I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Harry Potter fan. I love fantasy books as well as thrillers and mysteries. And I still hold a soft place in my heart for the young adult genre, which kept me company during those lonely nights as an awkward and socially inept teenager.

So when Breaking Dawn, the fourth book in the Twilight Saga, was released last month to much acclaim and publicity, I knew that I had to check out the series. And so I picked up a copy of Twilight, the book that started it all.

As a bona fide bookworm, I consider myself well-read. And although preferences can definitely come into play when reviewing a book, I like to think that I can usually distinguish good books from the bad. My personal criteria for a good book is simple:

1. Style of writing. Imaginative, original copy that paints vivid and memorable pictures in my mind.
2. Plot. I know plenty of authors whom I wouldn’t consider to be good writers; however, they are great story tellers.

Not all of my favorite authors or books fall into both categories. However, it is only when both criteria are met that I stamp a book with Jenny’s gold star of approval.

With that being said, I’m sorry to report that Twilight embodies neither good writing nor good plot.

The characters are bland and one-dimensional. The narration left much to be desired. The dialogue was unrealistic and uninteresting.

How did this become a #1 seller?

Needless to say, I will not be picking up books 2-4.