|
Sep. 15, 2006
REALLY Good Books
There are a few books in my life that I consider really good. Invariably they are the books which inspire me to sit and think for days, to contemplate what might happen next, and to go online and try and find out more.
The very best books will leave a lasting impression with me, and years later, I will think back to them.
My list of very best books is short... my list of inspiring books is a little longer... and my list of good-but-not-great books longer still.
I just spend every day Sunday through Thursday, reading the Harry
Potter series. For a modern, children's series, it is
excellent. For a fantasy series, it is excellent.
I find Rowling to be a talented writer, and suddenly, the series is on my 'best' books list.
I ponder the plotline. I ask questions and try to find out the
answers online... and I sit fidgeting, wondering when the next book
will come out.
I cannot recall if I was this way after reading each book individually,
but when read together, they pack a powerful punch. They tell a
tale of the sorrow of death and loss that many modern stories lack,
preferring instead to baby the children and let them think all can be
made whole again. The Harry Potter series doesn't do that...
people die, and are dead in the book.
Something our family has had to deal with a lot recently, and that
really added to the character and understanding of my children, without
messing them up for life, the way many people seem to think it will.
The books pose questions about appearances and personality, and good
versus bad. They ask us to look within ourselves, hiding some
modern prejudices underneath the veil of wizardry.
Like all of my best books, they are eminently rereadable, the mark of a
great work, for I dispute anyone who might say that a good book is only
read once.
Perhaps my favourite aspect of the book, is the way the characters
actually develop... how by the end of book 6, Harry is most definitely
a man... and I mean this in his ability to take charge and make
choices, standing up for what he knows is right... not in any other
sense! He matures with the books, coming from a bad background,
shielded by innocence, until the 6th book, where he has become
hardened... almost desperate in a way.
This was also one of the things I liked about the other books on my list (Bible excepted)... each of them developed the characters, maturing them and making them suffer.
Least you think I am someone who enjoys suffering, I will tell you that
the books often make me cry. The last HP one did... an ending I
had hoped not to see, but realised how much it had to happen.
But, I ramble here... speaking aloud the thoughts that flood into my mind because the book has filled it so far.
On a final note, I will say that those who try to shield their children
from this book, do them and it a disservice. With careful
thought, one might use this as one would a fairytale, to illustrate
certain facts of life. While I certainly do not recommend it for
younger readers, I do not see where witholding it from them might get
you... for that which is forbidden always holds the most
attraction. Treat it with the same respect you do other fiction
works and make sure to tell everyone that it is fiction... and that even the author doesn't believe in Harry style magic!
So what other books are on my list?
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The Belgariad and Mallorean by David (and Leigh) Eddings
The Bible (you all know who this is by!!)
The Harry Potter Series
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien
Close contenders would be The Brother Cadfael mysteries by Ellis Peters and The Sister Fidelma mysteries by Peter Tremayne.
If you would like to read more about what is going to happen in the Harry Potter series, try these links:
J.K. Rowling's Website
The Leaky Cauldron
MuggleNet
|
| •
Post A Comment! •
Send to a Friend!
|
Comments
|
|
|
|
About Me
I'm a 29 year old mother of two, who loves to read, bake, knit and homeschool... You can also read my husband's 'rantings' at the link below ;)
|
I am currently having problems blogging here. Please check
my nature blog for more information.
Nature Blog
|
Sep. 16, 2006 - talking about books...
cura ut valeas
Jessica
How's schooling going?