Monday’s Bite (18)…Breaking Dawn Ch. 34 – End

The Twilight ReRead Finishes! 

Bookgoonie and I are forging ahead through the final book of the Twilight Series. Since it’s been a long road you’ll notice we switched up our format from questions to subject topics…You can only ask about the love triangle so many times…lol.

I just have to say that this Re-Read was tough. I loved doing it with Bookgoonie. I’m so happy I finished the books pre-Breaking Dawn movie time. But man, that’s a hefty lot of books we worked out way through! I think we both deserved a little pat on the back and extra butter on our movie popcorn, lol.

As always remember to head over to for Bookgoonie for her take on Ch. 34-End. If you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Without further ado…Topics…

Creeps. Bookgoonie was creeped out by all the Vampires. I’m gonna disagree. I loved meeting all the wild Vampires. It was cool to hear how they all connected over the years, how other Vampires lived their lives. Up until now we’ve only been acquainted with the puritan-like Cullens or the nasty eat-everyone type. I thought it was cool that Meyer filled in the Vampire grey spectrum with others who were different but not all bad.

Plan B. I hated having to watch Bella figure out a contingency plan for Reneseme and Jacob. This takes about 2 chapters of this section of the book. That’s a lot of time spent calmly and sadly figuring out how to leave her daughter if she and Edward die. I know that it was realistic, the need to do something like this. But I hated watching it. Felt more like Bella had given up rather than amping up for this final battle. This may be why we were all so disappointed in the big climax.

Epic Battle. I’m torn about the Epic Battle. First off, it’s not going to film well. It only barely provided the tension we needed to end the series. Ultimately, they never really even fought! Given the entire battle/tension happens in Bella mind…I’m predicting a big Hollywood re-do (a la, Edward’s fight in Volturi that never happened in the book) or maybe a really cool special effect…?

But then there is a large part of me, as a reader, that understands why this is Bella’s gift and that it really does save the day…just not in an action packed/judo kick kinda way. I liked how Bella’s human personality and gifts were amplified when she turned Vampire, it worked for her character…just doesn’t make for a blockbuster ending.

The Re-Appearance of Alice. This ending was the one I felt was totally fulfilling. Alice coming in at the 11th hour, heck more like 11:59, with the answer to the Reneseme problem. Not only can Alice prove their innocence she can show them another vampire/human offspring that proves Reneseme will get to live…not just age rapidly and die. This is why Alice is one of my favorite characters. She always comes through in the end…with pizzazz!

The Wolves Aren’t really Werewolves?! I mean I get it, seriously, I get it. It doesn’t really make sense for Jacob and his pack to be werewolves. Meyer never played into any traditional were lore. In fact, she went out of her way to give this pack their own story. Still doesn’t change the fact that for 4 HUGE books we all thought we were dealing with werewolves and then 3 pages from the end Meyer pulls the rug out from under us. So I get it, really I do…just makes me want to scratch my head and ask Why?…

The Happy Ever After. I have to give a shout out to Bella hefting away her mental super shield and showing Edward all of her memories. I loved that she does it to show him her love.

“”Now you know,” I said lightly, and shrugged “No one’s ever loved anyone as much as I love you”

*sigh* I do love that ending to the book. Because Epic Battle Fail or not this was and always has been a love story…A very successful one at that…

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Monday’s Bite (17)…Breaking Dawn Ch. 26-33

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

Bookgoonie and I are forging ahead through the final book of the Twilight Series. Since it’s been a long road you’ll notice we switched up our format from questions to subject topics…You can only ask about the love triangle so many times…lol.

I’m sorry that for the second time this ReRead I’ve missed a Monday. My Hubby’s father passed away suddenly last week and we flew to our hometown to be with family. Needless to say I’ve lost all track of the days, my books, and any post that wasn’t fully written and finished. Again, I have to thank Bookgoonie for forging ahead and keeping the Twilight Read right on track!

As always remember to head over to for Bookgoonie for her take on Ch. 26-33. If you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Without further ado…Topics…

Mediocrity. Bella muses about her 18 years of mediocrity. No talents brag about. No trophies for reading books. Share some of your areas of mediocrity and what could you win a trophy for.

Well, I may win a little gold star for reading. But this award would have to be ongoing…I imagine something along the lines of those little charts we had in Elementary School; those ones where you would get a star a week or something…and I want the multi-colored metallic stars…not just gold. I’m picky like that.

But what else? Hmm…I’m not really sure what else I’d win a trophy for? The ability to fall asleep anywhere maybe? Never having missed an episode of Project Runway? I can count to twenty in French? Yeah, not very good mediocrity.

Competitive. It cracks me up that Jacob is having to make a game out of drinking animal blood for Reneseme. Are you competitive about anything or ever coaxed anyone for their good?

I’m all about slipping pills and such into cheese or warm french fries to give them to my dog. Total coaxing for her own good. As weird as it sounds, I’ve always thought Jacob was kinda cute in doing this. It worked, and is sweet in a blood sucking kinda way.

