I'm a Twi-Hard with Pride....!

I can't help it.  I LOVE the TWILIGHT series.  So ECLIPSE is the cheesiest of them all, but at least Bella finally realizes that she loves Jacob, too.  In so many ways, I want Bella to choose Jacob over Edward.  If Edward hadn't left the way he had in NEW MOON or if he'd never come back, Bella would have been with Jacob and it would have been beautiful.  Their children would have been beautiful, too.  But, then, we wouldn't get Renesmee and Jacob would never Imprint.  Both parts of BREAKING DAWN that I like a lot.  I just can't put these books down when I read them!  On to BREE!!!

NEW MOON: Sunshine....Joy

In a way, NEW MOON is my favorite book in the TWILIGHT series.  Why?  Because of Jacob.  It's so easy to fall in love with Jacob.  There are so many questions where Edward is concerned.  He's so moody and cranky all the time and it gets annoying that he's constantly saying things to Bella that are just plain confusing to her--and not explaining himself.  Granted, as a reader, Edward is easier to read than he appears, but it's still annoying that he keeps so much to himself.  Jacob is refreshing.  Bella sees him as her own personal sunshine--her own "safe harbor."  He doesn't let Bella's depression keep him from expressing himself and glowing anyway.  I do wonder why HE doesn't go see Bella first and try to do something with her earlier.  I know.  I know.  Bella was in her Zombie mode so even if Jacob had gone to her first during that time period, she probably wouldn't even have been aware of him, but I just find it odd that if he cares about her so much--even from the first time he saw her at La Push in TWILIGHT--why does HE wait for Bella to come to him rather than he going to her?  (Does that make any sense?)  But once Bella is awake and aware of her surroundings again, it's wonderful that she finds Jacob and that they so easily fall into a close friendship. 

Anyone who has ever been through a loss can understand the hole Bella fought so hard to keep a hold of. I can relate to Bella's pain in NEW MOON more than I like to.  While my losses were my children rather than my soul mate, the pain--the numbness--the hole--the zombie-like state are still the same.  Like Bella, I know who/what I can't live without; it's just that mine isn't my soul mate. 

Bella finds happiness in life, even some joy, through her convoluted relationship with Jacob.  It might be complicated, but it works and Bella is able to be Bella again.  I find my joy in my Jesus:  "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love....I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow!"  (John 15:9, 11) 

While this is quite possibly the saddest book in the series, it's still my favorite simply because Jacob is so easy to love and because I can so easily relate to Bella's pain in this one.

Edward's Story is Better than Bella's

So I finished it in one night!  I kept saying to myself that I'll read just one more page....just one more chapter...then, before I knew it, I'd stayed up until 2:00 am just to finish it!  If you haven't read it, you really should.  MIDNIGHT SUN is TWILIGHT from Edward's point of view.  Personally, I think it's much better than TWILIGHT!  I sure wish Stephenie (are you out there?!) would finish it.  I would be one of the ones who pre-ordered a hard-back copy!!!!!  I love the story from Edward's perspective.  He, to me, has a much more interesting mind!  (Don't tell Bella I said that!)

Another Guilty-Pleasure Book

OK, so TWILIGHT won't ever be considered "great" literature.  It won't become part of the literary canon.  It isn't even close to the level of the HARRY POTTER books or Jodi Picoult.  But let's face it; TWILIGHT is a FUN read.  I can't help it.  It draws me in even though it's not serious reading.  I call it my "guilty pleasure" reading, just like my Mary Balogh books.  I know it's sappy and, in many ways, just plain ridiculous, but I love it.  I find some of the story just plain embarrassing and others simply unrealistic, but even at that, I am drawn to the story like a moth to a flame.  I won't apologize for enjoying TWILIGHT or any of the other books in the series.  It is what it is. 

I think we all need some things that we read that are just for pure enjoyment rather than having to THINK so hard about the symbolism and deeper meanings and theme and setting and so on and so forth.  Sometimes we readers just want to read something for the sake of reading.  It's kind of like how I'll read even the backs of shampoo bottles or deodorant cans in the bathroom when I don't have a book in there with me. 

