What’s The First Book That Made You A YA Fan? Twilight…
AUGUST 26TH, 2026
“Everyone’s reading this … and I think you should.” I looked at the note and Amazon package in my hand. A late birthday present from a friend, and I had no idea what she was talking about! I ripped open the package and stared at a book – TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer. What? What was my friend thinking? But I could imagine her laughing and telling me to … “just try it.”
The blurb on the back read – romance – teens – vampires … No, it wasn’t a book I would pick off the shelves or download, BUT… I loved “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” TV shows. I’d even had the pleasure of walking around the sets on the backlot of Fox Studios. I’d sat in Buffy’s bedroom. Walked around The Bronze. Stood in the Mayor’s office. Searched through the stacks of the library. All good fun but strictly no photos!
Twilight sat on my bookshelf.
I can’t even remember what I was reading at the time … or if I was even reading? Life and work often got in the way of any downtime. My job in the animation industry, and later as a film editor, was all-consuming. Every project was a passion. It’s hard to pull away from one creative thing, to submerge into something else.
I’m not even sure how it happened, but eventually my Mum read Twilight – she loved it – and asked why I hadn’t read it? … So that was it! I bought New Moon for Mum to continue with the saga, and I sat down to read … and read … and read.
I am the world’s slowest reader.
BUT … Why hadn’t I read the book earlier? … I loved it as well!
Twilight resonated with me in so many ways. The nerdy girl. The outsider watching life from the edges who felt out of place. That was me! It was familiar rather than flawed. The idea of Bella being seen despite her awkwardness was a powerful affirmation.
We are not invisible! And if you wait – to belong – to be understood – to become – Twilight eases the waiting with a promise that something extraordinary can find you, exactly as you are.
Heightened emotions and drama fill the pages of Twilight. The characters’ feelings are overwhelming, all-consuming, and the book doesn’t diminish that. It honours it. As I read the last page, I wanted more … needed the next instalment.
The complete saga: Twilight. New Moon. Eclipse. Breaking Dawn. The novella: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner and Midnight Sun were something to be shared with enthusiasm. The saga spanned across age groups and brought YA stories into the mainstream. There was an honesty to it that captured our hearts, our imaginations.
I never expected a book about teenage romance and vampires to change the course of my writing. Did I ever think I would be writing stories for a YA audience? NO! Did I ever think I’d delve into the fear and uncertainty of what we dread as a young adult? NO! Did I ever think I’d write about teenage hope and romance? NO! … But I do – I want to inspire readers just like Twilight inspired me.
Some of my stories can be found in the “Short Story” section.
- Jane
Fiction Rebellion Heroine