Old Favorites

Last week I blogged a little about old friends. I pulled this series out again, because what book lover does not love Harry Potter? It's just a children's book series, right?

I was so surprised that even though I have lost track of the number of times I have read these, I still get hooked. I woke up early to read them. I knew what was going to happen. I stayed up late to read them. Just one more chapter - this is one of my favorite scenes. I hoped the characters I loved wouldn't die and maybe Umbridge would finally feel some remorse for the evil things she does. But, it always ends the same way. Why do I love these books so much? Another thing I think about as I read this is the brilliance of J. K. Rowling! I mean, seriously. There are so many story lines intertwined throughout these books and foreshadowing everywhere. If you've only watched the movies then you don't get it. READ! THE! BOOKS! I have been telling this to my son for years. He kept arguing that he's seen the movies so he doesn't need to read the books. He has finally started reading them and can't believe there are so many things they leave out of the movie. So... read the books, y'all! Anyways... back to what I was saying. The brilliancy of J. K. Rowling --- in book four, Dumbledore just casually talks about finding a room full of chamber pots when he really needed a restroom. Then he couldn't find it again --- the Room of Requirement? I think so. There are little hidden things like this throughout you won't get unless you REread these books.

The characters are amazing! Rowling builds a world full of characters who have flaws, but are so like-able. Even the perfect Albus Dumbledore has flaws which we read about later and Professor Snape, full of flaws, is still like-able. Spoilers! I'll say no more about him. I know exactly which character die and when, but I still find myself curled in a ball around the book bawling my eyes out. Why? Why are these books so phenomenal that I feel all the same feelings I did the first time I read them? Why do I get so caught up in these amazing books and the fantastic characters? Why can't I learn to write as brilliantly as J. K. Rowling? I have none of these answers. I'm pretty much just rambling about how awesome these books are and am still in shock any time I hear that someone hasn't read them. What?! For the love of all things magical - WHY?

If you still haven't read them, then go to your library and pick them up. They are amazing. :)

I have many other old favorites -- what are some of yours?