January 1, 2010
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So What?
You know what? I’m kind of sick of everyone bashing the young generation that reads Twilight, and other books like it. You know why? Because I am proud and amazed that this generation is even reading at all!
I am certain that reading for entertainment skipped at least a generation or two. A lot of people who avidly read, are around my age. My two middle sisters hate to read. My youngest sister, loves to read! And it’s all because of Twlight. That was the first book she ever read for entertainment, and now she reads all the time. She is slowly spreading her wings into other genres, but I am happy and proud that she’s reading.
Just because they aren’t reading Charles Dickens or Emily or Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, does that make what they’re doing any less worthy? Just because Twlight is over-popularized, cliche, and whatever else you hate about it, at least it’s got young adults reading. As they get older, I’m sure they will start reading more refined material. It’s almost like us, starting out reading The Babysitters Club, or Sweet Valley High. They got started a little late, but at least they’re doing it.
So what if they’re reading and fawning over Twilight? I say we should be proud of the younger generation, because as a writer, I want people reading.
Comments (39)
I was reading books for teenagers before Twilight came out. When it did, I read the first book,and it was okay. So I didn’t love it, but the movies SUCKED. Anyhow, I’m glad your youngest sister is reading. ^^
Great thoughts. Reading these books may lead to reading other things so if these inspire someone, that’s great! I find that reading a book – then watching a movie about it if it comes out is great too. You understand things better and get a lot more out of it.!
Happy New Year
Thank you!
I know lots of teens that don’t read at all unless it’s assigned for school and then they only read the chapters in a classroom. It’s pretty sad!
I agree with you. I had lost touch with my inner bookworm for a number of years, but I have rediscovered the joys of reading for fun in the last several years. I also aspire to write, and would rather my stories be a fun read than “classic literature”.
i agree. i may not like twilight, but at least people are reading. twilight is, hopefully, the gateway to other books!
Now that is a very clear and concise statement. I agree that people should read and that they should read what they want to read…to follow their curiosity.
Agreed. People seem to think a little too highly of their own opinions sometimes. While most people are bashing the author I’m still happy for another human being (a former stay at home mother like myself) who made a loved hobby into a fortune! Good for her and good for younger generations being interested in reading. In high school the ONLY book I read was The Great Gatsby. It was assigned reading material my Junior year. Typically I just hit the cliff notes for assigned novels and eased through tests with no problem but, I actually read The Great Gatsby for some reason… maybe because it was short and we were given far too much class time to read it. Either way, I’d always been bored with reading, squirmy, and unwilling to invest the time into something that didn’t make use of my creativity. As an adult I’m now gaining interest in reading all of a sudden.
My officemates crazy about Twilight, I am not… yet.
Thank you for saying this. I totally agree with you. My daughter started really loving to read because of the Twilight saga books. She’s now reading other books, including Wuthering Heights, because her mind is now opened up to reading. How in the world can that be a bad thing?
I agree with you 100%!
The Baby Sitter’s Club will always hold a special memory of my reading past.
I suppose so. And as long as they’re watching movies we should also be grateful, even if they’re only the twilight movies.
I agree reading is reading and it’s good to start somewhere.
true that.
I agree completly. I wish my little brother would pick up a book. I was reading when I was his age and i havn’t stopped. Reading is a good escape from reality in my opinion. And i do wish more people read. I personally dislike the twilight series, but only because i don’t think vampires should sparkle >_<
Whatever captures their interest.
The only thing I can thank Twilight for is that fact that it has motivated young people to read for pleasure. Though I cannot stand Twilight, I will give it that. It got people reading.
Great post.
Much love,
Taylor
I agree.
i completely agree – i’ve read that series i quite like it
I agree.
We need readers and intelligent people in this world.
I don’t consider it possible to actually “read” Twilight. that’s because there’s nothing to read. I could say someone was clammy in nine different ways, but I’d still just be repeating myself.
And what about the messages in the book? Sexism, submission, controlling, abstinence not out of principle, but out of “necessity”? The books are littered with negative messages, indoctrinational pieces, and general misogynistic ideologies.
I’d rather kids be reading works of merit, tact, or insight. Hell, at least the Chronicles Of Narnia tried to portray Christianity through allegory, and kept with a message of hope. Twilight is about failure, dominance, and control. Even the main character is a useless user of people.
I don’t bash it over the popularity, I bash it for the mindless, insipid, and damaging content it has to offer. Yeah, they’re “reading”, and getting dumber by the second. Give them some Aligheri, or even (this is a stretch) Anne Rice’s Interview With a Vampire. Or some of King’s older work.
