Harry Potter: My Conclusion

At first I was thinking that I'd write up individual posts discussing what I thought about books 5, 6, and 7. In the end, I decided I just couldn't do it. Part of the reason for that is that when you are reading through a series it starts to become difficult to pick up and leave off at the correct place for each book. The other reason is that I know that others out there haven't read this series yet and I don't want to spoil the greatness of it for them.

Yes, I said "the greatness." Those words actually came out of my mouth.

Basically my August was consumed with Harry Potter. After reading book 4 I couldn't rest until I had completed the series. That is the point in the series where things picked up for me and I became irrevocably intrigued. Jonathan gave up on me there for awhile. He told me that I really needed to go to bed at a decent hour when I was halfway through The Deathly Hallows (Book 7). (I love him, but some things you just cannot do.) I did make myself go to bed at midnight that night, but then I woke up at 6:30 and DEVOURED the ending before he had to leave for work. And then I was depressed for the whole of that day and the several which followed. I still haven't gotten my reading mojo back. I'm still recovering from Harry.

Now, those of you who know me and have tracked with me for awhile know that I didn't enter into this series with fond thoughts and hopeful expectations. The truth is, I rather expected to hate it. By the end of it, I didn't hate it, but I do retain some concerns. I think the concerns absolutely should not be ignored and should absolutely be considered if a person is thinking of reading these books for themselves. I would indeed offer a word of caution relating to the form of magic that is used but I also wouldn't suggest to anyone that it would be a sin issue to have read them. I would most definitely apply the concept of Christian Liberty to these reads and allow Christians to decide for themselves, as individuals, whether or not they should read them. Some will choose not to and I think that is a good choice. Others will choose to read them and I think that's also a good choice. You know yourself. Keep your conscious clean before the Lord. Understand what you are getting into and enjoy them if you are able. I discovered myself able and I in no way feel guilty.

Someone asked me if I plan on letting my kids read them. I wasn't sure what the answer was to that question when I first started reading them but now I would say that if my kids think that they can handle it when they are given the opportunity of reading it, then yes! I would love to read these books with them, discussing as we go. (And, who are we kidding? I would love to read them with them so that I can read them again!)

Post-reading of the books I spent a day reading articles and interviews online with the author, actors and actresses who brought the Harry Potter characters to life on screen. I watched the behind-the-scenes for the last movie and bawled my eyes out as the actors said their good-byes. (They were cathartic tears.) I even watched Oprah's interview with Rowling. (This is a marvel, considering my general distrust of Oprah's growing empire.) The interview is 45 minutes long but if you have the time, I rather recommend it. I found it both intriguing and insightful.



Harry Potter was a reading journey that had some unexpected twists and turns for me but ultimately I'm quite glad to have gone on it. I found it entertaining, enthralling and very thought provoking (even if I'm not hashing out a lot of thoughts on the last few books).

My most pressing questions were answered:

  Are the Harry Potter books like Narnia? No. Definitely not.

  Should/Can Christians read Harry Potter? Yes.

In answering these questions, I found myself delighted along the way. Win, win!

What's On Your Nightstand - September

Oh ho. Another month has gone by, lickety split! Looking back on my predictions for last month's nightstand, I find it to be something of a joke. I pretty much read absolutely nothing whatever on the list. However! I have a good excuse. I spent this past month flying through books 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Harry Potter series. There went my reading time and, to be honest, I do not regret a moment of it. Loved every minute!

Here are some of my thoughts regarding why I think Christians should and shouldn't read Harry Potter.

As for me:

Since I was so successful predicting last month's reads, I was debating the purpose of writing up a nightstand post. But let's pretend that I'm the type of person who makes lists and then follows them and see what we might manage to accomplish, reading-wise, this coming month.

I am keeping up with my Bible reading. Still working through a One Year Chronological Bible.

I am also slowly still working my way through Remember, Remember (The Fifth of November): Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About British History with All the Boring Bits Taken Out. I am liking it. I would also really like to finish it up really quickly so that I can list it as "complete" on next month's nightstand.

