Dec 16, 2008

Sisterhood of the Traveling Twilights.

I never thought it would happen. Ever.

I never thought I would give in to the hype. To the counterculture. Ever.

But I did.

I sold out.

And I'm in deep.

Of course, I'm also behind. But I'm like that with most things. It was twelve years after the Guess jeans fad before I owned a pair. And I didn't learn to text until like three weeks ago. So when something new and exciting and cool comes along, you can bet I will be on board. Only it will be the wrong board and it will be about three boards too late.

But, I'll get on there eventually. Oh yes, I will.

Which is why today, almost two years after the stinkin' book even came out, I am on the Twilight bandwagon. I walked by that book for two years in Barnes and Noble. I snickered at the ladies in line buying it. I asked God to help them, to heal their soul, their broken places.

I now own a copy.

Deliver me, Lord.

But within my obsession I have found a few friends, a sisterhood if you will, of fellow Twilighters. Thus the title of today's post. Which comes courtesy, of all people, Bubba / Brandon, who finds it fascinating that Meridith and I worry over who the book will go to next and so now refers to us as the Sisterhood of the Traveling Twilights. I'll take that, though. I deserve that.

And here's how it goes down:

Friday night Jessica told me that she was reading it and asked me if the thought of us reading it meant that the church would ask us to leave or never ever teach a Sunday school class again. I told her, "yes." Then I asked Jessica if she'd seen the movie, which she hasn't so that means I will be kidnapping her to whisk her away to see it - and also my friend Teresa, who came over to babysit my kids one night and saw the book on my nightstand, picked it up, started reading it and three days later was halfway into the second volume. She went to Barnes and Noble to buy her copy even though her daughter Coco screamed in embarrassment that her mom was reading the very same book that Coco and all her friends were reading and begged her mom to please read something more her own age. I, personally, would have let Teresa borrow my second volume but I didn't have one yet as Meridith has promised to loan me hers but she ended up letting her mom read it - and well, her mom got totally addicted to it and then took it home to finish reading it. So the AG went and bought me the second one but then I had to finish it fast because he said I hadn't taken that many baths since we'd been married. So once I finished it I was like, "Sheesh, I need the third one now." But he said we were in a recession. So thankfully Sonja brought it to me, but she only had it because Alyce had lent her hers. Sonja is in deep as well, but she's seen the movie - with Colleen. So now I have the third one which is good because Meridith doesn't and she is need of it, too. But strangely enough her mom has the third one because her dad went out and bought it for her and Meridith said, "Well, I could just borrow mom's when I get home for Christmas, but she might not want me to bring it all the way back to Tennessee." To which Bubba / Brandon replied, "Good Lord, y'all sound like the sisterhood of the traveling Twilights. Just mail the dern thing back and forth to each other. It can be done - I know! I work for UPS."

Whoo. Did you get all that?


And now you see why it's a Sisterhood.

Would you like to be in the sisterhood? It requires very little...
1. Just the ability to read.
2. To completely believe in the existence of werewolves.
3. And the sense to not be offended when your local church asks you to take your membership to the Methodist church down the road.

Which is something that could happen just any day now.

33 comments:

Sissy said...

I love the name Brandon came up with...that is soooo us! I had to get a couple friends together to go see the movie and celebrate all things Twilight. We made a whole evening out of it! I am glad you finally got on board, even if you are late, you are catching up fast!

Oh, and, I am totally an Edward.

Anonymous said...

OH I AM SOOOOOO A "TWILIGHT MOM"! I also walked by those books for a year.. swore I would never read it, picked up Twilight at a friends house for giggles, and was ADDICTED... Had the whole series read and drooling for the movie with 72 hours....

Amy

Anonymous said...

I love that series! I've seen the movie 3 times! That's right... 3 times! And I would go see it again in a heartbeat ;) I'm a sucker for a good vampire romance

Momma T said...

Thank god I am not the only one. I have a few friends who have read it but no one seems to be as obsessed as I am. I have seen the movie 4 times and am into my second read of the series. Sigh...I am constantly on the Internet looking for more info. I posted on my blog about it.

http://tysonclan.blogspot.com/2008/12/twerd-is-word.html

Todd Wright said...

Never fear...

Methodists will take ANYBODY.

Trust me, I know.

Sharon's Journey said...

Bailey has been begging to read the Twilight books for a looooong time, and in order to "encourage" her to bring up her grades, we allowed her to read them as a reward. I tried to get her to read Bram Stoker's Dracula, but she wouldn't. Now that was a good book!

I have not read the books so I don't know who's who, but I have always been partial to werewolves over vampires. Sorry to whomever I will offend.

Melissa said...

I am more than getting kicked out of church, I'm leading my fellow members to "you know where" in a "you know what" kind of basket.

I've read all 4 books, seen the movie 4 times and I know I've mistakenly called my husband Edward at least once. Wishful thinking.....:)

Anonymous said...

I'm with Todd... I'm a Methodist and we welcome anyone!