Do I believe in vampires?  Absolutely not.  I do believe that there are people who want to be vampires so much that they'll go to great lengths to become as close to a real vampire as they possibly can.  I think that's pretty ridiculous, but to each his own.

Do I believe even for a second that if Bella smelled as incredible to Edward the Vampire as he clams that he honestly would have been able to control his vampiric urges and keep from killing her?  Not even for half a mili-second.  Really?!  I just don't think so.  Bella was dead the second Edward caught her scent.  But it's fun to imagine that Edward is strong enough to withstand his basal vampiric urges and ultimately to fall in love with the one person who is his "brand of heroin."

Would Edward really be able to suck the venom out of Bella after James' bit her?  Not a chance.  That's too easy.  She'd have been a vampire right then and there.  But if she'd become a vampire this early in the series, we never would have the triangle between Jacob, Bella, and Edward.  Bella would never have a chance to get to know Jacob better if she were already a vampire by the end of the first book.  And what fun would that be?!

Let's face it....for all those nay-sayers about TWILIGHT, they're right that TWILIGHT isn't GREAT.  But my response is that it doesn't have to be GREAT to be FUN to read!!!!!

Now on to MIDNIGHT SUN!  Yeah, I'm gonna read that before I get to NEW MOON!  I haven't looked up MIDNIGHT SUN on Goodreads yet; it'll be interesting to find out if it has it listed!!!

Where does Samuel fit?

Find Your Fit by Jane Kise and Kevin Johnson

My son, Samuel, at 11 years old is already talking about college (at this point in time he thinks he wants to go to App State) and what he's going to do when he grows up.  Bless his heart, he's all over the map with ideas.  As one who knew what she wanted to do by the time she was 3 years old, it's difficult for me to watch my son already struggling with such questions. 

Yes, my earliest memories are of playing school in my bathroom.  I would lock myself in the bathroom for hours, teaching my students.  The toilet was my desk.  The bathtub was "time-out" for students who misbehaved.  The toilet paper was their paper they used to write on.  As I grew up, my desire to be a teacher NEVER waivered.  What changed were the specifics:  what I would teach and what grade/age I would teach.  I KNOW I'm where I'm meant to be--I currently teach English at Catawba Valley Community College.

Anyway, in an effort to help Samuel at least narrow the field an little and see what he might be good at, I ordered this book--and its companion Workbook.  (We're going to do the tests in the workbook at church tomorrow night.)  After reading this book, I know it will go a long way in helping Samuel at least realize what his gifts/talents are as well as his personality type, so he can begin to see value in the things he enjoys doing (building with Legos is a favorite past-time right now and has been for several years now). 

I believe that along with helping my son find his way as a man of faith, it's our responsibility as parents to help guide him down the path to finding his life's work that not only fulfills God's plan for him, but also is something that Samuel finds true passion in.

It is true that there is nothing in the world as awesome as doing what you know you were meant to do.  It's my own type of drug.  I get a natural high from teaching.  I've walked into my classroom with a migraine so bad, I'd thrown up just seconds before class began, only to find that the pain disappears during that class hour.  I've driven home after such a class, knowing that I was in no shape to drive--I stopped at least twice to throw up on the side of the road, but as long as I was in the class, I felt like a million bucks.

I want that for Samuel.  I want him to find whatever it is that will give him that same feeling--that same passion.

In closing, one of my favorite movies is SHALL WE DANCE with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.  One theme of the movie is how Richard Gere's characters learns that he LOVES to dance--he falls in love with it.  He smiles more.  He's different.  His wife even suspects him of having an affair because he's so happy all the time.  He was CONTENT with life prior to learning to dance, but he wasn't HAPPY or PASSIONATE about life.  Once he starts dancing, not only is he happy, he's PASSIONATE and it rubs off on the people around him.  They bask in his pure JOY as he does what he so loves to do.

THAT'S what I strive for.  It's what I want for my beloved Samuel......

Here's hoping that this book and it's tests help Samuel on the path to discovering that great PASSION of his life......

Absoutely LOVE Harry!!

Wow.  Just Wow. 

I can't help wondering if Rowling had all these connections figured out before she ever started Book 1 or if they just kinda, sorta happened in a natural way.  Those of you who have read the series, you know what I'm talking about.  So many things come full circle from the beginning to the closing of the series.  It's actually overwhelming. 