As far as being competitive. I’m super competitive with myself. Weird, I know. But my assistant did all this testing on me during graduate school and as it turns out I’m not competitive with other people. I’m willing to help, give them time to figure it out, hint…but when I had to answer something on my own…I piled on the pressure for myself super competitive between the test and myself…I hate being wrong!

Dystopia? Is the Volturi the dystopian government of YA?

Hmm…Can you be dystopian if you’ve been around since, uhm, forever? I’m going to say I think of them more as a medieval government. This ultimate ruling system where the head of state is untouchable. You have to throw yourself on their mercy (like Edward a la Breaking Dawn) to get anything done. There is no Democracy in that society, lol.  

Stop by next week for the ultimate face off & end of the reread.

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Monday’s Bite (15)…Breaking Dawn Ch. 8-18

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

I am a bad re-read along partner.  Bookgoonie and I have been forging ahead through the Epic that is the Twilight Series. And last week I had a huge fail. Not only did I not list questions for my chapters…I didn’t even answer Bookgoonies! Didn’t even read the book. My only excuse is that sometimes life gets away from you…and my Monday’s Bite had to give. Major props for Bookgoonie going it alone!

So that means this is my second Monday’s Bite post. Ooops…All caught up now, lol. Remember to head over to forBookgoonie for her take on Ch. 8-18. As always, if you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Without further ado…Questions…

Point of View. I think it was a good move switching to Jacob. While I don’t know that I especially like where his head’s at during this time period I think his narrating this section is good for the following reasons…

1. While I wouldn’t mind a more intimate view of Bella and Edward during this time. It’s probably a lot of super painful and depressing musings.
2. I like the view we get of pack life and the development of Jacob’s character
3. I think it makes for a nice drop off when he sees Reneesme.

Pregnancy. Geeze, could Meyer have given teens a little scarier view of pregnancy if she had tried? I’ve never been pregnant, but I look forward to that experience as a time of love and hope. Granted Bella’s pregnancy isn’t smooth to say the least, but a lot of people’s aren’t. I just think Meyer could have softened the experience somewhere…given some hope, some love, some excitement…plan a nursery…something?! Because this painful, all-out gory, experience was disturbing to read my first time through, and doesn’t lose too much of its punch in later reads.

Soulmates. As much as I love the idea of Soulmates in my fiction (bring them on! They only serve to hasten more intimate romance). I don’t believe in them in real life. I’ll give you fate as a reason I ended up with my husband…but I’m not 100% convinced I couldn’t have had a love with another. Or that, god forbid, something should happen to one of us…wouldn’t the other like to see the living person find happiness again? So then what does that mean? Was your first relationship not your soulmate?

I guess while it would be wonderful to “imprint” and be 100% sure that you were with The One. I just don’t think it exists in the real world.

Purpose. I think any pack or group needs a central focus. How would they survive without it? I mean, the wolves wouldn’t even exist if the Cullens didn’t move in next door. I think the purpose of Bella, is more of a unique task. Through it I think Jacob’s Pack’s purpose becomes uniting the Wolves and Vampires together in a common goal of protection against “bad” vampires.

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Monday’s Bite (14)…Breaking Dawn Ch. 1-7

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

I am a bad re-read along partner.  Bookgoonie and I have been forging ahead through the Epic that is the Twilight Series. And last week I had a huge fail. Not only did I not list questions for my chapters…I didn’t even answer Bookgoonies! Didn’t even read the book. My only excuse is that sometimes life gets away from you…and my Monday’s Bite had to give. Major props for Bookgoonie going it alone!

Today I’ll be listing both last weeks and today’s Monday’s Bite post. Remember to head over to for Bookgoonie for her take on the second installment. As always, if you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Without further ado…[last week’s] Questions…

Marriage. I’ve always kind of wondered why Bella had such a problem with the whole marriage thing. She has no trouble committing to a relationship. She’s not overly gossipy or concerned with what others think. Yet it seems like it’s only this worry about what others think that seems to stop her…She’s actually a little embarrassed by the whole thing.

And I love that Renee is such a foil…totally into the whole union. And that Charlie can’t argue because he’d really be saying something like “I’d rather you live in sin first” hahahaha. Makes me happy.

Souls. I have a hard time understanding why Edward is so convinced he doesn’t have a soul. A lot of common myth has the soul escaping at the point of death. Literally the essence that allows you to be brought back to life or not. So long as a soul remains in a body, the body can be saved. I don’t know where in the Vampire making process a person actually dies. Bella would have been changed by a single venom filled bite…From fully alive to fully Vampire…When are we assuming a soul exits?

Philosophical discussion aside…Edward and the soul thing is a bit of a bummer. It seems to be his one teenage-angst leftover.

Wedding. Ok, is anyone else bothered by the fact that Bella goes through the day in a haze? That she seems to not have been a part of the planning at all? I mean the girl doesn’t even look in a mirror until the reception!!!

I’ve always been bothered by this part in the book. I feel like the only experience we have of the wedding day is through Bella’s eyes and we miss out because of it. Bella may not care…but I do! I vote a second telling of this whole process/day through the eyes of Alice, because that girl will give me the poop on the event!

