Here's my take on few of the questions:
What was your general impression of New Moon? Did you like the
book? Was it a good sequel to Twilight?
Of all the books in the series, I actually liked New Moon the least.
It doesn't mean I didn't like it. . .I did like it but not as much as
the others. I did feel the book helped answer questions about the
werewolves and their history. I did find the book a little slow in
the beginning. I like Edward and Bella's relationship and their
interaction with one another which was minimal in this book so I did
find the book a bit boring at times.
What were your feelings about Bella in this book? Many critics
criticized Bella in this book as being a bad influence to young
impressionable teenagers because of her recklessness, suicidal
tendencies, and overall weakness. Do you agree?
I somewhat agree with the critics. I felt Bella could have handled
the loss of Edward in a better way rather than "falling apart". I
think young teenagers are impressionable and being destructive or
reckless is not a good message to young teenagers. I would rather
have preferred that a message that it's NOT the end of the world to
lose a boyfriend.
Bella did try to move on somewhat but at the expense of Jacob. She
did continue to be destructive despite her attempt to move on with her
life. I did not see the "strong" qualities that she possessed in the
first book. On the otherhand, it wouldn't make for a good story if
she didn't fall apart the way she did.
Do you think Edward made the right decision to leave Bella in the way
that he did or do you think he could have done it a different way?
I believe Edward could have "explained" to her why he had to leave.
Leaving cold turkey (although it was for Bella's best interest) was
cruel. I believe Bella would have understood eventually and it would
have saved her the "torture" that she had experienced. Edward could
have still moved to somewhere far a way and Bella wouldn't have been
able to find him but it wouldn't have left Bella feeling abandoned and
unloved.
Do you think Bella was right for Bella to seek Jacob's friendship to
fill a void after Edward left her? Do you think she was leading him
on?
I do think Bella gave Jacob mixed messages. On one hand she would
tell Jacob that she didn't feel the same way for him but she kept
seeking him out as if she was. I think she did use him to help her
deal with the loss of Edward but it was Jacob's fault to some degree.
He kept "hoping" that Bella would like him the same way. . .and maybe
was in denial somewhat. I don't think it was fair for either Bella
and Jacob. It wasn't fair for Bella as well because she did love
Jacob for his friendship . ..it was just unfortunate that Jacob felt a
different way.
Okay, that's it for now. I'll answer a few more later today!!