October is National Book Month!
Celebrate by reading books of all kinds this month. Autumn makes me feel like reading Harry Potter, so I've swiped my brother's copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
What books will YOU be reading this month?
Showing posts with label Harry Potter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harry Potter. Show all posts
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
review :: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J. K. Rowling
Most impressive is how Rowling managed to weave together everything from the previous six books (six years, in Harry's life) for a seamless conclusion. Every question you ever had during the series is answered in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
I don't want to give the story away to anyone who may not have read it, so I will spare details. I had my own suspicions about how I thought certain things would turn out, but Rowling's masterful storytelling kept me second-guessing myself. I found I was right about certain aspects of some things, but there were many surprises, along the way.
The end of the story is quite profound--theologically and morally. In my review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince I mentioned that I thought it was the most grown-up of the series to that point, and this seventh book is on par with that maturity, with an almost spiritual motif.
It is the classic tale of good versus evil, of sacrifice and redemption--a story that never grows old no matter how many times it is told.
I did not expect to be so impressed with the Harry Potter series, but I see why it is so wildly popular, and congratulate J. K. Rowling on her vision for an extraordinary story, and the creativity with which to erect it. She truly earned the right to become a bestselling author. I would, and will, read this series again. And probably again after that. And again after that.
I did not expect to be so impressed with the Harry Potter series, but I see why it is so wildly popular, and congratulate J. K. Rowling on her vision for an extraordinary story, and the creativity with which to erect it. She truly earned the right to become a bestselling author. I would, and will, read this series again. And probably again after that. And again after that.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
I'm done!
Last night I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! I probably stayed up too late, but the last few chapters simply must be read in immediate succession. You can't stop in the middle of the conclusion of a seven book series to go to sleep!
I will post my review later...for now, I just wanted to announce that I have finished.
By the by, the whole time I was reading this book, I was intrigued by the word "hallows." What truly is a hallow? All I could think of was, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..."
I know it's not Monday (which is when I post the Word of the Day), but here's what I've found, courtesy of Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary:
hallow
Pronunciation: ˈha-(ˌ)lō
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English halowen, from Old English hālgian, from hālig holy
1: to make holy, or set apart for holy use
2: to respect greatly: VENERATE
Function: noun
obsolete: a saint, a shrine, or a relic
Interestingly enough, M-W notes in this entry that the use of hallow as a noun has been rare over the past several hundred years and is considered obsolete (other than in words like Halloween and Allhallows), and does not appear in most dictionaries anymore. M-W's Online Dictionary only added it to their database because of the "renewed interest" kindled by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
I give three silent cheers to J. K. Rowling for resurrecting a nearly extinct word. The title makes perfect sense now if you have read the story and know what the deathly hallows are.
I will post my review later...for now, I just wanted to announce that I have finished.
By the by, the whole time I was reading this book, I was intrigued by the word "hallows." What truly is a hallow? All I could think of was, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..."
I know it's not Monday (which is when I post the Word of the Day), but here's what I've found, courtesy of Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary:
hallow
Pronunciation: ˈha-(ˌ)lō
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English halowen, from Old English hālgian, from hālig holy
1: to make holy, or set apart for holy use
2: to respect greatly: VENERATE
Function: noun
obsolete: a saint, a shrine, or a relic
Interestingly enough, M-W notes in this entry that the use of hallow as a noun has been rare over the past several hundred years and is considered obsolete (other than in words like Halloween and Allhallows), and does not appear in most dictionaries anymore. M-W's Online Dictionary only added it to their database because of the "renewed interest" kindled by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
I give three silent cheers to J. K. Rowling for resurrecting a nearly extinct word. The title makes perfect sense now if you have read the story and know what the deathly hallows are.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Currently reading...
J. K. Rowling
Summary: Lord Voldemort is preparing for battle and so must Harry. With Ron and Hermione at his side, he's trying to hunt down Voldemort's Horcuxes, escape danger at every turn, and find a way to defeat evil once and for all. How does it all end?
(Summary from www. borders.com)
I don't know! But I am anxious to find out!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Still reading...
Mansfield Park!
In my defense...this is Austen's second-longest novel. (Emma is the longest.) And I was out of town for a week in November on a business trip, during which the only time I had free to read was on the plane.
Happily, I can report that I am over halfway through, and I only have 122 pages left to read. I am quite anxious to finish for two reasons: (1) I can't wait for the part where Edmund and Fanny finally realize they are simply perfect for each other. (2) The last installment of the Harry Potter series has been sitting by my desk for weeks now, and I refuse to open it until I have read the last word of Mansfield Park.
In my defense...this is Austen's second-longest novel. (Emma is the longest.) And I was out of town for a week in November on a business trip, during which the only time I had free to read was on the plane.
Happily, I can report that I am over halfway through, and I only have 122 pages left to read. I am quite anxious to finish for two reasons: (1) I can't wait for the part where Edmund and Fanny finally realize they are simply perfect for each other. (2) The last installment of the Harry Potter series has been sitting by my desk for weeks now, and I refuse to open it until I have read the last word of Mansfield Park.
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