I have written before on Twilight. There was the post about the book and then about the movie. I only add the linkage so you can get the full affect. Or is it effect? Anyways.
Now, I must write about the Coma that follows.
I picked up Twilight in August of last year. I read it, read it again, and pleaded with my husband to buy the next two. Then the fourth book came out, and he was a good sport and bought me that one too.
What he didn’t bargain for was the comatose-like state I was in for the next few weeks. I tried to explain to him, and to anyone else who would listen, about how fascinating it was to crawl into the imaginary world of Twilight, of Forks, Washington, of Italy, of a tiny island called Isle Esme. I tried to explain to Lance how I felt like a teenager again, how I wished I could go back to when just holding his hand gave me goosebumps, how the anticipatory first kiss shot electrical currents. He didn’t get it. The coma was a comfortable cocoon where reality was a far off thing and the imaginary world surrounded me.
I read the series three times in a row. I know what you’re thinking, because I would think it as well. You’re thinking, “Madness! Waste of time! Get a haircut!”
I found understanding in a few friends and coworkers, who loved the books as much as I do. We talked Twilight extensively, passionately. It was like a support group.
Finally, I picked up other books, trying to swim my way out of the world of Stephenie Meyer, and back into reality. Except, reality was just so boring. Reality was bills and work and laundry and mundane life. Reality had no sparkle.
I re-read the Harry Potter series, turning my eyes to J. K. Rowling‘s world. That helped for a time.
Finally, I was ok. I didn’t feel that pull to Twilight anymore. It became just a pleasant memory.
Then the movie came out on DVD.
The pull- it had me once more. I watched the entire DVD, all special features, both discs. It was an awesome evening. I just ignored Lance’s comments.
Now, I’m back to reading the books again.
Tell me, Twilight readers out there- have you experienced the Coma, too?
Sounds like tomatoes 
Posted by Natalie on March 27, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Hey Kearsie! I rediscovered your blog this morning and it is the perfect day. I love Twilight and I am not even ashamed. I can’t wait to watch all the extra stuff on the DVD but the baby has been keeping me busy (and I am back at work during the day). While the movie is not as good as the books (what movies are?), what did you think about the special feautures? Also, you need to send me your email address so I can send you guys some baby pictures.
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 27, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Natalie!!! I emailed you.
Special features – good, I would have loved to had the time to watch the movie with commentary (because I’m that much of a dork) so that’s on the agenda for the weekend.
The extended scenes were good too. Also, there’s a hot scene they cut from the movie of a dream Bella has and hello- …erm, it was nice.
Posted by Insanitykim on March 27, 2009 at 4:41 pm
No comment from the Peanut Gallery except…
psh.
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 27, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Kim, my only response is:
Rabies taste good. Mmmm.
Posted by Tina of Pfeiffer Photos on March 27, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I saw the movie first and then read only the first book (so far). I’ll probably get nailed for admitting it but I thought the movie was better than the book, and yes, that’s a rarity. The movie just pared it down to the essence and that was more effective for me than all the angst of the book. I did enjoy the book (couldn’t put it down actually–perhaps a small dose of the coma?) but it was just entertaining writing to me–went by fast and that kind of writing isn’t deep. Fun, yes! I will read the rest of the series eventually and look forward to the rest of the movie series, too. 🙂
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 27, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Oh my friend Tina (we’re friends because you commented). You have only dipped your toes in the Twilight world. I think by the time you get to the last one, you will have dived in and THEN, the coma will overtake you.
Unless you are one of those folks who aren’t sucked in. Then, you will scoff and mock me. Then we will have to break up.
Posted by Robin on March 27, 2009 at 5:53 pm
oh yes. me likey this post very much. i so love to talk extensively about twilight, but i hold myself back cause i don’t wanna look like a dork. i too had a relapse when the movie came out. i am still relapsing actually. harry potter did help for a time, but he is no where near as hot as edward. edward was battling hormones and people trying to kill his girlfriend, him being one of those people! as much as i love and sympothize with harry, there is no comparison. i think it is so weird that no book series or movie has ever done this to me before.
love, your “right there with ya friend”….robin
Posted by G N Mills on March 27, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Insomnia or coma are words that remind me of reading the series. The coma was mine and the insomnia was my wife. I drove her crazy reading late into the night with my bedside light on. The books were addicting for me. I could not put one down until I had read it. The movie was just ok for me.
