Today I’m grateful that I had good books to read this month (and always). Mostly I was writing instead of reading. But I did get to read this:
*HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX by JK Rowling. It was the one on the shelf when I went seeking a fix to my HP need. Which is kind of funny, because I think this is the book where Harry is least likable. In fact, he’s a prat. He complains. He grumbles. He’s rude to everyone. He acts… like a grouchy teenager. (What?) I know. That’s what we call character development. I do love the story a lot. Especially love Luna. Do you love Luna? Do you think that maybe she ends up marrying Neville and staying at Hogwarts forever? Sometimes I like to think so. Also I love Ginny and the twins. But really, not so much Harry in this one. (Reread, for about the eighth time.)
*WITCH WEEK by Diana Wynne Jones. Oh, fun. Witch children (boy and girl) at school, working to escape/embrace their fates. I’ve read some of hers before — clever fantasy series / middle grade types. She’s lovely and funny. The only thing that I didn’t love about this was the POV whiplash caused by a whole lot of “change point of view with change of paragraph” — not just anyone can get away with such a thing. Most of us should Never try. But it was cute. And Kid 3 (10 years old) adored it.
*MANIAC MAGEE by Jerry Spinelli. (Reread) The boy (very nearly 8 years old) was looking for something to read over Thanksgiving break. I told him this was a great book. He shrugged. I told him to try it and if he didn’t like it by chapter 3, I’d find him something else. He finished within a week. This one came out when I was in college, and my little brother loved it and passed it to me. I’ve read it and wondered how, exactly, Spinelli manages to create and “solve” race-relations questions in such a mature manner without taking them out of the realm of pre-teen kids. It’s a stunning little book, and I love a good “boy story.” Really glad I went back to read it. And now I want a butterscotch Krimpett.
(4) Comments for this blog
My kids love Maniac. I envy your reading. It needs to move up my list of priorities, because I always feel better when it does.
My kids love Maniac. I envy your reading. It needs to move up my list of priorities, because I always feel better when it does.
Ooh! These are all lovely!
-Harry Potter: Of course! because he’s amazing!
-Witch Week: I actually haven’t read this one of hers just yet. I read the first two books in the series(The Chrestomanci Chronicles) and had to kind of marvel at how she makes such a large book feel like nothing..I guess very similar to J.K. 😉
-Maniac Magee: Haven’t read this one yet either, but Jerry Spinelli is one of my new favorites. I read Stargirl and kind of fell in love, and just a few months ago I finished reading Smiles to Go which was another treat. I really love how he writes books for teens/preteens that are not loaded with innuendos and drugs and all the other stupid things that seem to be so prevalent in YA fiction. Very refreshing. 🙂
Adding these two to my TBR list.
Ooh! These are all lovely!
-Harry Potter: Of course! because he’s amazing!
-Witch Week: I actually haven’t read this one of hers just yet. I read the first two books in the series(The Chrestomanci Chronicles) and had to kind of marvel at how she makes such a large book feel like nothing..I guess very similar to J.K. 😉
-Maniac Magee: Haven’t read this one yet either, but Jerry Spinelli is one of my new favorites. I read Stargirl and kind of fell in love, and just a few months ago I finished reading Smiles to Go which was another treat. I really love how he writes books for teens/preteens that are not loaded with innuendos and drugs and all the other stupid things that seem to be so prevalent in YA fiction. Very refreshing. 🙂
Adding these two to my TBR list.