Re-Reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

As you guys know the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer has to be the most hated and loved series in YA history. A lot of us grew up reading the series and have grown to dislike it while others still love it. Earlier this year I decided that I wanted to re-read each one of the books in the series considering that I had not read them since my days in high school (2005-2009). For each one of the books I will be providing some background information about the book, describing my experience re-reading it, why I like or dislike it, and why I think I may have enjoyed the book while I was in high school. Join in with me as I take this small adventure in re-reading the entire Twilight series.


Information About the Book

• Published: October 5, 2005 by Little Brown Books 
• Book in Series: #1 
• Characters: Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, Laurent, Renee, Bella Swan, Billy Black, Esme Cullen, Alice Cullen, Jasper Hale, Carlisle Cullen, Emmett Cullen, Rosalie Hale, Charlie Swan, Mike Newton, Jessica Stanley, Angela Weber, Tyler Crowley
• Setting: Forks, Washington & Phoenix, Arizona 
• Summary: About three things I was absolutely positive.
  
  First, Edward was a vampire.
  
  Second, there was a part of him—and I didn't know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood.
  
  And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
  
  In the first book of the Twilight Saga, internationally bestselling author Stephenie Meyer introduces Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, a pair of star-crossed lovers whose forbidden relationship ripens against the backdrop of small-town suspicion and a mysterious coven of vampires. This is a love story with bite.

Experiencing Re-Reading Twilight

At first my experience re-reading Twilight was somewhat nostalgic. I found myself traveling back to my time in high school when I read these books in my AP chemistry class. It brought back a lot of memories; however, when I began to focus in on the writing and the actually plot of the story, I found that I no longer actually enjoyed the book. I believe that my main issue with the book wasn't necessarily the writing, but the relationship between Edward and Bella. It was unhealthy and it was awful to see that Bella actually gave up friends and family in order to maintain this relationship with Edward. I've been in that position before and it really bothered me that it was glorified. It was unfortunate to watch such a young girl throw her life away for a simple relationship. As an adult, I think I was also bothered by the feeling of "insta-love." Edward and Bella barely knew each other before they supposedly "fell" in love. I suppose it is for that reason that I gave the book the following rating: 

I loved that I was able to travel down memory lane; however, I did not like that I finally realized how tragic and awful Bella and Edward's relationship is. I'm not surprised that I didn't notice it when I was younger; however, I am surprised that this is the expectation and image that was projected to young groups of women. 

Why Did I Enjoy It Before?

To be honest I'm not sure why I enjoyed this book haha. I think it just had to do with the fact that I loved teenage angst and the idea of having a romance, but I didn't realize that the romance was so unhealthy. I just have to remember that I was a teenager at that point and that a lot of things about this book may have been appealing to my mind at that time; however, in reality it definitely is not. I'm really interested in seeing and understanding my perception of the books in future novels to come as well. Keep checking in to follow me on my journey.