In just a few hours, at exactly 12:01am of August 2nd, this book will hit the shelves of bookstores all over the US (August 4th everywhere else)…

This is the 4th and last book in what is referred to as the Twilight Series/Saga. Come, I’ll bore you with the details of my journey into this best-selling, shrieking-crowd drawing of a series.

oOo

Just when I thought I’m all grown-up already, I got bitten and sucked into the phenomenon that is the Twilight Saga, a series of books by Stephenie Meyer targeted towards teenagers young adults. As of the 11th of July, I became a Twilighter. Yeah, yeah, so I was living under a rock.

I should have seen it coming. The series has been pursuing me since early this year. And I played hard-to-get. I remember being at Borders in January or February (I know it was around that time because my Mom was with me) when I took notice of and picked up a set of books all bundled together, each with a very attractive red and black cover. I was tempted to buy the set but decided against it. I convinced myself that all the books I was bent on buying that time were far more important. That was my first brush with Twilight.

Fastforward to June, “Breaking Dawn” posters announcing its 2nd of August release were all over Borders. I was drawn to a table of books where Twilight (the 1st book), New Moon (the 2nd book) and Eclipse (the 3rd book) were laid out. The copies of Twilight had a sticker on them which said that the book is now being turned into a movie. Only then did it click in my head that this is the “Twilight” that Toni of Wifely Steps has been talking about all this time. *whacks self in the head* Did I finally buy the books? Nope. Why? Because when I went up to meet Abby and Hubby at the 2nd floor of the bookstore, I found out that the books were for young adults! They were in the Young Adults Section! Hello?! The shelf they were in was sandwiched by shelves which had books that were clearly not for my age group! Yes, you can say I was too proud! Hee hee.

Twilight and I met again while we were shopping for our trip to California at Target just before my birthday. Target was selling the paperback copies at a little over $8 (cheaper at Walmart!). That was the last straw. Ok, fine. I’ll buy you already, I remember thinking to myself. At least it won’t hurt too much if I didn’t like it because it was just a paperback.

Isabella Swan’s move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife — between desire and danger.

I started reading Twilight on our drive to Arlington, TX on the 9th of July. I didn’t get very far though because of “distractions”. Hee hee. I read a few pages again during our flight to California on the 11th. Again, not much progress as I was keeping an eye on the passenger beside me…Abby. It wasn’t until the 5-hour drive maybe more, to Mammoth on the 12th that I finally got to focus on the book. By the 3rd chapter, I was hooked. We were 5 adults plus 2 kids in the van and I was probably the only one who didn’t mind the long drive…AT ALL. By the time we were headed home on Monday, the 14th, I was already reading the book a second time and regretted not buying the hardcover instead. I was addicted! Ugh!

Twilight got me swooning and hyperventilating. It had all the ingredients that will get girls shrieking out of sheer “kilig”. Never mind that it’s a love story between a vampire (Edward Cullen) and a human (Isabella/Bella). After I finished reading the book the first time, I wanted to rush to a bookstore to buy the next two books, plus the hardcover version of Twilight. But we were up the mountains. In the end, I thought it wise to delay buying the other books in the series until we got back to Austin. I’ve seen the effect the first book had on me. I would be rendered useless and would have opted to just stay home and read at my aunt’s house if I got hold of the other books during our vacation.

I’m glad I discovered Twilight at the time I did. I didn’t have to wait for the second and third book because they were all out already. And I didn’t have to wait as long as everybody else for the last book…less than 20 days! I bought the hardcover version of Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse the following day (Sunday) after we got back from Cali. I was through with the series by Wednesday, not turning in for the night until 4am almost everyday. That’s why I didn’t get to return to blogging until Thursday (the 24th). Hee hee!

I’ve turned into a Twilight groupie, junkie, or whatever similar term is out there that refers to our, uhm, coven. These books have got me doing things I wouldn’t normally do.

Another irresistible combination of romance and suspense with a supernatural twist. Star-crossed lovers Bella and Edward face new obstacles in this vampire love story–the second installment of the Twilight Saga.

New Moon had me abandoning that one little book-reading rule I have for myself, and that is to never skip to the end of a book…never skip pages at all! Girls and moms (Oh, there are just as many moms my age who are addicted to the series as the teenaged fans! They’re called TwilightMoms! ) on Team Edward will understand what I mean. But I did read the book in its entirety…after I was sure I’d get the ending I wanted. Promise. Hee hee.

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger.In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

For Eclipse, I didn’t just settle for any hardcover copy. I had to get the special edition! One that has the first chapter of Breaking Dawn, a poster and tshirt iron-on thingies that say “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” (not that I’d actually iron any one of them to a t-shirt). When I finished reading this book, I was already utterly annoyed with the heroine, Bella. It’s a very long story. Hee hee.

I’ve got it sooo bad, really. I even have the Twilight Movie calendar. *blushes*

I almost bought a t-shirt yesterday if it hadn’t been for the $22 price tag. Hahaha! If I could, I would attend the midnight release party at my favorite Borders location at 9:30pm! Tonight! But nah. I’ll just head over to the store tomorrow to pick up the book I pre-ordered online. That was a first for me, too!

Just like everyone else in Twilightdom, I will be eagerly awaiting the Twilight movie which will be shown on December 12th. I am sooo crushing on Robert Pattinson already. *blushes again* I have all the time in the world to look for someone to babysit Abby. I will definitely drag Hubby to see the movie with me, unless we can’t find someone to look after Abby. Only then will I have no choice but to see the movie by my lonesome. Ha! I’m also looking forward to Midnight Sun, which is Edward Cullen’s (the vampire) version of Twilight (which is told in Bella’s perspective). I hear Stephenie has so far written 12 chapters of the book. I hope it will be released next year.

My entry has turned into a saga. Sorry. Hee hee. I wish you all a wonderful weekend. I will most definitely enjoy mine. If you don’t hear from me on Monday, that only means I’m not through with Breaking Dawn yet and it’s keeping me away from the computer. Don’t worry, I won’t be posting spoilers. Plus, Abby will be going back to school on Monday. Looks like I’ll be rising and shining early again! Oh well. Cheers y’all!