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 27, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Garrett (I assume this is Garrett), I applaud you for being brave enough to admit reading the books and loving them.
Men out there, take notice.
Also, I read until 12:45 last night, so I get this.
Posted by nuvonova on March 27, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Ha, ha ha! This really made me laugh… but yes, I know the feeling.. I would stay up so late reading the books and when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking. There are lots of areas that aren’t covered properly, like, did Bella ever menstruate? .. but anyway, I was still hooked! The DVD hasn’t released in the UK yet, but I will be getting it!
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 27, 2009 at 6:26 pm
HAHAHAAHAHA Nuvonova, that is an EXCELLENT question. Thanks for stopping by! You will love the movie when you get it. I hope.
Posted by G N Mills on March 27, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Kearsie! How could you tell it was me?
I would always take my teenage son with me so noone would think it was for me.
Joking.
Posted by Insanitykim on March 27, 2009 at 7:06 pm
The fact that anyone is discussing the chick’s menstruation grosses me out beyond belief…I think I will remove this movie from our Netflix queue.
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 27, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Kim, I think you just broke my comments.
Posted by Mrs. Musings on March 27, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Totally experienced the coma. Sadly, I cannot reread books and it happened before I broke my leg. Wouldn’t bed rest have been awesome otherwise? I am waiting for the movie to be delivered to my house. Here is hoping its there when I get home!
Posted by Jenny on March 28, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I’m reading New Moon now and have the other two books lined up and I’m already anticipating my little numb coma. I read fast, very fast. New Moon comes out in November. I’m going to be a freaking Zombie.
I read Twilight in two days, I’ve seen the movie 3 times so far on DVD. I’m addicted…. 😦
Posted by Joel on March 28, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Being that men rule the world, and are resposible for the really historic things that happen in said world, and seeing as men shouldn’t like twilight because it’s appeal reaches only young females (well any female seeing as all women stop maturity around age 16), I am therefore not suprised at this coma and look at all of you like a dear grandfather looks at his grandchildren-with love, support, and a bit of amusment-mixed with a deep desire to see them grow into responsible adults some day! Awake sleepers Awake!
Posted by Jenny on March 29, 2009 at 3:59 pm
LMAO@Nuvanova.
I thought the same thing! If he was sooooooo attracted to her smell and couldn’t stand to be around her when she pricked her finger or got a paper cut how could he be around her if she got her period?! That little detail being left out drove me insane!
Posted by Joel on March 29, 2009 at 11:10 pm
You’re kidding me right? That tops it off!
Posted by Nicole Wilson on March 30, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Hey There,
I’m a good friend of Casey Chappell. She sent me a link to your post.
She knows me well… My Twi-Coma started around Thanksgiving last year. I bought the first book thinking it would help me in social situations with women around me knowing that everyone was reading this series.
Over the next eight days, I had read all 4 books. I barely ate. I couldn’t control my emotions. I even lost several pounds.
I still love all things Twilight, but I help myself by not reading it everyday like I used to.
🙂
~Nicole Wilson
twitter.com/nicolewilson
(there’s a whole group of Twi-Twitter ladies… if you ever just wanna come soak in the goodness of all thing Edward Cullen/Robert Pattinson)
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 30, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Nicole, thanks for stopping by!! I had the same experience with no eating, full of emotions, constant reading. It was a mess. A delicious, wonderful mess.
Posted by Lori on March 30, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Oh my goodness! I absolutely know EXACTLY what you mean, Kearsie! So glad I’m not the only one who went through and is still addicted to the coma. And I read the series 4 times in a row when I first discovered them, so I don’t think you’re weird. 🙂 (Of course, that has no bearing on whether we’re both weird.)
Nicole, I’m right there with you. I barely slept, ate, or moved from the couch the first time I read them. I read each book in one day – during the week. I seriously considered calling into work so I could read instead (for the record, I didn’t)! I even woke up one morning (without an alarm clock) at 4:30am to finish the 4th book after going to bed at 2am. Yeah, seriously, sadly addicted. What got me over the addiction, you ask? The high of the discovery of Midnight Sun, only to bottom out after finding out it might not ever be finished. 😦 So, so sad.
