Twilight

"How much do you like him?"
"Too much," I whispered back. "More than he likes me. But I don't see how I can help that."

"Do you truly believe that you care more for me than I do for you?" he murmured, leaning closer to me as he spoke, his dark golden eyes piercing.
...
"Yes I really think that." .. The silence dragged on..
...
Finally he spoke, voice velvet soft. "You're wrong."


MY goodness! It's like reading the modern Romeo and Juliet, although I surely hope Bella and Edward have no such fate! The scene from above takes place in a book I have recently delved into - Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It's a thriller with a very strong sense of romantic and an underlying sense of witty/sarcastic humor weaved through and through.
My take on it so far:
I am absolutely adoring this book - for reasons obvious and not so obvious. Obvious - what girl doesn't like a novel with a not so perfect girl heroine who meets the guy of her dreams?? Not so obvious - I feel as if I'm living some of my emotions through the characters - especially of course Bella. I have to come to the realization that I no longer believe in fairy tales or fantasies. In my world, reality has taken over, and practicality reigns control. To the point where "prince charming" has been replaced by a down-to-earth vision of a practical, fitting partner - no white horse or such neccessary. But Bella Swan - she is this ordinary, quiet, shy senior in high school who has moved to a brand new town in a brand new setting with brand new people. And somehow in the midst of this she finds Edward Cullen - prince charming with a twist (I won't ruin the twist just in case..) She is in awe of him and totally dazzled when he takes an interest in her! She just simply never expects it. Now, when we think high school - most of us remember the lean chearleaders, and the over-muscular jocks - but who really remembers the quiet, "normal" girls? I was one of them and unlike Bella, my Edward never came - so I grew up. But reading this book makes me think.. if it can be written - if it came from someone's thoughts - a female of course - but nonetheless.. if this kind of dialogue and story can exist in books and movies - than why not real life? Our imaginations couldn't possibly be soooooooo creative that we come up with things so impossible as love? It has to exist.. I'm not saying for me.. now or ever.. but somewhere in this world the kind of depth expressed in such a book has to exist.. it just does.. somehow. I have given up on finding or even searching for anything fairy-talish.. but Bella hasn't, and I can sit here and read and read about it, feel with her what I will not feel in reality and in the end feel renewed. No wonder I like books so much - it's like they give me the things I don't want or have or can survive through in life. I am glad for Ms. Meyer's saga - and very happy for those out there who have seen, heard, or even first-hand witnessed this surge of emotions - it is things like this that renew my faith in life and love to some degree.
As a side note - I wish people.. guys.. like Edward existed - without the twist of course! - he somehow has the greatest control, the deepest passion, the right expression and the right words - all of course at the right time! Now, that perhaps is something reserved for the booky book world! ;)