I’ve Never Met a Vampire, But I Did Meet a Bully

Posted by c jane/Courtney K. | August 8, 2007 | 31 Comments

Last night as I sat around a table eating gelato with my young women, I asked one of them if they had read Eclipse Stephanie Meyer’s latest book in her Twlight series.

“No! I’ve been everywhere and it is all sold out and I am FREAKING OUT!” said Andrea.

No doubt about it, Stephanie Meyer, the BYU graduate and vampire story-teller, have our youth engrossed. I am partially to blame, I gave Andrea Twlight after I read it in less-than-twenty-four hours like everyone else I know.

The very mention of the series sent the table into the predicting of plot lines and discussion of devotion. The girls were talking so passionately that I could hardly hear quiet, quiet Kylie say,

“People are too obsessed with this book and it’s getting annoying.”

“Can I quote you Kylie?” I asked quietly back. She was the lone voice at the table and it resonated with me.

I stopped reading the series after Twlight. Though I thought the storyline was fascinating, I wasn’t engaged in the writing. While reading, I hoped for more depth in language, characters and style, even for a YA novel. (I realize that this is an unpopular opinion, so please know I was never good at just enjoying a story for a story’s sake.) When my husband read the next book, New Moon, I just asked him to spill the plot in less than two minutes. Best of both worlds.

As long as I am writing about LDS women with YA books out right now I’d like to mention a lesser known book by Ann Dee Ellis entitled This Is What I Did:. It is a story about bullying or as she puts it “Not knowing how to be. Not knowing what to do. Not knowing how to talk about it in a world where everyone else seems to know what’s going on. How do they know what’s going on? How do they know how to be?” Doesn’t that just sum up the whole teenage (and as it turns out, adult) experience?

Compare and contrasting two things was never my strong point, so I will refrain from doing so with these two books (besides they both have the same publishers.) But I do want to say that Ann Dee’s book is written with such originality that it made me hopeful for the future of YA fiction, especially authorship of LDS writers. In this book she experiments with style and tone making it a quick and refreshing read. Her story is about a boy who witnesses something horrible, which sets off a reaction from his family, schoolmates and inside of himself. Ultimately he has to learn–through natural teenage awkwardness–about choices that will make him a good person. Or again, like Ann Dee explains it “In the end, I figured out that you just have to do whatever you can do.” Sound familiar?

I have thought a lot about what books I am going to encourage my future teenagers to read. I’d put Twlight on “for fun” reading list, and This is What I Did: on the “required.” This is for two reasons: I’d like my children to read a book that inspires inventiveness in writing. And secondly: there is a lot of bullying in this world, a lot of choices to be made, but not so many vampires.

By-the-way will you send me an e-mail and tell me if Bella gets bitten by the end of Eclipse? I ‘d like to be in the know the next time I am consuming treats with my young women.

Category: CJane Speaks!

Comments

31 Responses to “I’ve Never Met a Vampire, But I Did Meet a Bully”

jordan
August 8th, 2007 @ 11:44 am

Courtney, yes! I’ve been grunting over all this Harry Potter Hoopla. Because, I read the first few pages of the first book way back when and felt nothing. In writing, for me, there must be more than the story being told–much much more. This is why I didn’t get further than the first two pages. I read Ann Dee’s book and loved it for the very same reasons you gave–the originality and the realness. Loved it. Thank you for being here today where I found some “eye to eye” on this literary subject.
b.
August 8th, 2007 @ 11:52 am

I only made it halfway through Twilight. I really thought it was just me.
Emily M.
August 8th, 2007 @ 11:54 am

b., it’s not just you. [humming that Michael McClean song] You’re nooot alone…

Courtney, I need to look up that book. I love YA lit; it’s my favorite genre.
Natalie
August 8th, 2007 @ 12:38 pm

Hi Courtney…I’m there with you on the Twilight….I just didn’t get all the hubbub. It was good, but not that GREAT to me. So I skipped the rest of the series. I too, had someone just tell me about New Moon.

I wanted to check out that book you mentioned before. I thought of it last night as we were down by Souel (sp?) and eating gelato. see ethan’s post. love, nat
rochelle
August 8th, 2007 @ 2:25 pm

Hello, my name is Rochelle and I didn’t read any books after Twilight.

I enjoyed it fine, but I wasn’t dying to go further. Maybe when I have time, but I have a pile o’ books right now and New Moon and Eclipse ain’t in it…

My Visiting Teacher came today and brought me her copy of Eclipse now that she is finished. I know this was a grand gesture on her part, but I basically told her to give it to someone who cared.

