Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I read the final two books in the Harry Potter series in record time (for me).  At the end of last August I was scheduled to start taking classes for my master's.  At the end of July I decided my main goal for the rest of the summer was to finish book 6 before my classes started.  Luckily, we went on vacation at the beach which is like reading heaven.  I actually ended up finishing book 6 at the beach so I decided why not try to finish the whole series?  Once I had the final book I read and read.  It actually ended up taking me until Labor Day but still I finished both books in about a month!!! That's good stuff when you read like molasses.  However, in my rush to finish the books I neglected my book review post...until NOW!!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 

Fave Scene: Dumbledore and Harry take a journey to find a piece of Voldemort that will help defeat him.  The entire book is leading up to this moment.  It's dark and late in the scene.  They travel to a cave along the side of a cliff with waves crashing up from the sea beneath it.  An eery setting foreshadows the dark magic inside the cave which only gets worse as their time inside the cave lasts longer. 

Fave Character: Dumbledore. I know, I know this seems pretty obvious but he is a great professor and headmaster.  Not only does Dumbledore think out-side of the box when it comes to running Hogwarts but he loves each student and thinks the best of people.  Dumbledore trusts the students and strives to create an environment for them to self-teach.  Learning happens in all forms and avenues at Hogwarts, and Dumbledore likes it that way. 
Even though, Severus Snape (the professor who hates Harry) seems awfully sketchy ALL of the time, Dumbledore still trusts him because Snape says he is trustworthy.  By the end of the book, you want to kill Dumbledore for still trusting him.  Dumbledore invests so much time in Harry and other people who don't seem worth it.  I know it's a character but isn't that what life is all about, investing time in others!

Dumbledore and Harry preparing to use the Pensieve.

Fave Magical Item: The Pensieve. The stone basin holds memories and offers a way for one to look back on memories their mind may have become too full to remember.  Dumbledore takes Harry under his wing for regular meetings, in an attempt to help him learn as much about Lord Voldemort's past as possible.  Memories can already be in the Pensieve or one can add a memory to it.  To review the memory, one must look into the Pensieve and lean over it.  This allows them to enter the memories in a non-obtrusive kind of way.  The on-looker, is just that, they can see the memory taking place but cannot become involved in the events or be seen by the people in the memory. 

I have always loved flashbacks in books and movies.  The Pensieve basically offers several flashbacks throughout the book, which I also enjoyed because I love to learn more about a person's or character's background.  The memories helped piece together Lord Voldemort's past, and shed a light on why he is the way he is.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Wow! Harry Potter books, you keep getting longer and longer. I'm not sure if I can handle you!! I'm a slow detailed reader so these books are taking me forever to read. 

I just finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.  It took me so long to read that the person I borrowed it from didn't even know it was theirs when I returned it.  That's pretty bad but oh well...I conquered it. All 870 pages! 

On to the good stuff... 

• Fave Scene: During Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the Minister of Magic appoints a new teacher at Hogwart's. Even just appointing her interferes more with the school than the Ministry is supposed to. Not to mention she's a terrible woman. Once the Weasley twins, Ron's older mischievous brothers, have had enough of her they plan a trick that causes a real boom in the halls of Hogwart's.

• Fave Character: Neville Longbottom, a boy in the same year as Harry and his friends, started to become one of the gang in this book.  Neville takes pitiful to a new level, he preforms terribly in all of his lessons, he hides in fear of Professor Snape, and perpetually receives a beating from Malfoy and his gang.  In this book, Neville comes face to face with the witch who sent his parents to the insane ward of the wizard hospital.  He meets her when Harry and the gang find themselves in a trap full of dark wizards, Neville fights for Harry the entire time despite a bloodied broken nose.  Neville never knows his spells correctly but he tries so bloody hard.  I love that he shows loyalty to his parents and courage for his friends even though he knows his own skills are against him.

Image found at coolspotters

• Fave Magical Creature: Thestrals! These magical flying horse-like creatures have been in every book so far but are just now being mentioned.  It's the first time some of the characters have the right eyes to see them.  That's all I'll say about these mysterious creatures except that I love how Rowling carried their story from the first book to this one without us even knowing they existed until now.  The Thestrals came into the story line more in HP:5 to help in a time of crisis in such a creative way. 

