Monday 31 October 2011

Books Make Life Magical

  Beth Revis, author of the amazing Across the Universe which I ranted about here, is hosting an extraordinary give-away. It's amazing, honestly. She's giving away 19 signed YA books by people who've helped her in all various ways on her journey, plus lots of swag, and there's even runner up prizes. Best-give-away-ever. 

  
 And to enter you have to write a post about the one book you are most grateful for. 

  Argh, what a question? There's so many books I've read in the past 12 months that I'm grateful for, let alone all the books I've read throughout my life.

 But then, after I let that moment of panic settle, I knew there was only one series (ok not one book but I can't pick one) of books that I know have made my life more magical.
  Harry Potter.
  Two words, one name. Whenever anyone hears them they think; lightening bolt; he-who-must-not-be-named; glasses; wands; Hogwarts. (Ok I could go on, but you get the idea. Plus I don't need to tell you what you think of when you hear Harry Potter)

 I first read Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone when I was 10, in my last year of primary school, right before heading off to big school (scary times).
  I was hooked from the word go, and it wasn't just me, but my whole family.
  Every Harry Potter film we've watched together, every time the DVD's (or video back in the day) has been released we've watched it together, analysing it.
  Right before the Deathly Hallows book was published, we spent a whole day discussing the possible outcomes for the plot, making predictions and bets. And then after I'd finished reading (i.e. having my heart torn out and stamped on) I rung my brother, who was crying and said he hadn't made it to the end because he was grieving for the loss of one amazing house elf. (And yes, we also sobbed in the cinema, doing that whole, I'm-not-really-crying-about-something-I-knew-was-coming.)

  Basically, I've grown up with these books, as the characters matured, so did I. They've seen me through so many stages of my life.
 I remember being 15, sitting in my Mum's swinging chair in the garden while I spent 4 hours devouring Harry Potter and the Half-Blood prince. I had to re-read the ending a hundred times, because I was crying so much. (I actually screamed, 'HOW COULD JK DO THIS AFTER THE END OF THE LAST BOOK! DOES SHE HATE HARRY THAT MUCH?!?!?!')
  My Mum had to come outside and ask me to keep it down, 'No spoilers before I've picked it up please.' Although I think my tear stained face ruined that.

  So yes, Harry Potter has become a part of my life, helped me realise the type of person I want to be, reminds me why I want to write and share my stories.
  And the one greatest thing about these books, in the words of JK herself, 'Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.'

11 comments:

  1. Aw, I love that your whole family is in to it--that must make experiencing it so meaningful. Harry Potter will always be the most magical series ever.

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  2. SOOOO cute. I love your story. And that contest seems more than amazing.

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  3. That's so lovely that your whole family share in "Harry Potter". I think my family went to see the 2nd film together, and that was probably it. They're such great books to grow up with too. I remember reading the first one, and thinking that it was all I'd ever wanted in a book when I was younger.

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  4. I couldn't agree with you more. I'm grateful for Harry Potter and for books like Twilight. Regardless of whether or not they are my cup of tea (they aren't LOL), they made YA hot again and brought in a ton of crossover readers from different audiences. And that, is amazing.

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  5. I think I'd have a hard time picking between HP and The Chronicles of Narnia. :)

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  6. I couldn't pick a favorite either. I've enjoyed so many great books.

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  7. hmm... I am with Miranda. I can't pick just ONE favorite. It seems like each phase of my life is marked by a different book.

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  8. It'd be impossible to pick a favorite for me, too. HP is great. I love your title -- books are magical.

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  9. ...I find it interesting how particular stories carry with them a certain power that can actually bring families together in the living room, enjoying its pages, as opposed to staring at a television screen ;)

    El

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