When the first Harry Potter book came out I was clueless. But I did pick it up fairly early on. I have read every book waited in line at midnight for new releases… even worn a cape to last one (It happened during Midwest Geobash in Kendallville, IN and was amazing- but I digress). So I had some kids reading this vampire book and talking about how wonderful it was. I looked at the cover and it screamed to me “girl book” and “young romance” two genre’s I really have little interest in. Then I went to San Diego ComicCon and my view didn’t really change. I saw a bunch of pale kids with contact lenses creating chaos. I still resisted reading it or seeing the movies. I have enjoyed the classic horror genre, not slasher flims. One of my favorite stories is Robert Block’s “Yours Truly Jack the Ripper”. So kind of as a favor to one of my kids (No I don’t have children, I have a stuffed monkey… but my students have always been “my kids”) I said I would read it if she would loan me her copy. I really hated all those people who blasted Harry Potter without even reading a single word. So before I let my prejudice color my commentary I figure I should at least read the first book. So as I read it I’ll post some of my comments some may be brief… we shall see. Oh needless to say if you haven’t read the book this will most likely contain spoilers.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Chapter One
We are introduced to Bella our heroine, and I recall just how self absorbed high schoolers can be. Bella is moving (her reason has not been disclosed) from her mother’s home in the sunny desert to her father’s home in the always cloudy, always rainy Pacific Northwest. I believe the town is named is Sunnydale… no that’s another angst filled teenage vampire story. Basically, we go through Bella’s first day at school and how she hates everything about it. We meet a few fellow students and the strange group of new kids who are pale and don’t really associate with anyone else. Edward (music rises) is part of this group. The chapter closes with Bella, miserable, falling alseep to the sound of the rain while sobbing. The silver lining- she did end up with a nice old truck that is bound to break down in the middle of the night on a lonely road leaving her in distress. (Just a guess).
My prediction for the next chapter- Edward will still try to avoid Bella in Science class, and Bella gets more interested in Edward since he’s trying to avoid her. Note to High School boys- this tactic only works in the movies…