Books I Loathed discussion
Loathed Authors
>
Stephenie Meyer
Hey Kim, I, too, have searched for an explanation as to Twilight's unforseen popularity. I think it's rooted in the adolescent female desire for a bad boy, more specifically, for a "bad boy" to give up being bad just for you. More on Twilight and teen psychology (a really great article):
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200812...
Why do ppl act like Stephenie Meyer has a bad influence on teenagers? I don't get it. I personally think that she's a smart writer, who tells amazing stories and has a great understanding of character and emotion. I've got to respect Meyer ... ppl are so darn cruel about what she writes, but she keeps writing anyway, because it's what she loves. It's not like she's totally full of herself. People get so obsessed with dissing Twilight, going on and on about how stupid it is and what a bad influence it is. It's a teen fantasy book, for crying out loud. It's mostly because of the hype that people feel the need to stomp all over it and say it's a piece of crap. But you know what, I read it before it was really popular and I still loved it.Okay sorry for the rant. And, granted, I am a sixteen-year-old girl, so everyone just assumes that Twilight is the only thing I read -- which it's TOTALLY NOT, btw. But I have to stand up for it once in a while. I mean, it's really not that awful. At all.
Whatever. I'll just shut up now, cuz I sound really PO'd. And we're all entitled to our own opinions. I'm just saying ...
The "bad influence" you mention comes from Bella's seeming obsession with beauty. She whines and natters on about how beautiful all the vamps are and even talks about how she will always be beautiful forever when she is turned. I do not think that is an acceptable message for any book, fantasy or not! Girls have way too much pressure on them today to look a certain way, that they don't need the most poplular book for their age group feeding into that. That is what I am saying. I did not care for her lack of development. I am not just blindly trashing Meyer. I did read all 4 books, and I read all types of books for all ages. I also read quite a bit of preternatural/supernatural romances, that I felt were better developed. I know not everyone likes the same stuff. If we did, the world would be boring. I am saying that if an author writes to a specific age group, that author has a resposibility to that group to present healthy attitudes for their audience. Bella's attitude on beauty came across, to me at least, as more harmful than helpful. The rest of the ideas, such as friendship, loyalty,and standing up for what's right, were fine. Those are wonderful ideas that I hope are louder than Bella's obsession with beauty.
Right. Because it would be totally realistic if Bella was like, "Oh, I'm so damn hot." Teenage girls just don't act like that, usually. And when they do, then everyone thinks they're annoying. I don't think Bella is OBSESSED with beauty. Girls think a lot about what they look like. It's the way life is. It's not like Meyer is trying to encourage girls to think they're ugly, she's just creating a REALISTIC character.
♥ Brigid ♥ I WON NANOWRIMO!!! wrote: "Right. Because it would be totally realistic if Bella was like, "Oh, I'm so damn hot." Teenage girls just don't act like that, usually. And when they do, then everyone thinks they're annoying. I do..."While that attitude would at least be (conspicuously) confident, it still bases girls' self-worth on their physical appearance and sexual attractiveness. One hopes that teenage girls do not need to feel "so damn hot" to have self esteem, but instead can feel good about themselves for reasons less shallow and more enduring.
First, I read all 4 books and loved 'em, (except for BD). But even so, if I had a teenage daughter, I'm not sure I'd let her read it. The whole beauty thing didn't bother me at all. She's in love with him, and we all think the people we love are beautiful. And I really don't remember Bella thinking too much about her own appearance - she wanted to be turned because she was terrified of growing older than Edward. The reason I think it's a bad influence is beacuse she's so obsessively in love she'd rather die than be without him, she wouldn't care if he killed her as long as she could be with him, and she's positively dying to have sex with him b/c he's her one true love. My problem with all that is that every teenage girl thinks that her current boyfriend or crush is "the one" and the love of her life. And it bothers me that he spent every night in her room. Sure they didn't do anything, but if teenage girls thought that was sweeet and romantic and decide to start sneaking boys into their room at night, I doubt their boyfriends will have the restraint Edward had.