I may read them in the future, but I am rather ambivalent.
Wendy
August 8th, 2007 @ 2:28 pm

I thoroughly got sucked into Twilight, bad pun intended. Literary-wise, I completely agree. Definitely more compelling writing elsewhere. But I DID love the plot and Meyers’ whole take on vampires. I absolutely devoured the book.

Thank you for the “This is What I Did:” recommendation. I’m definitely checking it out next!
Gerb
August 8th, 2007 @ 2:42 pm

Um, I am not in the popular opinion here, but I became almost obsessed with the Twilight series…reading one after the other in a 3-day period of time and anxiously awaiting a borrowed copy of Eclipse. But I like spoilers, so can you let me know if anyone let you know about the whole becoming a vampire thing? Because that really is what keeps me reading this series…is it going to happen or not?!

I’ll keep checking my email.

And I’m going to read ‘This Is What I Did’ with Elle and Julia, so thanks for the recommendation.
Jody
August 8th, 2007 @ 2:55 pm

I haven’t read either of these books but from you post I will read put them on the appropriate lists of “for fun” and “required” as you have suggested.

The Anne Dee Ellis sounds facinating to me. I already relate it to my question of “how do people know how to shop and put cute outfits together?” I just don’t get how to do it. I think I pull it off 10% of the time. Is it a ‘born with’ thing or something taught? Nature or nurture? I know this is quite trivial compared to bullying, and I do have more pressing issues than my wardrobe, but it sounds like the book is a good application lesson for all. Thanks!
Melissa
August 8th, 2007 @ 3:49 pm

I’m another without much excitement over Twilight. We read it for my book club, and while most of the women *loved* it, there wasn’t really a lot to discuss about it. I, too, gave it to one of my Young Women, who devoured it, but I took a little secret pleasure that she liked my other loaner, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, better (“You know me so well!” she said after reading it. Chalk one up for the YW President).

Not sure how Jordan above made the connection to Harry Potter — and surprised that she thought she could make a judgment about the entire series based on two pages. I would urge her to go back and give Harry another try — what a wonderfully rich story and world, and it only gets better as you go along (I myself was not passionate about books one and two, but from book three onwards, it was truly awesome (and I realized that books one and two were also awesome — I just didn’t appreciate it at the time).
jennsimple
August 8th, 2007 @ 3:50 pm

I have read “This is What I Did”. It is an excellent book. It is so well written. I could not put it down. It kept me engaged from beginning to end. I loved Ellis’s use of palindromes. I loved her ability to create characters that I could relate to. I loved the realistic event that took place. These things do happen folks. And….kids DO get bullied. A great book for reluctant readers. A great book for class and family discussions. Can’t wait for her next one!!
Creole Wisdom
August 8th, 2007 @ 4:36 pm

And you know Courtney, folks are obsessed with Stephenie Meyer. I didn’t even realize it was a book for youth, lol, but I still enjoyed it!

I am thinking I must check out this “This is What I Did.” I like the cover, and you know I judge like that
; )
Katie
FoxyJ
August 8th, 2007 @ 4:55 pm

I read Twilight and New Moon back to back, and by the end of the second one I really hated them both. I was mainly annoyed by the fact that the main character was a whiny girl who only defined herself by who she was in love with. She spends both books being acted upon without acting for herself. And I never really got why she was attracted to Edward since that was never explained.

I will have to check out This is What I Did. It sounds good. In my mind I contrasted the Twilight series with The Goose Girl series (Shannon Hale). The Goose Girl is all about strong female characters who actually do stuff besides sit around and whine.
kalliko
August 8th, 2007 @ 6:07 pm

I am WITH you on this one. I liked Twilight, but I just felt like there was a lot left to be desired as far as the depth and style of writing. But I did read it quick, and I did nurse a small crush on Edward. So that means I liked it.

I will read the third, and probably skip to the end ahead of time. Taboo? I think not.
Dalene
August 8th, 2007 @ 7:19 pm

I do hope (and I suspect) none of your dear girls were in with the rather scary lot I saw at the release party I went to with my daughter. My only consolation was that I think she was as disgusted by some of what we saw there as I was. I don’t think she’ll be begging me to take her to a release for the inevitable Book IV. Whew!

In any case, I haven’t read either, but my daughter consumed them. I will read them (OK, at least one) so I can discuss with her as I have heard a few people mention some chauvinistic messages I’d like to address.

Thanks for the rec on “This is What I Did.” I have a couple of teens who might like that. And I really need someone to recommend Goose Girl to my daughter. Better yet, I should have someone give her a copy. If it comes from me it is automatically deemed “not cool.”