Wedding Crasher.  Dislike Jacob A LOT in this book. He starts it off as a total a$$. He shoulda just stayed wolf-man and let Seth be the representative. Because even as the youngest of the pack, Seth has much more perspective…

Honeymoon. We wait 3 looooong books for them to consummate something! Seriously frustrating. They needed to put some more ‘honey’ in the ‘moon’. Honestly, by the time Bella has the sex-frustration dream I was ready to club Edward in the head and drag him to the bed myself!

Babies. I’ve always been a little sad that Edward wasn’t a little happier about the pregnancy from the beginning. And from a 20/20 standpoint…a little disappointed in Meyer for Edward’s reaction as well. This whole pregnancy thing is about to get super traumatic. I wish Meyer had given them a little hope for the whole process. Some openness in the beginning, because once Bella starts dying its all kinds of horrific…and I feel like they never had that happy/expectant phase…

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Mondays Bite (13)…Ch 22 – End

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

Welcome back to my humble abode for chapters 22 to the End of Eclipse. Look to Bookgoonie for more Eclipse answers. Check back here later for the first set of Breaking Dawn Questions. If you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Without further ado…The Questions…

1.  Edward owes Jacob, because of his ability to warm up the freezing Bella. Are you space heater like Jacob or are you the constant cold like Edward?

Oh my gosh, constantly cold!!! Total Edward. Especially when I get tired. I know, it’s kind of odd but the more exhausted I get the colder I start to feel.

Luckily my hubby is a Jacob. I admit to using him as a space heater! Bless the man, he doesn’t complain about my freezing feet cozying up to his as much as he could! lol

2. Bella kisses Jacob in a way that makes him believe she is his. Kind of cheating on Edward. Would you lie and/or cheat to protect someone you loved? Do you think Jacob really bought it?

Let me answer this question backwards. I think Jacob bought it because they do have a connection. If Bella didn’t know what it was like to be with/kiss Edward I think she’d be head over heels for Jacob. You better believe that Bella and Jacob had some heat in that kiss…it’s just not to the level of Edward. And Jacob hasn’t imprinted yet so I think he thinks what he has with Bella is as intense as it gets.

I 100 percent would lie or cheat to protect someone I loved. Wouldn’t we all? Don’t we tell little white lies on a regular basis just to protect the feelings of those we love? It would be a whole lot easier to lie for someone I loved than pick up a broad sword (sorry just can’t help but compare this Q to our Waterfall discussions…too many questions on Wednesday focus on what we would or would not do to protect!).

3. Bella connected with the 3rd wife in the Old Stories. And she unnecessarily stabs herself to distract Victoria and help Edward and Seth. Could you/Would you sacrifice yourself for your husband? 

Haha, I love that you added ‘unnecessarily’ to the question. I think that in the moment Bella thought it was necessary. And I suppose it did provide a distraction of sorts. I think we as women are hardwired to jump in front of the bus for the ones we love. It’s always easier to be the one who sacrifices rather than the one who has to watch the pain.

4. Bella says that she sees all the damage that she has done to both Jacob and Edward. She feels like she strung Jacob along. Do you feel she did and/or do you think Jacob felt that way? 

I don’t blame Jacob as much in this situation. I’ve always, from book 1 blamed Bella for leading Jacob on. She takes it too far with him. Maybe it’s an immaturity, her using sexuality to keep Jacob around rather than a solid friendship. I agree that Bella needs a Jacob in her life. A true friend to give her an outside perspective. But she shouldn’t have used Jacobs attraction to her to keep him around. I think she used it because she was scared that if Jacob knew he didn’t have a chance he’d leave her as a friend.

I guess at the end of Eclipse and the beginning of Breaking Dawn we do find that he leaves Bella because of her choices. I wonder if he would have left had they just been friends the whole time? But then where would that love triangle tension be the strung the reader along? I suppose we wouldn’t enjoy fiction as much if characters always made the right choices. Who wants to read about that life?! lol

5. In Bella’s hindsight, she says she was trying to reconcile the 2 parts of her Jacob’s Bella and Edward’s Bella. Can you identify those different parts of her? And do you have 2 separate halves? 

I think that Jacob pushed Bella while Edward protected her. In a lot of ways she grew more with Jacob than with Edward. Though, the relationship with Edward is far more mature…one that seems as though it could last through infinity.

We all have multiple personalities. And we all have friends and loves in our lives that bring out those different sides. People we turn to for a laugh and a good time, People whose shoulders we cry on, People who inspire, and unfortunately People who bring us down.

It’s just occurring to me that maybe this is Bella’s biggest mistake…believing that she can be everything to one person. That’s impossible. That’s why she’s always needed Jacob in her life, Alice too for that matter. If she could accept that she needs more than just Edward in her life she’d probably be a lot happier…And more ready to have a friendship with Jacob.

Breaking Dawn Questions to Come!