But it's not like Edward loves Bella just cuz she's pretty, or vice versa. The reason Bella wants to become a vampire isn't to become attractive, but so she can spend eternity with Edward.
I don't know if the Twilight books really are a bad influence, but they do present ideas that I object to as normal and even acceptable.Topping the list: Bella's treatment of Jacob. Maybe she can't help how she FEELS, but she has complete control over how she ACTS.
Near the top: Idiocy as some sort of virtue. Doing stupid stuff because you supposedly can't think straight because your mind is focused on how in wuv you are is not a good thing. This doesn't mean that being in love is bad, or that passionate love is bad, just that being a moron should not be presented as a good thing.
Near the top, and related to the above: Paternalistic condescension. Apparently, girls who are in love should not be trusted to make their own decisions; they need someone to make decisions for them "for their own good." Learned helplessness as some sort of laudable lifestyle choice has been spoon-fed to females for generations, so Meyer isn't solely to blame, but it's not a good thing, either.
Related, and probably the one that's most important: Doubletalk. Bella is able to act as sexually aggressively as she likes, because Edward won't let things go too far. More than one girl I've talked to has said "he loves her too much to take advantage of her!" News flash, ladies: if you are making out with a guy, telling him how much you want him, and you think he's supposed to want you, yet say no to sex, YOU are taking advantage of HIM! Especially if you don't TELL HIM THIS.
Like it or not, because of the different biological and social consequences of sex for women and men, it is women who are the gatekeepers, despite physiology that would suggest otherwise.
Also: You know it's true love because you can FEEL it. *eyeroll* Wot evar. Meyer isn't alone in this one, either, though, so I'm not gonna harp on it.
Also: Wealth & materialism. I think a lot of books aimed at women do this these days; it's like if the authors drop in a few brand names, they don't have to DESCRIBE things. *eyeroll*
Hm. I may want to develop this into a blogpost.
I must say, I love reading these reasonable and well thought out arguments of what people dislike about the Twilight series. It seems that most people feel so strongly about them, that they find it difficult to put their feelings into words that aren't too loaded. Clix and Jennifer especially - thank you.
Kim wrote: "I have just wasted a lot of time and brain cells trying to figure out what the *bleeping* big deal is regarding her so called vampire series. I read all kinds of books for all ages, and these have..."As a first time writer, she had problems, but as she writes more, she definitely gets better. You know Stephen King's early stuff was pretty bad too. But with more writing (practice) one gets better. Don't "write" her off because you didn't like one series. Her adult novel "The Host" was actually very well written and very good story.
Just because you don't "get" what other people got from the story, doesn't mean you have to completely cut her out of your life. Perhaps "Twilight" wasn't for you, but something else she's written will be.
And that is just my own humble opinion. (of course, I speak as a writer who understands I may not always please a certain type of person with one book, but may with another.)
I agree with the other postings regarding some of the other messages in the "Twilight" series. I do not feel that Bella should have had the attidue that "she is so hot" but I do think that her not wanting to look older than Edward and her many comments on how beautiful all the vamps are,were not something that I would want my child, if I had one of my own, to read, unless my child had a better sense of self-worth that isn't tied to their appearance, whether it be age or appearence,or athletic ability, etc. Yes,I don't get the big deal. Anyone who likes the books, fine. Like them. At least you are reading, but don't make me out to be a villain just because I don't. I have and do like many things that some people in my life and on this site don't like and that is fine. This is my opinion and if you don't agree, that is fine. I get that. I am chosing not to read anymore by this author because I don't like her style and I understand that you are going to please every one all the time. 
