HARRY POTTER: LOOKING BACK

So this past weekend some friends and I participated in a Harry Potter themed pub quiz, first prize being a fair amount of money. As a result, we studied quite heavily. We divided up the books, and all watched as many of the movies as we could make time for. Consequently I've got POTTER on the BRAIN! Even though the quiz is over. It struck me today that doing an entry about HP could be a great way for me to decompress and reminisce with a wider audience.

Because, in case anyone has forgotten, Harry Potter was a truly brilliant series. I've never been very into the extra information J.K. Rowling has divulged outside of the series, regarding the backgrounds of the characters or other personal details. I'm a bit of a purist in that way. However, if you are interested in that, there is the Pottermore website, which does include a new short story that I mentioned a couple weeks ago (but admittedly still haven't read).

Rachel Dratch as Harry was everything

So to avoid saying too much, I'm just going to share a bunch of Harry Potter stuff I've found and I'm loving lately. A brief look online can show you that there is an overwhelming amount of stuff out there, but this stuff is a little more subtle and clever, in my opinion. I also heartily recommend going back and watching all of the movies (and read the books) because the kids were adorable, and the books were even funnier than I remembered. Enjoy!

Adorably clever keyring

Bookmarks, so cute!

If I ever have a child

They just look so comfy

Because fun pint glasses are the best

Ok, I'll lay off the Harry Potter for now, but thank you all for coming along for the ride! Have a great day!

BOOKWORM ALERT: LIFE AFTER LIFE

Today we're going to do a little book review, because I've failed to take pictures of the last couple things I made, or simply put off making things. I may soon be crossing off several intangible things on that darn 30x30 list, and if they do I'll be in position to get cracking on some of my pending projects. (I'm also guilty of binging on season 2 of Orange is the New Black this weekend, which I've finally finished and will free up some time.)

(Source)

In the meantime, we're talking about Life After Life, by Kate Atkinson. 

This book made NPR's 100 Best Books of 2013 list, and consequently was chosen as the March selection for the local public book club that I attend. I knew a couple people who had read it already and they were enthusiastic fans. However I rarely trust the opinions of others when it comes to book recommendations, mostly because my own opinion of any book can change dramatically from one reading to the next. (It took me 3 solid attempts before finally finishing and enjoying Memoirs of a Geisha, the first two times I barely made it past chapter one and thought it was incredibly boring.) 

Back to the book at hand. If anyone has tried to explain this book to you by way of recommendation, they probably said that it was a story of reincarnation, where the main character lives longer every time, starting with her dying at birth. Though that is an accurate description, when I heard it I immediately thought - sounds weird and boring. I imagined it would be told from the first person, with the main character narrating her life as an infant. Or recounting it, which never seems plausible and so I don't usually enjoy it. I was delighted to find that this was not the case, and it's actually told in the third person, focussing on her parents and siblings as much as if not more than her, in the beginning.

It won't give the game away to say that the actions taken by the main character have both minor and dramatic impacts on her life and it's trajectory. Much more than the actual content of the story itself, I felt the book gave rise to lots of opportunities to reflect upon the impacts of our decisions, and how one decision we might make no matter what, even if it's a very small decision, and it can form our future significantly. Or a very large decision might not have any lasting consequences.

Along with the other beach reads from last month, I highly suggest giving this book a try. Whether you get it for your Kindle, check it out from the library, or commit to a full purchase, I think it'll be worth your while. 

What are you reading? Anything you've been surprised by? Let us know!

BOOKWORM ALERT: SUMMER READS

Although it hasn’t felt that way lately, summer is almost here! (I promise!) Whenever summer approaches, I get excited to get my hands on some quality beach reads. Now, when I say quality, I don’t mean the classics. A trip to the beach is not the best time to start Anna Karenina, no matter what Oprah says.

While laying outside in the sun I’m generally looking for something that's light-hearted, short, or just grabs me in a way I can’t put down. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions as to what you might want to pick up this summer as you head out to enjoy the sunshine!

Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell

Looking for a teen romance aimed at a slightly older crowd? Do you miss mixed tapes and love reminiscing about your youth? Then look no further. This book has also been a source of some controversy, so check it out and see if you agree with the critics.

      Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore, by Robin Sloan
This book appeals to both the technophiles and book lovers. It reminds us to appreciate the history of books while embracing their future, and takes the reader on a journey to solve a mystery.

      

      One More Thing (Stories and Other Stories), by B.J. Novak

Brought to you by one of the writers from the TV show the Office, this collection of short and extremely short stories is fun, quirky and sharp. Read it straight through or sift through and read them at random. You can't go wrong with this one. 

      

Bossypants, by Tina Fey

For those of you who are fans of non-fiction and memoirs, but want something a little lighter, this is the book for you. Ladies. It’s humor, hope, and a palatable dose of “girl power” (if I might be so ‘90s) all contained in under 300 pages. Now available in the portable and affordable mass market paperback size.

Don’t ever feel pressured to bring a book to the beach; it’s always ok to break out a the latest issues of People and US Weekly. No judgement here. (I mean, what better excuse to find out what the Kardashians are up to, and keep an eye on Prince George's latest outfits?) Just as long as I can borrow it when you’re done.

Happy reading!

We're always looking for new suggestions, so what are you planning to read this summer? Let us know in the comment section.