The movie was just okay…I kept leaning over to my friend who introduced me to the books and whispering things like, “That’s not what the Edward in my head looks like at all!”, “The Cullens’ house is supposed to be white!”, and “Well, that scene was much, much better in the book.” So, when my hubby asked (while rolling his eyes, I might add) if I was going to the midnight release of the movie to DVD, I said no and informed him that I wasn’t going to buy it. (Actually, I’m waiting to buy them all at once…you know they’re going to put them in an unbelievably cool, must-have-for-every-fan collector’s box once they’re all released.)
I’m happy to report I’ve been Twilight-free for over one month now. (I’m assuming this does not include frequent visits to the author’s website or thinking about the story in waking or dreaming moments.)
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 30, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Wait. Lori? As in Lori – Danny’s assistant, secretary, personal helper thingy Lori?
*cabbage patch, white girl dance, clapping enthusiastically*
Unless this is a different Lori, erm.
I gave up Twilight for approximately 3 months. Then I went back to using. But I’ve got a handle on it this time. Promise. That’s why I only stayed up until 4:45 Sunday morning to finish Eclipse for the 5th time in a row. And dude, if I told you about my dream with Edward/Robert Pattinson, this blog might have a PG-13 rating. Also, this comment just disgusted my husband. Sorry for the overshare, Lance. I love you more than Edward.
Posted by Lori on March 30, 2009 at 8:43 pm
You’re very right! The one and only!! (Although Danny constantly tells me he can replace me…with just about anyone else). You didn’t think I gave up on stalk-, I mean, reading your blog, did you??
Good to hear you have a handle on your addiction…4:45am isn’t so bad…I’m so proud of you! You didn’t fall asleep on Sunday in church, did you? Otherwise I might have to categorize that as a relapse…
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on March 30, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Thankfully, we went to church the night before. I was allowed to stay up. Because dude, priorities. Am I right?
Posted by Lori on March 30, 2009 at 8:52 pm
So right. Good to see you have your priorities in the right order.
Posted by Garrett on April 2, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Just a quick series of questions to help my curiosity.
What made the Twilight series so addictive to you?
What parts of the authors writing appealed to you the most?
Which character or characters did you get most attached to?
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on April 2, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Hmm, let me ponder these.
1. What made the Twilight series so addictive to me?
I suppose it is the imagination side of me that felt like I was practically living in Forks, I *had* to know what was going to happen next. Plus, this is all fantasy world so it was so interesting. I don’t know if I would have been riveted to these books if these were just boring accountants and janitors or whatever.
2. What parts of the authors writing appealed to me the most?
Well, unlike Stephen King, I think Stephenie Meyer is a fantastic writer. She writes with lots of details, with lots of emotion so you have to be a robot to not be moved. Plus, I’m a girl. With a girly mind and heart and feelings, so I got swept away by all the teenage romance part of it, too.
3. Which character or characters did I get most attached to?
Well, of course the obvious: Bella and Edward. It took me a long time to appreciate the aspect of Jacob. I’ve read through the series 5 times now (don’t judge me, people) and it was this last time that I tried to view the Bella/Jacob scenario with wider eyes.
Now, appease my curiousity, Garrett. Your turn to answer!
Posted by Garrett on April 2, 2009 at 6:29 pm
1. The series was attractive to me for similar reasons. Imagination is a great way of breaking up the harsh reality of life sometimes. The author did a great job of sucking you into the imaginary world and entertaining you with it. Yes, it was a love story based through the eyes of a teenage girl. It was also a story of vampires, Indian Culture and wolves. Wolves are my favorite.
2. This questions is hard for me to answer. It may be I am just easy to please with books. I really did enjoy how she later on let you see the story though the eyes of Jacob. It was also fun to see how she made the main character seem human for a change. She was clumsy, she got into trouble like any true teenager would and she was extremely emotional. That is something a lot of people fail to capture. She did a great job of taking us back to the teenage years where love, lust and desire are powered by our out of balance hormones. Those feelings were so strong they made us all a little insane.
3. Edward and Jacob are the two that I got the most attached to. Could this be because I am a male and they are too? Maybe. Bella was a great character as well. I guess I just felt that with Edward and Jacob it reminded me of the teenage years. Even though we need to remember Edward is no teen. He is over 100 years old. It was easy to get wrapped up in the protective feeling they had for Bella.
