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The pop culture phenomenon, Twilight has turned the small Pacific Northwest town of Forks, Washington into a popular tourist destination for fans of the books and movies.

In the midst of the misty scenery and the familiar sites, you might just feel like you've stepped into the fairy tale world of love, danger, and forbidden romance. As you enter the town, you are welcomed by Bella's vintage red Chevy pickup that is parked at the Chamber of Commerce. (Don't forget your camera!) Dreamy eyed fans hoping for a glimpse of a handsome sparkling vampire may not have their all of their fantasies fulfilled, but the town offers tons of Twilight specials, from themed menu items in local restaurants to reserved parking spaces for fictional Twilight characters. The Chamber of Commerce has also mapped out Twilight Points of Interest to make it easy for visitors to easily find all the locations from the books and movies.

Once a year, in September, on Bella's birthday there is a huge celebration honoring Twilight author Stephenie Meyer. If you're lucky enough to attend, you can expect to be treated to special tours and events.

If you can't make it to Forks in person or just want to bring the small town charm into your own home, I highly recommend reserving a spot on your bookshelf  for a copy of  Twilight Tours: An Illustrated Guide to the Real Forks by George Beahm.

Twilight Tours is beautifully written and filled with interesting facts and details that fans will appreciate. The guided tour features 90 gorgeous photographs of the town, the beaches of LaPush & Quileute Nation and the surrounding lush green Hoh Rain Forest, rich in the wildlife that provides nourishment to the Cullen family of 'vegetarian' vampires who resist the temptation to drink human blood.

On the first page of Twilight Tours, you'll find a map drawn by Disney artist/Imagineer Tim Kirk who has done similar maps for Disney destinations around the world. HBO miniseries, John Adams prop artist, Laura Edwards added color to the map. The artist and author worked with Mike Gurling of the Forks Chamber of Commerce to insure that the map was accurate. The whimsical map is very detailed and can actually be used to navigate your way through the town and find Bella's house, the Cullen home, the hospital where Carlisle works, and the high school where Edward and Bella saw each other for the first time. If you love the map as much as I do, you can get a full-color posted sized print from Flights of Imagination.

A very helpful addition to the book is the inclusion of the street addresses, phone numbers and contact information for the location entries in case you want to give Chief Swan a call to let him know you're stopping by for can of pepper spray or need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cullen at the local hospital.

The hardcover 1st edition is being sold in limited numbers and is definitely worth grabbing while it lasts because it will not be reprinted. The equally beautiful paperback edition is available at an extremely fair price through Amazon.

Both books are also available at BiteBella's Twilight Shop.

Fans of the book will be excited to know that Twilight Tours author, George recently told me that he and Tim Kirk will be in Forks for Stephenie Meyer Days 2009 and hope to meet as many fans as possible. If you're planning to attend be sure to say hello and maybe they'll even autograph your copy of the book!

Twilight Tours is the perfect way to escape reality and feel at home in a fantasy destination that actually exists!

The cover of the dark novel, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is getting a Twilight inspired makeover! The brilliant new cover with the red thorned rose will be released on October 6, 2009.

The book is available for pre-order now at BiteBella's Twilight Shop!

In Eclipse, Bella reads Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Both, Bella and Edward use quotes from the book to describe their thoughts and emotions. Bella and Edward's dark and obsessive romance can easily be compared to Heathcliff's and Cathy's in Wuthering Heights.

Stephenie Meyer said that the Twilight Saga is influenced by several books:

• Twilight - Pride and Prejudice
• New Moon - Romeo and Juliet
• Eclipse - Wuthering Heights
• Breaking Dawn - A Midsummer Night's Dream

What do you think of the new cover? Have you read Wuthering Heights? Is it worth buying?

 
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There are three new books for those you who are interested in analyzing the pop culture phenomenon, Twilight.

 Twilight and Philosophy: Vampires, Vegetarians, and the Pursuit of Immortality by Rebecca Housel, J. Jeremy Wisnewski, and William Irwin is a new addition to The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series. It will be released on September 28, 2009.

Secondly, Touched by a Vampire: Discovering the Hidden Messages in the Twilight Saga by Beth Felker Jones will be released on October 6, 2009.

Lastly, A New Dawn: Your Favorite Authors on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga by Ellen Hopkins is a completely unauthorized retelling of favorite young adult authors thoughts and commentary on the Twilight Saga. It will be released October 20, 2009.

The books are available for pre-order now at BiteBella's Twilight Shop!

All three books, by separate authors, offer new perspective on the characters, storylines, myths and themes in the Twilight books and movies. Hidden messages will be revealed as readers discover the philosphy behind the Twilight Saga, no doubt igniting the fiery debates between fans and foes.

Of course, feminists argue that Edward Cullen is more of a sociopathic stalker than hero. There are even arguments between die-hard Twilight fans about many aspects of the series. Why else would we create 'teams' and by loyal to one over the other? Does our devotion represent who we think would be best for Bella Swan or our own personal choice if given the chance?

Are you curious enough to put Twilight under the microscope or are you just blissfully happy not knowing? Personally, I am more excited about getting a copy of the The Official Twilight Guide by Stephenie Meyer and learning all the juicy details she will reveal if and when it is finally released. 

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