They are currently under construction, lol

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Mondays Bite (12)…Discussion Questions Ch. 15-21

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

Welcome back to my humble abode for chapters 15-21 of Eclipse. Look to Bookgoonie to link up your Eclipse answers as well as get the next Eclipse questions. If you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Without further ado…The Questions…

1. Guy Friends. Bella wants Jacob to just be friends. Jacob will settle for friends while he launches Operation Win Bella’s Heart. Can girls have true boy friends? That aren’t gay and aren’t secretly open to “friends with benefits.”

Hahahahahahaha, Hmm…this is actually a good one. I would say that Meyer makes Jacob just a friend in the next book, but she doesn’t actually accomplish that without the help of a magical imprinting plot point. I think that there is a lower level of this out there than one you are suggesting. The problem with it all is that men and women are hardwired to flirt…or to size each other up as potential mates. Even if we already have a mate for life. I just think that between two heterosexual men and women there is always going to be an undercurrent of something. BUT I would also say that with most of my guy friends it’s so slight as to go unnoticed.

2. Friends. Jessica gets all bubbly gooey about staying friends with Bella when they go off to college. Have you stayed close to your high school friends after graduation?

Yes! My friends from high school are among my closest friends to this day. RachelKiwi, my book club of two companion is from high school, and my BFF Alex was my maid of honor and I’m hers also a high school friendship, I’m running a half marathon with a life-long friend in January, and I just had a marathon phone conversation with another high school bestie this weekend. I couldn’t function without these women…even though we’re now scattered all across the country.

But enough about me, time to size up Bella’s friendships. Let’s be honest. Jessica is not sticking around for the long haul. Edward has read her mind far too many times to think that the sentimental graduation time period is going to have any lasting effect on that personality. Bella has chosen the vampires instead…and I’m going to wager that they’re going to be high school buddies again, and again, and again, and again, lol.

3. Fathers. Charlie. He laughs about lessons he should have taught Bella, like how to throw a punch. What are some of the lessons your dad taught you? If not, any self-defense lessons? Or lessons you think Charlie should have taught Bella?

I have no self-defense training. None, so please no one find me in a dark alley some night…I’m totally a goner.

My dad has left me with the same piece of advice since kindergarten. Even to this day he says it, slightly modified.

“Listen to the Teacher“

I’m pretty sure looking back with my adult 20/20 vision this comment originated in the fact that I was one of those kids who didn’t always pay attention. I was queen of LaLa Land. Teachers had to send notes home saying things like

“Please don’t let Sara wear jewelry to school“

Yep, between focusing on a teacher and a small shiny object the teacher didn’t stand a chance! lol. Obviously, I’ve conquered my attention problem. I’ve successfully made it through grade school, college, and a masters degree…and done so with flying colors. I don’t want to list those GPAs…no need for people to be more jealous of this uber-cool Librarian 😉 haha…

But, back to my Dad…Over the years I’ve pared down the advice to mean “listen”. So much of our time is spent talking, or thinking about what we’re going to say/do/type next…rarely do we focus that energy on really ‘hearing’ other people and absorbing that information. While it is as always a daily battle to stop playing with my jewelry (yes! even during both my Yoga Teacher and Librarian training I always get…”stop fidgeting with your jewelry“…it’s turned into a nervous habit! lol) I also make it a point to listen to those around me…anyone can be a teacher…

4. Dog kisses. Jacob gives Bella a big old dog lick. Do you love dog kisses?

I get dog baths! My little white fluffy dog will lick just about any piece of skin she’s closest to. And apparently if a human isn’t quite close enough she’s been known to lick things like blankets and even our couch! Let’s just say that at this point I’d be A. Ok. with a cute little doggie kiss to two. My dog is just not refined enough for that. Too close to the face and she’ll try to lick your teeth!

5. Mementos. Jacob gives Bella a wolf and Edward a diamond heart. Both equally representative of themselves. What kind of charm would represent your love? Also, Edward gives Bella his mother’s ring. He jokes that if she doesn’t like hand-me-downs he would get her something from Tiffany’s. Which would you prefer?

Let me start with the jewelry question. I have a few heirloom pieces, one ring in particular from my great-grandmother. I love wearing it because it reminds me of her. In the case of an engagement ring, I have to admit, I’m a new ring kinda gal. I love the sentiment behind an heirloom, but I’ve always thought that an engagement ring would me my own. Something to hand down myself. Not, perhaps to serve its original purpose, but as a reminder of me the same way I feel about my great grandmother’s ring.

Hmm, I think I’m skipping a charm all together. First off the hubby really doesn’t wear jewelry. Second, the things that I’d give someone to remind them of me wouldn’t really work well as a charm. I’m going to go with a tattoo. For my husband I’d put “My Love” somewhere on him. I guess it’s the same as the charm bracelet for Bella…a way to mark my territory! lol.

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Mondays Bite (11)…Discussion Questions Ch. 8-14

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

Welcome back to my humble abode for chapters 8-14 of Eclipse. Look to Bookgoonie to link up your Eclipse answers as well as get the next Eclipse questions. If you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Without further ado…The Questions…

1. Imprinting. The idea of love at first sight is beautiful. Then Meyers kind of throws us a curve ball with Quill’s story. What are your thoughts on that, especially when we already know what’s coming? And can you already feel Jacob’s disappointment?