My house is still filled with books that need my attention but I don't think that's ever going to change. I am most excited (at the present) to get through:

Redwall

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell (I picked up a copy at Barnes & Noble and it looks fun!)

Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey

I could list more but then it would only be a half hearted list. I'm afraid I'm still mourning the end of the Harry Potter series. I can't bring myself to pick up another book just yet so I may be something of a slow reader in September, I don't know. Time will tell.

Off to see what's on your nightstands next....

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

At the time of this writing, I have now read Harry Potter books one, two, three, four, five and six. (Links to past reviews.) Harry Potter fans will realize that this post is my "review" of book 4, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. (Actually it's like my complicated thoughts as relates to the series as a whole.) I'm way behind on writing out my thoughts on these books individually because they have become so exciting that I don't want to do anything (least of all blog) until I've finished the entire series. According to Amazon tracking, book seven should be arriving on my door step today. (I hope so. I really do hope so.)

I tried reading something else to pass the time while waiting for book 7 to arrive but nothin' doin'. I can't read about or think about anything else until I complete the series. (This is also the case because I am now terrified that someone is going to spoil the end for me before I get to it myself.) I decided that since I can't really think about anything else, I might as well write up my thoughts on the titles I've already completed.

As you might recall, I finished up book 3 with some concerns about the introduction of the subject of divination. My same concerns can be applied to every Potter book I've read since. The further along you read, the more they discuss the topic and the more the characters dabble in it. It's an inescapable "flaw" in my being able to relax with the books in total because the Bible is quite clear on the subject: it is not to be done. No ifs, ands or buts. You can't just ignore this issue in these books. You need to acknowledge it.

That said, I still want to finish this series because, (as I have explained), "people" keep arguing that if you like Narnia you should have no hesitations in liking Potter because, according to their arguments, both sets of books contain magic and therefore are the same. I finally gave in and began reading Harry Potter because I wanted to see and prove to myself that the magic is different between the series and to see what the hesitations in approaching Potter might be. Now, being in the sixth book, I would absolutely still say that there is a huge difference between the magic used in Narnia and the magic used in Potter. Absolutely there is some cause for thoughtful hesitation in deciding to read Harry Potter. I would also say that Rowling is a good story teller and she has completely sucked me in. (The initials "RAB" are currently BURNING IN MY BRAIN. WHOSE ARE THEY!?!?!?!?!? And don't you dare spoil it for me!!)

I think, for me now, my argument for using caution when approach Harry Potter is as follows:

1. As mentioned, the magic between the two series is quite distinctly different. In Narnia is there is "white magic" and "black magic" and never the two shall meet. There is a clear distinction between good and evil. In the Harry Potter series, there is only one type of magic but it is being used to different ends. The "good guys" use the same spells and curses against the "bad guys". It's not that their magic is different, it is that it is simply used differently.

2. In Narnia you know quite clearly who is good and who is bad. It is, again, very black and white. In Potter there is a question mark over any number of people's heads as to whether they have good intentions, or evil. (Of course, it adds to the cliffhanger effect which Rowling is remarkably good at writing out.)

3. It disturbs me that Christians say that you can read Harry Potter because of the "fact" that Rowling is a Christian too. To follow that argument, you would say that if something (anything!) is done by a Christian is must be good. First, I don't think Rowling actually is a Christian. (I've already argued that.) Secondly, a person's faith doesn't actually factor in to my decision over whether or not I would read any given book and I don't think it should factor into yours either.

I feel very strongly that Christians should not choose their reading material based on the author's personal faith. I know many Christians argue that you should only read books written by Christians - if you read anything other than the Bible at all! - and I think that's illogical and is not a requirement of scripture. I've run into many a Christian mother who loves that her daughter can read Anne of Green Gables because she assumes that Lucy Maud Montgomery was a Christian. (Montgomery wasn't one either. Sorry Happy to burst your bubble there.)

