Harry Potter
I have just finished listening to all 7 of the Harry Potter books, and throughout the last half of the book, I found myself on an emotional roller coaster. Dread, happiness, outrage, surprise, tears of joy, regret and sympathy. J.K. Rowling has crafted a masterpiece the likes of which I have never seen before. I am glad I waited till the books were all out before I delved into the story. While the first three were self contained, once the deaths started, it became not a series of books, but a single story broken rather unpleasantly into volumes. I found myself stealing moments to listen, ignoring everything as I was engulfed in the whirlwind of a master story teller, enthralled as surely as someone under the imperious curse. Hearing of Harry sneaking about in search of knowledge and acceptance, I thought about myself, sneaking the earbud of my mp3 player into my ear before church, at lunch at work, in the moments when I was not in the direct line of sight of my boss.
Rowling must have decided after third or fourth book that anyone reading those volumes would be intimately familiar with Harry Potter and his past, for she stopped introducing him at length, writing a synopsis for those who neglected to start at the beginning. It was quite interesting, although it is not hard to wonder why. Anyone by that point that was not irrevocably hooked was never going to be, and no friend would lend someone a later volume without first insisting they start from the first. I wouldn't!
But regardless, I stray from what little point I had when the urge to write burst from my heart to my fingers of its own accord. The Harry Potter Books are some of the most well written tomes I have ever had the pleasure to read. How things ended is not exactly how I would have chosen, but then it had an organic quality that changed and mutated like a living thing.
I could likely go on for quite a bit longer, but do not have the time to do so. If you have not read the books, do so soon. You will be glad you did. If you cannot (because of lack of time or lack of ability) read the books physically, then get the books in audio format. If you live near me, send me an email and I will get you a copy. Even if you have read them already, I still suggest the books in audio format. It is a very enjoyable way to travel into Harry's world.
Rowling must have decided after third or fourth book that anyone reading those volumes would be intimately familiar with Harry Potter and his past, for she stopped introducing him at length, writing a synopsis for those who neglected to start at the beginning. It was quite interesting, although it is not hard to wonder why. Anyone by that point that was not irrevocably hooked was never going to be, and no friend would lend someone a later volume without first insisting they start from the first. I wouldn't!
But regardless, I stray from what little point I had when the urge to write burst from my heart to my fingers of its own accord. The Harry Potter Books are some of the most well written tomes I have ever had the pleasure to read. How things ended is not exactly how I would have chosen, but then it had an organic quality that changed and mutated like a living thing.
I could likely go on for quite a bit longer, but do not have the time to do so. If you have not read the books, do so soon. You will be glad you did. If you cannot (because of lack of time or lack of ability) read the books physically, then get the books in audio format. If you live near me, send me an email and I will get you a copy. Even if you have read them already, I still suggest the books in audio format. It is a very enjoyable way to travel into Harry's world.