sammi says

I am officially embarrassed.

Let me preface by saying that I don't get embarrassed often especially concerning the TV, music, books and the movies that I enjoy. I will openly admit that last year I went to Chicago to see the Spice Girls reunion concert, I TiVo episodes of "Lost" that air daily on the SyFy network, the only way I can fall asleep at night is popping in a "Friends" DVD, I've read every book in the "Shopaholic" series, I've seen the musical "Wicked" six times in four different cities and I own the movie, "Snakes on a Plane." I always have a hard time coming up with an answer when people ask questions like "What's the biggest guilty pleasure CD you own?" because I'm usually so open about the things I love and I don't feel guilty about any of it.

Until now.

It all started about a month ago when my best friend Lauren and I had the idea that we were going to watch the movie "Twilight" to see what all the fuss was about. We both read Perez Hilton daily and somedays all he can talk about is the filming of the "Twilight" movies which started to catch my interest. So we agreed to take the plunge and rent the movie from a RedBox (neither of us wanting to actually commit to adding the movie to our Netflix queue) and watched it. Neither of us were very impressed. I thought the dialogue was terrible and the acting not so great. I really wasn't seeing the progression of the main character Bella falling in love with a vampire after spending one day together. Yet, overall, I didn't dislike it and I certainly wasn't bored. I wasn't afraid to tell other friends that I watched the movie and told them that if I were 14 years old, I think i'd really like it.

Fast forward to last week when I was laid off from my job and days later wrecked my car. Needless to say, I had a lot of free time on my hands. All summer I've been reading books constantly and making frequent trips to the library. Ever since I watched the movie I've had an inkling to read the books, knowing there had to be more to this craze. I checked online and sure enough, the first book was available at my local library- and no other branches- it must be a sign, right? Next thing I know and about 6 1/2 reading hours later I finished the first book and became absolutely obsessed.

Then in a frenzy I start checking the libraries for the next book of the series. No luck. Then I realize I'm completely panicking. Thinking, "I have to know what happens next!!!" Some may be asking, "why don't you just go out and buy the book," and the reason is two fold....1. I'm extremely cheap and rarely buy any books. I only read books once and feel it's a waste of money and space. Luckily I have several well-stocked libraries close by and a best friend who reads as much as I do (and buys her books!). 2. By going to Borders to buy the book I would feel so ashamed taking the book to the register and having everyone who sees me holding the book peg me as "one of them." Plus, it also cements the fact that I have a problem and can't wait any longer to read this novel written for high school freshman.

The next best thing I could do to get my hands on "New Moon," was to borrow the book. I revealed my plight to my mom who laughed, yet told me her BFF's daughters have the books and that I could most likely borrow them. Next thing I know my mom, who goes on a nightly walk with said BFF, came home with "New Moon" in hand. I was thrilled and got down to business right away. Now here I am, a day and a half later, home on a Friday morning without the next book in the saga. I'm going crazy. Unfortunately for me, the rest of the world actually has lives and goes to school and work on fridays and I'm left here writing about my obsession instead of giving into it.

The thing about the books is not that I think it is excellent writing or that it is any way a plausible story but gosh darnit, it's a page turner! Stephenie Meyer knew what would suck people in and created novels full of drama and suspense that makes them extremely easy and fun to read. It's based on the whole "so wrong it's right" concept telling the story of a sexy vampire who has to practice extreme self control to keep from feasting on his mortal girlfriends blood. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from more challenging literature, especially considering the fact that lately I've been reading borrowed books from Lauren who is going through a faze of only reading memoirs written by the likes of drag queens, drug addicts and divorcee's. I've read a wide range of novels from Hemingway to Faulkner to Stephen King, I think I deserve to shake up the mix and read a romantic thriller about vampires, damnit!

Ok, so now I've told you my embarrassing story but don't expect to see me reading the books in public or seeing the new movie out in November.....I will of course save all my reading for the confines of my room and will see the movie on a weekday at a theatre far away from my house. And yes, I am watching the clock waiting for 4pm when I can borrow the next book. By the time you read this, I will most likely be finished with the series and will deny having ever read it at all.