I have always been someone who remembers a LOT of details from the books I read.  I'm not bragging; it's the simple truth.  It's why Reading and teaching literature is my gift and I know I'm doing what I'm meant to do.  Just like some people can remember stats from football/baseball/basketball/soccer/etc. games even from 50 years ago, I can remember specific details about books I read even 20 years ago.  That doesn't keep me from re-reading my favorite books, I must say!

With that being said, I still found myself in awe of the details that Rowling brings full circle in Book 7--things I'd completely forgotten about or hadn't paid much attention to when I read the first 6 books.  It's INCREDIBLE how well she remembers every tiny detail and makes them all fit together so neatly. 

I can't help but wonder how she was able to keep everything straight....how she remembered so many details.  I know she wrote the series and that makes her THE ABSOLUTE authority on the series, but it's still so incredible to imagine that she was able to remember even the minutest of details and she brings them up at the right moment and connects the dots.....Although, it appears that Harry and Voldemort are distantly related, but Harry never seems to make that connection.  I find that a bit odd.  It seems to be an important point--at least it does to me.

Wow. 

Quickly, why I love Book 7 (and/or the series):

1.  See what I stated above.  Just so incredible!!!  As a writer-wanna-be, I'm in awe!!!

2.  Rowling definitely pulls from mythology, many previous stories, and THE LORD OF THE RINGS series.  There are many great connections and similar plot devices, yet at the same time, the STORY itself is unique.  It's not a re-telling of older stories; it's a unique story that uses older stories woven throughout.  Genius.  Absolutely genius.

3.  So many "secrets" are revealed in Book 7.  What makes that even more incredible is that there are secrets revealed that we, the readers, didn't even realize were secrets that needed to be revealed!  LOL!

4.  The story CAN BE SEEN as a Christian allegory focused especially on the theme of love (sacrificial love).  Whether Rowling meant for that to be true or not,--(I know Tolkien absolutely hated that people said he intended to write an allegory--he admitted that allegory CAN BE SEEN in THE LORD OF THE RINGS series, but he in no way wrote the story with that particular intention)--it's definitely there. 

5.  One feature that makes a great book great, is that we fall in love with the characters--we CARE about the characters--we become so much a part of the story that we feel as if they are OUR best friends, too--but especially that when the story is over, we just want more!  Rowling is successful in each area to the nth degree!  I bawled like a baby when my favorite characters died.  At times, I was in such shock at certain deaths that tears wouldn't come even though I was terrible horrified.  What was so great about this read is that even though it's my third time (I think) reading book 7, I still cried, I still felt each and every part of the story as if I was reading it for the first time.  Awesome.

6.  That Samuel has read the whole series, too, and he loves it, too.  I love that we share this!  He'll talk to me about things he learned from the story!  I've even been able to use examples from the story to help Samuel in certain situations in his life.  I know when I use the examples from the series that he GETS IT.  (Don't get me wrong, now.  I use the Bible when I'm helping Samuel with life lessons, but it can't be denied that the HP series has great life examples that those of us who have read it can easily connect with.)

7.  The whole story focuses on the anti-hero theme.  Harry is not a great wizard, he doesn't have any especially powers, he's not the best in his class, and he even has physical flaws--something no true hero has in much of the early British Literature.  Hermoine would have been a better hero, but even she has physical flaws what with her bushy hair, overly large teeth, and know-it-all-ness.  Even Neville, the most anit-heroic character ever, shines and helps save the day in Book 7!  It's difficult not to shout for joy at Neville's incredible bravery in Book 7!!!!  I love that the heroes in the HP series aren't perfect.  Beowulf and other perfect characters like him make me want to punch them in the throat.  But these flawed, imperfect characters are relataeble, and--it makes me feel if these flawed characters can be heroes, maybe I can be one, too!!!!

8.  It's just plain and simply a GREAT series!!!!

*Read on the Nook.*

The HP Series really is a work of Genius

As a Christian, I guess I'm supposed to blast the HARRY POTTER series and condemn it, and J. K. Rowling, to eternal hell and damnation. 

