The Harry Potter series ~J.K. Rowling~

Clutching my tear-soaked pillow to my chest, I cried. I cried from pain, as I realized that the characters I had grown so close to would never journey deeper than the final page, ‘The End’. Yet I also cried from joy, as I dwelt on the impact the characters and themes had made on me. 

I’ve heard it said that The Harry Potter series is a book series of sorcery and witchcraft and should not be handled by “children of the Light”. Out of curiosity, I read Harry Potter and I’ve discovered that there is no other series that could possibly better detail and emphasize the necessity of light and goodness in a dark and evil world. 

These books tell the stories of adventurers: the boy who lived, the time-turner, and the king. Their lives begin in different places, yet with the help of a new school, a shared house, and a daring game keeper, these three children form an unbreakable bond. And as their story is told, these comrades grow closer together, often through wars with others and with themselves. Though aging and difficulties are not simultaneous in the case of the three friends, as the group ages, their trials increase. Loved ones die and the threesome cling to each other for comfort.

Love is an important theme in the series. It is so important, in fact, that love is the key difference between the Dark Side and the Light Side. Harry Potter, born from true love and saved by true love, loved deeply those around him. Tom Riddle, completely incapable of love, created a kingdom of selfishness. Albus Dumbledore, motivated by a broken heart, loved for the greater good. Severus Snape watched his love leave, watched his love die, and then I watched him leave and die for his love’s son. Narcissa Malfoy followed those around her who didn’t love enough, until the day she realized that love was enough. Sirius Black, who loved in a gruffer manner than most, had loyal roots of friendship that ran strong. Hagrid, loved by few, loved as many humans and creatures his large arms could embrace. Through these characters I’ve learned that love defines me. Where and in whom I place my love shows the world who I am, and whether I am on the side of the dark or of the Light. 

My favorite characters changed as I read the books, my feelings and thoughts about the specific characters changing with their actions. I don’t usually have this “method” of switching favorites, but these books were so extensive that it was highly unlikely that my favorite could be the same person throughout the whole series. First, my favorite was Lupin. I loved how he went out of his way to be a friend and a mentor to Harry. However, when he left Hogwarts and joined the Order of the Phoenix, his character changed, and I disagreed with his methods of interaction with those he loved. Second, I liked Mad-Eye Moody….until I realized that he was in fact, not Mad-Eye but rather Barty Crouch Jr….yes, that put a damper on “our relationship”. The favorite characters I liked next, I liked at the same time: Snape, Dumbledore, and Harry. I loved Snape; I could tell that his brokenness was not because of any personal flaw in character, but rather bitterness at the events and people who had hurt him. I loved Dumbledore, because…basically…well, he’s Dumbledore. (I’d think “oh, he’s a serious wizard” and then he’d say something completely random and funny. Or I’d think “he’s in a silly mood” but then he’d slip a shattering metaphor or a beautiful truth into the conversation.) I liked Harry, because his personality and values are, frankly, easily likeable. Though my favorite characters often changed, by the end of the series, I was confident of my favorites. My final favorite characters are Snape and Harry. Snape and Harry both represent a part of me. Snape represents who I am: bitter at times, misunderstood, and forever holding a tendency to join the dark side. Harry represents who I strive to be: sacrificial, loving, brave, and forever refusing to let bitterness worm its way into his heart.

As I read these books, I’d find myself so entranced; I would often shake, scream, cry, or laugh. I felt that I was in the actual book, that I experienced their adventures. I remember one time, after a particular traumatic event at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, looking up at Karina and saying, “Books are magic. How is it possible to journey into so many different worlds, to experience different lives, and to feel such intense emotions over scribbles on a couple hundred sheets of paper?” No one can answer the question better than Professor Dumbledore himself when he and Harry have the following conversation, 

“’Tell me one last thing,’ said Harry. ‘Is this real? Or has this been happening in my head?’

[Dumbledore replies,] ‘Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?’”

 (p. 723 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)

A Separate Peace ~John Knowles~

I just finished reading A Separate Peace by John Knowles. At first glance one may wonder what this book and I actually have in common, as it takes place in a boys’ boarding school during World War II. However, it has really felt personal to me. I was Gene: I felt what he felt, and I realized the deceitfulness of my own heart, when he realized the same deceit in his own. 