Tolkien, Card, Poe, Lovecraft. My god. Of all the writers who’ve dealt with the mythological fabrications of our societies, why would anyone want to turn to Meyer, someone who has no knowledge or understanding of the very material she’s patronised, and bastardised in the name of making a quick buck?
She should be ashamed for giving the craft of writing such a tawdry image.
I work in a bookstore, I have seen many many people of all ages come in for the Twilight series. I’ve known and see almost everyday that once a person is caught reading a book that has peeked their interest and makes them turn the page they are hooked forever.
With the Twilight series, these books have caught the attention of thousands of young people. It’s amazing – and the people who bash it, can go ahead and bash it but it’s probably because they themselves have never found themselves in such a situation where you have discovered a love for a book. That in between the covers there lies a story that inspires. And if they have experienced such a feeling then they should understand.
Stephenie Meyer is a great author. She didn’t know her book was going to grab the attention of so many. She is just one great writer among many and I congratulate her on her books. And hope many more people discover what reading does and hope that they keep turning the pages.
-Secret-
Agreed. Nicely written.
Reading is reading….it’s going to be good exercise for your mental capacity whether you are reading Shakespeare or a comic book, the same processes are in action.
Good post, I agree!
I agree, I’m glad people are reading, the only thing I bash are the movies made from books…books are so much better!
@rainbowbrite2200 - There are a few instances where the movie comes form a book and it works really well. It’s rare, but it does happen. Like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I didn’t even know Capote wrote it until I was watching it a couple years ago.
Thank you. I agree. I was a middle school English teacher in 2004 (and high school English in 2006, but that’s another story altogether), and while we did focus on the classics in my class, I also encouraged my students to read whatever they would like. If it helps them gain a vocabulary, and just plain love reading, then I say, “go for it!”. I received a lot of Harry Potter book reports that year (along with a few Star Wars book series ones, as well), but it was well worth it to read that my students LOVED the books. The best thing was that once they started reading Harry Potter, I was able to recommend a couple of other authors to them that I thought they might enjoy – and I was right about 98% of the time! I don’t think Twilight is the end-all to reading, but if it sparks a love of reading, that is a wonderful thing!
Okay okay, I give. :O I will hate Twilight to my grave but you’ve given it a reason to be acceptable, just as I’d prefer young girls listening to Avril Lavine even if I don’t like her. Better than them listening to Brittany Spears. Better to start reading SOMEWHERE, then never pick it up at all. Thank you for giving me this peace of mind. :P
True that.
@None_May_Have_Her - lol, you’re so cute! I prefer to think of it as a starting off point, you know what I mean? You kind of have to start slow so you can appreciate what you’re reading as you mature, if that makes sense.
[@crazy2love] After reading about the pussy Edward Cullen, my characters will be blowing minds. -wicked grin- They have NO idea.
Agreed!
You’re right. Atleast they are reading. Everyone starts with books that are easy. We move from one step to another. I started reading with comics. Then I moved on to Harry Potter and then Dan Brown (well that’s almost it,lol). Sometimes I read non fiction, but I usually find it boring. Twilight, personally I hate it and I make fun of all those(my age) who read it, but reading is anyday better than sitting in front of a TV or playing Video Games. I once read a blog about that, someone said their generation makes them sick because nobody reads Jane Austen these days.
we should thank the author of twilight she made young people love to read..its important nowadays that young people read more..
To play Devil’s Advocate, I guess we should also praise Anorexics and Bulimics for exercising simply because many people forgo it today?
When adults complain about Twilight (and the other 2) I tell them – “It’s not for YOU. It’s perfect for teenagers and they like it. Thats great!”
I read more now than ten years ago, but I still don’t read books… I read things like patents or historical documents about religion.. The book of enoch was a great if somewhat perplexing read.
Peace
I couldn’t agree more. I am a very avid reader, but sadly my daughters missed that gene. I was able to convince both of them to check out the Twilight series and both of them read them all. I honestly don’t care if they are reading Dr. Suess, I just like seeing them lose themselves in a book.
Twilight is clearly written poorly, I mean, the author was only putting her dream onto paper.
I’m an avid reader and still enjoy it. The story line is kind of silly, but still mysterious, and made me interested in what was going to happen next.
People who bash it are only wanting to be ‘different’.
I’m glad she was able to have this success and you’re right, it is great that younger kids are deciding to read.
Nice post!