Posted by Meg on April 4, 2009 at 5:07 am
okay, I stumbled open this because I literally googled “anyone else read the twilight series several times in a row?” I just needed to know if I was just that crazy, or had that much of an addictive personality. I just can’t step away from this series, I am so attached to the characters, and I have so much love for the world that it takes me into… I never want it to end. and every-time i finish breaking dawn i get so sad that its over. But i force myself, or at least try to force myself to step away from the books for a while, but then i just end up picking them up all over again. and with the movie out on dvd now… oh man I have watched that countless times.
I am 24 and i certainly have things to do, and I do have to admit that this has kept me from my work ( I do freelance on my own schedule) and I find my self trying to rationalize with why i need to take breaks to read. I have tried to pick up other books but I can’t connect with them the way I do with twilight.
So I think I will just have to accept twilight as a hobby, something I love to indulge myself in . Its rather fun.
Posted by Candy MOrris on April 5, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I wasn’t going to commect to this but, here it goes… I don’t mean to be the downer of the group but this blog (and comments) are the exact reason I am very cautious and most likely will never read or watch the movie. Maybe I am being extreme, but don’t we have enough distractions in the world then introducing ourselves to something that consumes us like this “book” is doing to MANY of my friends I just don’t see how it can better my life. I pray you don’t take this wrong but I hope your comma doesn’t last long cause I need you in the real world Kearsie…
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on April 6, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Meg! I’m so glad you stumbled upon my blog and felt comforted by the fact that others out there are as into Twilight as you. I admit I was secretly afraid writing this blog that people would read it and be like, “You’re a freak! Get a life!” Instead I am finding I am not alone, which is oh, so sweet to hear…
I’m reading other things now, so the Twilight Coma has waned, and I’m actively part of society now. I think I’ll look at the Twilight world as you do, as a hobby.
Candy, haahaha, you know, it is smart people like you that keep the rest of us easily influenced people on the straight and narrow. I totally understand the need to eschew these books. And probably, if you read them, you wouldn’t fall into the Twilight Coma like I did. I fell, because I am an “escapist” and needed to find a break from Reality. These were perfect. You would probably not succumb to the pull like I did. For that, I admire you.
Posted by Lori on April 9, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I have recently lapsed back into the coma. Yes, it’s completely this blog posting’s fault.
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on April 9, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I fear I have been a very bad influence on the world in regards to Twilight. I apologize profusely. Also, what do you think the New Moon movie will be like?
Posted by Lori on April 9, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Oh, I didn’t say I wasn’t enjoying the coma…just that it’s completely back like I never even left.
Not sure about the movie since the first one wasn’t my favorite. Plus, New Moon is my least favorite…I guess because I miss Edward. With a new director, I’m excited to see what her twist on it will be. But with re-reading the series again, I’m sure they’ll have to leave out the finer points like Jacob growing so quickly. I wonder how they’ll do the Volturi scene… What do you think??
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on April 9, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I am very leery of how they will do New Moon. I confess that the last few times I’ve read it, I skipped the whole Jacob part to get to the good stuff with Edward. But this last time, I tried to read with new eyeballs and really get into why Bella would head dive so quickly with Jacob. I can appreciate it a little more, but I do wonder how the movie will be able to reflect all the emotional turmoil Bella goes through without her seeming ridiculous. (Everyone reading this who is not a fan is saying “Too late!” I answer with “Shutty!”) I do admit the first movie was lacking in a lot of ways, so I really hope this second movie is better, even if they have to change some elements. Because, really, these books being so narrative, it’s just impossible to make the movie be exactly like the book. I did hear that Dakota Fanning is going to play Jane, so that will add a cool element.
Posted by Lori on April 9, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Good to know I’m not the only one who skips that part!! And that’s a great point…narration and inner thoughts are hard put on screen. Like when they totally botched the part on the first one when Edward smells Bella for the first time during Biology. I really like Dakota Fanning’s work…I’m excited to see her in this role.
Posted by soundsliketomatoes on April 9, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Hahaha, Lori, if you REALLY want a treat, watch the DVD with the commentary. Robert Pattinson is a wee bit different. And also, it’s funny because they make fun of themselves a lot. Like, in the ballet studio, when Bella is screaming “my hand is on fire” and her eyes all cross ahahahahahha, that just made me laugh. And she hated that. Also, something about how the editing department or someone thought her eye was all wonky. Anyways, it’s funny.