I see a lot of good comments here for both sides. Frankly, I'm torn about my personal feelings about the books. I really loved Twilight the first time I read it, but it's one of those books where the more it sits with you, the more fault you find--and she gave us three more books for this to sink in. I agree that Bella demonstrates some unsettling behavior over the course of the books, and also that while things tie up nicely for her, it'a a lot to expect real flesh-and-blood teenage boys to live up to. Still, we're talking fiction here--and a sort of fantasy at that, and while teen girls aren't always the most levelheaded of creatures, they know that much. I think they can be allowed some escapism like all of us have indulged in at one point or another. The key in my mind is discussion. If you keep an open dialogue with your kids about relationships, life, sex, etc. I hardly think one book (even a series) is not going to ruin them. Talk about this stuff. Talk about the books. They're not high literature, but I don't like discourage anyone from reading if they show a real interest. I believe kids should read what they're interested in first. Once they're committed readers you can offer them other suggestions to broaden their horizons. If you've got daughters and are concerned, talk to them.
That's the thing though ... ppl act like Twilight is for shallow teenage girls who never read anything. I read a lot, I read Twilight, and I like it. But I see what you mean, Susan ... If it's a book that gets kids interested in reading, that's a good thing. I think it's a good book, but I don't like how some teens act like it's the ONLY book in the entire world.
Laura wrote: "Just because you don't "get" what other people got from the story, doesn't mean you have to completely cut her out of your life. Perhaps "Twilight" wasn't for you, but something else she's written will be."I haven't read "Twilight" and I'm not planning to, but I do want to answer this comment in a general manner. Frankly, if I dislike the first book I read by an author, I am extremely unlikely to give that author a second chance. There are a gazillion books out there to read. Heck, my to-read list here is over 150 books. Why would I waste my time giving a second chance to a writer I didn't like the first time just because other people think that author is great?
Oops--I didn't mean to imply that Brigid, so I'm sorry if that's how it came off. A lot of my friends (who are very well read, are in their twenties or older, and are far from shallow)love this series, or at least the first book, so I can attest that a person can't sum up the fan base as simply as all that. I just wanted to address the criticism that Meyer gets on her actual writing style/ability, which isn't totally off-base in my mind, and the comments about people being concerned about the negative messages for the teen girls who are reading them.I'm glad you brought that up though, because it's true that even though the book might have been written with teens in mind, there's plenty of older readers that read (and love) this series.
Sandi wrote: "Laura wrote: "Just because you don't "get" what other people got from the story, doesn't mean you have to completely cut her out of your life. Perhaps "Twilight" wasn't for you, but something else ..."I do agree that life is too short (and there's just too many books) for you to be expected to continue to read up on an author if you've really read something of theirs that you disliked that much. There are some really good YA authors out there (like M.T. Anderson, say or John Green) where reading one book is really not at all indicative, because their tone and everything is so different from one book to the next. And in those cases, it would be a shame to miss out just because of one that flopped. With Meyer, I'm not totally sure she's really displayed enough of a range yet for this to apply though, so I'm not going to talk you out of your decision. If it's a case where someone hasn't read any of her books though, then I would side with Laura a little bit. You can't really judge something based solely on hype, reviews or blurbs. If that were true I should have loved Weetzie Bat that got so much critical acclaim and sounded like it would be so cool (HATED it) or maybe hated Harry Potter (talk about overexposure--talk about manic fans, but I love those books). Things can go either way but sometimes you really have to read yourself to know...no one says you have to finish it if it's not working. Why be masochistic?
I absolutely hate Toni Morrison, but I think it's more her themes and what she's trying to shove down our throats. (the anti-establishment of African Americans, how white people are put on a pedestal, etc... I won't read her because I find her biased, her teachings flawed and yes, I find her to be extremely hypocritical and racist), But I never said she wasn't a great writer, I don't like what she preaches, I have issues with it. I know that her writing has won numerous awards and she is considered a literary master, but she makes me want to gouge my eyes out.I've read Stephenie Meyer's "The Host" and I think it's something that flies under the radar. She has a different editor (and THAT is a world of help, too, Megan Tingley is just too close to the Twilight series to seriously edit them), she creates a world for adults. But I'm going to back up a bit, when Stephenie Meyer wrote Twilight, she said she never marketed it as a YA series. THE publisher did that. She wrote a story that she'd want to read (age 33), YA really is a misnomer.