Now, back to my Jasper Fforde…
Dalene
August 8th, 2007 @ 7:20 pm

(there is a vampire in that book too. His name is Spike. He’s a good guy.)
Tammy
August 8th, 2007 @ 7:40 pm

jordan- I’m the exact opposite in terms of reading. I need a good story more than I need good writing. For example, I just read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The language in that book was absolutely beautiful, but the story just wasn’t there. As far as post-apocalyptic stories go, it was unoriginal and incomplete.

Also, let me second the Shannon Hale recommendation above, I loved Princess Academy.
kiki
August 8th, 2007 @ 8:38 pm

All I have to say is this: if there is not progression enough to my liking in Eclipse, i.e., Bella gets bitten, then I am done because that will have been 1700 pages of teasing that I have read with no progression. That’s all I’m saying. But don’t tell me what happens. I have it from a good source that Eclipse is the best of the three books. I loved reading Twilight; New Moon, I tolerated.
kiki
August 8th, 2007 @ 8:40 pm

A vampire named Spike, Dalene? GET. OUT!
Dalene
August 8th, 2007 @ 9:52 pm

Kiki–read them. You will love them. Ask AzÃ¼car. (And wait till you meet Jack.)
Brooke
August 8th, 2007 @ 11:35 pm

so happy to find a place where others aren’t obsessed with “twilight,” etc.
sar
August 8th, 2007 @ 11:51 pm

I think the Twilight novels suffer from the same problem as the DaVinci Code (and to a lesser degree Harry Potter). They’re not the best examples of their respective genres, but not the worst. But their instant popularity makes them an easy target for disdain.
RC Cola!
August 9th, 2007 @ 11:43 am

I felt the exact same way about Twilight, C Jane. I read the first, but being it could have had 100 pages edited out, and not have Bella’s parents be the most flat characters in the world….I haven’t had the desire to read the rest of the series. I don’t care if Meyer’s a Mo.

My recommendations for YA -”Twisted” by the same wonderful author who wrote “Speak” -Laurie Halse Anderson.
Kate
August 9th, 2007 @ 2:43 pm

I too have read Twilight and liked it, but didn’t love the writing or the development of the characters… and New Moon really fell flat… Blah! But I will definitely check out “This is What I did.” Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll also check out some of the others recommended in the comments! Thanks!
La Yen
August 9th, 2007 @ 3:26 pm

I don’t think that I live under a rock, and yet…

Is it a Utah thing? Are they about Mormon vampires? Did they cross the plains searching for souls of the un-dead or apostate? I seriously have no idea of these books. Are they at Costco? I don’t know what you are talking about.

(And I love Buffy, so you know I knows my vampires…)
Dalene
August 11th, 2007 @ 9:10 am

La Yen, in answer to your question:

It is not, apparently, just a Utah thing.
Dalene
August 11th, 2007 @ 9:10 am

The link isn’t working. Try this: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695199836,00.html
FoxyJ
August 11th, 2007 @ 3:13 pm

The other day we were at Barnes and Noble here in Seattle and there were quite a few copies of Eclipse just sitting around on the shelf…
Heather O.
August 13th, 2007 @ 12:30 am

I just heard of these books. I, too, am a Buffy van, so I, too, loves me them vampires. But I’ve only heard how wonderful they are, and here y’all are saying they are just so-so. Are they even worth my time?
Dalene
August 13th, 2007 @ 9:00 am

Heather–I know it’s a bestseller list, not a best written list, but in my mind it says something when “Twilight,” is No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list for children’s paperback chapter books, and the second book, “New Moon,” is No. 1 on the Times’ hardback list.” That’s no small feat and can’t be driven just by people in Utah.

I’d say read them, but don’t go in with super high expectations. That way even if they’re just a fun read but not entirely pulitzer material you won’t be disappointed. There is nothing wrong with a good fun read. I’m going to jump in–in spite of the hype–once I get through the latest stack on my nightstand.
Kylie Turley
August 18th, 2007 @ 10:25 am

Okay, here’s my theory. It’s the Mr. Darcy thing all over again. (Many) Women just can’t resist that cold (overuse of that adjective in the series, by the way), reserved, gorgeous, rich man who secretly adores . . . YOU (the average woman). Don’t you think that’s what the rage is? Because Stephenie clearly knows her British lit comparisons, and I think that’s what is going on here.

What I find interesting (and, yes, I’ve read all three) is the twitsts that being a “moral” vampire forces the plot to take. I’m interested to see where it all goes, though I’m much more addicted to murder mysteries this summer. I have no idea why. I think I want to write one.
Joanna
September 1st, 2008 @ 5:39 pm

So the best review I read of the Twilight series said something like, “You won’t be smarter at the end of the books, but you will be entertained”. I agree entirely! I really had fun reading them, but they were almost too easy to read. Love them though!