There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry--
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll--
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul--

-Emily Dickinson


November, 2010. This is when I had an epiphany that I knew nothing about literature. What exactly prompted this revelation, I don't remember. But what I did after that was print off "BBC's Top 100 Books" list in order to expand my horizons. (Although I'm aware that there are plenty of books omitted from the list, as well as new books constantly being published, this is intended simply to help me be acquainted with literature.) I challenged myself to read all of the books on the list. One year later, I've realized it will take much longer than expected. With only 7 of the 100 books read, this task seems daunting and unrealistic. While some may think it's somewhat masochistic, some may think it's an admirable goal. I guess it depends on the book I'm reading. Frequently I'll read a book that is not on this long list. I used to apologize for it, but I'm assuming hardly anyone reads it anyways.

I started by critiquing the books and authors, but the purpose for writing has changed over the years. The purpose of this blog isn't necessarily to write reviews for the benefit of high school procrastinators or for eagerly researching book-readers or for really anyone besides me. It's a documentation of my own progress as a learner and a reader, as well as being wonderfully cathartic. Books elicit an emotional response, which allows me to explore my own beliefs about life and spirituality.

As of Sunday, June 21st, 2015, I have read twenty-six books on the list. This is hopefully subject to change, and will be updated regularly...or more accurately, as regularly as I finish a book, which isn't always regular.


Saturday, December 10, 2011

Harry Potter - JK Rowling

Read Sixth in August/September 2011.


I. Love. Harry Potter. These are definitely some of the books I read before the challenge. I leaped for joy when I saw that they were on the list. And NO, I don't like Harry Potter for the movies, it's for the books. I writhe with anger and fury when I experience a conversation that goes like this:

Me: "Do you like Harry Potter?"
Them: "Eh. I never really got into it."
Me: "What? How?"
Them: "Oh, I thought it was poorly done. I think the actors were just too young."
Me: "...You're talking about the movies."
Them: "Yeah...?"
Me: "What about the books?"
Them: "Oh, I never read them. They're too long. Have you seen Twilight?"
On a similar note, I HATE it when people compare Harry Potter and Twilight. And yes, I've read Twilight. I don't criticize things of which I know nothing. Therefore, I have the right to criticize Twilight. 

Anyways...

I often find that series like this got lucky at first and decline in quality. But Harry Potter was so well-written and masterly done that it definitely stands out amongst any book. Sometimes I find that a book is very good at the beginning, but the author didn't know when he/she wrote it how the book would end. This is not that case. Rowling had the end in mind very much before she started writing it. Rowling also does very well with character development. At times (the Order of the Phoenix especially), I hate Harry and the things he does. He is so angsty and it's obnoxious. But isn't that human? If I think if I were in his situation, would I have done anything better? I don't think I would. The fact that every character has flaws makes them all the better. Not even Dumbledore is perfect, as we come to find out in the Deathly Hallows, nor James, Sirius, or Lupin. 

I could talk for hours about Harry Potter. It's pretty much the greatest thing ever. And I very deeply regret not having a Pottermore account YET...
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1 comment:

  1. PeasDecember 23, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    Hypothetical hugs for Harry Potter forever! I, too, hate it when people try to compare HP to Twilight, even favorably. Harry Potter doesn't need to be good for Twilight to be terrible. There is enough evidence to support the "Twilight is terrible" theory IN Twilight, so I don't see why we need a thousand "What you like Twilight haven't you ever read Harry Potter it's the best EVAAAAAR <3<3<3" groups on Facebook.

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