Harry, doing it again.

You know how I feel about Harry.

And now there is scientific proof that Harry's goodness helps produce goodness in others.

http://m.mic.com/articles/95236/psychologists-find-a-surprising-thing-happens-to-kids-who-read-harry-potter

I would love to take a course in Potter. I would love nothing more, too, than teaching a Potter course with middle schoolers. 

And so. Reminds me I need to read the new short story on Pottermore! I'll leave you with this:

"Why you should care: It's impossible to rule out that there were inevitably other factors at work beyond the scope of the study, but if you're a Harry Potter fan, this is wonderful news. It provides some experimental backing for J.K. Rowling'sopinion that, "The Potter books in general are a prolonged argument for tolerance, a prolonged plea for an end to bigotry."

More importantly, it shows that conveying messages of tolerance through literature actually works. Potter's journey of self-discovery, then, might some day be immortalized in projects that aim to teach tolerance to young children."

Oh, Harry.

~MJ

Progress in 2014

Surprisingly, I've been able to stick to the "no buying books in 2014" rule pretty well. The Tulsa Library and my own personal library have been my friends, and two gift cards from Amazon.

Since last posting, I've finished more books:

"Insurgent" by Veronica Roth (finished February 12)
page turning! 
"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn (finished March 5)
It was wonderful to read something for adults. And I was absolutely mesmerized. But so disappointed in the ending.
"Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese (finished March 18)
As transformational as "The Poisonwood Bible." A must-read.
Re-read "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert (finished March 23)
Because I couldn't get into anything after Cutting for Stone (yep, one of those) and I was traveling. It was awesome to re-read this book that was so inspiring to me at age 21(ish) as a 27 year old. Some of it felt like I was reading it for the first time. 
"Where'd You Go, Bernadette" by Maria Semple (finished April 6)
HILARIOUS. I was consistently entertained and didn't want to stop reading.

I tried starting, but have yet to finish (for lack of interest, really):

"Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
Roth's "Tobias" sounds a lot like her ... lead female I can't remember. And they both sound like whiny teenagers in this book - I couldn't handle it. Had to take a break.
"The Circle" by Dave Eggers
Not yet hooking me in, and after 100 pages, that's sad.
"A Casual Vacancy" by JK Rowling
Way too many characters. I should have been keeping track in a notebook. I will likely re-visit this because it did seem interesting, just too much for my brain on vacation;-)
"Heaven is For Real" by Todd Burpo
Was interesting sometimes but then got a little preachy. Not my jam.

Currently, I'm reading:

"Winter's Tale" by Mark Helprin
Love this - it's complex but is built like a fairy tale in some ways. It's a long read. I'm about 400 pages in and only halfway through; I had to renew this at the library 3 times and then decided to use a gift card to but the e-version on Amazon so I didn't have to lug the book around while I traveled for work recently. It's also so good I don't mind having my own copy to preserve earmarks.

Yay for reading!

Now, about to watch Season 4 of Game of Thrones. I am tempted to get back into reading those books, but fear it will only confuse me more!

~MJ

Oh, Harry.

This year has been a mixed bag of books for me. I will discuss that in a later post.

But I did do something over Thanksgiving Break that sent me on a whirlwind three weeks of happy nostalgia.

While one of my friends and I adventured in the Land of Enchantment, we took an audiobook for the long drives through Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. That audiobook was "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Beyond the trip being amazing, that was one of the best things that ever happened in my travel experience.

First, I don't do audiobooks very often (or really, at all). Second, I rarely re-read (or re-listen?) to stories I've already read. But when she put in the first CD, I was giddy with joy. This series truly gives me light.

We listened to the whole book. While stopped in Amarillo, TX for a snack, we passed a Barnes and Noble, and knowing our proximity to the end of the story, we contemplated buying the second book. But we didn't. Oh, how wrong we were! A half hour outside of Amarillo, we regretted this decision when the book ended. When Dumbledore awarded Neville points for his courage in standing up to friends, I teared up. How could one not?

