I'd never given much thought to how I would react [to my reading Twilight] - though I'd had reason enough in the last few months - but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.*As a mother of 2 young children, a wife to a wonderful husband, and at the very least, a 38 year old woman - I did not think that I would (or could) become as addicted to a series of four books meant for teenage girls as I invariably did. To put it simply, I am obsessed. The author has depicted a delicious fantasy for young adults and by luck (?) the not so young adults. It is a teenage love story between and human girl and a vampire, Edward. Ah....Edward.
I first heard Edward's name on my sister's Facebook page. In fact, that was all she listed as her status. Just Edward. I also heard a lot of my other female friends talking about the book(s) and how they were so hooked so I thought I would give them a try, not really realizing what I was getting myself into. After starting the first book I completely understood.
Twilight can suck the life out of you (pun intended). I found myself reading the books at ALL costs. Cold cuts were served for dinner with raw carrots (no preparation needed and yet still a healthy meal - at least that was my rationale for skimping on family dinners so I could read). Laundry was on the back burner. House cleaning was non existent. Luckily for my husband, he was out of town for the week on a business trip so he would not have to endure being ignored while I read (although there is a benefit to having your mate close by to satisfy an urge/itch/need that the book seems to create from time to time - I called my husband on his last day away and told him to plan on having a "date" that night - I was a little worked up).
I am typically someone who needs to be in bed by 9:30 and asleep shortly thereafter. However I found myself reading till 3am two nights in a row and then till midnight the following two nights. These were the choices I was making. To hell with the fact that my children wake up at 6am and that I am on my own for the week. I was an addict making decisions. Bad decisions. But they felt so good.
After getting in way over my head I realized that I was not alone. There were others just like me. Not only were most of my friends reading (or had read) the Twilight series, there were Facebook groups to join, a website devoted to
It must be said that each of these books are about 500 pages or more - the last one alone is 756. I read them all in a week and a half. Yep. That's 2,446 pages total. That's a lot of pages. That's a whole lot of reading and whole lot of nothing else. These books seemed to call my name whenever I was in the house. I would walk indoors with the kids in the afternoon and I could feel them on my nightstand. I would look at the clock and realize - DAMN - I have to prepare (remember - not cook) dinner and get the kids to sleep. It would be a long time before I could cuddle up in bed and read....for hours. UGH. I managed to get through the week mostly reading and scraping by on my motherly duties (for the record my children were never in harm's way or neglected - a little extra viewing of PBS programing is not the end of the world).
After finishing the series I was lost. I wanted more. Thirsted for more. A fellow Edward devotee directed me to Stephenie Meyer's website that has about 250 pages online of a fifth book that is no longer going to be published (due to an asshole who ruined everything for everyone by illegally releasing them online before the author finished the book herself - I am hoping against all hope the author changes her mind and finishes the novel). This book was going to be Twilight from Edward's point of view (the original is in Bella's, the female protagonist). To the non follower, I know it sounds ridiculous to pretty much read the same book from someone else's perspective, but to become privy to Edward's thoughts, feelings and desires......ooh....I am all a flutter. At this point, I must acknowledge I am past the point of a reader. I am a lunatic. 
But I am still hungry (my eyes are no longer amber.....they are black with thirst). Luckily there is more. Icing on our Twilight cakes if you will. Twilight the movie is still in the theaters (released in November 2008) giving me/us an opportunity to actually see......Edward. Ah.....Edward. Robert Pattinson does not disappoint. I will say that the movie was delightfully campy. There was much giggling from me and my Twilight mom friends who went to see it this past week - laughter at things that I cannot imagine were supposed to be funny. Thank goodness there is a new director for the next Twilight film - yes, another movie - yes, I am going to see that one as well.
If I needed any further proof of my crazy lady status, I need not look any further than my next action. I have gone to the highest court - Oprah. I sent her an email asking her to produce a show for Twilight moms/women. Explaining that there is something here. That normal women are shirking their obligations for a little taste of Edward and the entire Twilight fantasy. Strangely, I am not embarrassed by this. I see the show in two parts. First, the author talking about the series and discussing the second wave of followers - women (not teenage girls). Then the cast from the movie can make an appearance. I, of course, am invited to appear on the show. Hopefully I can bring some friends.
