Ok, it's not quite as bad as Shinga makes it out to be... XDDD but I will admit I have a penchant for yummy vampires. I just finished book three, and yes, I'm going to read through book four. The characters are pretty accurate for teenagers (as in the 110 yr old vamp is still acting like a 17 yr old boy), and the story has held my interest so far. The author was fairly obviously NOT a complete social outcast in high school, because Bella most certainly has a circle of friends who could be considered the "in" crowd. The character is (self-admittedly) a bit thick, but she is certainly determined to work things through. I've only yelled at the books out loud a couple times. My only real sticking points:

Bella is almost terminally clumsy. Like, lands herself in the emergency room with only the power of her own two feet, clumsy. I've never known anyone that badly uncoordinated. It's emphasized to the point that it gets weird.

Sparkle Vampires. Sheesh. I mean, I get that it's a plot point that keeps them from just wandering around in daylight, but really? Did they have to throw off rainbows when exposed to direct sunlight? It's like my pretty vampire pony with glitter action!

The stone/statue fetish. The author's descriptions of the vampires gets creepy after awhile. All physical references to them are about their stone-like flesh, and how it's icy cold all the time. Have you ever tried to cuddle, much less make out with a winter-chilled statue? Uhm. Not so terribly appealing. To underscore this, when Bella has a semi-romantic encounter with the werewolf love interest, she underscores how wrong his "warm, soft lips" feel on hers, compared with Edward's "icy marble lips". Ahh ha. Weird.

But other than those bits, I'm still interested in seeing how the story continues, so it's on to the next book!

I find the fact that there are six bookcases of at least 6 feet in height in my house and one 3' shelf, all of them overflowing with reading material (to the point that it's stacked on top of them, and is now spilling over to other nearby flat surfaces) an immensely comforting thing. Even if the world ended tomorrow, I'd still have my books. *happysigh* Granted, that's assuming I survive the radiation and post apocalyptic thunderdome lifestyle. =D

In other news, Art Along the Alley this saturday from 9 AM til 2 PM on Draper Rd. in downtown Blacksburg across from the Farmer's market! Come see the pretty arts. Buy my stuff! =D

I just finished tltrent's "Between Golden Jaws", the third book in her Hallowmere series. And y'know? I don't care that I'm nearly ten years older than the main character and the series is technically written for teens. It makes me squee and flail. I. Want. More! Magic, betrayal, illusion and the Fey... This stuff is right up my alley. =D Hey robertliguori, if you're making it to Technicon this weekend (which I presume you are), mind bringing the first two I loaned you back with you? I want to get these signed if at all possible. @.@