• J.K. Rowling = literary genius 

The Hunger Games (book and a little movie)

First: The Hunger Games ~ The Book

 
A little background: The setting is America but things have drastically changed.  The Capitol is placed in the center of 12 Districts.  Each of the Districts produces an item for The Capitol.  District 12, where Katniss lives with her mother and younger sister, produces coal.  The first few Districts are wealthier and better fed but as the number of the districts get greater the people become hungrier and poorer.  There is no communication or transportation between the districts unless it is Capitol business.  The Hunger Games are a yearly "festival" to prevent rebellion.  Each year a Reaping takes place, where a 12-18 year old male and female tribute from each District is picked at random to enter The Hunger Games.  All 24 tributes are placed in an arena and forced to survive or fight to the death.  The one remaining Victor becomes a District Hero showered in wealth and riches, a symbol of The Capitol's graciousness and generosity.  LOL!!  The 74th Hunger Games take a wild ride from the day of the Reaping until the final interview. 

Tid Bits I enjoyed from the book! 

• As an older sister, I completely bought into Katniss' need to protect and care for Prim and then Rue.  (Not  that I've ever been in the position of complete caregiver for my siblings but I think it is a little instinctive.)
• I love that Katniss is unexpected as a rival and real threat but her life back in District 12 has produced a desire and determination to survive no matter what.  
• Who can resist a good love triangle? 
• Self-Sacrifice
• Paying Respect where it is due, in life and in death.
• Unrequited love? Obligated love? Confused love? I'm not sure maybe all three.
• Doing all you can for someone out of selfless love! (Katniss, Peeta, Cinna, maybe even Haymitch?)
• Cleverness

Suzanne Collins writes with such understanding of human emotion, so much insight into pain, but also with so much emphasis on the healing power of good relationships.

Second: The Hunger Games ~ Motion Picture 

No huge spoiler alerts but 

you may want to postpone reading 

if you have yet to see the movie. 

Come back once you have to compare your thoughts!

I loved that it remained true to the story of the book.  It is easy to look at small details and be upset that they were left out because they added so much depth to characters and situations when reading the book, but I think it is easy to forget the movie has a time limit and a budget.  Unfortunately some things were left out that I really enjoyed in the book but for the most part the deal breakers were still included in the movie. 

One particular scene was added, which portrayed the reaction of a district when one of their tributes were killed as they stood idly by forced to watch.  I'm glad the director took the liberty to add this scene.  It was one of the most moving scenes of the film.  A father, a family, a community completely stripped of a loved one.  I'm sure even the districts who trained their children for the arena, had some twinge of rebellion when their sons and daughters were murdered for The Capitol.  

When Katniss and Peeta are introduced to The Capitol, the outfits they are wearing seem only possible in the imagination and obviously they were because Hollywood couldn't pull off the wonder my mind had conceived.  However, Katniss' interview dress completely makes up for it.  Cinna the costume artist, played by Lenny Kravits, always dresses Katniss in fire themed outfits.  The dress is amazing!!

Cinna and Katniss before she enters the arena.

just a sneak peak...

A few themes dulled by the movie: 

• Katniss played the romance for the audience.
• Katniss hated to owe people, to feel like she was in their debt.
• The conditions in the arena are much worse.  They are desperate from thirst, hunger, and the elements.
• Girl on Fire! 

As you can see, the close alignment

 out weighs the tiny differences! 

Great film! Awesome Book! Amazing Trilogy!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

For Christmas, Chase bought me a book by Mindy Kaling. She writes for The Office as well as plays the role of Kelly Kapoor.
I love when Kelly has lines on the show, she plays more of a background character, but she is hilarious. She always has something ridiculous to say about a relationship, a new fad, or the latest diet.
If you have ever experienced being a girl...this book will crack you up.
If you have ever lived life with a girl... this book will confirm that yes we all have our silly tendencies.
If you have ever shook your head at a girl... this book will give you more reasons to tweet SMH.

Some of my fav topics of the book:
Growing apart from friends as time and interests change. Moving from middle to high school and then to college naturally separates friendships which is a sad but healthy transition.

