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.
I really hope that first you see the movie you speak of is at the premiere! You deserve it!!!
And...you could of course take me with you!
I 'turned' one of my guy friends into a Twilighter, and he enjoys it as much as every fan girl. He's got a girlfriend, by the way,hah.
I think it's amazing to have guys on the fandom.
and we are glad u picked up Twilight and enjoyed it. theres nothing to be ashamed of!
MTV- give Larry a raise!
I remember when I bought my book. it was september 18, 2007, roughly 10:20, and I was running around after my friend at a book fair in my schools library, asking 'is there romance???' with the book in my hands. i decided to buy the book. it was most likely the best choice i've ever made..
one of the many reasons we love you, larry :]
ps. your noy creepy jsut the coolest male adult ever!
I know there are more guy twilighters out there, because a 20 year old guy got me to read the books, and like you I never even heard of them up to that point. (and for the record, I'm 21 and a girl) I read all 3 in 6 days and now I'm hooked and can't wait till Breaking Dawn comes out! And of course, I can't wait for the movie either =)
I think if more guys admitted to liking this series they would have more girls attracted to them, lol!
Words cannot explain.
Oh, and 'the creepy man hanging round the YA section' would easily be cancled out once you tell everyone who you are...or just wear a name tag..'Larry Carroll- Awesome MTV writer/interviewer guy'
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Whenever you post something, you totally make my day... and I'm glad to see that your articles are written out of genuine interest from a true "Twilighter". :)
Keep it up!
Young adult chick book.
Please turn in your man card today.
Seriously- every time you write a new article it always makes my day! And it's so good to know that it's coming out of genuine interest from a true "Twilighter". :)
Keep 'em coming!!
Good for you Larry.
but honestly, if i saw some 30 year old dude next to me in the YA section, i'd probably leave. hahaha!
congrats on the baby!
You're awesome Larry :D
And I've even seen a few guys around school with the book under their arm.
It's so cool to know that their are Twilight guys out there!!!
Thanks Larry!
"cooler than the other side of the pillow" HaHa...That is awesome :D
Now, seriously, thank you so much for your special attention to twilight. I aprecciate it!
Congratulations on your soon to be arriving baby, better get some sleep now.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You are the MAN!! I know of a few men/boys to read the books and they like a good story too regardless of where it's located in a book store or library. It's just a great joy and pleasure to know that the person reporting on the story is also a fan. Okay, I'm also old enough to remember when MTV didn't have commercials and you had to live "in" city limits to get cable. You have brought me back to my roots and my "youth". Thanks for all your work, I look forward to Tuesdays so much more than I used to! Keep up the good work, I/WE LOVE YOU LARRY!!!
LOVE
the fact that you read twilight they are just amazing books that will take your breath away =]
and i found it funnyn when you were thinking:
“You’re a 33-year-old man in the YA section! You look like Michael Jackson! Grab the book and get outta there!”
And i give you my props because you came to love twilight and that i reward you
lol
hey all the guys should get a round of applause because they actually love twilight like must of us ladies do
lol
you guys rock !!!
LOVE
the fact that you read twilight they are just amazing books that will take your breath away =]
and i found it funnyn when you were thinking:
“You’re a 33-year-old man in the YA section! You look like Michael Jackson! Grab the book and get outta there!”
And i give you my props because you came to love twilight and that i reward you
lol
hey all the guys should get a round of applause because they actually love twilight like must of us ladies do
lol
you guys rock larry !!!
"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!”
...I wish I could've caught that on camera, lol! Like Edward, you had your own inner turmoil moment. To see the look(s) on your face, ahahaha, it would've been priceless! :D *group of mom's stare at Lare"
i love that you're a twilighter,
and i love you larry (:
(ps, congrats on the soon to be baby twilighter!)
Besides, we ladies get Jacob, Edward, Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle and you gentlemen can have Bella, Rosalie, Alice, Esme, and Leah. It's fair trade, if I do say so myself! :)
i have guy friends who only call me at night to talk about The Books because they dont think its "manly" enought. but i cant wait to show them this article.
i am just so enthralled with you!
i love that you are not just reporting on the movie but you actually read the books.
i officially love you
KaMeesha Barker
*by the way im deff not a "tween" i hata that word. im 18 and will be reading about edward and bella until my heart stops beating
*fingers crossed*
then last week I had my friend Andrew read it, believe it or not he actually asked if he should and then once finished with it, he asked for the next two books!
and he's not the kind of guy that would normally be into something like Twilight
it's awesome you love it too Larry
&& Congrats on almost being a Twilight Dadd! :)