And then we were left with 3-4 hours of road left, many cows, and no Harry Potter. So we filled the emptiness with theories about what happens after book 7 and whether J.K. Rowling should write an 8th book. We also just rode quietly in awe of her masterpiece and the uncertainty that anything quite like it will come again.

Upon arriving at home, I did get the second book in audio form and commenced my new exploration into the Chamber of Secrets. It blew my mind that literally, I had not engaged with that text since seventh grade, and yet the story - and so many details were fresh. It was like seeing an old friend for the first time in years and picking up right where we left off.

Then, I was at Target (like B&N, a dangerous and expensive habit), preparing for Tulsa's "snow days." I happened to pass through the DVD section (it was right there!) and found the HP Movie series, in its entirety, for $20. Now, I have never been quiet about my opinion that the movies are not that good - but, the audiobooks had made me thirsty for all the Harry Potter I could get.

And so I watched 7 of the 8 movies in four days (thank you "snow days") - and it was so good for my soul.

The whole experience reminded me of just how powerful this series is, and what a profound impact stories can make. As I embark on Christmas break, I hear a play is coming along from J.K. Rowling about Harry. What I realized is that no matter the next installment, the first seven stories are ones for the ages. And the reason I crave more is that they are just so good. Even 14 years after my first reading, I still find them to be engaging and beautiful. Whether an additional installment, in the form of a play, will satisfy  - I don't know. But I'm happy these stories happened, and that they continue to live very brightly in my life.

Thanks again, Harry.

~MJ

Thank you, Harry.

Best. Series. Ever.

I left "A Game of Thrones" in my car and a new book I'm reading for work. I may not be able to handle reading much right now anyway, but I glanced at my bookshelf and couldn't resist: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

My mom originally got this book for me over ten years ago. In 7th grade, I heard about the book on The Rosie O'Donnell show (my favorite after school tv pastime) but didn't think much of it. Then, my mom got me a copy as she had heard good things about the book. She only got me paperback, though, thinking that if I got into the series we could do hardcover, but it wasn't worth the investment if I ended up not enjoying the first book.

Little did we both know what a passion it would become.

I raced through the first three books during the fall of my 7th grade year, which, in addition to my other reading, catapulted me to the front of my homeroom class in terms of number of books read. That year I won a CD from my teacher for reading so much - and I thank HARRY POTTER!

In the years that followed, I remember the time spent waiting for a new book to arrive. I always pre-ordered the latest HP novel on Amazon.com instead of doing the bookstore party thing. Amazon always promised it would be delivered day-of-release. Twice FedEx failed on Amazon's promise and I had to wait a few extra days (aka, an eternity). But twice Amazon refunded our money for the inconvenience!

I remember the FedEx delivery guy arrived on schedule for the delivery of one of the books. But he was exasperated  It was mid-afternoon; I had anxiously waited all day and was convinced my book was lost in the mail. I'd also heard about people looting delivery trucks. I also had heard that there were simply too many books to be delivered for them to all arrive on schedule. But, FedEx man arrived. I saw him through the picture window in the living room and it was all I could do not to race to the door before he got to the doorstep. My mom and I greeted him and got the book. I was speechlessly excited. He smiled nicely and I remember my mom and him chatting a moment about his day. He said something about his truck being full of Harry Potter and there not being enough hours in the day. So true, delivery man. So true.

I knew people who read them in 24 hours. I would usually try to savor the book for a week although so often it was hard to put down. I remember growing with Harry - the story lines deepening as I matured. I fancied myself to be the same age as Harry and I still won't let anyone tell me differently. I started an HP fan club online in middle school, in the days of AOL chat rooms, message boards, and list servs. I managed to acquire a following of 70 or so people, from all over the world, for an e-newsletter about Harry. It included columns about the plot and characters and I accepted submissions of something from my readers.