The main theme of the book is war, not the physical battle, but the emotional one, between two characters, Phineas and Gene. Phineas is fun, athletic, and controls everyone he meets with his charming character. Gene feels like everyone sees him in the shadow of his friend Finny (Phineas). When Gene pushes Finny off of a tree, resulting in Finny’s handicap, Gene begins the process of understanding the evil in his own heart. By the end of the novel, Gene can say that his jealousy and anger towards Phineas has died; he realizes that each man is evil inside, and everyone is fighting that same battle of evil vs. good inside his heart.

I have certain friends that I am jealous of---but it’s an odd sort of jealousy. I would classify them as my friends; yet, I often feel frustration towards them rooted in envy. Often times, just like Gene, I react to them horribly, losing my temper and control. So, this book was strangely personal, as I felt that Gene and I were one, journeying through the battles of jealousy towards ones we hold dear.

Fifty Shades of Grey ~EL James~

okay, so I don't rant very often.

okay, that's a lie. i rant. i just usually don't do it online.

however, i'm on a mission to actually use this blog, and so, tonight, instead of doing my homework or pinteresting (guilty as charged), i'm gonna write a rant.

it's about the novel by EL James, 50 Shades of Grey.

and before you think, "oh dang, not another one of these 'Top 5 Most Horrid and Wrong and Condemningly Wicked Things in 50 Shades of Grey' articles that have pretty much flooded social media, keep reading.

now for starters: i haven't ever read the book. and i'm not planning it. (aka i'd rather die first)

however, i will say this:

i understand why people want to boycott the movie, or warn people about the dangers of reading the book.

i really do.

most likely, they're using social media in hopes of betterment of the individual, and to gain supporters and believers in purity, mentally and physically.

however, i honestly think this whole thing has been dragged out too far,

because it's causing people all over the world to be curious about it, to want to know more, to read the books, or watch the movies.

in the past few years, i've dedicated much time to becoming aware of world problems and controversies, and deciding my position on these issues: am i for abortion or against it? should gay marriage be legal? is the hunger games series ruining the minds of children world wide? does God exist? what is the lifestyle Christ would want us to live? is racism a problem in america? what clothing is modest? does antiperspirant deodorant give breast cancer?

(some of these are more serious controversies than others, but you get the idea: i don't like it when i base my beliefs about controversial issues off of other peoples' opinions) (and i also don't like not knowing what and why i believe something) (i've always clashed with people who believe things for the sole purpose of "well, so and so said", or "i just always figured...")

having said that, i really wanted to have an opinion about this 50 Shades of Grey, not based on what other people said about it, but what i read for myself.

however,

i can't quite justify reading it.
(even if it's for a "good purpose", it would still be:
a.) disturbing
and
b.) disturbing )

and so basically, here i am with this opinion: why talk about something SO INCREDIBLY frequently, when change is not probable. the movie theaters are not going to ban the movie, the author is not going to jump off a cliff, and people everywhere are still going to see the movie. articles are not going to stop the average person from being interested. in fact, i will go as far to say, that these articles spike interest towards the book and movie, and actually increase its popularity.

and that's sorta what happened:
because of the publicity of 50 Shades of Grey, i was interested; albeit, not enough to read the book, but enough to be curious.

i think anyone else without my reason of "purity of mind", would easily go see the movie or read the books, because of its publicity. media has made it a huge thing, and i personally think that if people would stop talking about it so much, the overall curiosity and interest in the movie and book would decrease.

....that was my rant, thank you.

sorry for the bad grammar---i'm running off of three cups of coffee, and pessimism.

and we all know that when that happens, grammar goes out the window.

If I Stay series ~Gayle Forman~

Dear Gayle Forman,

I read the If I Stay series expecting greatness. The first book met my expectations—great. 

The second, on the other hand, was so scattered and pointless that it brought the value of the first book down at least a thousand notches.

The plot of If I Stay is very creative, so kudos to you Gayle, if I may call you that, for writing a book with an intense plot, lovable characters, and deep themes.

