Harry Potter

[braziliansnoopy]

So at the start of May, as I began my second year of the 50 book challenge, I began re-reading the Harry Potter series. While en route to LAX (final destination - Utah), I finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I noticed how worn it is - far worse than any other of the books (much to my dismay, it's coming apart at the spine). It is the

Comments

[scintillare2]

I know EXACTLY what you mean. Every time you read, and then finish, a Harry Potter book is so bittersweet. I'll confess to have that reaction to nearly every book. I fall in love with characters and worlds and stories, and am always sorry to say good-bye to a favorite book, even though I can revisit it tomorrow. It seems worse, however, with Harry Potter (and Lord of the Rings). Maybe it's the writing itself? Maybe it's the magic those books discuss? I don't know. All I know is that every time I'm done with one of the HP books, I'm sorry. I almost hesitate to re-read one, because I'm afraid of how sad it'll be to finish it. I really think I could handle being a Muggle, or even a Squib, if I could just know that magic really DOES exist, that there really is a good and an evil, and that, somewhere in the world, there is a castle full of kids learning magic. I feel like everything would be okay if I knew that there were dragons and trolls and house-elves somewhere in the world. Our reality seems so mundane and grayish.

[braziliansnoopy]

I really think I could handle being a Muggle, or even a Squib, if I could just know that magic really DOES exist, that there really is a good and an evil, and that, somewhere in the world, there is a castle full of kids learning magic. I feel like everything would be okay if I knew that there were dragons and trolls and house-elves somewhere in the world. Our reality seems so mundane and grayish.

I agree. Our reality is bland and depressing. Though I guess dealing with Voldemort in our reality wouldn't be so sunny either, but still.

[scintillare2]

Did you successfully complete the 50 book challenge? I'm on, like, book four or five now. I sincerely doubt I'll make it. I mean, I know the point is actually just to encourage reading, etc., but I was wondering if you actually succeeded. I think I could do it, simply because of the amount of time I spend on public transportation, but I read magazines all the time, and that seriously detracts from my book-reading abilities. I'm going to take a TON of books with me on my visit to Pittsburgh next month, though, since Chris and I are driving. Maybe he'll let me read if I read the books aloud, or something.

[braziliansnoopy]

Nope. I came fairly close. I think I got 35-38 books. Part of the problem was that I took so long to read Wicked (it's a bit of a slow start). I also ended it a couple weeks early because I wanted to start my new book year at the start of the month as opposed to mid-month. I took a page out of Rory Gilmore's book and carry a book almost everywhere. I've even been found to read while in line at the Post Office or other stores (typically during the winter holidays since lines are abnormally long). I think that I might be able to achieve it this year. It all really depends on the type of books you choose to read. Nonetheless, I'm glad I started doing it because I used to read a LOT, but high school and college took the fun out of reading for awhile.

[scintillare2]

-"I used to read a LOT, but high school and college took the fun out of reading for awhile."
I know what you mean. Meh.

-"I took a page out of Rory Gilmore's book and carry a book almost everywhere. I've even been found to read while in line at the Post Office or other stores"
Me too. Except it's usually a magazine, which are easily foldable and much lighter. It's especially common when I'm in line at a fast food place. I can now order a salad from Subway without ever looking up from The Economist.