Lorin Kleinman   Reading, writing, and occasionally eating.

Twilight is the first volume of Stephenie Meyer’s staggeringly successful series, which I had managed to be only dimly aware of until I found it in paperback at Manhattan’s aptly-named Books of Wonder.

Bella Swan, who serves as the narrator, has moved from Phoenix (which she inexplicably loves) to Washington State to live with her father. Bella was not popular at her old school, but this does not seem to be the whole reason for her move. Things have changed at her new school, where she has attracted the attention of the beautiful, but odd and stand-offish, Cullen family. Edward Cullen in particular becomes her friend.

The Cullens turn out to be vampires, though of an unusually scrupulous sort who do not drink human blood. Skirmishes with less-friendly vampires ensue, as Bella and Edward try to stifle their growing–and dangerous–feelings for each other.

The plot moves along briskly, and is entertaining. But having finished Twilight, I didn’t feel especially driven to read the next volume in the series. It doesn’t quite rise to the level of compelling. Fun, though.