My fascination with local news got me to send the newsletter to a local anchor (Wayne Herman at Denver's 7). He mentioned it on the air during the last segment of a show and subscribed to future newsletters. It was probably my most successful attempt at amateur journalism as a child - fostering a love I already had for writing and letting be a little reporte...thanks to HARRY POTTER!

It still blows my mind to think how deeply I, along with millions across the world, got into HP. I usually hesitate to jump on bandwagons right away, but I definitely rode the wave of HP like a pro - and I long for those times. I wish had gone to a bookstore party or two. I did wait in line for the midnight showing of the sixth movie, although I fell asleep (the movies aren't as good as the books, anyway). I long for the anticipation that came with a new HP book; the novelty of that FedEx delivery every couple of years.

I also miss the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione; the wisdom of Dumbledore and Hagrid; the characters I cried over like Sirius Black, Dobby, and yes, Dumbledore. I miss losing myself in a world mixed of wizards and muggles, broomstick sports and custom wands. And, considering how successful HP is, I wonder why words like "muggles" don't clear my computer's spell-check.

Despite my many years of commitment to HP, I've never re-read the books, unlike so many people I know. I also haven't seen movie 7 part 2, but that, to me, is not as grievous or interesting. So. I pulled book 1 off my shelf tonight. I just wrote a whole blog so I should be able to read a chapter or two.

And still, after all these years, I have a giddy anticipation about opening to page 1 and getting lost in Harry's world.

Thank you, Harry, for giving me that escape - along with everything else.

Here's to books that keep you reading,

~MJ

The Landscape's Changing

In Craig Ferguson's "Between the Bridge and the River," one of the many journey's chronicled is that of Fraser, a man in crisis. He is guided aptly by Virgil (yes, the Roman who also appeared in Dante), trying to find his way out of crisis. In one episode, they are walking a vast, empty expanse that is dull and unwelcoming; after V tells Fraser a story, Fraser notices the landscape is changing, as well as the look of his guide.

"Things are changing," said Fraser. "You look different, the lay of the land looks different. What's going on?"
"Ah," Virgil smiled, "You just heard a story, you are being affected by it. Nothing has changed. I am the same, the lay of the land is the same."
"But it all looks different," protested Fraser.
"That's because the story, like all stories, has altered you slightly. Everything will look a little different."

This is one of my favorite passages from one of my favorite books. It seems simple, yes, but I think it speaks to why I love reading so much.

I've loved reading ever since I first could, sitting on the kitchen counter at the age of 6 reading "The Great Kapok Tree" to my family as they prepared dinner. I've never been anything less than a bookworm - you can ask the friends I went to the pool with in the summer, who splashed around as I read in the sun. You can ask my students, who always heard how much I loved a book before I made them read it.

Call it the inspiration of summer break, or because I am yet again in the midst of great reading - but, I thought it was time to take stock of what I've read, what I'm reading, and why it matters (if to no one else, but me). I used the quote from "Angela's Ashes" with this in mind, knowing that minding what's on my mind about books can not only be a good reflective practice, but help me to find that resplendence that Mr. O'Halloran tells his students about.

Awhile ago I had a reading blog that failed -- I think because I tried to make it too routine and mechanical. For that reason, I am not sure what the format of this blog will be other that what comes to me in the moment I choose to add to it. I am constantly ear-marking passages as I read, so I'm sure some reflection related to those will come. I also envision reflecting on a recently finished book, the process of finding a new one to read, and my inevitable juggling of too-many-books-at-once. Mostly, I hope this will track how my landscape changes throughout the course of reading. It's also crossed my mind to invite some of my avidly reading friends and family to author on the blog. We'll see.

Ultimately, know this: the contents of this blog will largely consist of opinions. I never demand agreement with those, just that they are heard. Like Dumbledore said, "Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open." So hopefully, like me, you'll see this as an opportunity to reflect on the landscape and its changes -- all because of books.

~MJ