I absolutely LOVE The Host. Just saying. While I like Twilight a lot, The Host is better. If you don't like Twilight, I think you should still give The Host a try. It's really different from Twilight.I personally don't think it's fair to give up on an author after only reading one or two of his/her books. Every author has a book that isn't quite as good as his/her other books, especially if that book is one of his/her first books. Just like it's unfair to judge a book by its cover, it's unfair to judge a book by its author.
Fair? It's not like we OWE the author anything. The issue is that there are many other books out there by authors who haven't disappointed us. Tell you what: If there ever comes a time when I honest-to-goodness cannot find any other book I'd like to read, I'll pick up a copy of The Host.
Laura wrote: "She wrote a story that she'd want to read (age 33), YA really is a misnomer"Fair point about her intentions. I do feel here that the marketing people did nail the core demographic of the fans in the end so I wouldn’t necessarily agree that it’s a misnomer even though adults also read her books. I think Meyer is pretty aware of who’s buttering her bread these days and is pretty gracious about it overall which is good to see. Sadly, there are some authors who protest just because they feel like they won't be taken seriously if they're pigeonholed as an author of YA lit. Some get really defensive about it and I think that’s a shame. People are taking teen lit more seriously than before (as they should--good writers and good books should be considered good books, no matter who the core audience is--see quote below). They’re either missing the point or they feel the heat from parents who are trying to challenge their work and feel it’s their only defense. Meyer may not be one of them but there are authors now ho do set out to write specifically for the teen audience especially now with the YA boom with a lot of libraries putting money, time, and effort into designating special sections (and even separate librarians) for teen collections. People are taking teen lit more seriously than before (as they should). Great discussion, everyone!
"You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children."
— Madeleine L'Engle
I agree with Clix on not "owing" authors anything. I read many books by authors who have writen other types of books that are not in their genre, or who write different series, and I don't always like the style of the other books. For example, Mary Janice Davidson's "Undead and un________" series, to me, is enjoyable, but I don't like her "Jennifer Scales" series. Do I owe her my complete loyalty and read all of her books in all of her series? No. No matter what is written, there will always be somebody who loves it and somebody who hates it. It's that simple. What needs to be kept in mind, is 1) if you loved, great, at least you're reading 2) if you hated it, fine, at least you read it 3) lively discussions are fine, but lambasting each other in verbal boxing matches for having a difference of opinion is not alright.
I guess why I said YA is a misnomer because what exactly constitutes young adult reads? Take Harry Potter for example, the first two books are clearly middle grade books. Perfect for the 8-12 year old's, but starting with book three the story gets darker and a bit more grown up. More and more adults are reading the books to the point they start marketing books for the adults, with "adult" covers. YA is a misnomer because what exactly is the age group? 12+, 14+, 16+? And why market to just a small demographic? Why not allow everyone to enjoy it?
(this is just me thinking out loud)
Another point is just because the characters are teens, does that necessarily make it a YA book? Where does V.C. Andrews fall into this category?
Mod
Re: what constitutes y/a - it seems to be almost entirely up to the publisher! -- but sometimes also the author. M.T. Anderson chose to market Octavian Nothing to young adults, even though he could have made much more selling it as an adult novel, because young adults deserve exposure to good stories with good writing and much food for thought.
Clix wrote: "Fair? It's not like we OWE the author anything. The issue is that there are many other books out there by authors who haven't disappointed us. Tell you what: If there ever comes a time when I hones..."Geez. Do you really think that every author can write a masterpiece on their first try? Stephenie Meyer has written -- what -- five books? I'm not saying you HAVE to like her, or forcing you to change your opinion for crying out loud. I'm just pointing out that one author can write books that are very different, so you might hate one book by an author but love another book by the same author. It's happened to me before. That's just my opinion. So don't act like I'm forcing you to read The Host; I was just saying that it's different from Twilight, so ppl who hate Twilight could potentially still like it. Sheesh.
