Minutes February Book: Twilight
by Stephenie Meyer
(chosen by Gypsy)
Gypsy chose this book with a degree of encouragement from those of us who had already read it. The alternative choice she had in mind was The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. There was some debate as to whether some of us forced her into the Twilight choice!
She highlighted, however, a highest selling book list for 2009 which showed that Twilight was the 5th highest selling book last year (and Stephenie Meyer books also held spots 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 on that same list. What is it about these books that makes them so popular?
Stephenie Meyer (born December 24, 1973), is an American author best known for her vampire romance series Twilight. The Twilight novels have sold over 85 million copies worldwide with translations into 37 different languages. Meyer is also the author of the adult science-fiction novel The Host.
Meyer was the biggest selling author of 2008, having sold over 29 million books in that year alone, with Twilight being the best-selling book of the year. She was ranked #49 on Time magazine's list of the "100 Most Influential People in 2008", and was also included at #26 in the Forbes Celebrity 100 list of the world's most powerful celebrities in 2009, with annual earnings exceeding $50 million.
Meyer was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She received a B.A. in English in 1997 from Brigham Young University in Utah. She met her husband Christian, growing up in Arizona and married him in 1994 when they both were 21. They have three sons.
Meyer is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and does not drink alcohol or smoke.
(General biographical details from here)
What the publisher says about this book:
When 17 year old Isabella Swan moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father she expects that her new life will be as dull as the town.
But in spite of her awkward manner and low expectations, she finds that her new classmates are drawn to this pale, dark-haired new girl in town. But not, it seems, the Cullen family. These five adopted brothers and sisters obviously prefer their own company and will make no exception for Bella.
Bella is convinced that Edward Cullen in particular hates her, but she feels a strange attraction to him, although his hostility makes her feel almost physically ill. He seems determined to push her away - until, that is, he saves her life from an out of control car.
Bella will soon discover that there is a very good reason for Edward’s coldness. He, and his family, are vampires - and he knows how dangerous it is for others to get too close.
What we discussed about the book:
- Were Edward and Bella plausible as characters?
- Why was it important that Bella was an 'outsider' to the town?
- Is Bella ever in control?
- Did the organisiation of the vampire world ressemble a religion or cult?
- The reality of the setting. The places mentioned do all exist. LaPush has been home to the Quileute Nation forever.
- Is this a book about temptation? Canit be read metaphorically to apply to many tempting scenarios?
Then we were sidetracked into:
- Why does this book appeal to both tween and young-teen girls AND their middle-aged mothers?
- Does this book in any way incorporate or reflect Meyer's Mormon beliefs?
- Is this an appropriate book for girls? What 'messages' is it sending them? Is it possible to read a book for pure escapism and enjoyment without taking a 'message' from it?
- What makes a bestseller? Is it instantly recognisable? If it is, why have many bestsellers been rejected by multiple publishers before finally finding one who is prepared to take it on?
And in other news, we discussed:
- Back to school progress, stories and dramas
- The length of t-shirts - what is right for each of us, and can we find them that length?
Ratings:
Ratings average: 5.6
Ratings range: 2 to 8.5
Next book: I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti (chosen by JP)
(Ed note - sorry for the brevity of the minutes, the discussion must have been so good, I hardly took any notes! I've reconstructed what I can from memory...but feel free to add bits in the comments...)
