Book Three - Completed!

I can feel it happening. Slowly...the obsession is creeping in. I am doing what I can to stop it, but I can't hold it off for much longer. And my friends are not helping. So far, I think the books have been interesting yet not so so enthralling that they take up my life. However, the world that J.K. Rowling creates in these books is so real and inventive that you can't help but want to be a part of it, even if that just means reading further. And, the following that they have gathered has resulted in Harry Potter being everywhere you look. Movies, Legos, posters, etc. It is impossible to resist.
So, I continue my journey.


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was the first book that I read about which I had no prior knowledge. I didn't even know the name of the third book so I had to ask the librarian just so I could check it out. I felt like a doofus. Anyway, it was fun to read an entirely new book and not know what was going to happen.

I found out quickly that the "Prisoner of Azkaban" was Sirius Black, whom I knew I liked from what I saw of him in the fifth movie. But, I was so confused! The whole time, Black is made out to be this terrible person who indirectly killed Harry's parents and was a traitor and killed innocent people and didn't care about it at all. He was Voldemort's servant! How could he become the cool guy that I knew he was later in the series?? It was a very interesting read, knowing that somehow, some way, he turned out to be good.

I was not disappointed. Well, in what concerned Sirius Black. There was one thing I was depressed about-- Scabbers! I really liked him; I was extremely sad when he turned out to be Peter Pettigrew: an abominable, cowering, stupid man. Oh, and another thing that made me sad-- that Lupin had to resign at the end. I really liked him :(

I had a prediction that was squashed while reading this book. I was convinced, halfway through the book, that Lupin would eventually be Sirius Black in some sort of disguise. Honestly though, Lupin knew all sorts of things about Black, he knew how to get past dementors, and his last name is Lupin, which resembles lupus and other forms of the word wolf. And since I knew that Black could turn into a wolf-like creature, I was sure Lupin would turn out to be him. But I was wrong, oh well. At least I was close with the wolf thing.
There were some things that I got to understand concerning Harry Potter, of which I have heard over the years. I learned:

• What dementors actually are. (Creepy, terrifying prison guards which suck the happiness out of people and make them go mad.)
• What Expecto Patronum means, and what a Patronus is. (Advanced magic which releases a sort of energy in the form of an animal [a Patronus] which drives back dementors.)
• What "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." means. (How to open the Marauder's Map, which shows countless passages within Hogwarts.)
• What a boggart is. (A creature that assumes the shape of your worst fear.)

I have decided that my boggart would turn into a stereotypical "Jack the Ripper" type serial killer. Absolutely mad beyond reason, brandishing a ragged knife and laughing maniacally. Of course, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a twisted smile. As I discussed this with Kelsey, we made the realization that many Riddikulus techniques would not have the same effect on my boggart like they did in the book, especially Neville's approach. I don't think it would be very funny to dress my serial killer in old lady's clothing.... So we decided that I would have to turn him into cardboard or something.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It was good, and I was impressed with how the story came together, once again. Also, I would like to let you know that I am refraining from writing anything about what was revealed to me by watching the first part of the seventh movie because I am hoping to forget as much as I can. So that's why there's been no post about that.

Well, all that said, on to the next book!

Want to see my other posts about the series? Right here.

Done with Book Two!

So here we are again, blogging Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. First off, I liked it (of course), and reading the book made me have some very vague memories of seeing at least parts of the movie. I will recount my few snapshots now. I clearly remember these parts in the movie:

• There is a giant snake in a dark tunnel sort thing and someone barely escapes death
• Dobby gets a sock that is wedged in the pages of a diary which allows him to be free from his master
• We get to see inside the Weasley's house
• There is a ghost that haunts the girls' bathroom
• And Hermione turns herself into a cat (kind of)

These are my memories that have become more clear after reading the book. However, I had no idea that Ginny was so involved and was in fact the one doing the dirty work (however aware of it she was), that Hermione (and several other students) were Petrified for a large portion of the book, that there's a secret community of huge spiders in the Forbidden Forest, that Voldemort preserved his young self in his own diary, or that Harry could speak Parseltongue. Plus a lot of other things, but those are the big ones.

Now I would like to take some time to comment on how refreshing it is to be reading books that have a point and are actually well-thought-out. I like how things from the first book actually connect to the second book, and I'm sure that will continue through the rest of them. For example, almost immediately in the first book, we learn that Harry can talk to snakes. It just seems to be one of those strange wizard occurrences until we get to the second book and learn that it is something actually very rare. It's exciting. :)

Also, J.K. Rowling covers her bases. She may not have perfect explanations for everything, but at least she explains things. I had a happy moment at the end of this book when I realized I only had a few pages and left and I thought to myself, "But what was Percy doing that Ginny saw?? Is she not going to tell us?!"

