Crackliture

This is a repost from my early days of blogging.... but, in honor of Stephenie Meyer and Breaking Dawn... we should all reflect on the wonder that is Twilight.

One of my gifts from God (or the Universe, Allah, Brad Pitt, whomever you worship) is reading fast.... crazy fast.  It's not like speed reading, I read every word and comprehend everything.  This super-power is what enabled me to major in History in college (and skip class on a somewhat regular basis) and read tons of books quickly and easily.

A good story takes me over.  I get so into a book that while I am reading my husband has to get in my face to get my attention... for me, reading is better than any tv show or movie.  Especially if the book is good.  Like forgo sleep and other fun activities starting with "s" good.

To honor these amazing works, I have created a word.. which I do believe is my own invention and I will be running to legalzoom.com shortly after this post to trademark it:  Crackliture.

(Literature that is totally addictive... hence the "crack" reference)

Now to qualify for this badge of honor, the work must result in the reader being all-consumed, totally obsessed, to the point that they forgo all else to devour the piece of writing at hand.

When I was young, the "Little House on The Prairie" series, "Charlotte's Web" or "Nancy Drew" came close.  Later, Judy Bloom walked me through puberty and as a young twenty-something woman, I indulged in the classics of "Wuthering Heights", "Pride and Prejudice" as well as Danielle Steel.  

In the past few years I've dabbled in popular literature.  Some of the best being: "The Red Tent", "Memoirs of a Geisha", "One Thousand White Woman" and all Philippa Gregory had to offer.

While these are all great books, I didn't find them life-altering.  Nothing that had me up for hours pondering, thinking, examining...

That is, until  Twilight. (thank you Heather)  It took some serious convincing to get me to read it... After all, I am into historical fiction with strong female characters... this was a teen book about vampires... eeeeewwwww.

So, going against my better judgement, I bought it.  I read it.  All 500+ glorious pages in a 24 hour period.  Then I read the 2nd installment "New Moon" and the third "Eclipse" in the next 2 days.  

I immersed myself in this story.  I peddled this drug to anyone who would buy it and before I knew it, I had created an army of women addicted.  Totally and completely addicted to Crackliture.

I am telling you, these books changed my life.  You're probably thinking, "How can that be?  It's a teen novel."  Oh it be, sister, it be.

Twilight brought my love... no, addiction to reading back into my life.  I started making time to read.  I started going to lunch with friends to obsess about the story, the character, the choices, the teen years, the truest kind of love... I have had a friend call me sobbing that the heartache the books tell of is just too much to bear.  I have seen a woman courageously defend her decision to marry a friend instead of the love of her life.  For me (and many others), the book reminds me of how lucky I am to have married the man that still makes by heart skip a beat.. literally.

"The Twlights" speak to a level so much deeper than high school, vampire love.  They speak to a time we have passed.  When all of our choices were ahead of us.  When the consequences of choosing your true love were meaningless as long as you were together.  When choices were solely yours to make, without the thought of those who depend on you now.  A time when you truly believed that love was enough to conquer all.

These books have started and fueled deep, honest and meaningful conversations with other women that I would never had been privy to without the fodder Edward and Bella's love story provide.  I am so grateful.  Thank you, Stephenie Meyer, thank you.

So, all that is left is to say is, "Hello, my name is Tiffany, and I am an vamp-a-holic."

PS- Go ahead and comment I know you are out there!  If you don't have an id, just post as anonymous and let me know who you are!

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