The Twilight reread along is hosted by Ginger, Yani, Jacinda and Jasmine, and Lisa. If you want to join in the fun, you can sign up here.

Last week’s reading covered chapters 11-15 and here are the discussion questions:

1. Do you think the name “Twilight” for this book is fitting with the story? Do you think a better name could have been chosen? What about the series and the names as a whole?
2. On this re-read, what’s your favorite part of the book? Is it the vampires, setting, plot, characters, Edward, or something else?
3. Edward shows his stalkerish/controlling tendencies during these chapters for the first time (at least Bella is aware), did this bother you the first time you read Twilight? Does it bother you now that you’re re-reading it? Should Bella be more worried about it?
4. Do you find yourself, during or after reading another paranormal/supernatural book, comparing it to Twilight? If you do, why do you think that is? Is it because it’s popular or because it’s just a book that makes an impact?
5. Bella is introduced to the Cullen Family in chapter 15, who is your favorite Cullen and why?

My Answers

1. I think “Twilight” and the rest of the names fit the series really well. They give the reader a sense of what to expect in each book. “Twilight” is the end of Bella’s old life and the beginning of a new one. “New Moon” is the darkest period in Bella’s life, just as a new moon is at night. “Eclipse” is the eclipse of one love over the other. And, “Breaking Dawn” is the beginning of Bella’s life as a vampire (and mother).
2. Each time I read Twilight, my favorite part is the interaction between Bella and Edward. I love the conflict their relationship has because, at this point, it doesn’t involve a love triangle. (I hate love triangles.) I wish more YA romances had this type of relationship conflict. I also love the draw Bella and Edward have to each other. And, I love the sexual tension described so well between Bella and Edward. I think this tension is, by far, better than just giving in to those feelings. Once you give in, there’s nothing more to anticipate.
3. Edward’s “stalkerish” tendencies have never bothered me because it’s just a story. Also, the circumstances of the story kind of dictate that Edward be a little over protective of Bella–she’s accident prone, hangs around a bunch of vampires (and werewolves), and is a magnet for danger. If I were Edward, I’d be a little concerned about her safety too. Now, if this were a real relationship and this book was contemporary fiction, not fantasy, then his controlling behavior (and Bella’s obsessive infatuation) would definitely bother me. But, being the type of story Twilight is, it doesn’t bother me in the least. In fact, I’m always shocked when someone talks or complains about it.
4. I compare most YA romances to Twilight because it was the first YA romance I ever read. I don’t compare writing; I compare the feelings in each book. If I feel the same angst and conflict that I did when I first read Twilight, then it’s a safe bet that I’ll love the book I’m comparing to Twilight.
5. I love me some Jasper Hale! I think his character is intriguing. I love that we don’t know much about him, at this point, other than he has a hard time with the Cullen’s diet and he can manipulate emotion. And, I love his and Alice’s relationship. It’s so sweet and cute.

The Twilight reread along is hosted by Ginger, Yani, Jacinda and Jasmine, and Lisa. If you want to join in the fun, you can sign up here.

Last week’s reading covered chapters 6-10 and here are the discussion questions:

1. Because we have to talk about it some time, are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? Does that impact how you reread the book?
2. Bella spends a lot of her time by herself in her room when she’s not at school. What do you think this says about her as a character? Can you relate to her introverted nature?
3. Probably my favorite chapter of the entire book, chapter 8 brings us dress shopping, nearly getting assaulted, and then wrapping up nicely with a quaint dinner and confession time. In this, we see the blend of typical teenage existence starting to get tainted by the paranormal world. If given the choice right then, would you push to know more about the paranormal or bury your head in the sand and live the teenage dream?
4. Already, it’s pretty clear that Bella is falling for Edward. Is this happening too quickly to be plausible or is it totally reasonable to you? What about Edward do you find to be swoon worthy at this point?
5. Jessica has to forcibly remove all the details on what’s going on from Bella, but through that we learn more about how she’s feeling and how she’s falling for Edward. If you were in Jessica’s shoes, what would you say to Bella?

