Jessica PingI spent the greater part of July reliving the romantic lives of vampires and werewolves as I reread the Twilight Book Series for the first time since I was 13 years old.
The Twilight Book Series was one of the most divisive stories of my generation. Team Edward or Team Jacob was more than a mere question of attraction. Your answer fundamentally defined who you were at your core and had the distinct ability to end even the strongest of friendships.
Middle school was intense, y’all. But, to be completely honest, I am still judging you Jacob lovers out there 🤷🏻♀️😬
When I decided to add The Twilight Book Series to my summer reading list, my only motivation was the upcoming release of Midnight Sun, which just so happens to be the August book of the Month!
*Disclosure: There are affiliate links in the following article, meaning that, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links, I will receive a small commission.
August Book of the Month Announcement!
Preorder: https://amzn.to/2EtDkpK
Unsurprisingly, though, it took approximately 0 seconds from the time I opened the first book to immerse myself back into this dramatic universe.
Now that I’m an adult with a Bachelor’s degree in English literature, I was curious to see how my opinions on the books have shifted over the last decade. Read on to see my top 3 takeaways from this specific reread of the series!
1. The Twilight Book Series has not aged well
Lack of diversity, the glorification of abusive relationships, blatant ableist language – you get all of that and more in this series. After finishing the first book, I initially found it challenging to pick up New Moon. How could I allow myself to continue to support such a terribly unaware piece of literature?
Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
The answer is simple: By actively choosing to not ignore the problems I came across.
As an English major at the University of Notre Dame, I read dozens of stories filled with outdated ways of thinking. Everything from anti-semitism to outwardly racist language was consumed and grappled with on a regular basis. Obviously, the Twilight book series is much less severe than those two examples, but the point still stands.
We don’t (or shouldn’t) censor books that contain questionable material. We should read them through a critical lens. In critiquing this series I cherished as a teen, I see my own past shortcomings. While my adoration for the story itself has remained unchanged in this reread, I see where it falls short, which ultimately further enlightens my worldview.
2. Vampires are still HOT
Edward, Alice, or Carlisle Cullen can sweep me up off my feet any day and I would not object. (Sorry Jack 😘). In all honesty, I was prepared to find the whole idea of immortality and super speed corny, but it was exactly the opposite!
Having seen the accompanying movies multiple times, the actors have overtaken my perception of the characters’ physical appearances. But, the books take their attractiveness to a new level. Remove the awkward acting that is present throughout every one of the movies (yes, I rewatched them too 😅), and you are left with a more perfectly defined Robert Pattinson who speaks and reacts just as your dream boy would. How fitting.
Plus, the idea of cuddling with someone who never gets sweaty, even in the summertime, is a bonus.
You know I am the first one to preach about body positivity and inclusivity, but man you gotta wonder what you would look like as a vampire.
No?
Just me?
Well, I’ll own it then!
I am mesmerized by their appearances and all I am physically seeing and experiencing are words on a page. I cannot imagine how quickly I would lose my ability to speak if one of these characters approached me in real life.
I’m imagining a similar scenario to the time Harry Styles complimented my cousin’s bandana and shot me a peace sign from the stage during One Direction’s Where We Are Tour. While I didn’t necessarily faint, I did fall over dramatically in awe.
** Video evidence that this happened courtesy of a fellow 1D stan that I am so eternally grateful for. Timestamp 00:59
Great, now I am picturing 2014 Harry Styles as a vampire. Now THAT 😍
Enough rambling … point is, they’re hot, always have been and probably always will be.
3. Cheesy romance will never NOT be my thing
Maybe it’s because I got married this year or maybe it’s because I am still living 4000 miles away from my husband, but this reread awakened my love of romance novels all over again. The love triangle was constantly annoying, but every romantic scene with Edward and Bella set my soul on fire.
Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)
If immigration doesn’t open back up soon, I am anticipating a lot of romance novels in my future. Nicholas Sparks, do your worst.
Overall Analysis
Are these the greatest books of all time? No.
Will these books ever be labeled as “classics” for any reason beyond their cultural popularity. Again, no.
Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga [DVD + Digital]
But, they’re fun and nostalgic, and quarantine was the perfect time to revisit this series. As I laid in my childhood bedroom late into the night consuming these books, I was taken back in time to simpler days. Forks, Washington was my own personal sanctuary for the month of July. I am so excited to devour Midnight Sun when it gets delivered on August 4th!
Be sure to subscribe to hear my thoughts on Midnight Sun in a couple of weeks once I have time to process all of my feelings on this next installment! 😍
Want to read along with me? Preorder the book of the month and get it the day it’s released to the public: https://amzn.to/2Xf37bP
Do you want an inside look at what I am currently reading/my upcoming fall reading list? Then follow me on Goodreads for more regular updates!
