I am a 37 year old mother of two, who has no problem sitting down and reading teen and tween novels. I love to read. If a story is well written I will read it, no matter what the subject matter. If a book is popular with young people, then all the better, I am able to keep up with popular culture.

I am three books into the Twilight series. And I am seriously bothered by it. When I first started reading the series, I was grateful that someone had written a story about teenagers falling in love that didn't involve them getting into each others pants. (I liked the Harry Potter series for the same reason) I enjoy stories about the forces of good defeating the forces of evil, and that Edward wasn't necessarily a force of good really intrigued me. I think young girls are somewhat prone to falling for bad boys in one form or another, and Bella's struggle to continue a relationship that will ultimately be bad for her might be a good look in the mirror for some girls.

Now I have finished the third book, Eclipse. I really, really, REALLY, do not like the way Bella is now being portrayed in this book. She is weak, emotional, and considered to be a danger to herself if Edward ever leaves her side. She is more than willing to give up her entire life, because she feels her life isn't worth anything if Edward isn't part of it.

I have been married now for almost 8 years to a man I consider to be my soul mate. I did not meet him when I was 17. I didn't even meet him when I was 18, 19, or 20. I don't even remember who I was dating when I was 17. As human beings, we go through changes both physically and mentally as we mature. Bella isn't even giving herself a chance to mature, grow, and see what kind of amazing person she could become.

To Edward's credit, he is giving a half-hearted attempt to steer Bella into a direction that would allow her to grow, but ultimately he buying into the same nonsense about Bella not being able to survive without him. This is NOT a message I want my daughter, or her friends getting for a book. I am not some rabid feminist, but I think our girls have enough to fight against in popular culture without being spoon-fed the notion that a boy's love, no matter how suitable or not he may be, is what defines out like and gives us worth.

I will be starting the final book in the series next month. My friends have told me that the ending of the series is “satisfying”. That is a direct quote from one of my mom friends. I have hopes that the author will do right by our girls and give them an ending that does not undo a couple decades worth of work on young girls self-esteem. It's a tall order, but I have hope. If you already know the ending, please don't spoil it for me.