For the Inquiring Minds

Yesterday after work, I was laying on the couch reading a few chapters of "Twilight" when my phone buzzed. It was my friend LJ (aka loner of the book) asking if I'd gotten to the baseball part of the story. Since I didn't know what she was talking about, I said no.

An hour or so later, I was eating dinner at Macaroni Grill with my bible study group when my friend Jenny asked me what I thought of "Twilight" so far. I'd stayed up until 2 a.m. Sunday night reading, so I told her obviously it was getting better than I first expected. She insisted that I update my blog on my evolving impression of the book. The people need to know!

Since I'm halfway through the book, it seems like a good time to reflect. And since my fellow "Twilight" reading friends are so curious on my thoughts, I'll give them to you. Here they are in no specific order:

1. It's written by a woman named Stephenie. Although I prefer my spelling, any Stephanie/Stephenie on the best-seller list deserves my support.

2. Much like Bella, I hang on Edward's every word. I stay up way past my bedtime, wondering what he'll say next. However, I don't like his mood swings or his freak outs. Sure, he wants to drink her blood and all that. But if he can control that urge, why can't he handle his emotions?

3. Why is everyone else in this town so annoying?

4. At this point, I don't know if I like the message the book gives about love and relationships. It's as if the author is telling young girls to like the bad guy because deep down he's really good. Women: If any guy tells you he's fighting the urge to kill you, it's probably not going to work out. That shouldn't make you more deeply attracted to him. It should make you run.

5. Each time Bella speaks or thinks about Edward, her impressions always have to do with his looks. Other than that, she's kind of scared of him. It's a lustful physical attraction, which to me doesn't equal love. Love takes a lot more. And, at least in my mind, love and fear have nothing in common.

Again, these are my impressions only halfway through the book and, of course, they are subject to change. When I shared some of my thoughts with Jenny last night, she instructed me to keep reading. She said one of the things she loves most about the book is how much Edward loves Bella. Maybe I'll start to see more of that very soon. Right now, I feel like the book is floating somewhere between "Harry Potter" and a teenage version of Harlequin romance.

Despite my conflicted thoughts, I will say that Stephenie Meyer has captured my attention — I absolutely love when a book can do that. I'm entertained and turning the pages.