I raced through Twilight and New Moon as books on CD. Listening while I draw/paint/sketch. Normally I get lots and lots of work done accompanied by a book on tape or CD. But with Twilight and New Moon I'd be listening and suddenly realize I'm NOT working...just sitting there spellbound to this great new teenage vampire romance.

It ISN'T for the faint of heart: there is a ton of mushy love passages in here and I'm afraid it turned one person off. Aaron had to use my computer for a few days (next to my drawing table) and he nearly vomited all over my keyboard from all the smushy romance. CLEARLY he missed the exciting portions that include Ferraris and motorcycles, but I don't think those 'guy' it up enough. It is a book for girls that love stories about remote blood sucking males, strong teen girl characters with entirely age appropriate naiveté and growth spurts, and FANTASTIC mythology set in good old Washington state. Ms. Meyer did an amazing job fleshing out the background of these local vampires and werewolves.

Read it as a group around a crackling fire or listen to it on tape/CD as you drive through the woodsy areas of the Olympic Peninsula.

In the same 'vein' of atypical vampire stories is a British mini series favorite UltraViolet. I know you can rent it on DVD in Seattle, or go ahead and buy it--UltraViolet is fun for a winter couch-snugglefest with cocoa and high-necked sweaters.