However, whatever creativity points you gained from writing the first were DEMOLISHED after you wrote the second.

I would bet some good money that you were pressured to write a second book by publishers and so, inspired by the money, you wrote an ending for Adam and Mia. 

And what a lame ending you wrote, my friend.

Part of the beauty of a tragic novel, one of injury or sickness, death or hurt, is the fact that complete healing isn’t always found in the end. 

The fact that the reader is unaware at the end of the first book whether Mia chooses Adam or chooses her career is a beautiful thing. 

We, as the readers, are left to ponder the choices in our own lives. Will I choose those I love, or a career I love? Is it possible to mesh the two? Can I have both my loved ones, and my dearest passions?

By wrapping up the series with a sequel that details Adam and Mia’s continued hurt and struggles, you lost some of the magic of the unknown. 

But hey, I would have given you even half credit had you written a second book with ease and flow.

Alas, you did not.

And what the readers are left with is a brief view of the destruction of everything we loved about Adam: his character, his love for others, his humour, and his passion for music.

We see Mia, who we before handedly assume to be mourning her family and missing life with Adam, but who in reality is talking to them daily, hearing their spirit voices in her mind. 

Like. What. The. World. 

When did Mia become some animist? Oh right, I remember. The same time Adam was sleeping around, getting drunk, and becoming a superstitious freak. 

Was the second book really necessary, Gayle? Because your readers don’t think so.

Sincerely a reader who liked the first book, hated the second, and is praying there won’t be a third,

Jessica

The Hunger Games series ~Suzanne Collins~

I read the Hunger Games series my freshman year when a friend of mine gave me the books. It was before the movie came out, before the fandom had officially formed, and before theology had changed perspectives. I loved it, and I still do. Before seeing The Mockingjay Part 1 in theaters with my family, I decided to reread the series for a fresh remembrance. I felt that a book review about the series would bore me, since most of the topics and themes of the books have been well-worn and debated by scholars, students, and friends around the world, so I decided to make a little video/review of some of my favorite scenes, and play them to the song that Katniss sings, The Hanging Tree.                                                                                 

The Maze Runner series ~James Dashner~

The Maze Runner series is yet another series since The Hunger Games that details a dystopian society and the turmoil therein. These books describe the journey of a group of teenagers who are forced to enter a series of tests, at which time they are evaluated in order to discover a cure from a disease known as the Flare. These teenagers are originally trapped in a maze. They face their deepest fears as they try and decode the secret to the Maze. Upon escape, they are sent through the Scorch Trials, a laborious race to an uncontaminated haven. The third book in the series describes the group’s internal battle between discerning ally from enemy, life from death, and right from wrong. 

My favorite thing about this series wasn’t even a thing, but rather a person: Newt, labeled as ‘The Glue’ of the experiments. In the Maze, he was the leader, and everyone recognized his gift of careful discernment. He had been injured by a Griever monster, and barely escaped with his life. This terrifying event traumatized him; yet, he did not give up. He fought through the Maze and through his fear. In the end of the series, Newt understands his capacity to kill so he sacrifices himself by requesting death. He is my favorite character because he was created to embody one of the most important themes in this series, “Innocence destroyed.” Yet, he revolts against the pressure to lose his innocence, and even chooses death over fully embracing evil. 

I had heard much about these books, mostly good reviews. The author was exceptional at writing an air of horror and ‘creepiness’. (I even jumped a mile high once, so enwrapped in the story I was.) However, I thought the writing style made the story difficult to visualize, which effected the connection between myself and the characters. I think about these books often, even though I finished reading them a while back, and I think that’s because the themes in the books are so relative to struggles I face. 

Are the people I consider friends truly on my side? How should I react to the feeling of betrayal? Will I still love my friends when they change?

 ~

Oh, and here’s a picture collage thing of Newt that I found on abbiemarie1998.tumblr.com.

 (Yes, I was too lazy to make my own and also, what could I make to compare to this one?)

~

Oh, and I read the prelude, The Kill Order, and it sucked. 

Yay: I now know the origins of the Flare. 

Boo: What a horrid, sad, depressing, poorly-written prelude.