In the twilight zone

I wanted to write a new blog about a week ago and for whatever reason I never got round to it (possibly the distinct lack of anything going on in my life that doesn't revolve around weddings, and I think I've bored you enough with that), but I'm very glad I didn't until now. As some of you will know I am a bit of an obsessive reader; obsessive in the sense that I read constantly and absolutely cannot even think about running myself a bath without having something to read. I'm also obsessed with having baths so the two go hand in hand quite beautifully. But I am also obsessed in that kind of teenage way where I can't get stories and characters out of my head and think about them continuously, often dreaming about them too. This is where book series and trilogies come into play, and I have to say I haven't found one in a while - until now.

My series obsession began as a child when I forayed into the classics of Enid Blyton and CS Lewis with as much ferocity as a kid in a sweet shop. I literally couldn't get enough and could recite whole passages from The Faraway Tree and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, whilst wishing desperately that I was Lucy or Susan and had a wardrobe I could escape through. This literal escapism is exactly what I love about reading, and finding new books to try with new characters to imagine fills me with a feeling of such satisfaction it is like a drug. In fact, it was the first proper conversation that I had when I met Tom that made me realise he was 'The One'. We talked for over an hour about our obsession with Lord of the Rings (and rock music - but it was the passion in which he spoke about the book that I fell in love with), and within a matter of weeks we had dissected the trilogy, films and all. This feeling of being 'in the club' is one that I find quite hard to describe, but it is wholly inclusive whilst allowing objectivity. For instance, we will never tire (after 3 years) of discussing who has the cooler traits - an elf or a ranger. I'm with the elves, but Aragorn could turn me yet...

It was a fair few years after the Lord of the Rings that JK Rowling came into my peripheral vision, but the stubborn monkey in me refused to be sucked in to the hype of what was to become a worldwide phenomenon. Harry Potter was, and still is, an absolute genius creation to me, and the joy it provokes is unfathomable, particularly given the 'Children's fiction' genre. Time after time I have tried to explain to my more cynical friends, including Tom, that it is simply not a children's story. Of course parts of it are childish; the fact it is set in a school and is vastly about magic are big old factors you can't ignore, but the writing is brilliantly witty and the adult content is very much exposed if you have an adult mind (something I am totally envious of - how on earth do you go about writing something for children with adult references that don't baffle or cause embarassment?). It took me a good 4 years to finally cave in and read the first couple of books, thanks to my friend Danielle and a holiday where I had finished all of the books I brought with me. From that point I have read each book well over 5 times, told you I was obsessive!

It seems my story has repeated itself once more as I have found yet again that I am out of the loop with another literary sensation. Twilight. I only need mention the word and friends are furiously responding to my status on facebook with open encouragement. I had no idea so many of my friends were taken by this new sci-fi (HATE that description) series. Stephanie Meyer is yet another one of those authors who just happened to have a story twirling about in their heads and has gone on to have huge success and following in the young adult genre. I am now desperately trying to catch up with my friends and vow to have read all of the books by Christmas. I saw the film yesterday and cannot describe the feelings of excitement to have found something new to lose myself in. And then of course there is Edward Cullen, beautiful vampire played even more beautifully by Robert Pattinson. Now I am not one of those weirdos that obsess over famous celebrities and dream about meeting them (Eddie Vedder is a huge exception), but he is definitely in my top 5 now! Tom - be warned.

It has got me thinking that of all the books I have really obsessed over, almost all of them are intended for a younger audience. Does this mean that I never grew up? Or am I lost in some fantasy world which is much more preferable to reality? Actually it's both I fear. I now know what my friend Aylish means when she says she feels like she's been having an affair over the last few weeks, waiting for New Moon to come out and reading the last book of the series! It can consume you and I am just glad it's not just me that can't get characters out of their heads. I did feel a bit of guilt when Tom came home yesterday after I had watched the film, but I think that's because I had spent 2 hours literally drooling over R-Pat. Sorry Tom, it'll pass...

Anyway, I'll leave you with the below comparison. I could never choose between books as each offer something unique and it would be like choosing between children, if I had them, but if we're talking films it doesn't take a genius...

Now who's up for coming to see New Moon?!