Not my usual kind of post!!

Howwwwwwwl!!!! Can you say yummy??

This summer, I started a mission. My mission was to read the Twilight saga that so many of my friends had recommended to me. It was a mission for me because I no longer am the tenacious, enthusiastic reader I once was. It was a mission for me because I have two children age 2 and under. It was a mission for me because I take care of 18 children during the day and I am exhausted when I get home at night. HOWEVER, even with all of my obstacles, I am proud to announce that I am done!! It took me 4 months to read all four novels….not too shabby considering the final novel is over 800 pages long.

In honor of the NM opening and to humor my friend Daon who is on bed rest, I will give my funny opinions about Twilight in general. (Spoiler Alert…I will talk about the end of the books for those that still want a surprise!)

Twilight – Novel 1

Twilight definitely catches your attention. Every day I wanted to get the kids tucked into bed so that I could read the next chapter. That is always a great feeling. Twilight is a great big love story. However, Twilight is very smaltzy (is that a real word?). How many ways can an author tell us that Edward and Bella love each other? They really, really love each other. They are soul mates. It is destiny. Blah, blah, blah. (and this coming from a girl who likes romance novels!) I think my biggest problem with the whole series is the basic premise…..would an average American girl really fall in love with a vampire?? I mean really?? I don’t care how hot he is, he still drinks blood for breakfast!! And the only way their relationship will work is if she becomes a vampire (b/c he doesn’t age)?? And she is die-hard about becoming a vampire!! Really? You want to drink blood too? (This is just very hard for me to accept.)

New Moon – Novel 2

New Moon is much better. In NM, Edward leaves Bella (for most of the book, Edward is MIA). For chapters and chapters, Bella is close to death with devastation of losing Edward. Sounds boring, but we get to know Jacob, Bella’s werewolf friend. His character is charming, fun and of course, he falls in love with Bella too. In this book, we learn about the Vulturri. The Vulturri is vampire royalty (with an evil twist). In the end, Bella travels to Italy to save Edward from the Vulturri and they are reunited in their love for each other. Poor Jacob!!! (Can you tell which team I am on??)

Eclipse – Novel 3

Eclipse is basically the fight of Edward and Jacob over Bella. There is some vampire danger thrown in some chapters too but it is all about Ed vs. J. Bella pretends to be torn over her feelings for both Ed and J but really, is there really a question? We know who she is going to pick b/c all she talks about is wanting to become a vampire. She is obsessed with becoming a vampire.

Breaking Dawn – Novel 4

This is by far, the best of the four novels. How does SM come up with all of these characters and plot twists??? Her imagination really is incredible. At the beginning, Ed and Bella marry and freak of all freaky, she becomes pregnant. The baby is “killing” her so as she delivers this baby, Ed turns her into a vampire to “save” her. Bell survives and they become a happy vampire threesome. Not quite!!! There is some major vampire danger thrown in from the Vulturri. There is some realllllllly weird stuff thrown in like Jacob falling in love with the baby. Evidently, they are destined to be together when she grows up?? Very hard to digest.

Bottom line is this……I really enjoyed all 4 books. I love the final message. Through the first 3 novels, Bella is portrayed as the damsel in distress. She doesn’t believe in herself, she doesn’t see herself as beautiful but clumsy and average and boring. In the finale of the fourth novel, she uses her gifts and strengths to save everybody. She becomes the heroine. I enjoyed that aspect immensely. Also for most of the characters, there is a happily ever after and I like that.

If you have made it this far, I am impressed!! Today is my LAST day of work for NINE days!!! Yay!!!

7 days until Black Friday!!! Let the season begin!!!!