I did think Twilight's writing was a little simplistic and some of the plot points were clearly contrived, but I had never read anything at all in the vampire genre so that whole premise was interesting. I'd like to know if the author intended it as a young adult novel or if that's how the publisher categorized it. I can understand why the emotional appeal of the book would be very popular with young adult readers. I ordered the next book right away - I think it's the vampire aspect that I find interesting, but she also kept that non-threatening enough that I wasn't too freaked out by its scariness.

It is indeed the vampire/love aspect I liked so much. It is more about young forbidden love than gory vampire and I know that in the second book there is a love triangle that develops.

Here's my cricticism in a nutshell. Bella is often irritatingly subservient to Edward, Meyer neglects to mention any ambition Bella might have had for a future or a career had she not met Edward. Edward is a possessive control freak, etc., etc. I mean doesn't he put her under lock and key at one point? In any other genre that would be psycho. I just wish with so many young girls reading this Bella was not so colorless. Plus the tweaking of the vampire myth was a little too much tweaking for my liking.

I only meant that as far as Vampire books/movies go, it was rather tame.

Zara - I also found Edward's protectiveness appealing and in the movie you can really see it's all about how much he loves her.

I didn't find Bella to be a weak young woman - just very much in love. Besides I don't look for the heroine of a story to have all the same beliefs or attributes that I have.

Well, you all have piqued my interest enough that I think we will rent the movie. :)

It's worth it just for Edward!

I still stand my opinion. if I had a daughter I certainly would not forbid her from reading it because that is one of my pet peeves. But I certainly would not want her to form her idea of a relationship from them. Like I said they are just not make cup of tea. I am a vampire geek and they did not fit my ideal vampire novel. It is a romance novel dressed up in vampire clothing.

I've heard of Elinor Lipman and I've seen her books reshelving them at the library Never read any though. I like mainstream authors : Stephen King , Anne rice are two of my favorites. I just finished reading The Crossing and She wakes by Jack Ketchum. He is an indie horror writer. Alice Hoffman The story Sisters I just finished Sun. I Am now reading A Monsters Notes by Laurie Sheck . It is about Shelley's monster. That it was inspired by a mysterious being who visits her as a young girl during visits to her mother's grave. Author and Feminist Mary Wollenscroft who died

days after giving birth to Mary. The "real " creature survives into the 21st century. Very exciting new author.

I guess one of my favorite writers of all would be Cormac McCarthy. The Orchard, The road , No country for Old men , All the pretty horses.

I'm not much of a reader of anything horror-related or too scary. I'd have to wake my husband up every time I went to the restroom at night, LOL.

That was when Steven King wrote really good scary books!

The Shining! Stayed up all night when I finished reading it!!

Yes, and Cujo!

Oh I still love Stephen King . His last book Duma Key was excellent. I Still remember a scene from Salem's lot that scared the out of me.