I'm not looking for masterpieces: I'm looking for books I enjoy. And there are plenty of authors who've written books I enjoy for their first book.My opinion of what I've read is going to influence my choices about what I'll read in the future.
What makes a book YA is content,language (not swear words,but level of comprehension),and overal age group comprehension. Yes, some book publishers do arbitrarily make something YA,and that is why more and more books are being listed as 12+, or 12 and up or...you get the point. Since so many adults read across the board, more and more publishers are doing this. Some good stuff is coming out of this, some not so good. Yes, "Twilight" has generated a lot of disucssion, but I didn't like it, I don't want to read anything else by this author, and no, I wasn't nor do I expect a masterpiece every time I read a new author. I do expect to have an entetainment level that was lacking for me in this Series. Right or wrong, I expect an author to hold my attention. Period.
Okay, that's your choice. What I'm saying is that I am willing to give an author a second chance, even if their first book doesn't impress me. In the case of Stephenie Meyer, I've liked her books since I first read Twilight. I like all of her books. But I'm just saying that there are other authors who have written both enjoyable books and bad books.
I don't deny that. I think we are beating a dead horse here about wether or not I or anyone who doesn't care for an authors style will read anymore by that person. You liked Twilight. Wonderful. I didn't. I choose not to read anymore books by Meyer. You do. Fine. We are all entitled to an opinion, and the point of this group is to vent on what we don't like. That's all.
I, honest to god, don't see what is so amazing about a girl willing to jump off a cliff simply to give herself a distraction. Explain please. I also feel that the people who love Twilight care more about plot than they do with actual writing (you can tell by how they write and hey, I'm not insulting anyone I'm just saying that the people who seem to care more about how they write [correct grammar and such:] care more about the writings of other people).
"People who...care more about plot than they do with actual writing," I reluctantly confess, describes me. I love good writing, but I am so often castigating an author for shabby plot development (or no plot at all) that I must recognize myself. I feel that in writing fiction the author CHOOSES to be clever and interesting, or not. There is certainly a place for dreariness, aimlessness, or non-resolution of a book. However, I think this often represents laziness rather than real artfulness. I completely disagree with postings that trash readers for "wanting everything tied up in a pretty package with a bow." Reading a book with a sharp plot is rewarding, it's fun. And if you don't like the "actual writing" you move on to another author. Masha, thank you for your posting. I struggle with whether I am really a lofty, sophisticated reader, or just a trashy low-brow, because I like a plot. Now you all know. I'm officially "out."
Excellent points! I too read a book for a good plot and good writng, but sometimes the best books do not have "hunky-dory endings" with "happily ever after". A good book should make you think, make you angry, passionate, cry, or even make you outraged, You should learn something about yourself or the world around you. A book that does not do any of those things is NOT well written or well plotted.
A book that does not do any of those things is NOT well written or well plotted.I disagree with this. It all depends on what the author is trying to do. Are they attempting a masterpiece, something that ought to end up being a classic? Then you're completely right. But if they just want to offer some light entertainment, then those books can be just as well-written and well-plotted - their intent/purpose is just different.
I like books that make me think, but once in awhile I also want to read something that'll just entertain me and nothing else. For that purpose "fluff" is perfect.
I disagree sharply, Kiwiria. I do read "fluff," but I have no interest in reading a book that doesn't make me think or feel anything beyond annoyance.I expect my "fluff" to bring me through happiness, fear (sometimes creepiness, but more often suspense for the characters), excitement/triumph, and sadness/loss.
A book that doesn't do any of that isn't fluff - it's BORING. And I'm not going to waste my time that way.
Clix, I completely agree with everything you wrote. My comment was regarding Kim's statement that a good book should cause you to "learn something about yourself or the world around you." Fluff doesn't necessarily do that, but even fluff should "bring [you:] through happiness, fear..." just like you said. If a book doesn't bring forth ANY emotions in me at all - good or bad - then it's a waste of time. And if the only feeling it brings forth in me is annoyance, then it's a waste of time too.