I do not believe that scriptures in any way argue that you can only a.) read scripture alone and/or b.) only read books written by those who share your faith. Certainly you are to be wise and discerning about what you read but truth can be found even in the works of non-Christians (as even a non-Christian is made in the image of God and has the ability to proclaim truth and beauty). This is a long(ish) argument to be making but I'd like to get to my main point so I'm going to wrap up this argument and say, "If you want to read Harry Potter - do. Go ahead. You are at liberty to do so if you so desire. Just don't do it because you think Rowling was a Christian. That shouldn't be the basis of your decision. Nor should anyone try to make Harry a Christian just to ease their conscience somehow. Like him as-is and in a truthful manner.

I don't think Rowling is a Christian. I can guess at what is going to happen and while it does have flickers of a Christian allegory it so most definitely is not one (failing all over the place if that was, in fact, Rowling's goal . . . which I do not think it was). I'm reading it now because I'm totally consumed by the story itself. I think Rowling developed her characters beautifully and is a humdinger of a story teller. She definitely has a captivating style and I'm reading for pure agonizing pleasure. Any Christian who picks up Potter should not read for anything less than that. (And I don't think you can read for anything more.)

The Goblet Of Fire is, perhaps, darker than the first three stories but it is the book which drew me in the most, launching me immediately onto books 5, then 6, with a hasty Amazon purchase of book 7. Since I'm hoping to read to the end of the series without anyone offering a spoiler, I'd like to be careful in my review not to mention anything which would ruin surprises for anyone else. I'll be very general in my remarks.

I liked this book better than the first three because Harry has a challenge which is quite beyond him. He is called on to do what is right, even if it proves hard, difficult and even deadly. He needs the help of his friends, now more than ever, to make it through this next stage of the journey. Parts of this book are unpleasant in what is required of Harry, but the right people rally 'round him and there is a small measure of success. Now, I don't think Potter is an allegory of the Christian life but every person on earth is able to communicate truths which we can see and learn from regardless of their personal faith. In the case of this book, I particularly enjoyed a statement which is made by Professor Dumbledore which is as follows:

". . . [W]e are only as strong as we are united, as week as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Difference of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts open."

We Christians know, of course, that we have an enemy who seeks to kill and destroy. Satan also knows that it is easier to destroy us as individuals and therefore is eager for us to separate ourselves from the Church (i.e., the Body of Christ). When we are alone, we are weaker than when we are surrounded by like-minded believers who can help encourage us, build us up, and keep us standing strong. This is not the point that Rowling was trying to make but it certainly does resonate as a great truth with me that the Body of Christ needs to stand together and work together, being ready to enjoy victory together. That was an encouragement to me amid the story itself.

You should know that this is a book series I am very much beginning to truly enjoy. I do not enjoy it because it is "like Narnia"  -- because it isn't that at all. I like it because it's a complex story with fantastic character development and a novel setting with an exciting plot line.

And I really, really, really need for the seventh book to arrive at my house. SOON.

How the Heather Looks, by Joan Bodger

A friend (QOC) recommended How the Heather Looks: A Joyous Journey to the British Sources of Children's Books to me once she heard that our family is planning a trip to England next year. I mentioned that I was having a hard time deciding where to go when we're over there. She told me to stop trying to plan until I read this book and so I obeyed her and promptly ordered it off Amazon.

According to notes from author Joan Bodger at the end of this book, it was first published in 1965 but went out of print fairly quickly. She heard stories of children's book librarians stealing their library copy at the time of their retirement. Friends would borrow this title from friends and conveniently fail (or outright refuse to) return it because it was so well loved. To war against the raging tide of sin, the book was republished in 1999, removing any need any person might have to steal this book out from under the noses of other readers. There are plenty of copies to go around now.

