2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss New Moon, the second book in the Twilight Saga series by Stephenie Meyer.

Pages: 563 pages

Length: 1 month (September)

Participants: bailey, D.L., Kalyn, Caterina

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

When is everyone starting this book? I can start over the long weekend.

I'm starting now actually :)

Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone! Can't wait to hear everyone's opinions on this one. As a teenager, this was my favorite book from the series as a whole so I'm excited

I wanna join this one too! Lol
It was run re-reading twilight!

@Kalyn - How long ago was it that you first read this book?

@Tabatha - Welcome, welcome!!

This was my first time finishing this book. I tried reading it when it first came out, but couldn't make it through the whole thing.

This time around, it was still a struggle to get to the end. Bella is obviously having a hard time, and it's not a pleasant experience reading through all that. The chapters showing her friendship with Jacob were the most compelling for me. As for Edward in this book, I could've done without the Romeo and Juliet vibes.

Caterina wrote: "@Kalyn - How long ago was it that you first read this book?

I was either in 8th grade or just started high school when I first read it so I think I was about 14 at the time maybe? And now I'm 23, so almost 10 years!

And now I feel old... haha

I'll be starting this one after the readathon! Excited to get back into the Twilight universe!!

I feel like I’m reading this one really slowly.

I have read all of these books back in high school, but I distinctly remember this one being my least favorite. I also dislike the movie the most too.

I have to say there’s a lot going on in my mind while re-reading this book.

When I was younger, I just thought Bella was being a drama queen and that she too easily got attached to people. However, now that I’m older, I actually feel really sorry for her. She went through this traumatic event (well several since being in Edward’s presence) while she was with Edward, so not only was she in love with him but she was also trauma-bonded, and then he just left. Despite what he thought was best for her, it was extremely selfish of him…especially to take away ALL of the Cullens from her. And then she starts to form a close attachment with Jacob only for a really similar scenario to start happening. No wonder she was suffering.

50% done. Have been really behind on my reading this month lol

I started it yesterday finally! Will probably also be slow with it and supplement my physical reading with some audiobook listening to help speed up the process.

Ch 1: (view spoiler)[ Wow the birthday party scene was pretty high drama. Bella was once again being quite moody, somewhat understandably, because she’s one year older than Edward. I can’t remember if I finished this one back in the day or not but I know this is toted as the worst of the series because of Bella’s intense struggle with mental health. (hide spoiler)]

I got around to re-watching New Moon and I think I like the movies better than the books. Again, I think the awkward interactions between characters work better on film than on paper. The movies also play up the love triangle much more than the books!

I also felt for Bella reading this book. It's hard to see someone struggling so much. You just want them to get better. However, I don't think her depression absolves her for using Jacob. (Imo, the missing part of this book series is Jacob discovering self-confidence.)

That is a good point, Caterina! Bella has every right to be depressed but not to use other people in the way that she’s going about it. I’m excited to rewatch all the movies now to see if I have a different opinion of them after reading the books.

I’m still chugging through New Moon, a little over halfway, and will catch up with you guys on Eclipse soon!!