Sheri said...

Welcome to the dark side! I too, refused to read the "tween" books. Then, a friends daughter had the 1st one so I took it along with me on a road trip. While on said road trip, I bought the last 3, and bargained with a girlfriend who bought the 1st one so I'd have the whole set. I read all 4 in less than a week! I finally saw the movie this past weekend. It was OK, and I'm in love with Edward, but for those who just see the movie? They won't get it . . . can't wait to hear what you think of the rest!

Leighann said...

This post is so downright funny, I laughed outloud. Couldn't get my sister in law to engage with the family over thanksgiving b/c her nose was stuck in one of these books. I guess I'll have to ask her if I can borrow it.

Ashley said...

Welcome to the sisterhood! Don't worry about the church membership... if it's anything like mine, you're on their membership list until your dead... and sometimes even after that. Ha!

Karol said...

Welcome, my sister, to the dark side. Here we don't judge you, for we love the vampires and werewolves.

*sigh* How I love Twilight!

Lynda said...

Well, I don't know about you gals, but I thought the actor playing Jacob in the movie was WAY cuter than the Edward actor. Chalk one up for a werewolf for me!

Aja Jenise said...

Its so nice to see we have a support group now!! I have resisted it the same... well until two weeks ago... and shamefully-- I read the four books in 7 days. Whew... AND I am considering going back and reading them again.

But really Melissa, my need to resist this book was so strong until I saw the movie... and then I ventured that the book would be even better. So I plopped a squat on the couch and didnt move for a week.

All in all, I still feel a twinge of shame for reading them considering the average age of its audience. But two highlights that make this series even more applaudable...

1. The author is a Mormon housewife (well, was anyway)... as am I.

2. She does not include premarital sex in her books.

So what fasincating stories do you think we could come up with while at home with young children... my series would be more along the lines of delusion, torture, and estrangement... though I am sure we would find Edward as the hero that saves me, or my children.

Okay this post is long enough... more later...

(Now I feel the nerve to admit my readings on my own blog... thanks for the shove Melissa.)

Anonymous said...

Ok, Melissa, you got me....I have never heard of this book series but it looks like I'm going to have to start catching up on my reading! It was incredible getting to hug your neck and see your beautiful face Sunday night....I love you!
~Amy

Anita J. said...

Oh, Melissa Lee, how do I love thee? You make me laugh out loud almost every time I read your blog. I got sucked into Twilight when my daughter's friend left her borrowed copy on my kitchen table. My husband thinks it is so funny that his Big Chicken wife is reading something even remotely frightening. I am waiting for the loan on the second one. If the chick who has it borrowed now doesn't finish it soon, I might have to (egads) buy it.

Aja Jenise said...

Okay I posted my rendition of my own Twilight sufferings and fantasies. Thanks for the sisterhood and the SHEAR push into admittance!!

Lacey said...

I still haven't read the series. At first it was like, "Twilight. Oh, that's cute. Another vampire book. Hoorah?"

Then, once I started noticing the rave reviews it was getting, it was more like, "Hm. Maybe I should read it. When I have time. I'll go ahead and pencil it in for 2011."

THEN, when I started noticing women at the grocery store reading it (yes, reading and grocery shopping at the same time), and realized that my mail lady had a copy in her mail van, and that every blog has a post about how lovely Edward is, and that that's why I haven't seen any of my friends in weeks... it was like, "Pfft. I'm not reading Twilight! I'm not a sell out! What, if everyone started jumping off cliffs, would I? No! Take that, popular culture! In your FACE!"

Except now... well... my rebellion isn't really working, and I just kind of feel left out. Sigh.

Jessica said...

So when are you kidnapping me? And what's this about werewolves?? I got a belated b-day gift of New Moon yesterday and I'm so excited!!

JB

Amy said...

Well, yours is the fifty-first blog I have ready today about Twilight so I think that is a sign from God that I NEED to read this series. I have seen the series The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants so I personally think that qualifies me to be in this sisterhood as well. :)

Rhonda said...

That was an awesome post!!! lol

I bought the boxed set for myself for my birthday (in October) but have yet to read it because I want my kids to read it first, who want to see the movie, but can't until they've read at least the first one! So my 11 year old is half way through the third book. My eldest is half way through the first, and I'm next. So watch out! lol (And I bought myself Mamma Mia today for my birthday as well. Yes I know it's December and that my birthday was in October and that I've talked about it so incessantly since I saw the movie in the theatre that someone is bound to buy it for me for Chistmas, but HA! Too late!)

See? I can speak auctioneer just like you can. lol

I, also, did NOT think I was going to fall for the hype. But, now that I've bought in, I'll have to take it all the way.

Unknown said...

Melissa, I too have walked by the book several times and decided to buy it. My eighth grade son's principal told me about it. Then I met anothr good friend who is addicted. She says that it is crazy. I haven't started it yet as i am afraid I might not put it down and then the tree which is standing only in lights would ever get decorated. Whew! Can't wait though, especially since your raving about it!