With a few high recommendations and a book that spoke so highly of itself, I dove on in. Please remember that the purpose of my reading was to help me make some decisions about where we should go when visiting this glorious country, so rich in literature. Did the book help me with my mission? No. Not really. In part, it failed because it didn't offer as much specific information as I was hoping for (i.e., "Go here; see this."). Then, Bodger meanders around England. Chapters aren't clearly divided into discussions of particular authors and locations as I expected they would be, based on chapter titles. Arthur Ransome mixes with Beatrix Potter, and Robin Hood gets mixed in with Robert Louis Stevenson, etc. But then that's really hardly surprising considering the size of the country and its beautiful landscape. Perhaps because I was not expecting the mishmashed approach, I found the book moderately un-useful in selecting locations to visit. However, from the perspective of offering inspiration to live in England for the rest of my natural born days, well, this book was incredibly helpful.

How the Heather Looks documents the Bodger family trip to England where traveled as a family (mom, dad, two kids) specifically to explore the world of children's literature. They wanted to see where Caldecott got his inspiration and boat down the same river as Ratty and Mole. They wanted to play Pooh Sticks off of Pooh's bridge and find the Enchanted Forest for themselves. These are all lofty and reasonable goals, of course! It sounds delightfully fun. They share of their challenges and successes in locating places that were familiar to them through books and described a world (back in 1950's) that I'm pretty sure no longer exists. Some of the things that they were able to do modern readers and travelers can no longer do. For example, Bodger interviewed Aurthur Ransome (no longer living) and visited Mrs. Milne in the Milne home (also very much no longer possible). It's very cool to read of their travels but it also served to make me insanely jealous.

Still, to suit my purposes in reading this fine book, I did gather up some titles of other books to read at Bodger's suggestion. My Amazon list grew exponentially thanks to her. Pooh Bear hadn't yet landed on my map of Places to See until I read this book and then he was added post haste. (How could we skip meeting him in his world?!) Now we can look forward to playing our own game of Pooh Sticks. I'm excited about that.

As mentioned, at the conclusion of the book there is an updated note from the author. In this note she shared that a year after the Bodger family went on this incredible literary adventure, she and her husband divorced. Their little family seems to have fallen apart in bits and pieces post-travels, something I find incredibly sad. Whether they went on this trip as a family to try to preserve family, I have no idea. (That would classify as mere speculation.) Please let me assure my readership here that Jonathan and I are not planning to go to England in an effort to hold our family together but simply to create beautiful, lasting memories with our family. We go for the adventure of it all! So I think we're already ahead of the Bodgers although I thank them for helping us "set the stage" to go forth and have fun.

101 Dalmatians, by Dodie Smith

Yes, I am still wrapping up my own posts for last month's reading challenges. Better late than never, right?

I had read 101 Dalmatians all by myself back in 2009 and had planned on reading it to the kids at some point in time. I was delighted when Amy picked this title for our July classic book club read because it provided me with the awesome opportunity to finally getting around to doing so.

In short: the kids and I LOVED this read! Thoroughly!

Amy mentioned in her concluding remarks that she edited the read on the outset (due to the presence of an eight year old house guest) being a little unsure of the references to Cruella de Vil being the devil. I admit that I also mentally paused as I read about Cruella to my kids, however I did not edited it but read it as-is. I would probably think through editing if I were reading it to another person's kid though. (I've never actually thought about reading a chapter book to another person's child. I don't know if I would do it or not because every parent has their own idea of what makes for an appropriate read. That's an interesting thought to consider.)

I won't rehash what the story is about because I imagine that there are very few people out there who are unfamiliar with it, thanks to Disney. I will say that thanks to my fabulous memory,  I had mostly forgotten the way the story read. Therefore I was just as amused and delighted by the book as the kids were. I reveled in Smith's way of setting the scene and, particularly, describing the personality of the puppies. She had the bookworms and I chuckling over the behavior of the little pups. (My favorite part is when Lucky is warning the other puppies not to bite Cruella because she tastes hot! I couldn't help but giggle.) It was just an enjoyable read from beginning to end. The vocabulary is at a level that younger readers can track with the storyline and yet the prose is beautiful and thoughtful, making it equally enjoyable for the adult. 101 Dalmatians is a perfect combination for a fun family read aloud! If you didn't happen to read it with us this month, make time for it. Seriously. I can hardly think you will regret it.

