee di abbigliamento comprese. Sappiamo che la realtà supererà la fantasia.

Is this a marketing gimmick/ploy, but whatever the case, this is a wise move. The book is a hit in the US, most especially for teens, and I believe that the movie adaptation will become a hit, too. But may not be as hit as the Harry Potter series.

"Twilight - the movie adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's teen vampire novels - is be released early, in the slot left by the delayed Harry Potter film. The Twilight film from Summit Entertainment stars Kristen Stewart, recently seen in Into the Wild, and Robert Pattinson, who played Cedric Diggory in two Harry Potter films. The reason for this frenzy was the release of Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final part in Meyer's vampire series, The Twilight Saga. The excitement is reminiscent of that created when a new Harry Potter used to hit the shops. Meyer's Twilight books follow the story of Bella Swan, an ordinary high-school student who falls in love with the "vegetarian vampire" Edward Cullen."

The complete story, from BBC News.

Anyway, I just finished Eclipse. Yes, I know, I'm behind the times. But remember, Nate and I had to share copies of Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, so I read the House of Night series in between and now we are switching. So, it's not that I'm not a fan or anything...just practical reasons.

I'll say, that Eclipse is my favorite of the Twilight books of the first three. And I think I can break that down into a few simple reasons.

1. Stephenie Meyer didn't shy away from the action sequences. In the previous two books I was disappointed when she built up to big payoff scenes and then forgot to pay up. The fight with James...off scene. The solution with the Volturi...too easy. Finally! On camera fight scenes. I think she did a good job. I won't say that the fight scene near the end was the best I ever read, but she found a way to stick with Bella's point of view and to add play-by-play action. So, thanks Stephenie Meyer! It was fun.

2. I've never been one to  live for the trashy romance, but I must say that this made me rethink my genre choices. Two alpha males with their undivided attention aimed at one girl. What's not to love? Mainly, I think it's every girl's fantasy. To have a man so devoted that you never need reassurance or validation. To be rescued and to feel protected--in the old fashion sense. I know, I know...we're supposed to be modern and it's not a good message to be sending to young girls, blah blah blah. I got it. But, seriously, deep down inside it's fun to think about having that--if only for a second.

3. Bella wasn't so dizzy! Ok, so she was still dizzy, but much less. And that made me happy because that description got old.

4. I cried. I really did. Cried during Eclipse and I'm not ashamed to say it. I just love Jacob so much. I'll leave it at that.

I'm sure I'll have more insight once I read Breaking Dawn. I've got ants in my pants to get my hands on it, so Nate better send it my way! I've heard mixed reviews. If you have any opinions about it that don't contain spoilers, I'd love to hear them before I begin.

Status: I should be able to fall into a more regular routine now. I have to read The Appeal by John Grisham for law school orientation, but luckily that's kind of a hot book right now, so I can review it here! See? Law school and writing working out already!

More pages to show for SCOUT later. Remember, good vibes for a speedy recovery for Scott, ok?

I can finally stop neglecting my life--now that I've finished the Twilight saga. Collective sigh. What a fantastic diversion. I took a (one-night) break from the books in between the second and third, and that pretty much was torture. I don't really feel like I can differentiate between Eclipse and Breaking Dawn that much because it felt like one continuous book, which is to be expected I guess when you commit to reading a series like this in less than one week! What I do remember is that I really felt for Jacob in Eclipse, and it was pretty intense. I also remember being really surprised that kids under 16 or 17 are reading this. The sexual tension in this one was huge. Breaking Dawn was really well plotted out, and I really enjoyed it, but for me the series was more about the romance so the build-up throughout this book didn't do it so much for me. The ending was definitely "it" for me, though. I cried. Really. (I know pathetic.) Well done Stephenie Meyer. I cannot remember the last time I felt so engrossed in a story to the point that my house could be condemned and my four-year old stands over me saying, "No books. No mom books." Now that I've devoured all four books (I'm thinking Charlie Bucket cramming a Wonka bar into his face), I am starting all over, but not at the frantic, fanatical, maniacal pace as before. Hopefully, I notice some stuff that I may have glossed over the first go-around. And hopefully can stretch it all out until 11/21/08 when Twilight the movie is released. We'll see about that.

I've got Into the Wild and a couple of Shakespeare plays waiting to be read, among many others, but I still want to keep reading Twilight. I'm trying to understand how this story (about vampires and werewolves) can get under your skin so much because I know I'm not the only one. Really what's to understand? It's a phenomenon. A weird one, but there it is. Because Stephenie Meyer was influenced with this series by these books, I'm considering reading Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights.

Right now, I'm listening to Maroon 5's It Won't Be Soon Before Long and One Republic's Dreaming Out Loud. (I heard "Stop and Stare" continuously while I read the Twilight books. That and "Apologize" felt like Edward to me. Ok, I'll stop now.)

]]> http://spidurmunkey.wordpress.com/?p=1022 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:02:41 +0000 spidurmunkey http://spidurmunkey.wordpress.com/?p=1022 A public library in Pembroke, Massachusetts is holding a Twilight trivia contest. They are inviting all us Twilighters to participate in trivia questions involving the books Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse from the Twilight saga! If you win, you could receive a free copy of Breaking Dawn!

The Public Library in Pembroke is inviting teens to participate in a trivia contest relating to Stephenie Meyer's books "Twilight," "New Moon," and "Eclipse." Entry forms are available at the library and must be received by Friday.

To read more, CLICK HERE and scroll down to where it says TRIVIA CONTEST.

Are we excited?!?! Yes, very much so!

:D

-M

"THE ZEPHYR SONG" - THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
[audio http://www.egleclan.com/music/the_zephyr_song.mp3]

Credit: Summit Entertainment; YouTube here.

Don't worry, I too, am ready to pee my pants...the Twilight movie release date has been MOVED UP!!! The original release date was Dec. 8th, 2008 but now it is Nov. 21st!!! I'm now going to run down the street skipping and screaming at the top of my lungs.

How did I find this out? The evidence is here!

Cheers!

The reason: Michael Phelps.

Last night there was an interview in which Spitz was asked who was the best swimmer/Olympian of all time.

It got a bit awkward when Phelps thought the question was for him and started to answer, but that's beside the point.

So here's my question: Who is the best author of all time?

It's not like we can measure it in seconds or even pages, but I figure if we can judge gymnastics, ice skating, and diving and award gold, silver, bronze accordingly, we can take a stab at figuring out who the best author is, right?

And since we had to suffer through the uncomfortable responses of both Phelps and Spitz as to who the best swimmer was, I have another question: Which author thinks they are the best writer of all time?

Ok, I have a couple responses in my head, but hopefully you guys will have some interesting ones first. Predict away and Happy Olympics!

Status: Still getting moved in, but I'm not going to lie I'm getting sucked in by Eclipse! I'll review it as soon as I'm done!

1. Edward proposes (in Eclipse)
2. Bella tries to seduce Edward (also in Eclipse)

Those should be up there. But I defiantly agree with the other 10! To read it, CLICK HERE!

"The Company looks forward to announcing a replacement film as soon as possible.”

Of course IMAX needs to find a replacement... But who? Blast Magazine's speculation:

I bet you 10 bucks it’s Twilight. Twenty?

=o
Obviously, this is not confirmed by either Summit Entertainment or IMAX, but how cool would it be to see Twilight on the even BIGGER screen?!?! AWESOMMEEEE!!! Remember, this is just a rumor. It's not definite. But we can dream, can't we??