While most people will always remember where they were the moment that Kennedy was assassinated or the O.J. verdict came down, Twilighters can never forget a third event: Where they were when they bought their first Stephenie Meyer novel.
Somehow, the literary phenomenon had escaped me. Much like Pinkberry or Kelis’ “Milkshake” song, “Twilight” managed to capture the hearts and minds of millions while I was obliviously living a life without it. Then in January I interviewed Miss Kristen Stewart at Sundance as part of my job, and much like any day at the “office,” we discussed upcoming projects she was excited about. MTV News ran a brief item on her remarks, and it broke the Movies Blog record for reader comments!
That night, I found myself in a Barnes & Noble, determined to track down this girly novel that Kristen had spoken so highly of, and a few thousand of her soon-to-be-closest friends seemed to equally adore. A half-hour went by as I stumbled from the “Fiction” section to “Fantasy,” from “Romance” to “Sci-Fi,” looking under the T’s for “Twilight” and the M’s for Stephenie Meyer. Being a guy, I’d be damned if I was going to ask for help from some dude in a green apron.
My cell phone rang, and the wife asked what I was doing. I had enough time to explain that B&N must not carry this obscure book, when I suddenly came around the corner to a wall of black covers with hands holding an apple, staring back at me. It was surrounded by books aimed towards tween girls. Above the shelving read the words “Young Adult.”
One side of my brain yelled, “That’s the book!” while the other screamed, “You’re a 33-year-old man in the YA section! You look like Michael Jackson! Grab the book and get outta there!”
As I cracked the novel that evening, my shame turned to shock. I was digging the book – a lot – and found myself immersed in Bella’s Forks experience. It was unlike any vampire story I’d ever read and was refreshing in its determination not to fall into the stereotypical traps of teen romance. “Twilight” was completely unlike the work of my favorite authors (Vonnegut, Bukowski, Palahniuk), yet Meyer’s prose was similarly filled with a clarity of vision, cleverness and knack for dark humor.
Now I’ve read all three books, visited the set to make sure Catherine Hardwicke is on the right path (she is), and love talking “Twilight” with all the fans who visit MTV.com and the Movies Blog regularly. Mike Welch stopped by the studio Tuesday, and he was cooler than the other side of the pillow. A Twilight Mom who knows I have a baby on the way even sent me a plaque that reads “Twilight Dad,” which hangs in my office with great pride. Thanks, Julie!
I am a male Twilighter. I am the creepy old adult who hangs around the Young Adult section. I re-make the book cover in my spare time (see photo). And like so many others, I look forward to someday remembering where I was the first time I ever got to see “Twilight” the movie.
Congrats on the baby as well. How about Edward for a boy or Bella for a girl? Just a thought......
But don't worry, you are definitely not alone. But the other male twilighters aren't as brave as you....yet ;-).
Sweet article!
Love you MTV!
You're the best!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the books. It gives me faith that I will be able to talk my sweet hubby into reading them soon, too. After all, if MTV's Larry was comfortable enough with his manhood to read them.....
Thanks again, and congrats on your new little one on the way.
Thank you again for participating in our Twilight Guy Salute!
All our Love,
The Lexicon Admin Staff
you are not alone.. A friend of mine just started reading the book and has already admitted that he likes it.. (he is 37 and the father of my sweet godchild (6 month old)) so don't worry..
btw great article and great picture..
but in all honesty i don't get why guys automatically
assume that just because it's a Young Adult Novel and
has a love story that it is just girly...anyone can see the action
I think that it's just that the girls are more involved in the fandom
Guys should hype it up!
I just hope I can finally shove the book into the hands of my father XD He said he wants to read it but has been to busy... but that is no excuse anymore :D
That was a really great article, I'm kaing my boyfriend read it. ;)
We love you you know..^^
I sometimes wonder why I was born in Norway when I'm sutch a big Twilight fan..this really sucks you know..
Thanks anyway ^__^
You have far more company than you think. I have men friends & relatives aged 49 to 92 who are reading it or have just finished it. The 70 year old loved it. The others are liking it but not yet finished.
We love you Larry! Keep up the good work!
Yeah. Been hooked ever since.
Oh... and Larry... I've coaxed my husband into reading it, now. He's told me as of last night, he was just starting on the Port Angeles scene as Bella wanders off to find the bookstore. I just grinned and said: "And this is where it gets *GOOD*." So far, he's loving it, too. I'm hoping he'll be as addicted as I am.
~Jenni
Angie
Age 35
It takes a true man to admit what you just admitted to the world in print. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and your tidbits with us. You're a great advocate. Now I can link your article and share it with my brothers--"See! A guy can read Twilight and like it. Maybe you should too!"
Thanks for everything you do, Larry.
-Laurel
Thanks for everything you do. You rock my world :P.
and i love what you wrote.
its just so.. awesome.
no better word.
“You’re a 33-year-old man in the YA section! You look like Michael Jackson! Grab the book and get outta there!”
best line, ever.
congratulations on the baby :))
anyways, Love Ya Larry, thanks for always keeping us posted!!!! :D
and again, congrats on (soon) being a twilight dad!
While the fans have incited you to read the books, you have in turn, incited the fandom to seek out MTV. Something I haven't done in a...well, it's been a while, because MTV doesn't exactly show music anymore, doesn't really cover the bands I love, (Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Strokes, Spoon, Rakes, of course Muse etc...,etc...) But I have become a fan of the site, thanks to you and the staff who realized before ET or E! News, or any of the others, that this phenomenon wasn't a "Snakes on the Plane" web fluke. I not only read the articles, I actually COMMENT ON THEM! I never do that!
Also, my son, is a huge fan of the books and has the adoration of every girl in his class as a result. So, hopefully through your coverage and TWILIGHT guys finally coming out of the crypt...I mean closet...I think December could see an equal mix of male and female viewers. I hope so, anyway.
And if you get the chance to read this, where do we send the baby gifts? Seriously!!!
As always Larry, you ROCK!!!
Now, about the music....