I always thought Imprinting on a young child was odd. I get the idea behind it. The beauty of always having someone giving you just what you need at the time. But I have the following problems with it:

1. I can’t separate the idea of “Imprinting” from a relationship with a sexual nature. I get that Quill is still in the playtime phase with his chosen but it still freaks me out…Quill knows that someday she’ll be in an adult relationship with him, and she’s just too young!
2. It just doesn’t seem fair that these girls who imprint young will never have a life outside of that relationship. Even Bella had some teen years away from Edward, and those few months of considering Jacob. It just all feels so limiting for these children.
3. I know this is skipping ahead to Jacob, Reneseme, Edward, and Bella…But I’m going to say that Quill’s situation is much the same. Imprinting so young means that the parents lose that little girl so early. No dreams of various futures…no being the center of your child’s world. That time is so short as it is! And if you have a wolf-man being your child’s everything…where do the parents fit in?…

2. Charlie is Jacob’s advocate. If he knew about werewolves and vampires, which guy do you think he would pick and why?

I think Charlie would still go with Jacob. Jacob is just a guys guy. We all know that with Jacob Bella would have had a more “normal” life. She would have stayed mortal, had lots of little mortal babies, and (most importantly) married the son of his best friend. It would be hard not to wish for that as a parent…kind of the perfect coupling.

What’s funny is that, besides the whole mortal/immortal differentiation. Both Edward and Jacob are “protectors”. They’re hardwired to want to protect and save those they care about. Charlie too, as a cop, is a human “protector”. I don’t think he’d have too much trouble letting his daughter into either guys hands if he knew about their extra skills.

3. Marriage. Bella lets Edward know why she doesn’t want to get married. What do you associate with getting married young? Do you agree or disagree with Bella?

I associate really small engagement rings with getting married young. There I said it, I’m a seriously shallow person…put it on my grave stone, lol.

In all honesty, I’ve dated my husband since the age of 16. We didn’t get married until almost 10 years later. I had friends meet and marry their husbands years before we even became engaged. My view is probably somewhere between Edward and Bella’s. I knew that my husband was “the one” from a very young age. But I wanted to wait until we were older to take the marriage step.Like Bella I didn’t need a ring to feel committed to my husband, but like Edward I wanted the tradition and the ceremony of declaring our love in front of our friends and family.

Plus, in reality being married gives you a slew of additional benefits from the government and society. I guess I would also say that I would feel uncomfortable about having kids outside of a marriage…even with the love of my life. Though, Edward and Bella don’t think that babies are ever going to be an option for them, I don’t think Meyer was comfortable with sex or babies before marriage.

There…longest answer ever!

4. Bella let’s us know a little about why she wants it to be Edward to do the deed and turn her. Is her turning into a vampire like losing her virginity or is it like the ultimate marriage vow to her? Or something else?

I think it’s the ultimate marriage vow…for sure. Its more serious than wanting your first time to be special. This is an Only-Time situation and I think it’s Bella’s substitution for marriage. Her way of becoming one with Edward.

5. Stories & History. Bella loved listening to the Quileute’s old stories. Do you have any of your old stories or histories you would like to share? Because it is a reread, we know who is behind the army of newborns and their purpose. We also hear Jasper’s story and how his military experience helped to control them. To what purpose would raise an army of newborns for? And what military commander would you use to lead them?

Hmm, my family isn’t really a story-telling bunch. Wait…now that I say that…This isn’t serious legend or anything, but a family tall tale:

My dad tells this story about having a pet duck named Oscar who laid an egg for him a day and my grandmother would cook said egg every morning. Oscar and my dad had many tales including duck field trips in a little red wagon, and those of Oscar defending the yard by biting at everyone’s feet with his beak. From childhood legend to adult hilarity these tales have served the family well.

P.S. Oscar really existed! We have photographic evidence 😉

Well, you aren’t raising an Army of Newborns unless you’re planning to fight. And I’m totally having Alice and Jasper tag-team that leader position. Between her ability to see the future and Jasper’s experience with training…They’d be unstoppable. Lets just hope they stay moral and don’t try to take over the world or anything, lol.

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Mondays Bite (9)…New Moon Ch. 19 – Epilogue

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

Welcome back to my humble abode for chapters 19 – Epilogue of New Moon. Look to Bookgoonie this week for the start of Eclipse you’ll link up your final New Moon answers over there as well as get the first of her Eclipse questions. If you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Without further ado…The Questions…

1. Alice feels the frustration…”Actually, Bella…Honestly, I think it’s all gotten beyond ridiculous. I’m debating whether to just change you myself.” (436)

What do you feel at this point in the novel, Alice’s frustration to get on with the inevitable change…Or Edward and Rosalie’s fierce grip on experiencing human life?

I have to admit…I’m all for the change. I think that at this point in the novel and after visiting the Volturi it seems so inevitable. Plus, it would solve so many plot problems. While I do get that it is difficult to let go of human life. Bella has obviously made her choice. Someone should just get it over with already! lol.

