Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I actually started to write a review a week or so ago but somehow it was lost! I thought I was rather witty, but now I will attempt to start again - and not be as witty, as I cannot recall a thing I wrote. That's what lack of sleep will do to you.

ETA: I actually found it. I've added it in. The text in blue is my original beginning.

I added Twilight to our book club selection choices on a lark and it actually won. So I had to succumb to the Twilight craze. Seriously, Stephenie Meyer has written a very captivating story. It made me feel like a teenager again. Understandable as it is a young adult book. Not that I felt and thought the way the characters did in the story, but more the writing style of Stephenie Meyer made me think of being a teenager. The growling, the sighing, the smoldering...

But it is a typical story of star crossed lovers with a twist. The twist being one of them is a vampire. Hmmm... you're thinking that vampires like to suck the blood of humans? Yes, quite a dilemma. Not only that, somehow Bella, that's our girl, has a scent that is irresistible to our guy, Edward. Yes, girl meets guy. Girl falls for guy. Guy actually wants drink girl's blood. Because guy is a vampire. Guy falls for girl instead. Which is great and all, but don't forget, guy is a vampire!

We first meet Bella Swan when she moves up to Forks, Washington to live with her father, so that her mother can spend time with her new husband. Forks is known to be the rainiest place in the US. Interesting, huh? Anyway,....

I added Twilight by Stephenie Meyer to our list of book club suggestions on a lark, and lo and behold, it was selected. So I got to join in on the Twilight craze. Twilight is a typical girl meets guy book with a twist. It's girl meets guy, girl falls for guy, guy falls for girl, guy wants to eat girl. Yes, eat or if you want to be technical, drink her blood. You see, guy is a vampire. Yes, a vampire.

Let's meet Isabella (please call me,Bella) Swan. We are first introduced to Bella as she moves to live with her father in small town, Forks, Washington. Forks is known to be one of the rainiest places in the United States. This is important to know for later on. Bella is making this self sacrificing move to give her mother time with her new husband. At her new high school where Bella is the source of much attention being the new girl in town - the new pretty girl in town. She is drawn to a group of beautiful and aloof teenagers - the Cullens family, Edward, Jasper, Emmett, Alice and Rosalie.

On Bella's first encounter with Edward, he looks at her with absolute hatred. After disappearing for a few days, Edward returns to Forks and tries to make friends with Bella. Bella is inexplicably drawn to Edward despite his weird behavior. Edward even saves her life while seeming to act like he doesn't like her. Through stories told by her new friend, Jacob, Bella guesses that Edward might be a vampire. Rather than be repulsed, Bella is intrigued. Then seemingly by chance, Bella and Edward get together after Edward saves her yet again. They are inseparable after that.

Bella learns that her blood is irresistible to Edward - despite being a "vegetarian" - but he is able to stave off his natural desire for her blood. On a side note, Edward and his family are "vegetarians." In their case, these vampires do not drink human blood but survive on animal blood.

Bella also learns that a few of her new vampire friends have special talents. Edward is able to read minds, although not hers. Alice is able to see the future once someone has made a decision. And Jasper is able to manipulate moods. A very formidable group.

During a date watching Edward and his vampire family play baseball, another coven appears. This new trio of vampires have eyes on Bella, the only human in the group. Due to the Cullen family protectiveness, the leader of the coven, James, set his sights on Bella. The Cullen family vow to protect Bella and plan to move her back to safety with her mother in Phoenix. However, through trickery, James lures Bella away from her vampire protectors by preying on her love for her family. James is thisclose to killing Bella when the Cullen family arrive to her rescue. Bella might have been lost forever or succumbed to becoming a vampire had Edward not sucked James' venom out of Bella.

This experience only serves to reinforce Bella's and Edward's love for each other. Aaahh... true love....

The books ends with Edward intent on giving Bella real life experiences. Unlike what she has had to deal with thus far since having met him. He unpleasantly surprises her by bringing her to the prom. This is unpleasant to Bella because she is the ultimate klutz.

I liked this story. I just had to put myself in the proper mind frame in order to read the books. I think Stephenie Meyer tells a good story. For most of the story, I really wanted to know what happened. And I was intrigued to find out what happens next. Reading Twilight made me feel like a teenager again. Re-living teenage angst and all. Not that I know what it's like to fall for a vampire or be the attraction of many boys in school. But it makes me remember or think of days when emotions were worn on our sleeves and we were quick to feel. I guess that's what makes YA books different. However, the writing itself left much to be desired. Lots of sighing, growling, hissing, scowling, eye rolling... You know, typical teenage stuff....