That's exactly what I meant. Even "fluff" makes you feel something! Someone once said "If you are not outraged, you aren't paying attention." You don't have to have deep thoughts or be provoked into action, but you do need to feel something when you read. Kiwiria, you said it best "If a book doesn't bring forth ANY emotions,....then it's a waste of time." That is how I feel about all books. If I feel nothing, then I don't think it was well written.
In that case I apologise for misreading your original comment, Kim, because then we agree 100% :-)
I can't count how many times I've read through a book and had that feeling of having just wasted my time. Of course I keep doing this to myself because I hate not finishing books. I'm always hoping that the end of the book will justify the punishment I've just gone through. I like the point someone made about good writing versus good plot. I'm always glad when the two combine, but it doesn't always happen. I really try to just approach each book separately and cross my fingers.
With Stephanie Meyer I've chosen to avoid Twilight. For one, I've been feeling done with the whole vampire mythos. I think I read one too many Ann Rice novels. I am giving The Host a try though. So far it seems to be a book with a good plot and ok writing, but I think I would have rather read a short story involving the concept of the Souls. The romance in the book thus far is totally unbelievable to me. This is saying something since I read a lot of trashy romances. I'm not going to write Meyer off completely, but I don't think she'll ever be an absolute favorite of mine. Anything she writes in the future I might give a try, but it won't be at the head of my list.
I feel the same way about not finishing a book. I too have finished countless books I wish I hadn't because they never got any better. I now have a shelf called books for books I wish I hadn't read.
For all the Stephanie Meyer haters, you have a powerful ally on your side. Stephen King has said, in his own works "Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephanie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good." I myself will have to agree with one of the best selling authors of all time.
I absolutely dispised the Twilight series. I thought I was alone in the world! And to make matters worse, I read the first 3! (I read them so I could atleast understand the conversations going on around me...)I love the message by Jessie (#41). No truer words have been written! Love King & Rowling.
I don't really see how Bella obsseses with beauty. Its more that she has low self-esteem, which a lot of people can relate to. Also, am I the only one whos view of Stephen King went down the toliet when I heard about that quote? I personaly think it rude the way he worded. Not only that, but no matter how good of an author he is, I don't really value a 60-something year old males
opinion about are seris that was meant for YA and steered towards females.
If it is a YA book then why on earth is anyone over 16 reading it? The problem for me with this book isn't so much the beauty thing as the terrible relationships that the people have. I mean, Bella and Edward have almost no personalities other then their love (read obsession) for each other. Edward is controlling and basically a jerk, deciding what's best for Bella, and Bella really needs to grow a pair, or a personality. But then so does Edward. He has almost no personality other than his (really sudden and unhealthy) obsession with Bella. It's pathetic.
I secretly think that the reason she gave Edward almost no personality is so that all the girls who read it can fill the empty shell with their dreams. It makes it easy for her to write, and girls still like it
And why on earth does Edward still act like a 17 year old when he's 117? Shouldn't he have grown up by now? And isn't that a little creepy? (don't even get me started on Jacob and the baby)
Since when do good role models get married and have a baby the second they get out of high school? Is that really what young girls should be looking up to? Don't we have enough of a problem with teen pregnancy as it is? And did you notice how the baby (you know, the one with the retarded name) grows up so quickly and can already walk/talk by like 9 months? Isn't that just so fortunate. It's all the fun of child rearing without any of the reality!
What I think Stephanie Meyer did was take what she used to dream about in middle school and make it into a book. It's every pathetic teenage girl's dream made into a novel.
"I will move to a new school where everyone will like me, and the most popular, most hansom boy in the whole school will fall in love with me, even though I'm not as pretty as other girls. He will be special and so will I and we'll be together forever. He'll always protect me from mean people and never pressure me to have sex. It will be so romantic."