2. Suicide…dun dun dunnn…We know that Edward ultimately chooses to K.I.S.S.(keep it simple stupid) “He’s going to keep it simple. He’s just going to walk out into the sun.” (438). Bella dramatically jumped off a cliff…as did Esme for that matter…This may be a bit morbid, but if you had to end it all (in the name of Love obviously, lol) how would you do it? Quick? Slow? A flair for the dramatic? Feel free to comment on the formerly mentioned characters if plotting your own demise is just a little too much for you…I’ll understand 😉

Haha, I must  have been feeling a bit dramatic myself creating this question. I think I’m the type of person who values their life. But since I did ask the question…probably slow and as painless as possible. Though, as an angsty teen perhaps I would have been more dramatic. No matter what I’d leave a note…something all of these characters failed to do…weird considering it’s a book…

3. Ahh, the Volturi. The creepiest of the creepy vampires. How do you feel meeting them for the second time? Do you have a favorite villain? A power you’d steal for Team Cullen? 

I love Jane. She’s just so creepy! Picturing this little girl harming people with her mind. I see her as the ultimate mean girl. It just makes it all that much better when she’s defeated at the end of the series. Like Bella’s powers are one big HaHa to Jane 😉

3.5. Obviously the book does not contain the fight scene the movie does. Do you prefer the first meeting with the Volturi violence free? Or would a few punches have livened up the scene?

I don’t think you need the violence; in the book at least. There is so much tension in the writing of the scene. It’s intense and scary in a way that I don’t think they could have replicated in movie format. The movie’s scene does it’s part but I prefer the books version. Esp. having the human secretary, how much of an official operation it all is, bringing in the tourists as food…Creepy!

4. Chapter 23: The Truth. This is an open thoughts question. It’s meant to be the make up scene…If you were Bella are you buying Edward’s ‘truth’? How do you feel as an outsider watching the scene?

I think this scene is so corny. The rest of the novel was pretty honest and the make-up dialogue in this chapter just didn’t ring true to me. It was too pleading, I think reading it a second time I would have rather seen an honest conversation. A place where Edward and Bella could have shared concerns that drove them to the breaking point. Where Bella could have shared what she learned about herself during her time away from Edward. I just think the whole thing could have been handled better.

5. Poor Charlie! The guy is abandoned by his daughter at least once a book, lol. And he always takes her back. As a reader I’ve always kind of pitied the guy…In honor of his paternal patience write your biggest, most parent-like, rant at your ‘daughter’ Bella. Give us the anger and the passion Charlie never seems to express in the books!

“Bella! get in the house!!

You are not to leave that house until you see a therapist, Until I’ve talked to Edward’s parents, Until we get a restraining order for Edward, Until you start getting involved in something other than your boyfriend…

Do you have any idea how bad you’ve hurt me

How much I’ve worried

Give the passport back…Now!!”

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Mondays Bite (8)…Discussion Questions Ch. 9-18

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

Welcome back to my humble abode for chapters 9 – 18 of New Moon. I’ll be in charge of our New Moon read so get comfie! You’ll be joining Bookgoonie for Eclipse, because we’ll all need a little switch up by then, lol. Remember to link up below to share your answers. If you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Join us next week as we read chapters 19 – Epilogue of New Moon. Discussion questions can be found at the bottom of this post. Stop by next Monday to share.

Without further ado…The Questions…

1. “How was I ever going to fight the blurring lines in our relationship when I enjoyed being with him so much?” (210)

This is the section where we really see Bella toeing the line with Jacob. He’s not really Bella’s idea of boyfriend potential…and yet, she’s stringing him along. Do you think Bella is clear enough with Jacob on where he stands? (in relation to friend vs. boyfriend) Or is she using Jacob for more than just friendship?

I think Bella has Jacob sitting in her back-pocket. It’s clear that even she thinks that she isn’t being clear enough with Jacob. I think that to fill Edward’s void she likes that not only is Jacob her friend…he’s also attracted to her. While it was the ripping away of Edward’s love that put her in such a deep hole, you can’t tell me that the romantic rejection felt any better. Just knowing that you have a guy out there acting the part of a boyfriend…I think that can go a long way to healing the hurt.

1.5 Have you ever held a “back-up” boyfriend in your romantic history? How did that work out for you?

Alas, no real back up guy for me. I guess there were always boys that I flirted with in school but no one like Jacob…that I could have turned to and had an instant boyfriend.

2. Once Bella figures out that Jacob is also a “mythical creature” she wonders why her life is so filled with characters from horror movies. If you could have a friend or two from the creepy creature department who would you pick? Feel free to break away from wolves and vampires…Invisible man maybe? Ghost? Swamp Thing? Get creative 😉

I’m going to take a few friendly ghosts. It would be cool to have their histories as well as their special powers of invisibility and swiftness of movement. Plus, maybe a real witch. Not the Wiccan religion or anything like that. I’m talking a born, spell inducing, snap your fingers and it happens Witch. That would be a very cool best friend to have.