And then my eyes skipped down the very page I was reading and lo and behold, Harry asks what Ginny saw Percy doing. Aha. No loose ends here, no siree. :)

It's just nice and safe knowing that you have an exceptional author writing the book you're reading.

So yes, Book Two was enjoyable and I look forward to reading the rest, but not before I am subjected to the first part of the last movie. Sadness. I will try to get through this movie relatively unscathed, hoping that the rest of the books I have to read will not be spoiled beyond belief. Fingers crossed...

Want to see my other posts about the series? Right here.

Upon Completing Book One

Well, I officially finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on Tuesday night (technically early Wednesday morning), so I'm back to blog about the experience.

Mostly, I just have to say that I was right on most accounts in my previous post. Yes, Harry had an abusive family, received letters, and all that jazz.
What I did not know was (including but not limited to the following):

• what the Sorcerer's Stone even was (it's a special thing that means you can make a potion to live forever, or something like that)
• that there is a character named Neville and I like him lots
• that Harry even played Quidditch
• how to play Quidditch
• that there was a whole ordeal involving a dragon
• that Ginny is Ron's little sister, and that we are actually introduced to her (a little) in the first book

Those are probably the big things. So here's what I got out of it. I liked it. I like the nice and easy writing style and some of the language is very cute.

I can also understand why people are depressed about not getting their letters to Hogwarts (because it must have gotten lost in the mail...) because not gonna lie, pretty cool place. I wouldn't mind going there instead of having to be at college and dread the real world. It would be so much easier to just know that I have magical powers and I can go learn how to use them at this awesome school. Even all the studying they do seems more interesting than even the smallest bit of studying I have to do now. Sigh.

But I also decided that if I were to be a character in this series and actually attend Hogwarts, J.K. Rowling would not write about me. Firstly, I would be in Hufflepuff, and nothing exciting happens there. And second, I would follow all the rules and not be a stand out at all. The only people who get written about break the rules and go after what they know to be right. Hence, Harry, Ron, and Hermione being the main characters. That is why I like Neville. He's the closest character to who I would be.

So yeah. I think that's all I have to say on that subject: that I did not hate the book and I actually got past the first chapter without a hitch this time. Also, that I plan on reading the second book before the movie comes out. I've been told this will help me better understand but not give away too much so all the rest of the books will be spoiled since I will essentially be seeing what happens at the end.
And yes, I drew that picture on Microsoft Paint. Pure talent, right there. :)

Want to see my other posts about the series? Right here.

Harry Pottah!

Here it is:

The post that I have been planning on writing for a looong time now.  The post in which I tell you every single thing that I know about Harry Potter before I start reading the books.

Yes, I have Book 1 in my possession, and I fully intend on reading it.  Now that I'm writing this post, I really have to.

So, as you may or may not know, I am going to see the midnight showing of Harry Potter in a little over a week, and I have not read a single book.  I avoided it for quite a while.  I once tried reading the first book, and I read the first chapter.  But then I had dreams about how the author was writing just for money and I stopped reading it.  Now, I'm willing to crack open that first book again and hopefully finish the whole series so I can know what the heck people are talking about.  But most everyone I know has read them, so I've learned a lot over the years.

To start off, I've seen the first and the fifth movie.  I'm pretty sure I've seen parts of the second movie too, but I really can't be sure.  Anyway, I only really remember the first one, so I've got the basics down.
Harry Potter grows up in an abusive household that keeps him in a room under the stairs for most of his life.  His parents were killed at an early age (by Voldemort [he who shall not be named, or something like that]), and that left Harry with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead because he was somehow able to escape.
Harry has an adopted brother who is a spoiled brat and Harry's parents are mean.  One day, Harry receives a mystical letter from a place called Hogwarts.  This is a school of wizardry, and apparently, young Harry is a wizard (not a muggle, which are regular people like me).  Harry's parents don't let him have his letter, and in the days that follow, messenger owls deliver hundreds of identical letters to Harry's house.
Some things transpire, I think, and Harry ends up getting to go to Hogwarts anyway.  There's something to do with Hagrid, who is this really big hairy guy.
At school, Harry meets Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, who become his good friends.  I think this is the part where I can start listing what I know because mostly it's just different characters.  I also know that a lot of people die, so I will indicate if I know that they die in the parentheses after their name, along with a short description of what I know about them.

• Harry Potter (obvious)
• Ron Weasley (Harry's best friend)
• Hermione Granger (another best friend, a perfectionist)
• Hagrid (big weird guy)
• Hedwig (Harry's pet owl)
• Draco Malfoy (a mean boy)
• Dumbledore (important wizard; dies)
• Severus Snape (a professor; dies [pretty sure he does])
• Sirius Black (an awesome wolf guy; dies)
• Cedric Diggory (played by Rob Pattinson; dies)
• Luna Lovegood (a weird girl)
• Ginny (marries Harry at the end of the series)
• Dobby (a weird servant creature)
• Voldemort (he who shall not be named; I assume he dies in the end)
• Some lady with hair that changes colors (she dies, and so does her husband [?] and maybe her child too)
• A teacher who turns into a cat

Okay, I guess I am running out of characters now.  Anyway, those are the people that I know, and I'm sure I'll meet a lot more when I start reading. Some stuff will probably come back into memory.

