After a very (very) long break here, I'm back. Well, back in the sense that I am stopping in to say hello to you, my poor little blog. And to those of you who randomly stopped by. Hello.
I have been reading some lately. I just reread both the Harry Potter and Wheel of Time series. If you have not read either of these, please do.
+JK Rowling's Harry Potter requires far less commitment, and even has some neat movies accompanying them. A great coming of age tale about the importance of doing what is right in the face of great adversity. If you've been living under a rock, it follows the tale of young orphan Harry Potter who discovers he is a wizard, and enters the British school of witchcraft, Hogwarts. While the first book is a great children's book, the series grows up with Harry as he battles the evil, extraordinarily powerful wizard Voldemort, while most of the rest of the wizarding world buries their head in the sand. Tears will be shed by the end.
+ Wheel of Time is magnificent. Epic. Sweeping. 600+ pages a book. Gorgeous. A part of history of a world which seems completely familiar and utterly alien, it follows a large cast of characters who revolve around one person, The Dragon Reborn. Each book conveniently comes a glossary to help you keep up with some of the characters, and there is a huge fan following if you ever have a question. These fan followings are also full of great inside jokes, fun people, and spirited debate. Because there are as many questions raised as answered in each book. Political intrigue and magic abound. Love love love. If you are unwilling to commit to the currently unfinished 13 book series, I suggest reading the prequel, A New Spring. It provides an insightful introduction to the tone of the series, following 2 important characters prior to the first book Eye of the World. Every character has flaws, and strengths, a story to tell; you may meet one character, and they will turn out to be huge 3 books later. It is a story about Light vs Dark, but follows the tales of the grey in between; heroes with fatal flaws, villains with pitiable lives, mediocre citizens raised to great deeds, and noblemen struck down from their titles. Oh, I can't get enough.
Sidenote: Robert Jordan, the author, passed away in 2007. The task of finishing the final volume fell to author Brandon Sanderson; in cooperation with the publisher, the final novel has been split into 3 parts, due to the massiveness of the novel. The final part is due to be published in 2012.
+I also recently read the book Runaway Devil, a true crime book following the case of "JR". "JR" was the first juvenile convicted of first degree multiple homicide in Canada. At the age of 12, JR provoked her 23 year old boyfriend into murdering her parents and her 8 year old brother. However, they were quite foolish, and were caught soon afterwards. While the premise of the case is interesting, the authors attempt to explain the teenage "goth" subculture involved, and it all becomes quite boring, and mildly amusing. The book was written by 2 reporters, and the book reads like an overly long news article. It is interesting to note that Canadian law protects the identity of juvenile offenders, but a few words typed into Google and you can find more interesting articles, and pictures, as well as the identity of "JR". **
Cheers!
Caroline
Harry Potter series by JK Rowling:
Harry Potter and
The Sorcerer's Stone ****
The Chamber of Secrets ***
The Prisoner of Azkaban ****
The Goblet of Fire **** (extra star for Moody)
The Order of the Phoenix ****
The Half-Blood Prince ****
The Deathly Hallows ****
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan:
A New Spring (20 years before next book) ***
The Eye of the World ****
The Great Hunt *****
The Dragon Reborn ****
The Shadow Rising ****
The Fires of Heaven ****
The Lord of Chaos ****
A Crown of Swords ****
The Path of Daggers ****
Winter's Heart *****
Crossroads of Twilight ****1/2
Knife of Dreams *****
The Gathering Storm (with Brandon Sanderson) [judgment reserved until the end]
Towers of Midnight (with Brandon Sanderson) [judgement reserved until the end]
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