3. Bella automatically assumes that the wolves are bad, the ones causing the deaths in the woods. Both Vampires and the Wolves are dangerous creatures but only the Wolves are shown to have caused damage (Sam’s mauling of Emily’s face, the more unbalanced changing of the wolves). Why do you think Bella was so trusting of Vampires and skeptical of the Wolves?

I think that Meyer had to make them look dangerous for plot reasons and also as an extra push for the reader to prefer Edward to Jacob. Plus, it’s a way to remember that the wolves are young as a community. Sure they have history, but the wolves themselves are young in their existence. The vampires have been practicing caution for a long time. But it does always irk me that they are set up to seem like the safest choice…

4. Bella’s cliff diving…Another thrill seeking expedition? or Suicide? Rereading the scene that cinches Edward’s own suicide decision, how premeditated do you think Bella’s idea was? This second time around could you see Bella building up to the final jump? or were you as surprised as you were the first time around?

I think that Bella was heading toward that decision the whole time. She saw the storm, knew it wasn’t smart to do it alone, and yet she jumped. Bella is risky but she’s not stupid. I still think the decision comes sort of out of nowhere. But this time while reading the scene I was struck by how knowledgeable she went into the situation. It was definitely suicide…

5. Bella talks about choosing Jacob in the last part of this section. And as she leaves to save Edward Jacob is still begging her not to go…Reminding her that she has a choice…Bella could have chosen Jake at this moment and changed the course of the series. If you were Bella which choice would you have made?

Ahh, as logical as it would be to pick Jacob…I’ve always been Team Edward. No way I wouldn’t have run off after him in Italy either. It’s why we love the series…

Questions Ch. 19 – Epliogue

1. Alice feels the frustration…”Actually, Bella…Honestly, I think it’s all gotten beyond ridiculous. I’m debating whether to just change you myself.” (436)

What do you feel at this point in the novel, Alice’s frustration to get on with the inevitable change…Or Edward and Rosalie’s fierce grip on experiencing human life?

2. Suicide…dun dun dunnn…We know that Edward ultimately chooses to K.I.S.S.(keep it simple stupid) “He’s going to keep it simple. He’s just going to walk out into the sun.” (438). Bella dramatically jumped off a cliff…as did Esme for that matter…This may be a bit morbid, but if you had to end it all (in the name of Love obviously, lol) how would you do it? Quick? Slow? A flair for the dramatic? Feel free to comment on the formerly mentioned characters if plotting your own demise is just a little too much for you…I’ll understand 😉

3. Ahh, the Volturi. The creepiest of the creepy vampires. How do you feel meeting them for the second time? Do you have a favorite villain? A power you’d steal for Team Cullen? 

3.5. Obviously the book does not contain the fight scene the movie does. Do you prefer the first meeting with the Volturi violence free? Or would a few punches have livened up the scene?

4. Chapter 23: The Truth. This is an open thoughts question. It’s meant to be the make up scene…If you were Bella are you buying Edward’s ‘truth’? How do you feel as an outsider watching the scene?

5. Poor Charlie! The guy is abandoned by his daughter at least once a book, lol. And he always takes her back. As a reader I’ve always kind of pitied the guy…In honor of his paternal patience write your biggest, most parent-like, rant at your ‘daughter’ Bella. Give us the anger and the passion Charlie never seems to express in the books!

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Mondays Bite (7)…New Moon Discussion Questions Ch. 1-8

The Twilight ReRead Continues 

Welcome back to my humble abode for chapters 1-8 of New Moon. I’ll be in charge of our New Moon read so get comfie! You’ll be joining Bookgoonie for Eclipse, because we’ll all need a little switch up by then, lol. Remember to link up below to share your answers. If you don’t have a blog you can comment through Twitter with #mondaybites.

Join us next week as we read chapters 9-17 of New Moon. Discussion questions can be found at the bottom of this post. Stop by next Monday to share.

Without further ado…The Questions…

1. Chapter 1 opens with a dream very much inspired by Bella’s upcoming birthday…One she is NOT looking forward to. If you were her would you share her concerns about aging? How do you handle your own yearly B-day?

I would totally be on track with Bella…but for different reasons maybe. I think that turning Vampire needs to be done like pulling off a band-aid – fast and without warning. The longer I waited for the change, the more experiences I have in life, the more experiences I begin to look forward to in life…I think it just gets harder and harder to give it up. Looking into Bella’s future via my own experience I see College years that were some of the best I’ve had, a few cross-country moves including an amazing two years in Boston living in the same city as my best friend, and then a wedding to my husband, hopes for future homes and children and such. I mean we all know that Bella gets more out of her life than anyone knew to expect…but at this moment she has no idea that she’ll be blessed with these gifts. Right now she’s looking toward a lifetime of teenhood. And I think that while most of us are lovers of YA we’d probably choose a different stage of life to spend eternity in…

And I like my birthdays low key…a great meal and cake is a must!

1.5. (optional) This has to be one of the worst birthday’s in history! Talk about “it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to”…Any really bad (or really good) Birthday stories out there?

