Don't judge a book by it's...what?

The moralistic phrase is one that has been running through my mind frequently these past few days. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Not only does it pertain to the obvious--books--but of course, to other matters of life. For example, me. There is nothing that makes my blood boil more than stereotyping. (Well I'm sure I could name a few more things, but I won't.) Granted we all do it, we're human, it happens. But sometimes the ignorance people display through it completely baffles me.

Let's start with a few examples.

Remember that stud, Mr. Wickham? You know, the strapping, young soldier from Jane Austen's, Pride and Prejudice. He wooed all the girls right off their feet, including young Lydia Bennet. Sure he was respectable, honorable, and what not. After all, he was a militant and easy on the eyes, not to mention charming. Oh yes, but he was also a conniving, greedy little bugger as well. Under all his facade and woo, he was nothing more than a money hungry bastard. Strike one for appearances not proving accurate.

Who's next? Ah, let's discuss Mr. Edward Cullen. Yes, the one from the ever popular Twilight series. Here we have the cold skinned, blood drinking, undead vampire. The accused is supposed to hunt on the living, violently killing to feed his thirst, letting nothing stop him or get in his way. Ha! Ed is nothing more than a hopeless romantic, a vegetarian, if you will (he only drinks the blood of animals), and is madly in love with the innocent and humble Bella Swan. Strike Two!

Lastly, I'll give you a classic. Everyone knows her. The White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia. Even her name portrays a false exterior. Not that I know much about Wicca, but a "white" witch is normally one who practices good magic. So here comes along the White Witch, zapping Turkish Delights out of her wand and luring little boys into her dark, sinister fortress as if it were an amusement park. What's beneath her snow white skin and alluring looks? Only an evil, Satanic like woman who turns innocent people and creatures into stone with a flick of her wand. OK, strike three, you're out.

So what do these appearances-not-being-all-they-seem have to do with anything? In short, I'm tired of them.

Why are people so shocked when I tell them my favorite band is Nirvana? Or why is it that I get looks of bewilderment when they hear my Jimi Hendrix ringtone? How about the fact that I'm an English major, adore books, and plan to write for a living; yet people are absolutely stunned by this. Point blank. They stereotype me. Do I have to look like Courtney Love to appreciate 90s rock? Or be a 61 year old hippie to listen to The Beatles and Janis Joplin? Must I act like a complete "geek," wear oversized glasses, and dress up in Elizabethean clothing to portray myself as an English major? I don't think so. Let's think a little outside the box, shall we?

Clearly, appearances are not all they are cracked up to be. Much like the characters in my favorite novels, I've been judged faster than a slandered woman in a Shakepspeare play. I mean, I've even been stereotyped for my boyfriend's ethnicity. (Another reason why people are mystified by my taste in music). He's Hispanic so supposedly he's only to like...what? Rap? Funny story, I'm pretty sure he likes Pearl Jam and Lynyrd Skynyrd more than me. Strike one million and one for those damn stereotypical people. I think we need to start taking a deeper look before we judge. Or as they say, and yes I will say it, don't judge a book by it's cover.

Stereotypical stereotypes

Join the Club

"Are you going to write a book one day?" my mother asked me. I had my nose stuffed in another one of Stephenie Meyer's masterpieces. I looked up at her thoughtfully, and explained that I wasn't sure if I'd ever write one. But her question got me thinking.

As much as I love them, I could never see myself writing a whole novel. But would I even write a novel? Maybe it would be a memoir. One of my favorite paperbacks of all time is an autobiography: Riding In Cars With Boys. But I never became impregnated in the 1950s and then raised a child on my own, much like Beverly Donofrio, the author, and main character of the book. Yet I'm sure my crazy days as a rebel teenager would make for a good page turner. But I'm not so sure I'd want all those experiences in print. It's a thought though. Maybe a science fiction? I did win an award in the fourth grade for my story on "The Weird Alien." Not exactly the next Star Wars, but the Child's Play Touring Theater did make it into a play and perform it at my school.

Perhaps I will just stay on the road to journalism. Short stories, blogs, and articles seem to be more my forte. But you never know where the road may lead. I read that Stephenie Meyer had the idea of Twilight come to her in a dream. The rest has been history. Perhaps I'll start writing down all my dreams.

Tiffanie Meets Twilight

The first time I had ever heard about the Twilight series, I was writing for The Lowell Sun newspaper.

“Hey, Tiffanie, have you heard of this Stephenie Meyer yet?” Rachel asked me amongst the newsroom scuffle.

“Um, nope. Should I have?” I asked cautiously.

“Well there is going to be this huge midnight release party at Barnes and Noble this week for her new book, Breaking …something or other. Why don’t you get the scoop on it? I guess it’s pretty big.”

After “Googling” Stephenie Meyer, I was bombarded with dozens of links regarding this new, top selling author. I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself as I called Barnes and Noble, waiting to retrieve information about a midnight extravaganza regarding a book that consists of a love triangle between a vampire, a werewolf, and a teenage girl.

So who would’ve thought, months later, I would be hopelessly addicted and enthralled with this woman’s work? Not I. But like an addict to their drug of choice, I was hooked.

Now I’m not saying that I ran out to the closest bookstore after getting off the phone with Barnes and Noble that afternoon. After all, I was still rather baffled by this vampire romance craze. Why was it so special that even the Barnes and Noble associate had to stifle a retort of disgust when I casually admitted to not knowing much about the series? None the rest, I forgot about it after leaving work that day.

Then it reared its mysterious head again when I started noticing the bumper stickers. No, not the ones on the back of vehicles, but the ones you send to your friends on Facebook while procrastinating on that 10 page paper: “Edward Cullen is a VILF,” “Team Edward,” “Addicted to Twilight,” “Breaking Dawn: Give me the book before someone gets hurt,” and my favorite, “People who get annoyed by Twilight bumpers stickers haven’t read the book.”

Facebook Bumper Stickers

Well that last one just screamed for my attention. Maybe I would pick up a copy of the book. After all, I’m always looking for something new to read. I was only hesitant about the series after hearing it was like the new Harry Potter. My thoughts on Harry Potter: little boys running around with magic wands. Not exactly my cup of tea.

Yet I was daring and bought a copy. But let's back up a few steps. Embarrassingly, I have to admit, I saw the movie first. I was forced into it, I swear. Normally, I would refuse to see a movie before I read the book. Never judge a book by it's movie, ya know? But oddly enough my boyfriend wanted to see the movie and knew I was interested as well; so we went opening weekend. Needless to say, I was enamored after the first ten minutes. Leaving the movie theater in a daze, I couldn't help but think, if the movie was that good, the book must be unbelievable. In my opinion, as an English major and a bookworm, the book is almost always better than the movie.

Finally, I got my hands on a copy of the book. Within minutes of opening it, I was entranced. I couldn't put it down. Meyer unfolds a story of romance, suspense, innocence, and the supernatural in a unique and captivating flow of written words.

Now keep in mind, this is merely how I became acquainted with the Twilight phenomena. I have not yet begun to feed you the oodles of details on why I adore it. But rather than overwhelm you with all this Twilight enlightenment, I will simply leave you with a quote:

"About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him--and I didn't know how dominant that part might be--that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him." (Stephenie Meyer, Twilight)