Edward or Jacob? If you are a Twilight fan you know what I am talking about! On August 2nd fans were able to pick up Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final book of Stephenie Meyer’s vampire romance series. As I write this, I am on page 391, just halfway finished. I cannot wait to find out what happens between Bella, Edward and Jacob.

You might be surprised to know Stephenie Meyer is a Mormon housewife. She admits she is too squeamish to sit through gory vampire movies. She had a vivid dream one night about a vampire and a human girl in a forest. They were in love. The boy deeply loves her but is drawn to her blood like a siren song. This scene later became chapter 13 in her first book, Twilight. New Moon and Eclipse followed in rapid succession turning her into a bestselling author.

It is a beautiful, old-fashioned kind of love story. This is why I think it resonated with me and so many other readers, young and (cough) more mature. Edward Cullen is a man nearly 100 years old inside the body of a devastatingly handsome 17-year-old boy. He does not think like today’s teenage boy. He is a gentleman who is courting Bella. It is an emotional love that goes behind the physical. On the other hand there is Jacob, her best friend who is also in love with her. Jacob has supernatural secrets of his own. When Edward leaves for a time, Bella is left heart broken. Jacob helps put her back together. Bella asks the question, should Juliet have chosen Paris over Romeo? What if Paris was a really great guy, her best friend, who would never hurt her? Bella does not have to change to be with Jacob. But to be with Edward forever she must change the very fiber of who she is.

While readers enjoy this romantic saga, I think they should ask themselves should Bella (and women like her) have to change for a man who cannot and will not change for them. I can’t wait to hear what you all think! I hope to see you on August 15 at 3 p.m. at the Lee Rd. Library to discuss Breaking Dawn.

Tonya Gibson is an employee of the Heights Libraries who enjoys writing and photography in her free time.