Back in 2008, when the first Twilight movie was released, I was still a casual reader. I was always reading something, but without internet access at home, I was enjoying books pretty much on my own, with no social media influencing my reading habits or purchases. Just a girl who liked to read for fun. When a friend invited me to go to the cinema to watch a new movie about vampires, I gladly went along. I had no idea then, that once I left that theatre, the Twilight Saga would become something to obsess about. As soon as the lights went on, I faced my friend in complete silence, wide-eyed: the movie had blown me away completely, and I was ecstatic to find out it was based on a book series. I loved books more than movies, and now I didn’t have to wait for the second installment, I could just pick up the second book in the series and find out what would happen next (of course I started with the first book, I’m not a barbarian). One thing that definitely still makes me think about Twilight, are dream catchers. Now, I know every Twilight fan – including me, I’m afraid – was buying fake dream catchers after watching the scene where Jacob offers one to Bella. Nowadays, I see the Twilight saga in a different light; I haven’t read the books in ages, and I don’t think it’s exactly an issue to enjoy problematic things, as long as you are aware of the harm they are causing and you don’t support them. I cannot unsee the cultural appropriation and toxic relationships in the series, but I continue to think of Twilight when I see dream catchers. A few days ago, as I was reminded of Twilight by dream catchers once again, I considered the effect books have on the ways we see the world, and I realised that there are quite a few books that have changed my relationship with things: the way I see those things and how I always think about the book when I stumble upon them. I’ve asked a few Book Riot contributors to share with our readers the books they have read and which things those books have changed for them. You can read that below. And if you’re wondering what my literary hill to die on is, that’s easy: while I think the Twilight books leave a lot to desire, I still consider the first Twilight movie to be da bomb. You can donate to the Quileute tribe here, to help support a Native nation impacted by the Twilight series. So, what do you forever connect with a book? I was never a horror reader, but this book changed the game for me, and I will definitely reread it. It has also, however, changed the way I think and see deer forever. Sweet loving Bambi? Not for this girl, it ain’t. And no, it is in no way similar to another peach that you probably relate to a certain book, but it’s so important to the story that I cannot hear about peach cobblers without immediately thinking about this book. Some extra points for this book because, in all honesty, I don’t even know what a peach cobbler is. The main character in this book deals – and rightly so – with bed bug trauma, so now anytime someone mentions having to deal with bed bugs, my first reaction is “Yikes, don’t read White Smoke“, which is totally unfair, because the book is absolutely great. In all honesty, I find the peach scene in Call Me By Your Name rather unnecessary, and yet, it somehow absolutely defines the whole book. If you can get to the end of this book and then see or hear the mention of peaches and not immediately imagine that scene in your head, well, I guess you’re luckier than me. Although the book hasn’t changed the way I consume mushrooms – sure as hell I’m still eating them – it does turn my stomach when I think about the book, and I’ve heard from other Mexican Gothic readers that this is also the case for them. So if you are planning on reading Mexican Gothic and you really like mushrooms…do it all the same, but don’t say we didn’t warn you. Caution advised. —Carina Pereira By the end, one of the characters is haunted by the buzzing sound of a deep freezer. When it’s revealed why, it is devastating. I don’t want to spoil it, but I can’t hear a buzzing sound without thinking of that book. —Mikkaka Overstreet Yes, there’s a scene in the book that my brain should probably be remembering to associate with nuts, but that cover apparently made a really good impression, so all nuts are now associated with his nuts. You’re welcome. —Jamie Canavés Not only do I have a new appreciation for the poem, albeit a small one, but peaches…I will never look at peaches the same way ever again. —P.N. Hinton I had never heard of Red Vines (the candy Robert buys in the movie theater where Margot works) before reading “Cat Person.” They were obviously some type of candy, but I stopped reading to look them up because the name sounded so unappetizing and odd. Maybe it’s partly a regional preference. I’ve only ever seen Twizzlers here in New England. When anyone mentions Red Vines or even other similar brands, I think of the uncomfortable, controversial short story. Sorry! —Grace Lapointe I already wasn’t a big fan, but after Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah brought the danger and chaos of Black Friday to life, you will never again catch me at a doorbuster sale. It’s still kind of gross, though. —Susie Dumond