My 17th birthday my best friends pulled off a surprise party and it was awesome 😉 The hubby repeated the surprise for my 20th…I guess I make a really good surprised person, lol.

2. Edward and Bella’s breakup is one of the most difficult parts of Bella’s journey through the series. How do you feel seeing the fall-out during this reread? How good of a job do you think Meyer did of portraying Bella’s feelings? Too dramatic or on-point?

I think that the first time I read it, I was so blindsided by the scene in the woods. It never really seemed like the way Edward would handle the situation…holding the conversation in the woods and all. Didn’t he spend some time in Twilight convincing Bella never to go in alone and now he’s crashing her world in that very place! I’ve always been amazed that Bella wasn’t ushered off to some type of mental help at some point. Even for a bad breakup she’s waaaaay out of it. But I have always loved how Meyer labels those blank pages with the months…Such a perfect, graphic way of showing Bella’s zombie period.

3. In Chapter 4 Bella claims to have finally ‘woken up’ after her night in Port Angeles. I think readers could also claim that it’s her first day spent in La Push with Jacob that truly brings Bella out of her funk…Thoughts?

I’ve never loved Chapter 4. It’s such an odd beginning to her ‘awake’ period of this novel. I like to think of her first day at La Push as her ‘waking up’. Truly Bella went from zombie to happy thanks to Jacob. The whole adrenaline thing is a big part of ‘waking up’ without the Cullens but I don’t think it’s as indicative of how Bella spends her period away from Edward. Really she spends it quite happy in Jacob’s company and Edward’s disembodied voice has very little to do with that experience.

4. In the final chapters of this section Bella begins to hear Edward’s voice. What do you think of Meyer’s choice of turning Bella into an adrenaline junkie in order to find a connection with Edward? Do you think Bella’s rule breaking and risk taking plays an important role in New Moon? or Is the whole disembodied voice a little freaky…even for Twilight?

I think it’s essential for Bella to have this period of teen rebellion. She’s such a rule-follower, stuck in this intense relationship with a vampire. While New Moon is far from my favorite title in the series what I enjoy about it (even more this second time around) is the freedom that loosing Edward gives her. If she’s going to give up her life she deserves a little time taking a few risks…while they’re still risks! I think that this period in the book gives her time to learn who she is separate from Edward and that’s a good thing.

P.S. I hate the disembodied voice, lol. What? Now Edward has new powers? Throwing his voice across continents? I refuse to believe that anyone is expected to believe that the voice is only coming from her head…though Meyer places full blame on Bella’s unconscious mind…nope, not believing it…

5. Oh Team Jacob fans…The love affair begins. But the Jacob we meet in the beginning of New Moon is different from the Jacob we’re introduced to in the movie. Which version do you prefer starting with (remember we’ve only read through ch. 8)…The sweet teen or the hottie on the rise? Maybe you’re able to see both in the book version? (see exhibit A for comparison…P.S. it’s from the scene where Bella falls off the motorcycle)

I am constantly surprised at Jacob in the books. He’s so young! And he acts so young! I like it. I think that it’s important that he remains the sweet teen during this phase of his relationship with Bella. What she needs right now is a friend…not a rebound relationship. And no girl is seeing those movie abs and thinking ‘friendship’…even if it is slightly illegal to say it (haha, Lautner is still younger than 18 right?). I just don’t get the hottie we see on-screen from Meyer’s description in the book. Though the haircut helps…the long hair is not enough to hide what is a very steroid manly body on-screen.

Questions for Chapters 9-18

1. “How was I ever going to fight the blurring lines in our relationship when I enjoyed being with him so much?” (210)

This is the section where we really see Bella toeing the line with Jacob. He’s not really Bella’s idea of boyfriend potential…and yet, she’s stringing him along. Do you think Bella is clear enough with Jacob on where he stands? (in relation to friend vs. boyfriend) Or is she using Jacob for more than just friendship?

1.5 Have you ever held a “back-up” boyfriend in your romantic history? How did that work out for you?

2. Once Bella figures out that Jacob is also a “mythical creature” she wonders why her life is so filled with characters from horror movies. If you could have a friend or two from the creepy creature department who would you pick? Feel free to break away from wolves and vampires…Invisible man maybe? Ghost? Swamp Thing? Get creative 😉

3. Bella automatically assumes that the wolves are bad, the ones causing the deaths in the woods. Both Vampires and the Wolves are dangerous creatures but only the Wolves are shown to have caused damage (Sam’s mauling of Emily’s face, the more unbalanced changing of the wolves). Why do you think Bella was so trusting of Vampires and skeptical of the Wolves?

4. Bella’s cliff diving…Another thrill seeking expedition? or Suicide? Rereading the scene that cinches Edward’s own suicide decision, how premeditated do you think Bella’s idea was? This second time around could you see Bella building up to the final jump? or were you as surprised as you were the first time around?

5. Bella talks about choosing Jacob in the last part of this section. And as she leaves to save Edward Jacob is still begging her not to go…Reminding her that she has a choice…Bella could have chosen Jake at this moment and changed the course of the series. If you were Bella which choice would you have made?

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