Her parents were very busy and successful professionals but they never complained or mentioned stress they just did what they had to do with a positive attitude. Reading this I thought about all the times I've been asked how I am and my reply is "tired" or "busy" we've all said it before. How refreshing would it be to leave that negativity behind? To leave out the stress...everyone has it so why dwell on it?

I could relate to the issues she addressed while rolling on the floor laughing. Great Book!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

• Fave Scene: This book starts off differently than the others. It begins in a little village we've never heard of and with a little old man we've never met. The house belongs to The Riddle's, relation of a character from book 2. This opening scene is very grim for the little old man and Harry Potter. Several mysteries first take root in the readers mind and won't be fulfilled until the end of the book.

• Fave Character: Hermione rose to the forefront in this book. She has always been a key character but her need to overachieve in school marred her other virtues in my mind. In this book, she focuses her tenacity for school work toward a moral cause. I love her compassion and determination for the house elves. During Harry's most difficult time at Hogwart's, Hermione stands by him even though everyone else has turned their back on him. Hermione becomes more personable throughout the fourth book. By the end, she seemed like a friend I'd love to have rather than an obnoxious smarty pants.

• Fave Magical Item: Moody's magical eye that can see through anything, even the back of his head!!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

• Fave Scene: Harry risks his greatest fear to save his godfather. When things look their worst, Harry uses his lessons from the year to save their lives with unexpected help from someone very special. This scene has an interesting twist, that I'll resist to divulge.

• Fave Character: Hagrid has such a pure heart. He is truly a gentle giant. After a long time serving as gamekeeper for Hogwarts, Hagrid receives a chance of redemption and to prove himself. Things don't go perfectly but he fights for the creatures he believes in and loves.

• Fave Magical Item: The Marauder's Map. This item has historical and personal significance to Harry. It is a very generous gift from the Weasley twins. Of course, it cleverly helps him solve the great mystery of the book.

Harry Potter: Year One and Two

I am currently in the middle of the third Harry Potter Book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Here are some of my fav's from the first two books. (I don't really give anything important away, so if you haven't read the books, they won't be ruined.) 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone:

• Fave Scene: Dumbledore talking to Harry in the room that holds the Mirror of Erised.  Harry starts to become obsessed with what he sees in the enchanted mirror.  Dumbledore, gently and caring, reminds Harry that he should live for today.   
• Fave Character: Ron, for giving sacrificially to his friend.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets:

• Fave Scene:  Harry stumbles upon the diary of Tom Riddle, it writes back when he writes in it.  He is trying to find information about the Chamber of Secrets, and the writer invites him into the diary to show him what happened the night the person who opened the Chamber was caught.  What Harry sees hits very close to home.  
• Fave Character: Harry, for staying loyal to his friend no matter how grim it looked for him.  He also learns a lot about himself in this book.  It shows his internal battle with good and evil.

Overall Thoughts:
Ron cracks me up, he is so dramatic about everything.
Hermoine needs to chill a little with the smartypants business.
Hagrid is so genuine and gentle.
The author uses so much creativity in the magical items and activities within the book. 

P.S. Thanks to Hannah Kittle for suggesting I read these books.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Several girls suggested for me to watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  Searching for it at the library I found that the movie was first a book so I decided to read this young adult fiction story that had been recommended to me several times.  As I read, I thought the book showed a good contrast between a wealthy, powerful German family with a young son and a young Jewish boy. 

The Jewish boy tells how he used to live, that he enjoyed life and his family did well for themselves.  His story goes from living happily with his family, to living crowded in the ghettos, and finally to living with his father in a concentration camp.  The two boys, although traveling different paths and fate intending different lives for them, end up with much more in common than "The Fury" (as Bruno calls him) would have liked or even tolerated. 

The young German boy, Bruno, tells the story.  The author writes with the charm, enthusiasm, and cares of a child.  Sometimes Bruno is whiny, rude, and selfish but he also shows great compassion and loyalty in his innocence.  He follows adventure in the spirit of a young boy up to the last word. 

Fantastic Book

Finally all of my questions have been answered. I know about the Terrible Awful that Minny did to Hilly and that Stuart's ex fiance forget it I can't tell you that! You'll just have to read it yourself, or see the movie.

