What I'm Reading This Weekend

Matched
by Ally Condie

This is a young adult dystopian novel...my favorite genre! I read the free sample on the Nook and it sounds really good. It's about a girl in a future society where the government makes all of the decisions for people (sort of like in The Giver), including who they are "matched" with to marry. However, the main character, Cassia, is mysteriously matched with two boys -- does that mean the government made a mistake?

 

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

by Stieg Larson

I've had this book recommended to me almost ten times, so I guess it's time to buckle down and read it. From what I've gathered it's a sort of action-packed detective-type novel that is very, very Swedish and very, very hard to explain. I guess I'm in for either a trip or a treat.

 The Seeker's Guide to Harry Potter

by Geo Athena Trevarten, PhD

Another look at the symbolism and themes in the series.

52 Book Challenge

Last year I made a goal to read 50 books, and I completed it. This year I'm going to read 52, and 20 of those are "required" reading (I made a list of books that I MUST read because I already own them and they've been hanging around my house for too long!). I've done quite well so far in the new year -- I've already completed two books. For a change of pace, these are both adult books, one fiction and one non-fiction:

1.) The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter
 by David Colbert
Because I'm a big ole Harry Potter nerd (at least right now, after reading and watching the seventh book). This book was really cool because it explains the folklore and mythology behind the Harry Potter series. JK Rowling has a background in the study of literature, so her choices to use names, symbols, and archetypes were deliberate. I enjoyed learning more about how these stories all fit together in the series.

2.) Room
by Emma Donoghue
Though Room is told through the eyes of a five-year-old boy, it is not a children's story. Jack has lived in Room his entire life with his Ma, and Room is the only world he knows. Ma has been locked in Room for seven years by Old Nick, who is their only connect to the world outside. This is a dark and troubling book, but very well written. Jack's narrative is believable and realistic. I have a hard time saying I enjoyed this book, as it tells about terrible crimes that no one should experience, but I give it five stars because I couldn't put it down.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I

I finally finished my rereading of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows over the Christmas break. I had to reread the book before watching the movie verision, which was released in theaters over Thanksgiving. I should have been on the ball about this earlier, so I know my posting about the movie is a bit late. But it's better late than never, right?

In my opinion, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 is the best movie adaptation of the books yet. Some people were upset that the producers decided to split the book into two parts, but I think this was the right decision. Very few scenes were left out, so avid fans can see all of their favorite parts. Yes, as always there were a few changes in the movie -- however, most of these were for good reason and didn't take anything away from the overall effect. And the overall effect was amazing! The dark tone of the book and the anticipation of the final battle between Voldemort and Harry Potter translated brilliantly.

Two scenes from the movie were done particularly well. In the opening scene, Hermione performs the obliviate spell on her parents as she prepares to leave on her journey with Harry. The music, scored by Alexandre Desplat (who also wrote the music for Twilight: New Moon) is dramatic, painful, and also shows the urgency of their situation. The scene is perhaps the best and most emotional of the entire series.

The other scene that really stood out was the scene where Harry and Hermione danced in their tent. Hermione is in love with Ron, who has returned home because he is frustrated with the lack of progress or direction in the trio's quest. Hermione is heartbroken, so Harry pulls Hermione out of her chair and tries to cheer her up with a dance. The music, O Children by Nick Cave, is both haunting and wonderful. It's so nice to see the deep level of platonic love that these two have for each other, and it was one of the sweetest and most touching scenes of the series...even if it wasn't actually in the book!

The seventh Harry Potter movie reminds us all the end is near. After ten years of films and fourteeen years after the publication of the first book, the series is about to come to a close for good. My generation grew up with these books, and seeing the final installment on the big screen is bittersweet. However, it's not over yet! Part 2 comes out on July 15, 2011. In contrast to Part 1, where the trio spend most of their time pondering and hiding, Part 2 promises epic battles and showdowns to end the series. July cannot come quickly enough, I just hope that Part 2 is as good at Part 1!

What I'm Reading Now: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by JK Rowling

I've read it before, but I'm reading it again. While this book and the whole series are always worth a reread on their own merit, I am rereading this one in particular for a different reason. I really want to go see the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I movie, but I am one of of those people who has to have the book fresh in my mind when I go to see the movie. I want to be able to make a comparison between what I read and what I'm watching. I know I'm not the only who has to do that. Is anyone else out there a "read the book before you see the movie" kind of person? If you need to reread Harry Potter, Twilight, or any other print-to-screen title, you can check 'em out today @your library!

Real Life Quidditch?

We all know that Harry Potter has been a world-phenomenon for over ten years. The first generation of Potter fans are now in college, and I have heard about local universities that have Quidditch teams as a club sport. If you are like me, you have wondered how on earth Quidditch translates from the literary, fictional world to a muggle sports field. Without broomsticks, magical snitches, and flying bludgers how can one play the game? Leave it to crafty college students to figure it out. Over 200 universities have Quidditch teams, and the 4th Annual Quidditch World Cup was played this year at the University of Michigan. To see a great explaination of exactly how the game is played, watch the video below (note: I apologize, but there is a short ad at the beginning):



If you need a refresher on the rules of Quidditch, visit the Quidditch page on Wikipedia. And, as always, you can check out Harry Potter books @ your library!