Book that I have read this summer:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
Everything's Eventual, Stephen King ( I read a few of the short stories)
The Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
At a glance, my summer reading list probably appears rather elementary and inappropriate for a high school student entering 12th grade. My purpose for beginning the Harry Potter series over was not for any intellectual merit, but rather for pure, unadulterated literary entertainment. My primary motivation for digesting all of the novels again is to build up to the 7th book with a fresh memory of all character and events since I haven't yet *gasp* read the final installment, The Deathly Hallows. Truthfully, I would be proud to say that the novel that I enjoyed most was The Life of Pi making it appear that I am a well educated and enlightened consumer of thought-provoking books. That statement would clash with my honest perspective and would leave and unsettling feeling inside of me. The novel that I thoroughly enjoyed most this summer was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
This Harry Potter book captivated me the most out of the first three due to its substantially darker themes and finely polished plot. Assuming that most readers in the 21st century are familiar with the novel's plot, I'll briefly summarize it. The notorious servant of Lord Voldemort, Sirius Black, has recently escaped from the wizard prison called Azkaban. His apparent motivation for pursuing and killing Potter is due to the fact that 13 years ago Potter stripped Voldemort of his power and life force. Potter faces the arduous challenge of protecting himself from the dark forces that linger over him and piecing together his first encounter with Voldemort the night his parents were murdered. Although this novel is not regarded by critics as a magnum opus of literature, Rowling creates an engaging and wonderfully crafted narrative that can be easily enjoyed by a wide range of ages. One of the most unique aspects of this novel is the information that I have absorbed at age 17 that I wouldn't have when I read it as a ten year old. The previous two installments in the series had a commonality of terrible defense against the dark arts professors. The third book introduces characters with a truly passionate individual by the name of Remus Lupin. As the ten year old reader, I acknowledged that he was an interesting character sharing a strong bond with Harry, but not his true importance. Lupin is manifested as one of the first paternal mentors that Harry has connected with. Lupin served as an approachable link to Harry's father and his escapades as a student years back at Hogwarts.
While reading this novel at camp, a feeling of nostalgia also surfaced. Camp for me evokes my most cherished and happy memories. For a reason I can't fully comprehend, reading this Harry Potter novel only added to the feelings of nostalgia. This book greatly complemented my camp experience and while reading it I felt as though I were visiting a childhood friend that I had long forgotten.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
Everything's Eventual, Stephen King ( I read a few of the short stories)
The Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
At a glance, my summer reading list probably appears rather elementary and inappropriate for a high school student entering 12th grade. My purpose for beginning the Harry Potter series over was not for any intellectual merit, but rather for pure, unadulterated literary entertainment. My primary motivation for digesting all of the novels again is to build up to the 7th book with a fresh memory of all character and events since I haven't yet *gasp* read the final installment, The Deathly Hallows. Truthfully, I would be proud to say that the novel that I enjoyed most was The Life of Pi making it appear that I am a well educated and enlightened consumer of thought-provoking books. That statement would clash with my honest perspective and would leave and unsettling feeling inside of me. The novel that I thoroughly enjoyed most this summer was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
This Harry Potter book captivated me the most out of the first three due to its substantially darker themes and finely polished plot. Assuming that most readers in the 21st century are familiar with the novel's plot, I'll briefly summarize it. The notorious servant of Lord Voldemort, Sirius Black, has recently escaped from the wizard prison called Azkaban. His apparent motivation for pursuing and killing Potter is due to the fact that 13 years ago Potter stripped Voldemort of his power and life force. Potter faces the arduous challenge of protecting himself from the dark forces that linger over him and piecing together his first encounter with Voldemort the night his parents were murdered. Although this novel is not regarded by critics as a magnum opus of literature, Rowling creates an engaging and wonderfully crafted narrative that can be easily enjoyed by a wide range of ages. One of the most unique aspects of this novel is the information that I have absorbed at age 17 that I wouldn't have when I read it as a ten year old. The previous two installments in the series had a commonality of terrible defense against the dark arts professors. The third book introduces characters with a truly passionate individual by the name of Remus Lupin. As the ten year old reader, I acknowledged that he was an interesting character sharing a strong bond with Harry, but not his true importance. Lupin is manifested as one of the first paternal mentors that Harry has connected with. Lupin served as an approachable link to Harry's father and his escapades as a student years back at Hogwarts.
While reading this novel at camp, a feeling of nostalgia also surfaced. Camp for me evokes my most cherished and happy memories. For a reason I can't fully comprehend, reading this Harry Potter novel only added to the feelings of nostalgia. This book greatly complemented my camp experience and while reading it I felt as though I were visiting a childhood friend that I had long forgotten.
David--I have no issues with the "appropriateness" of your list. The primary motivation for reading ought to be that the act itself is pleasurable. Sometimes it's hard to keep pleasure and duty alive simultaneously in school when we have assigned reading, but perhaps the ultimate goal is to experience both at the same time. Also, your description of the differences between you at 10 and you at 17 sings true and sounds like a good reason to take a 2nd look at something you read when you were much younger. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePS--I see from your blog decoration that you are an Arrested Development fan. Me too.
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