Harry Potter #7, Another Opinion

J.K. Rowling
4 stars

So I (Kathy) finished Harry Potter last night for the second time. After reading it in two days the first time, I decided that I needed to read it a little slower so I could take it all in a little better. Overall, I'm very impressed and happy with how it all turned out. Here are some of the things I particularly liked:

• Ron and Hermione. I've been a big shipper of those two for the last 4 books, so I was glad they finally got together.
• Mrs. Weasly taking out Bellatrix; awesome display of mom power.
• Neville showing his bravery and leadership, and his grandmother being so proud of him.
• Percy returning to the Weasly family.
• Everyone, from old girlfriends, to old quidditch teammates showing up at the end for the battle of Hogwarts. I liked "seeing" everyone one more time, and thought it was a fitting tribute to Harry.
• The whole battle of Hogwarts. I loved how this was done, and was glad to see so many people and other creatures stand up to Voldemort.
• The intricate plotting by J.K. Rowling. I cannot imagine having something so big as this series so well planned out from the very beginning.
• The Epilogue. I liked knowing that Voldemort was really dead, and that Harry had the happy family that he had not had before. But what's with the names for their kids? Albus? Hugo? Poor kids.

Of course, I only gave it 4 stars, so there were a few things I didn't like about it:

• Killing Fred; I figured one of the Weaslys wouldn't make it, but killing Fred made me so sad for George. They had such a close bond. In one of her "What Happens After Harry Potter" interviews, J.K. Rowling said that George never really got over the loss of his brother. Why couldn't she have killed Charlie instead?
• All the different wands changing hands so many times. Even in my second time through, I had to reread parts to see where all the different wands came from and how they got there. I think it could have been simplified a little bit.
• All the different side trips that Harry, Ron, and Hermione take. It seems like they take one trip from which they barely escape, and then another, and another, and another. It seems like she could have taken one out, like the trip to the Ministry of Magic. I think the only point was to show how horrible the Ministry had become. Umbridge having one of the horcruxes was kind of far-fetched I think.

All in all, a really good ending to the series. It was great fun to read, and I'll be anxious to see what J.K. Rowling does next.

Book Worm Carnival

I am trying out a new thing called the Book Worm Carnival. Reading is My Super Power is hosting it this month and it will feature books that cool you down during these dog days of summer. The deadline is the 10th. I am super excited to see how it all turns out!

Eclipse

I can hardly wait for Eclipse to come out tomorrow! I am so hooked on Stephanie Meyer books. Twilight was recommended by an old roommate who admitted she too was leary of vampire books. But after picking it up, she couldn't put it down. I owe a lot of great reading hours to my great friend now!

I've had such a hard time getting over Harry being over, so this will be a great way to take my mind off him and submerge myself into another good book. It's so hot and muggy outside that at this point nothing can come close to cranking on the AC and curling up on the couch with Edward and Bella! Meyer's descriptions of his cool composition always gives me the chills, but their romance - that heats things up, right? (OK, that was super cheesy!!)

The looming question is will Bella become a vampire? Most everyone that I recommend this book too loves Edward and can't wait for this to happen. I know people aren't happy with me for this, but I on the other hand have a huge fascination with Jacob. Meyers promises that Bella will have to make some important decisions about this in the third book. I hope that she chooses Jacob, but deep down I believe that she will ultimately have to choose Edward.

I hate to be a spoil sport, but I don't think that Bella will become a vampire in this book either. Meyers is releasing a fourth book this spring. What would that book entail if Bella and Edward were together forever? Maybe she will be keeping Jacob around...a girl can only hope!

Meet Kathy!

My sister is an avid reader. She knew how to read before kindergarten - and came home crying one day when a boy in her class told her that she couldn't! She is now going to be a contributor to My Reading Spot.

I hope all the readers out there enjoy her comments. She was an English major at BYU and always has the best ideas about books and literature. She has recommended numerous books to me that I have enjoyed!

The Wee Free Men

Terry Pratchett
4 stars

This book is a fantasy book, and one of the few books that has made me laugh out loud. The main character is a 9 year old girl Tiffany Aching, who has to rescue her younger brother from a wicked Fairy Queen. The Wee Free Men of the title are small blue pixie like men who help her out. They are rather bad-mannered: drinking, swearing in their pixie language, and always looking for a fight. They are also rather endearing. Tiffany herself is a smart and resourceful girl, who isn't into boys or fashion or verly concerned with her looks. She makes a great protagonist.

I recomended this book to a daughter of a friend who is 13 and a smart, take charge kind of girl, and she really liked it. There are two follow up books to this one, A Hat Full of Sky and Wintersmith. They are also very good. Terry Pratchet is one of my husbands favorite authors. And this is my favorite of his books that I've read.