Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (17/02/2014)

So once again I have found myself at what seems to be the end of an era. This last book in the series always seems to be the point I aim for, to relive some of my favourite parts, but also one of the books which destroys me emotionally along the way. It never has the same impact that it had the first read through, but I don’t suppose a book will ever have so much expectation resting upon it from me. I had grown up and journeyed with these characters, which seemed to make their loses, my loses. Their triumphs, my triumphs.

I salute Rowling, and thank her for making reading an essential part of me. That is something I will always have and I wonder if without Harry Potter I would be quite the bookworm I am today!

Also as far as my personal challenge I am well ahead now, but hopefully this will give me a bit of room it I then hit a tougher book that takes a bit longer. I don’t tend to choose ‘small’ books, as the pace I normally read at makes it seem pointless and I like to invest in a story, so this time ahead of my challenge may well be needed later on. But overall so far I am really pleased and really enjoying challenging my reading in this way and making myself stick to a deadline is very useful and makes me feel much more productive. From here on the books I read I will attempt to actually review at least in regards to my expectations of them, I didn’t want to review Harry Potter as I have read them so many times and in my opinion they can do no wrong that it felt pointless.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (14/02/2014)

So I managed to read this super quick so I am now well ahead on my personal challenge. Being able to read on the bus on my kindle has greatly increased my reading hours in the week even when I’m at Uni. Once again my emotions feel battered after reading this installment of the Harry Potter series. It seems no matter how many times I read this series, and how prepared I am for the plot elements, I crumble in the same places every time. I actually think my emotions crumble more now than they did first time reading them, as my mind jumps to elements of the story I know will happen later. Conversations have more meaning, especially in characters I know won’t make it. I also seem to pick up on more subtle elements that escaped me when I read them through all those years ago.

I just feel so happy that I was able to be part of the reading legacy that is Harry Potter, I can only hope if I ever have children in the future that another author enriches children’s reading in the same way. I do so miss being able to excitedly wait for the next book, the thrill of cover releases and pre-ordering a book!

...... Simple pleasures.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (11/02/2014)

So I finished the fifth installment of the Harry Potter saga once again, late last night. I have to say even though I knew what was coming the emotional conclusion still gets to me every time. Probably even more so now that I know what happens over the whole story arc, then it did reading it the first time. I will once again reiterate that growing up almost parallel to Harry’s age when these books were first released, gave me an understanding of these books that I think gets slightly lost on people who read these books for the first time when they are older. I think it’s hard to remember what it is like to be a teenager who whole heartedly believes everyone and everything is against them, in Harry’s case this is often very literal. I have read a lot of reviews were people have moaned that Harry is whiny and overly aggressive etc. etc. I remember being 15 and find Harry’s attitude to be very accurate (I also am the oldest of six siblings and when the older ones have reached the mid-teens they have also acted exactly as Harry did in the book). Or they have chosen to focus on underlying themes, I personally read a book and take it at face value.

I do not search for hidden messages, I just enjoy the ride. And once again I have enjoyed this one.