My Introduction to the World of Harry Potter

photo source: here

I don't think there's ever been a book series that's been more hyped up or talked about in my lifetime, than that of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.  As someone who reads young adult literature, and had never witnessed the world of Harry Potter on page, I felt like I was cheating myself.  People constantly asked me how it was possible that I had never read Harry Potter.  Well now I can proudly say that I have read, devoured, fallen in love, and totally consumed myself in the first installment of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

I get it now.  I 100% fully understand the love for this story.  Though I am just starting out, and still have loads more to experience, it's starting to all make sense.  These books may come across as a tale about wizards and magic, but they're so much more than that.  There's truth, honor, wisdom, passion, friendship, and guidance spilled through out these pages.  It's something I didn't know until my eyes read these words for themselves.  It doesn't matter what age you are, what part of the world you come from, or what you believe in.. the magic of literature, especially in this story, can touch us all.  I am excited beyond belief to read the rest of this series.  I feel like I've just only dipped my toes in and can't wait to completely submerge myself in the world of Harry Potter.  If you have not read these books yet (are there still any of you left out there? I thought I may have been alone) I urge you to pick them up soon.  I may be late to this party, but I am so happy I finally arrived!

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." 
- Albus Dumbledore

Books I'm Falling into this Month

photo by Nekopie

It's a new month, which means new reading material for me!  I royally sucked it up in September when it came time to reading.  Still trying to balance my work load + study time for classes + everything else in between, I am hoping October will be more productive in the book department.

Below you will find my tentative reading pile for this month.  I am super excited for quite a few of these books!  October is one of my favorite months, even though the seasons don't really start to change until closer to Thanksgiving around here.  However, a girl can still dream of fall leaves & cooler temps - right?  Plus Halloween falls in October, which happens to be my favorite holiday :-)  I have chosen a few books to read during this month that may have that "spooky" or "creepy" factor, or books that take the imagination to a whole new place!

Let me know in the comments if you've read any of these, what your thoughts on them are, or if you want to pick a few to read along with me!  Be on the look out for upcoming reviews for these books.

Silence (Hush, Hush #3) by Becca Fitzpatrick

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever. {taken from goodreads.com}

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.{taken from goodreads.com}

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry hates living with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and their spoiled-rotten son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny closet beneath the stairs, and the entire family treats him with disdain. What's more, Harry keeps getting into trouble for making strange things happen -- things he seems to have no control over. But then Harry discovers the truth about himself when a determined messenger delivers an enlightening message. It turns out that Harry's mother was a witch, his father a wizard. And not only is Harry also a wizard, he's a famous one! His survival of the attack by the evil wizard who killed his parents has marked him as a legendary hero -- as has the lightning-bolt-shaped scar on his forehead.

Soon Harry finds himself attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he receives training in some magic basics, masters riding a broomstick, and discovers his incredible talent for a game called Quidditch, which is played in the air on flying brooms. And for the first time in his life, Harry has friends who care about him: his fellow students Hermione and Ron and a giant named Hagrid. But all is not rosy when Harry discovers his true destiny and finds he must once again face the evil one who killed his parents. His survival will depend upon the help of his newfound friends, as well as his own wit and powers. {taken from goodreads.com}

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic.

Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad.

Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried. {taken from goodreads.com}

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities. {taken from goodreads.com}

My reading pile is forever changing, so I may be incorporating other books as well. Check back often to see what I've reviewed and you can always find me on goodreads to see what I'm "currently reading".

I receive a small commission from books purchased through the Amazon links provided.

Harry Potter: A Slow and Arduous Journey

The story of an adolescent wizard named Harry Potter, along with his best friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, has taken over young adult literature for the last decade & then some.  I am a bit ashamed to admit that I have yet to pick up these books.  I promise to one day, though.  In the mean time I thought I'd showcase a very dear friend of mine's portrayal of the books as she encounters Harry Potter for the first time.  Please welcome Erin to GReads! 

I used to roll my eyes so hard at Harry Potter fans that I’d almost puke from the vertigo. I proudly proclaimed myself to be the only middle school language arts teacher left that hadn’t read the series. Why, I wondered, would I waste my time reading a series that contained so little ROMANCE?! That didn’t contain an Edward/Jace/ Peeta/Po/Sam/Fuentes brother/Jacob and on and on and on… Blasphemy!

Oh, was I wrong…

Let me back up for a moment. Two friends play a very important role in this journey, and I need to introduce them. Kari is my friend who ridiculed (RIDDIKULUS!) HP with me (“Why would we read HP when he dies at the end of the first book?!” etc etc), and Corinne is my friend (and Kari’s sister-in-law) who is perhaps one of the most determined fans of the series I’ve ever encountered. Corinne decided that she wanted Kari and me to read the series so much that she was willing to read it to us via Skype once per week. I accepted the offer (how do you turn down something as heartfelt as that?) and thus the journey began.

I have to say, I was bored at first. I teach eighth graders, and so reading about the goings-on of 11-year-olds didn’t quite catch me at first. But then they went to Hogwarts. And ohhhh, do I want to go to Hogwarts. And Hogsmeade. And drink butterbeer. And eat sugar quills. Edible office supplies?! Dream come true!

I don’t think I’ve ever read a series (or maybe will ever read a series) that is so wonderfully written and detailed. It’s seamless. It’s enchanting. Each character is so fully developed and real that I feel like they are my friends, and I find them so endearing. I don’t miss the romance (much…I am only on book five. And I gasp and giggle every time Hermione and Ron argue) because my requisite romance is between the series and me. I’m truly in love with the books. I find myself reading more and more slowly to savor them because I know the end is in sight. (Insert Snooki-style WAHHHHH!)

Above all, the storyline is epic in the truest sense. Harry is a true-to-type literary hero but is unique in his likability and faults. I can’t wait to find out how it all ends, and yet I dread the finale. At least I still have the final movie to look forward to – and all of the random stuff that comes with the series. I love the Puppet Pals video, and with Kari’s Snape obsession, I have all sorts of (shudder) interesting photos to peruse.

Thank you, Ginger, for allowing me to guest blog. This was so fun! Maybe you’ll allow me back for a reflective piece once I finish the series? Love you!! :)


That WAS fun!! Thank you so much to Erin for being a guest blogger & giving us your thoughts on Harry Potter.  Have you read the series?! I'd love to hear about your first journey with this famous wizard...