Other than characters, I do not know very much about the books and the plot.  I know they like to play Quidditch, and there's a whole big thing with Harry and Voldemort battling it out.  There's also something about Dumbledore's Army which seems to be a really big deal with a lot of people.

I know that the three main people--Harry, Ron, and Hermione--survive, and Harry gets married and has kids, and I'm pretty darn sure that Ron and Hermione get married.

So, I think that is about it for what I know about Harry Potter. I might just start reading it right now.  But first, I wish to set some guidelines for myself that I'm sure I will break anyway but whatever.

1. Do not get obsessed.  I can see you HP fans right now laughing at me. I know! It's probably an impossible expectation, but you don't know how bad I can get. Obsession for me is a chronic disease. One particular obsession can last for years, and the lingering effects can resurface at any time. So when I say that I do not want to get obsessed, I mean when I start saying everything reminds me of Harry Potter and I talk about it all the time, please stop me. Tell me that this is happening so at least I am aware. Because sometimes it can sneak up and I don't even notice.
2. Finish before the very last movie.  Not the one coming in a number of days, no. I'm not that crazy.  The one that is coming in I think June. Or July. I would like to be legitimately excited for one thing that everyone is excited about too.
3. No buying shirts, dressing up, or anything of the like.  This goes along with 1, but I'm serious about this. I do not want to become the very people I have been making fun of for years! Years! I am reading these books to become informed, not to go crazy.

Whew. Those are the very few (yet very demanding) goals that I have set for myself. Now I think I'm going to  actually start reading. Ah!

Want to see my other posts about the series? Right here.

Now It's November

I thought I would make a follow-up blog to let you know how my October mission turned out.  I've kind of been putting this off because I did not succeed in watching all those movies. I'll just tell you that straight out. I failed. And I'm sorry.

I said I would watch Interview with a Vampire, which I did, but that doesn't even count since I watched it before I wrote that blog.  Next on my list was The Shining, which, in my defense, I really want to watch this with a friend (Kelsey) and I have not seen her since July so... I'm kind of glad that I didn't watch it so now we can watch it together for the first time.
I did watch Paranormal Activity! Success. My review: it was all right. Sort of intense, but I thought it was a little disappointing at the end. Not as terrible as I thought it would be.
I didn't get to watch Shutter Island again, but it's still on my list. I loved it when I saw it in theaters, so I suggest that everyone see it. I also did not watch An American Werewolf in London, Nightmare Before Christmas, or The Ring, so I feel bad about that.  Nor did I get to revisit Psycho.

This is getting pretty depressing. As for the rest of the movies, I didn't see them either, haha. That means I did not get to watch the creepy guy in Nosferatu, and I didn't get to enjoy Woody Harrelson once again in Zombieland (sad face).  Didn't see I was a Teenage Werewolf, did not watch Van Helsing (but this is another one I want to watch with Kelsey), and I didn't see Sleepy Hollow. Hopefully next year I will do better.

But after all that fail, don't you want to know what I did watch? I will tell you.
I watched the 1992 version of Dracula. It was not very good. Not recommended.
I saw My Soul To Take in theaters. It was pretty decent. But it made me have a bad dream in which I killed somebody.
And I watched LOTS and LOTS of Dexter. :D
This was my newfound obsession for the month. Had I not been so bogged down with an unusual amount of work to do, I would have finished every episode available. I went through the entire second season in one weekend. That's twelve hours of Dexter, guys. That's intense.
Long story short, it's an amazing show that you should give a chance. It's on Showtime though, so there's mature content; it might be kind of offensive in terms of language and some nudity. Just a heads up.

So, now that it's November 2nd, I feel like I should let you know how my month will probably go.
This week will be chill. This weekend will be awesome (it's DEEP!). Next week should probably also be pretty chill. And next weekend, my fam is coming to town!
The week after that (the week of Monday the 15th) should be a little more busy. In addition to schoolwork, I am going to see Harry Potter at midnight on Thursday (Friday technically), which I can tell you more about later. Yes, I think I will make a Harry Potter post at some point.
After that, I am still deciding on exactly how many of my two classes I want to attend on that Friday because Thanksgiving Break starts that Saturday!
You know what I am doing?? I'm going to ALABAMA!! I get to go visit Kelsey for her birthday, then we are flying back home the next day. Then I get freeedom until Sunday. So looking forward to it. :)
Then when I come back to school on Monday there are only two days of November left!
How awesome!

So that's my month. And, once again, I will post a follow-up in December. That's all for now!