Circles In My Head

I used to think I didn't like books. Then I read the Twilight series. It turns out there's something, a narrow slice of the world of fiction, that I love. Is there more, or is this it for me? If you've read Twilight, I want you to tell me if you know of any other books that are similar, not necessarily by genre (I usually don't like the fantasy genre). It doesn't have to be about vampires. But I'm looking for something with a similar writing style, similar characters, and similar themes. Even if you didn't like Twilight, perhaps you know of some books with similar flaws.

Click to enlarge.



It's a long story. And you kind of had to be there. Let's just say that Melanie and I almost died laughing. Especially when we realized what the biggest and most overlooked flaw in this picture really is.

I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me on this, but let me just express my own opinion...

I think Bella's Lullaby from the Twilight movie is absolutely perfect! When I first heard it in the movie I was like, what is this song, and where did they get it? It's perfect! Well it started as the background music in a forest scene, but in the next scene it shows Edward playing it on the piano in front of Bella, implying that it's Bella's Lullaby, a song from the book that Edward composed that was inspired by his love for Bella. I think the song in the movie expresses everything that I love about the whole twilight world - both the books and the movie - and it just sums up the way I see Bella and Edward, and it ties together the book and the movie for me. I know there are a lot of things lacking about the movie, but after a while it doesn't seem to matter anymore. Something is right about it. I can't really explain it, but Carter Burwell is a genius.

Anyway, thanks, Coleman, for the soundtrack.

I saw the truck coming right toward me on the slippery ice, moving faster than I could think. But then, I was not crushed, and I just saw Edward's face. “Edward! You saved me!” I cried. I flung my arms around him. “Thank you!”

“You're welcome, Bella.” he replied. “Anytime.” Then he put me down, and started to unbutton his shirt, revealing a big yellow “S” logo. He proceeded to take off the rest of his clothes and underneath, he was wearing the most ridiculous blue skintight outfit, and a red cape.

“Well, I must be off,” he said, and he bounded out of sight in a single leap.


...at least that's how I would have handled the situation if I were him.

I think I just fell in love.



I was just watching Twilight interviews on YouTube and, before I knew it, bam! It all happened so fast. There's just something about him. I don't know what it is.

I didn't realize how much of a good idea Midnight Sun was until I realized that Edward Cullen knows everyone's thoughts except Bella's. So it's like everyone else's point of view. Interesting. It makes me want to write a piece of fiction from the point of view of an omniscient character myself. But it's probably a lot more work to write than it is fun to read - all the awkward thoughts that no one is supposed to know. It must be interesting to be Edward. And it's obvious that that's just the way he used to living, knowing what everyone around him is thinking, so that when he can't, when he hits a shield, it frustrates him. It would be disorienting for me, too. Like not being able to see.

I must have missed this on the day it was posted. Well, whatayaknow? I try searching through the Writer's Block archive to post something non-Twilight related for a change and I find this! I guess it's pretty big these days. You know I was excited about it. I finished book 3 - I guess I'll report back on it. It was actually pretty mundane compared to the first two, but I'm involved in the story now. It's like it's my life, and I still have to keep reading until it's over. On to book 4, which Melanie says is more interesting.

I feel like I should talk about something besides Twilight for a change... Don't look at my last 4 posts all at once.

Do you ever have that condition where you're reading a book, and you dream about it, and in the morning you don't know what which parts were read and which dreamed? I used to have episodes like that when I was in school, forced to read boring novels that I would read as I was falling asleep. It's not happening right now. But I was wondering if it would happen if I started reading fan fiction. One of the reasons is, when I ask Melanie what books are similar to Twilight, she only says that the most similar things she's read are fan fictions of other books. No matter the style of the original book, this seems to be the writing style that fans fall into. So if Twilight is like fan fiction, then Twilight's own fan fiction is probably very good in its likeness. And if so, I have a near infinite amount of reading to look forward to after these 4 books are over. I checked the fanfiction.net Twilight section, and it's practically endless.

I don't know what this says about the writing quality of the Twilight series. But I don't care what people say about writing quality. If it makes people want to keep reading, shouldn't that be enough? What is it that makes all those old, thick, sophisticated novels good, anyway?

( New Moon spoiler )

Well, I finished reading the first book. I guess I'll write a review. Or a book report. Oh, man, I used to hate writing book reports. Maybe because I never read the book. There was this one time in seventh grade...

Well, I should probably stay focused, or you'll give me a bad grade. So it was all good and interesting at the beginning. A little slow to get into it, like all books are, but not as much as most books. Then Edward was an intriguing character, just the type of person I used to fall in love with on TV. Like Angel, in a lot of ways, but more superhero. And I always love the superhero type. With the super speed and the ability to read minds and everything. So that's all good, but then the relationship moves way too fast - suddenly they're openly in love with each other, and the romance gets really awkward. So about halfway through the book, everything falls into place, and everyone is happy, as Bella meets Edward's family and learns some history about it. That might as well be the end of the book, although a lot of intense things happen after that. Melanie agreed, it was more like two books, one after the other.

Very good, compared to all the other books I've ever read. I'm glad livejournal seems to be working. Okay, back to seventh grade: We were supposed to do an oral report, and apparently a lot of people were reading the same book. So I took a copy of that book that everyone was reading, and procrastinated. Then the day that the report was due, I still hadn't read it. So a bunch of people gave their reports before me, summing up the book pretty well. When it was my turn, I got up in front of everyone and gave a summary of what had already been said. I think I got an A.

I hope you didn't notice the tense change when you're reading my report.

I have to confess... I don't usually start reading books on any recommendation. And I've had a lot of recommendations. But all the Lifehouse fans were talking about it, so I when Melanie came home for Thanksgiving break and she had brought home the first Twilight book, enthusiastic about spreading the fandom, I thought I'd take advantage of the situation and let her read it to me while I assembled countless jigsaw puzzles. Well, now we're halfway through, and I'm addicted to it. I have to say, the way Bella describes her awareness of Edward reminds me extremely of the way I see someone I know. I thought about posting on his facebook wall asking if he was a vampire, because now that would explain a lot. But if he knew anything about Twilight he might be weirded out by the comment, especially since he's not supposed to know I how I feel about him. I better stop because this is public. No revealing comments, please.