My Answers

1. Ugh! I hate this question because I think it adds fuel to those who detest Twilight and think the fans are crazy, especially since the movies have come out. Oh well. I prefer Edward over Jacob because of Twilight. When I first read New Moon, I wanted Jacob to die. It wasn’t until I talked to other fans that I stopped hating him. Now, I like him. I just don’t think he’s right for Bella.
2. Yes, I can relate to this. I’m not exactly extroverted, but I’m also not introverted. However, I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up so I spent a lot of time in my room. I just wish Bella chose to hang out with her friends because I would’ve jumped at the chance had it been so readily available like it was for Bella. It actually kind of irritates me that she was so close-minded about them. But, I’m also glad she didn’t spend all her time with them because it gave her more time to reflect on Edward and let that relationship develop, and, let’s be honest, that’s what the reader really wants anyway.
3. I also love chapter 8. While I was reading the book, I wanted Bella to delve more into the paranormal and I was happy that she did. If I were in her shoes, I’m not sure how I would’ve felt because acknowledging the existence of vampires (in the sense of traditional lore and Twilight lore) would throw off my entire belief system. I think I would’ve been too afraid to continue on with my suspicions about Edward because of that, even though I would’ve been extremely curious.
4. In the movie, I think it happened way too quickly. There weren’t enough instances to show their relationship developing. One minute Edward hated Bella, the next he was fascinated with her, and then they were together. In the book, it’s a little bit slower and more believable, in my opinion. Their conversations in biology class, the lunch room, Port Angeles, etc. show their fascination with each other and how that fascination turns into actual love. And, when you supplement Twilight with the partial draft of Midnight Sun, the pace seems totally believable with Edward’s description of how vampires are and act in Twilight lore. I have no complaints with the pacing whatsoever.
5. If I were Jessica, I’d probably be thinking, “Why Bella? What makes her so special? Why not me? I wish she’d just go back to Arizona,” especially after reading the partial draft of Midnight Sun and hearing her thoughts about Bella via Edward. I know I’d be frustrated with Bella if I were Jessica because I’d want all the details. But, because I wouldn’t want to lose my status in school by dissing the novelty that is Bella, I’d do exactly what Jessica did, continue to be nice to her and act like her friend. Ugh! Jessica is so shallow!

I’ve never participated in a read-along before, so I thought this one would be easy and fun to do. Plus, I’ve wanted to reread Twilight for a while so that I can post a review of it on my blog and rereading it as part of a read-along won’t throw off the other books I’m reading.

The Twilight reread along is hosted by Ginger, Yani, Jacinda and Jasmine, and Lisa. If you want to join in the fun, you can sign up here.

Last week’s reading covered chapters 1-5 and here are the discussion questions:

1. Have you ever had to start over in a new place like Bella did in Forks? This new place could be a school, job, or town; just something with a new setting. How easy or difficult was this for you?
2. Do you picture the actors from the movie as the characters in the book while you are reading?
3. What are your first thoughts on meeting Edward in Bella’s biology class? At first, he was annoyed by her presence, but then after a week away, he returns and finds himself very interested in her. Do you think this helped or hindered the storyline?
4. Out of the secondary characters Bella meets at school, who is your favorite and why? (I am referring to the humans, not the vampires in this question.)
5. There is a lot of dialogue between Edward and Bella in these first few chapters that I feel played a major role in developing their relationship. What are some of your favorite quotes or moments?

My Answers

1. My family moved around a lot when I was young. I went to three elementary schools, three junior highs, and one high school. Thankfully, I only went to one high school. It was hard to move and start new. I didn’t make friends very easily and I also felt like an outsider. But, I survived … barely.
2. Not in the least, except for Sarah Clarke as Renee. I actually pictured her when I read Twilight for the first time in 2007 and I was quite surprised when she was cast for that role. None of the other actors, except for Billy Burke, do the characters justice. (Although, I do think Jackson Rathbone is cute.)
   If I’m completely honest, I imagine Ewan McGregor or Hayden Christensen as Edward when I read the book. I know they’re too old, especially Ewan, but I don’t think of Edward as 17. That’s just creepy and gross since I’m 33.
3. I definitely think it helped. It made the story more intriguing. When I first read Twilight, I wondered why he hated her so much and then why he couldn’t stay away from her. At the time, I had no idea Edward was a vampire because I didn’t read the back of the book (the friend who recommended it to me told me not to). So, Edward’s standoffish nature helped intrigue Bella, which helped intrigue me.
4. I don’t really have a favorite human (from school). They’re just ordinary and when I read Twilight, I’m more interested in the mythical creatures. If I had to choose, I guess I’d choose Angela just because she seems like an all-around good and genuine person.
5. I love a lot of the dialogue, but I love the descriptions more. I love how Stephenie Meyer describes their connection to one another. I especially love the scenes in which Edward chuckles or smirks at Bella, and the jabs he makes at Bella’s truck. I think these things more than anything else build Edward’s character (which is what I’m attracted to the most in the book) and their relationship. However, with that being said, chapter 5 is one of my favorites and some of my favorite lines, all spoken by Edward, come from it:

I decided as long as I was going to hell, I might as well do it
thoroughly. Page 87

What if I’m the bad guy? Page 92

[T]ry not to fall into the ocean or get run over or anything, all
right? Page 109