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July 25
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Holly
marked as to-read:
Painted Dresses: A Novel (Paperback)
by Patricia Hickman
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my rating:
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Holly
gave
to:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
by J.K. Rowling
bookshelves:
children-youth
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my rating:
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read in July, 2008
Holly said:
"Terrific, amazing. Need I say more? I love the opening scene with the Muggle Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic. It's terrific and really brings a new perspective to the story: the magic world does affect the muggle world, even if the muggl...more
Terrific, amazing. Need I say more? I love the opening scene with the Muggle Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic. It's terrific and really brings a new perspective to the story: the magic world does affect the muggle world, even if the muggles aren't aware of it. We also get a new glimpse of Severus Snape, as he promises Narcissa Malfoy that he will protect her son Draco. He even makes the Unbreakable Vow. Has he really repented and turned spy, as Dumbledore insists? Or is he once and forever a loyal Death Eater? Who knows...
I laughed when Molly asks Arthur his dearest ambition (to check that he is Arthur and not someone impersonating him) and Arthur says "to see how airplanes stay up." I also loved the scene in Fred and George's store. The twins are making their joke shop a success with things like U-No-Poo and love potions that will wreak havoc later on in the book. It's these little tidbits that make the story so much richer.
Harry returns to school and learns about the life of Tom Riddle and his fascinating transformation into Lord Voldemort. Through memories obtained by Dumbledore, we learn about Riddle and his quest to make Horcruxes and the desire is planted within Harry to find and destroy them all.
Professor Snape has finally achieved his coveted Defense Against the Dark Arts post, and the new Potions teacher is Horace Slughorn. Harry's used potions book was previously owned by someone calling himself "The Half-Blood Prince" and the notes permit Harry to excel, for the first time ever, in his Potion's class, much to Hermione's dismay. However, because of the Prince's book, Harry wins the potion, Felix Felicis, which will help in out in the future. The Prince also created his own spells, which serve Harry well in some cases and create terror and near tragedy in others.
16-year old Harry also realizes in this book that he likes Ginny Weasley. Ginny's character is one of my favorites, and I think she and Harry are perfect for each other.
This is definitely the darkest yet of the series. Harry and his friends have come to learn that there is true evil in the world and Harry knows that he will be the one who needs to kill Voldemort.
I found some of the bits with Draco a little far-fetched: I don't think he would have been able to put Rosemerta under the Imperius curse so easily.
Was it a surprise to find out who the Half-Blood Prince was? The first time I read the book, yes, it was. The death at the end of the book is tragic, but ultimately necessary. There are so many questions that need to be answered, and the build-up to book 7 is terrific.
Definitely of my favorites....less
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Holly
marked as to-read:
Room for Two (Paperback)
by Abel Keogh (Goodreads author!)
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my rating:
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July 24
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Holly
marked as to-read:
Her Good Name (Trade Paperback)
by Josi S. Kilpack (Goodreads author!)
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my rating:
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Holly
marked as to-read:
Mormon Midwife: The 1846-1888 Diaries of Patty Bartlett Sessions (Life Writings Frontier Women)
by Donna Smart
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my rating:
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Holly
marked as to-read:
Mr Darcy's Diary (Paperback)
by Maya Slater
bookshelves:
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my rating:
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July 20
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Holly
gave
to:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
by J.K. Rowling
bookshelves:
children-youth
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my rating:
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Holly said:
"Delightfully entertaining. The book opens with a bored, 15-year old Harry. He's full of normal teenage angst that is compounded by the fact that he's feeling abandoned by the wizarding world. He managed to finish the Triwizard Tournament, only to wat...more
Delightfully entertaining. The book opens with a bored, 15-year old Harry. He's full of normal teenage angst that is compounded by the fact that he's feeling abandoned by the wizarding world. He managed to finish the Triwizard Tournament, only to watch Cedric die at the hands of Wormtail and then find himself face to face with Lord Voldemort. As soon as school ended, he was sent back to the Dursley's with no significant contact from Ron and Hermione. After defending a dementor attack on himself and Dudley, he is faced with expulsion from Hogwarts.
This book could be considered the darkest, so far. Harry returns to school to find that he is the object of scorn and ridicule. The ministry has been playing down the events of the last year and refuses to admit that Lord Voldemort has returned.
Harry is also a teenager. He's facing difficult exams. He's tired of being famous. When he finally gets to Grimmauld Place and meets up with Ron and Hermione again, he lets loose with frustrated rant. It was dead on for a teenager who is angry at the fact that while he has, several times, fought the greatest wizard of all time, he is still treated like a child who doesn't understand.
He questions everything and he struggles with his attraction to Cho Chang. Professor Dumbledore seems to ignore him and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Umbridge, is an evil fascist who hates him. He's having nightmares about a door he can't get through, and he must take Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape.
There is a lot of action and a lot of angst. There are some funny parts. I love the scene when Harry is telling Ron and Hermione about his kiss with Cho and wonders why she was crying. When Hermione explains the emotional aspect of girls the interchange between her and Ron is priceless. I'm so glad they included it in the film.
Another great aspect of the book is when Harry, Hermione and Ron form the DA. Professor Umbridge won't teach them defensive spells and so Hermione takes it upon herself to convince Harry to teach them. That these teenagers all came together to do this is terrific and I loved seeing Harry have responsibility and the ability to teach his fellow classmates so many of the things he had used to defend himself against Voldemort. It was well done in the film too.
I always felt that Sirius' character wasn't well-developed and it was hard to believe that Harry felt so much connection with him, other than the fact that he was James' best friend. In the book, he's mostly sullen and angry, which is understandable. But, there isn't much compassion or affection shown. I much prefer the Sirius from the film. Gary Oldman really brought the character to life and he and Daniel Radcliffe really had a father/son chemistry. His death in the book was anti-climactic. His death in the film was heart-wrenching.
My other complaint with this book is Grawp. Hagrid doesn't need any extra, insignificant plot points. I don't see Grawp's purpose in the series. Even after finishing #7, his role isn't really necessary. He does nothing to improve the storyline. It's annoying and distracting. While I don't like Dobby, I don't understand why he hasn't been given more screen time since Chamber of Secrets. He has a much more imporant role than Grawp has in the remaining books.
Until 6 and 7 came along, this was my favorite book! ...less
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July 17
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Holly
marked as to-read:
Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope (Hardcover)
by Ed Smart, Lois Smart, Laura Morton
bookshelves:
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my rating:
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Holly
marked as to-read:
Lost Without You: A Novel (Paperback)
by Annette Lyon (Goodreads author!)
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my rating:
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Holly
marked as to-read:
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself (Paperback)
by Melody Beattie
bookshelves:
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my rating:
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