I must say, though, that I just don't feel that way.  Regardless of Rowling's beliefs, the HP series is a wonderful allegory (if one wants to see it as such) for the Christian.  What makes it even more awesome than anything else is the fact that the whole series has as major themes, love and friendship.  Of course, sacrificial love is a major part of that, but true friendship--even when friends have times when they don't get along or agree with each other--is a powerful message throughout the whole series.  I love that.  How can anyone say that's wrong? 

Ok.  So the whole series is about witches and warlocks.  But there are witches in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA and there's a warlock  or two in THE LORD OF THE RINGS--both of which are praised within the Christian community as wonderful reads.  I won't go any further with this in this post, but I just felt the need to say it......As a Christian, I LOVE the w-h-o-l-e HARRY POTTER series.

Now, a few of the reasons why HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE is so well worth the read:

1.  Friendship.  At the end of Book 5, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, Harry, Ron, Hermoine, Ginny, Neville, and Luna all go to the Ministry of Magic together in an attempt to save Sirirus who they all believed was in danger of being killed by Tom Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort, himself.  This solidarity for these 6 young people brings them together as friends as not even Harry could conceive.  He honestly had no idea so many people cared--about him--or that he could care about so many.  Harry has always had a bit of a "hero-complex," but when his friends stand WITH him to do battle--even if it meant their deaths, that's some powerful stuff.  It always makes me cry.  In this 6th book in series, we see their friendships continue to grow and become more powerful.  Of course, we still don't get enough of Neville to make me truly happy, but we all realize that the series could be the NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM series if Tom Riddle hadn't chosen Harry as his enemy rather than Neville!

BTW:  I refuse to call him Lord Voldemort.  It's the name that give him more power than he deserves.  I think of him as Tom Riddle, just an ordinary warlock who went rogue in a desire for too much power.  He doesn't deserve to be called the name he himself chose....

2.  Harry and Ginny finally get together.  Well, sort of.  It's about time!  Of course, it didn't need to be any sooner because that would take away from the anticipation of Harry one day realizing that he loves her as much as she's loved him from the very beginning. 

3.  Ron and Hermoine begin to realize their feelings for each other.  I truly wish Ron (Won-Won) didn't have to have the relationship with Lavender, but at the same time, it's part of what begins to open Ron's eyes to the fact that he's cared about Hermoine more than he thought--even from the first--and vice versa.  It's wonderful that we have to wait until Book 7 to see the two of them actually "consummate" their relationship, but it's definitely fun in Book 6 watching them begin to see the other with their "special eyes."  (I stole that from that 1-800 Contacts commercial!  LOL!)

4.  Snape is evil, yet throughout this school year, because Harry uses Snape's old Potions book, Snape actually helps Harry....which is what Snape has always tried to do!!!  The irony is that rather than seeing Snape for who and what he truly is, it makes Harry hate him even more.  It makes me love him even more!  I know it's a challenge for me to say this and you believe me, but even before I'd read the series through the first time or before I'd seen any of the movies, I just KNEW that there was more to Snape than meets the eye.  Sure, we see Snape at his worst--after all, he kills Dumbledore--but at the same time, we also begin to see how much he really does care about his students.  Sure, he's made a deal with Dumbledore that he'll have to kill Dumbledore when the time comes, but in large part, it's so Draco doesn't have to cross that threshold from just a mixed up kid to murderer/killer.  I LOVE Severus Snape!!!!

5.  It's just plain and simply a GREAT book.

What I don't like about Book 6 of the HP series:

1.  That we never find out the whole story of how Dumbledore hurt his hand, leading to his eventual death--whether Snape does the deed or not.  I know we learn enough that we get a really good idea of how he damaged it, but I want to hear the WHOLE story.  Plus, Dumbledore promised Harry that he'd tell Harry.  But he keeps talking about other stuff.  It's good to learn the background of Tom Riddle because it is true that it's easier to take down an enemy when we know his (or her) strengths and weaknesses--plus, we learn about the Horcruxes--but I wanted to hear exactly how Dumbledore cursed his hand.

2.  We don't see Neville enough!  I guess that if Neville was in this book more, the book would have been THAT much longer....I, for one, would not have minded. 

3.  There isn't a #3....and know that the previous 2 aren't really dislikes; they're more like frustrations!!!!!

*Read on the Nook.*