I think it’s fair to say that 2008 was the year of “Twilight”–as in Stephenie Meyer’s the “Twilight Series,” as in vampires and vampire-human love, as in star-crossed romance taken as far as it can go, as in crazy, screaming teenage girls (and their moms) cheering on Meyer everywhere she goes, and as in crazy, screaming teenage girls (and their moms) swooning over Robert Pattinson, the on-screen embodiment of Edward Cullen, that sexy, brooding vampire we have all come to know and love.
Since “Twilight” and all-things vampire was a (very) common thread in my posts for Idol Chatter this year, I thought I’d take a look back on the some of the more significant “Twilight” Highlights of 2008:
May 9th: the movie trailer for “Twilight” takes the blogosphere by storm

July 16th: Entertainment Weekly (and everyone else) begins talking about “Stephenie Meyer’s Vampire Empire” and fans begin to count the days to the release of Book Four of “Twilight.”
August 1st: USA Today calls Meyer the “most famous author you’ve never heard of” and likens Meyer to the next JK Rowling, while fans keep counting down the days to the release of “Breaking Dawn.”
August 2nd: “Breaking Dawn” comes out with enormous fanfare, midnight parties, and a NYC concert/book release event simulcast all over the web.
August 26th: The backlash against “Breaking Dawn” is in full swing, and fans debate (and some defend, including me) the merits of “Breaking Dawn” as the last installment of “Twilight.”
September 3rd: Stephenie Meyer’s unfinished manuscript for “Midnight Sun”–which is “Twilight” told from Edward’s perspective–is leaked online for all to read (but I do not!)
October 31st: “Twilight” fans are treated to a new movie trailer and start counting the days to the film’s moved-up pre-Thanksgiving release date.
November 12th: Cue the screaming, teenage girls (and their moms)! Fans get a taste (so to speak) of Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen, in the flesh.
November 21st: The movie “Twilight” releases nationwide, to mixed reviews.
November 24th: It’s official–regardless of reviews, the Twilight movie is a huge hit, grossing $70 million its first weekend.
December 15th: Though “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke bows out of the same role for Twilight sequel, “New Moon,” author Stephenie Meyer reassures fans that film number two will be just as good (if not better) than the first, as Chris Weitz signs on to head the project.
So what does 2009 have in store for Stephenie Meyer, “Twilight,” “New Moon,” Edward, Bella, and Jacob? Only time will tell…