I think I'm going to barf.
And the part where Edward pretends to hate her because he's secretly attracted to her? To quote a Twilight parody "That must be why all of the football players hated Stephanie Meyer in high school!"
And of course the writing style is juvenile. She's clearly writing for 12 year olds, which is fine, except that the characters are in high school. I know she's a new author, but she should have worked a little harder.
I'm sorry, but I prefer my books to be about real people with actual personality, not some little girl's daydream. I want my characters to be complex and well rounded, with flaws and strengths. I want them to be people that I can believe in and relate to in some way. I want them to be real. I can understand people under 16 reading this book, but if you are older than that then I think it's time to move on to reality. Trust me, there are better men here.
Hey, I happen to love YA (at least, the non-tripe) and I'm a good bit past 12. ;)
Emily, thank you. You captured a lot of what I have said to my friends since I started this post. Clickety, I too read a lot of YA too, and I am well past the age of 12 myself. I feel that an author can write to a certain age group with out the need to talk down to them or go the to the other extreme of being too adult. I feel that authors who write to a certain age group have a responsibility to set good examples for that age group, even if the good example exhibits bad behavior or makes bad choices, as long as there are consequences to their actions.
I read the books because of all the buzz. I do not follow the crowd normally, as I march to the music of a different accordion, but sometimes the buzz leads me to a good book. In this case, not.
Does this mean that nobody should read these books? No. I have not nor am I saying that. I feel that as long as you are reading something, at least you are reading. That's what I love the most about books. There are so many to choose from, that if you don't like one, you can pick another. I started this thread to vent about a series of books I didn't like. There are those who obviously like this series and that's fine. Read what you like, and kevetch about what you don't.
Yeah, I secretly love a good YA as well, but there is a difference between stuff that is written for kids but still enjoyable if you're an adult, and things that are just written for kids and hove no merit other than that. A good YA book shouldn't insult my intelligence, and it should still be well written! Le Guin's writing, for example, is often at a YA level, but the writing style is still just as beautiful as when she writes for adults. That is the mark of a good YA book. If you compare Stephanie Meyer to real YA authors who write good books that just happen to be for a YA age group you'll notice the difference. I also still don't see why grown women are in love with Edward (I don't see why anyone is really, but that's another point). He's 17 (sort of). If anyone over the age of lets say 22 is in love with him it's just creepy. And yes, I know people who's moms are in love with Edward. Yeah, these parents are obsessed with someone the same age as their children. I'm sorry, but that creeps me out. Peter Pan syndrome anyone?
But hey, people are free to read whatever they want, and that sadly includes poorly written teen novels. I still can't understand why people would want to read that stuff, but that's their choice.
I agree. A well written book, regardless of target age group, is much better than badly written drivel. I now have a shelf for books I'm sorry I read, so that I can remember authors I don't like and don't pick up anymore of their stuff. I read so much, I forget sometimes who I didn't care for.
I think Twilight is pretty well written for the story. Like, the book is ment to be a easy fast read. It seems to me like most of you are only considering a book to be well written if it has loads of detail and figutive laungage and all that. Twilight doesnt make you think, nor has an inspirtinal message. But, why do all books have to have that? Twilight is a YA book that was clearly meant to be a fantasy type chick-flick--- the type of book that makes you happy and intersted. Why is that so bad?Also, someone mentioned role model thinkg above, so ill just say that Bella and Edward clearly are not the best role models, duh. How many books have you read where the charasters are your "good role models"?? Probaly none, and if you have you most likly hated the charasters. People in life make mistakes. Please don't insult YA by saying that they should only read books where the characters are the ideal perfect,so then they will turn out that way too.
Mandy - good reminder that young adults are fully capable of critical thinking and can recognize good and evil without being warped.
Books I Loathed
Books mentioned in this topic
Rebecca (other topics)Beloved (other topics)
I know that I will never read her again, and I will encourage anybody I know not to read her either.