I haven't read the book because it never appealed, but I thought I'd try the DVD (reason being it takes less time to watch a movie). We watched it over two nights because I kept nodding off to sleep during the first half. (It was that gripping.) The second half was much better, though. I thought it only took off when Bella went home to meet Edward's family. And at the end I was quite interested to know what will happen next. What will happen between Edward and the young Native American lad whose name I have forgotten? And what was the female vampire (Victoria?) who appeared at the end up to? I'm almost tempted to read the second book in the saga to find out.

However, I have realised just how little I know about vampires. I didn't realise, for example, that they don't eat or drink. Or sleep. Or that they could move so fast or play baseball so well. Or that they could tell what people are thinking. I don't think I've actually read a book about vampires, not even Dracula. I don't think I've ever watched a vampire movie either. So no wonder I didn't know how much was based on vampire myth and how much had been made up by Stephanie Meyer.

Why are people so into vampires at the moment? The YA shelves are crammed full of books with titles like Vampire Academy. I'm not sure I really get it. And why is sex with a vampire such a very desirable thing?