Hugs!

Trish said...

I'm in. Only i'm a little cooler than you because I jumped on board four whole months ago. Ahh, but only because the sweet Lula (where is she by the way?) found out that I hadn't read it and immediately dialed in her good friends at Amazon and made sure that I had a copy on my doorstep within 24 hours. Seriously. And we've never met in real life, but I love her. As I now can love you.
And here's the thing, I think I am the only one in all of Clark County Washington that has copies of all four books, because I keep getting calls and e-mails from people asking if they can borrow them. It's getting tough to keep up with who has them. I think it goes something like this:
Judy took books one and two, read book one and passed it on to Marcie. Marcie read book one and gave it back to me to give to Vanessa. Jusy then finished book two gave it to Marcie and asked to borrow book three. In the meantime Vanessa finished book one and gave it back to me one day after school, then Ms. Busboom (a fourth grade teacher) saw me carrying it and got all excited about wanting to read it so I loaned it to her. Then I got book two back from marcie who had gotten it from Judy and gave it to vanessa. The next day Judy called and invited me to meet her at Starbucks and as we were hanging up she said "could ya bring book four?" See she didn;t really want to have coffee with me, she just wanted my book. Then Vanessa finished book two about the same time that Ms. Busboom needed it, so it got passed to her. And then I myself was thinking about re-reading book one (after I had seen the movie) so I took it with me to Thanksgiving dinner at my sis-in-law's house, at which point she and her two teenage daughters got all excited and accosted me for the book and they all started reading it before the triptofane set in.
Now to be quite honest with you I have no idea who has what books and it's all Lulas fault.

But I still love her!

Oh yeah, Lori wants to borrow my copies to, but she is waiting until January......something about a beach in hawaii and cold drinks in her hand. hmmmmppppffff

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

I had no intentions of reading it....but after awhile my curiosity got the best of me. I am now waiting to borrow book 4 and I feel like Im going into withdrawl. I have even re-read the other books....just to get my fix. I dont know how she did it but she sure did write some pretty strong word-Crack!

Tassie said...

I'm glad to see someone else blogging about Twilight. I think the few readers I had were over it. I didn't start the books till Halloween. I finished them all within two weeks. I've paid to see the movie four times. I've never done that. One of them was a midnight showing the day is was released. I got two hours sleep and had to teach young minds that morning. I strongly suggest that when the depression hits after the fourth book that you read "Midnight Sun" which Stephenie Meyer has on her website. It's a partial draft of the Twilight story, but from Edward's point of view.

Ruby Red Slippers said...

I started the series in September and LOVED it, dragged my hub. to see the movie, and am now waiting for the next one!!!!
Welcome to the club!

Rae said...

So, I'm the only one to comment on here that I haven't read it and don't want to????? Don't throw things! I love to read, but never have time anymore. But I work with kids and teens, and while it's great that teens are reading books bigger than teen cosmo, I just can't bring myself to support them. I have too many issues with some of the content...and the way people are responding with this "twilight craziness"... somehow the hotness of the guy in the movie seems to make evrything else alright. I know, swoon now.

But of course- I had to comment since the only ones were peeps who love it.

Go ahead, start throwing the tomatoes now...

At least I'm honest!

katy said...

I haven't read it, and don't really have time to, but now ya got me wantin' to! Either way, your post CRACKED ME UP and I seriously, seriously needed the laugh!!! Seriously!

Shelley said...

i'm in. I have read all four books, but have not had the opportunity to go see the movie yet. Maybe over the Christmas break I'll get a chance.

lizmarie said...

I first heard about The Twilight seris from reading Karen Marie Moning, you must read her books. She has two seris, the highlander seris and the fae series. The second series will really knock your socks off!! I read all of the twilights and went to seethe movie opening night. I thought I was going to hyperventilate when I saw Edward, and the others. But, Iam in love with that gorgeous immortal and Im 36, how pathetic am I? The books are great a little tame compared to what I normally read (ofcourse, they were written for pre-teens) but I really enjoyed them. The first two were the best. I love reading!

Andrea Frederick said...

I was NOT going to read them either. My sister begged and nagged and still I said NO. Then my other sister was in labor for 12 hours...I was desperate...it's all I had. Now, I'm desperately waiting to get my hands on number 2!

The jones Family said...

I love this post! My sisterhood started with one copy of Twilight and by the time it was over there were 4 copies of the last book involved because no one could wait for their turn with the original! We all saw the movie the night in came out! And what does my Mama say every time the series comes up in conversation? "But Erin, you are a CHRISTIAN" Are the two mutually exclusive?

Mama Lou said...

I am currently milking the fourth book for all it is worth. My hope is to never stop reading about Edward and Bella. The good thing about all of these baths we are taking? Baptism! We Baptists love to dunk, I do it after every chapter for good measure (the bubbles and scented oil are a bonus). I did see the movie and blogged about it. It was worth it but really quite horrible.