While reading The Help, I felt pulled into another time and culture that I have never experienced myself.  I'm very thankful that I haven't lived during a time where prejudices kept people from sharing life with one another. I don't think the world is perfect at acceptance and love but I think some amazing strides have been made since the sixties, which weren't that long ago. Of course, these shouldn't have been strides that needed to be made if everyone had been treated equally from the beginning.

I related most to Miss Skeeter, being a young lady myself.  I think we all have dreams as big as hers.  She wanted to do something beyond herself, bigger than a good career, a polished status, or a perfect boyfriend. Lacking some of those things hurt her and made life hard but she still did what she knew was right.  Life occasionally leaves us feeling secluded and rejected, The Help showed how several ladies feeling that same way came together and dealt with their feelings. 

I'm lost in The Help

I'm about half way through The Help and I have so many questions.

• What did Minny do to Miss Hilly? 
• What happened between Stuart and his ex fiancee? 
• Where is Constantine?
• Why did she leave without telling Skeeter? 
• Why won't anyone tell Skeeter the truth?
• What in the world is wrong with Miss Celia?
• Why is she soooooo suspicious?

If you're looking for an interesting, heart warming, thought provoking story.  Read The Help! My goal is to finish the book before it leaves the theaters because I hear the movie follows the book very closely and... ever since Easy A, Emma Stone cracks me up.  Considering that nothing seems quite as important as finding the answers to these questions, I have a feeling I'll have it finished in time. 

Easy Reads for the Soul

This past spring I started reading several books about children with special needs.  The titles were Rules, Mockingbird, and Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. All of them are from the elementary library so they're easy reads.  

Rules tells the story of a girl who has a younger brother with Autism.  Since her brother struggles to remember basic social behaviors she makes a list of rules for him to recite and hopefully catch on to over time.  An important rule for David to remember is Boys take off their shirts to swim, but not their shorts.  The story has several funny anecdotes that will bare similarities to your own experiences if you have ever been close to a person with Autism.  

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key tells Joey's story about living with his grandma because his mom and dad both have different problems that keep them from being suitable guardians.  Joey has ADD and is wired!! If you work in the school system or in a job that involves children I'm sure you've encountered a Joey Pigza.  The child who has great intentions and a sweet heart but cannot quit moving long enough to let any of it come out right. 

Mockingbird was probably my favorite of the three.  It references To Kill a Mockingbird which was a favorite of mine in high school.  The main character is a little girl with Asperger's who has suffered the lose of her brother who used to explain the world to her.  Now she is left alone with her dad and guidance counselor to help make sense of the world.  As she sets out to find "Closure" she makes some new friends and some great realizations about interacting with others. 

Judging a Book By It's Cover!

At the beginning of the summer I saw a book called The Scarlet Letters at the Library. The cover showed the midsection of a person in a trench coat and official looking leather gloves holding a briefcase.  The inside flap described it as a story of scandal set in the 1950's where the truth would come out layer by layer.  The author put his modern twist on Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. I figured I couldn't very well read a book based on a book I'd never read so I set out to read The Scarlet Letter. More out of obligation than desire.  

The language Hawthorne used created great mental images, especially of Hester's child, Pearl. The story explains the harsh legalism that the Puritans lived under, I enjoyed the history of it.  He also created suspense about who shared the blame with Hester. The character of Roger Chillingworth brought misery and revenge to the story, he was a chilling villain.

The story made me think about how often we keep our "scarlet letter" hidden and it ruins us inside. Some become bitter, some angry, some apathetic, some addicted...it's different for everyone. The similarity is that all of us make bad decisions and have a choice to seek reconciliation or to stay hidden.  My heart went out for Hester Prynne, that in the day she lived in one small mistake set her path forever. Although Hester was condemned her entire life, she wore the scarlet letter with remorse and dignity.  She took what was given to her and did the very best with it. The book turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Once I finished The Scarlet Letter, I was so excited to begin The Scarlet Letters. However, my excitement did not last long. Not at one point did I feel on the edge of my seat or that some great secret was about to be unraveled before my eyes.  I read the whole story hoping that something extraordinary would eventually happen just to find myself grateful that at least it inspired me to read a great American classic.

If you've read either one let me know your thoughts!