Following up on the concerns that Amy raised about Cruella, I did ask my kids as we went along if Cruella was too scary for them. They all assured me that they were not at all scared or bothered by her character. Truthfully, I think she made the story exciting to them. Our usual habit is to read two chapters aloud from a book each day. However, in the case of 101 Dalmatians, Bookworm1 would frequently bring the book back to me later in the day and ask for another chapter to be read. Bookworm2 would second the request and so we moved along at something of a rapid pace simply because we were having fun with it!

Of course, after reading the book, we watched the cartoon classic of the same. The boys had seen the movie but I don't think my daughter (age 3) had. She thought Cruella-of-the-movie was scary and would close her eyes when Cruella occupied the screen. So perhaps we'll tuck that movie away for a few more years but I'm not sorry at all that we read the book this year. It was time well spent!

Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge :: Conclusion

Ohhhhh, I almost don't want to post this. Let's pretend that we're still in July with plenty of time and excuses to spend the rest of our lives in Narnia. How 'bout that?


I hesitated to end this because I was going to try to stick in a few more posts sharing some of my thoughts from Narnia, but I realized I could do that at any time and it really is time to wrap it up.

Here is what I read:

Live Like a Narnian
The Horse and His Boy (Read with my kids)
The Last Battle (Read with my kids)

So here is the moment for YOU to share what YOU read and thought about your time in Narnia this past month.

Did you write up a blog post sharing of your experiences? Please link it in the comment section below.

You might have noticed that I didn't do any Narnia-themed giveaways this past month as I've done in past years. That is primarily because I planned to host a more significant blog anniversary giveaway. If you'd like to learn more about how you can win a $50 Amazon Gift Card then CLICK HERE. (It's simple, share a picture of you with your favorite book and post a link to the giveaway.)

In the meantime, I'm curious to hear your reflections on Narnia.

Until 2015.....

The Brothers Karamazov :: RtK Book Club (August)

Hellloooo friends! Well, the month of August holds for the committed few a nice reading challenge. Shonya from Learning How Much I Don't Know selected The Brothers Karamazov for us this coming month.

For $5.00 easy dollars on Amazon, ($0.00 on your Kindle, or borrowed from your local library), and 50 zillon hours of your time, you can join in with us in reading this classic piece of literature! And then you will have bragging rights for having consumed it. (I'm all about the bragging rights.)

To kick us off and going in the right (?) direction, here is Shonya with her opening remarks:

*****

Why, oh why, oh why did I choose the almost-800-page classic The Brothers Karamazov? And for August, the month before school starts, of all months?!

Admittedly, I was at the time unaware that we would be adopting a baby in April, so I might have thought I would have more time than I in fact do.

Nevertheless, I am cautiously excited to read this one. My first exposure to Dostoevsky, which occurred within just the last five years, was Crime and Punishment and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. True, it wasn't an easy read, but it was fascinating and thought-provoking and I had a blast discussing it (and learning more about nihilism) with two good friends. I told myself then that I wanted to read another of his works, but I have just never gotten around to it. When Carrie asked me to choose a classic for the Reading to Know Bookclub in 2014, I jumped at the chance to read and discuss another Dostoevsky novel.

I chose The Brothers Karamazov because I keep hearing about it. I've seen it on a couple of lists of "books every christian should read". I understand it to spend a great deal of time examining the questions of whether God exists, and why there is so much evil and suffering in the world. Some people use it to speak against Christianity while others use it to introduce Christianity. Up to this point, I cannot speak intelligently about this great work because I have never read it.

Thankfully, I consider myself a lifelong learner and I believe it's never too late to read a classic for the first time. Thanks to Carrie for organizing this reading group and to each of you who are committing to read along with me. I look forward to reading each of your thoughts.

*****
Who's in!?

My copy is standing at the ready!