THE DEATHLY HALLOWS

I don't think I could have been any more satisfied with the way J.K. Rowling finished the series with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It took me only four days to read the book and that time would have been shorter if I didn't have to split time with my wife (or do pesky things like go to work). I enjoyed every moment I spent flipping its pages, which were full of tension, action, humor, heart, sadness, and answers. I admired the way things from previous books were brought back, not only the people but the ideas as well. I had absolutely no problem with the ending or the epilogue. In short, I loved it. I also can't wait to see what Rowling does next...but she can have a few years to sort it out.

FINISHED

...at about 8:50 tonight. I'll put up a review soon...without spoiling anything. And let's put it this way - I didn't go and perform at the open mic tonight so I could finish.

FAIR TALES

Today we went to the Porter County Fair and by "we" I mean Jill, Grant, my dad, and me. Grant had a ticket from the library so that he could go on rides for free from 11-2. Ride tickets were also available for the rest of us for only $7 during that time period, which isn't too bad. We got there a bit before noon and were able to go on 8 rides. Grant was unsure of himself at first, describing himself as "cautious." But he really relaxed into it and enjoyed most of the rides we went on - the Tilt-A-Whirl, Hang Glider, Matterhorn, Spider, and more. I was proud of how he went with it. He strangely wanted to ride next to me the whole time too; I guess today he felt safer with me than with Jill...sometimes you need your dad. I saw tons of kids that I've taught at the Y and got hugs from many of them. We also ran into some close family friends at lunchtime. We split two giant elephant ears among us for dessert, plus Jill and Grant had cotton candy. We also looked at old tractors and lots of animals. It was a fun afternoon.

Last night I went to bed around 11:15 and Jill was out on the porch reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I woke up around 3:15 this morning and noticed the light was still on the living room and there was no sign of Jill. I got up and discovered her still sitting in her spot on the porch, getting ever closer to the end. She stayed up and finished it...I told her she was completely mental (as Ron Weasley would say). Anyway, the book is mine now and I'm up to pg. 445. Jill said I'm at the point where you can't stop but I put it down to do the dishes and type this post. Tomorrow I will finish - only work and cooking will get in my way. I want to be able to give it to Dad on Wednesday, so hopefully it will all work out.

You can check out John Vanderslice's new album, Emerald City, on his MySpace page. Sounds pretty good. I'll have to order it at some point, since Barsuk isn't on eMusic and I'm sure Best Buy won't carry it. Still no option to download the new Jason Isbell or Buffalo Tom yet.

Oh, and Chris Roberson linked to my short review of his short story from the other day. Looking forward to the next one, Chris!

SUNDAY SHUFFLE #47

I made it through 7 chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows yesterday (136 pages) and Jill got through 11 chapters (222 pages). Today we have to clean the house and do laundry; Jill has a bridal shower to go to and I am going to a new open mic about 40 minutes away tonight; we both have a lot more reading to do, obviously. But I can't not bring you a Sunday Shuffle...

1. Phone Sex/Superchunk (11)
2. A Glow/Okkervil River (7)
3. A King And Queen/Okkervil River (12)
4. Undertaker/M. Ward (11)
5. Radio King (live)/Jeff Tweedy (4)
6. Against Pollution/The Mountain Goats (15)
7. I Could See the Dude/Spoon (15)
8. Darling We're Out of Time/Cracker (10)
9. Let's Just Laugh/The Lemonheads (11)
10. California Stopover/The Ladybug Transistor (2)

NO MORE WAITING

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows arrived about 10 minutes ago. I was in the middle of the dishes but now I am finished and ready to start reading. Here we go...

WAITING

This morning I started my first Saturday morning shift in the pool; my boss was having a hard time filling up the teaching slots and asked if I would do it. Obviously, I said yes. I can handle doing it for five weeks, especially since I'm not it the pool every day of the week already. Things went well, of course, and I already knew many of the kids in my classes (just three of those). Grant is doing his swimming lessons on Saturdays too, so he and Jill came over after I left and I sat and watched after I was done. When we got back home, there was a slip on the door from UPS - they had tried delivering our copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows before 10:30 when there was no one here! The slip said they would make the next attempt between 10:30 and 2:00, so here I sit. It's 11:50 right now. I just know it will come any minute. Of course, Jill and I then have to decide who is going first with the reading; we are going to try and read it relatively together so we can discuss things as we go. But the sooner we get it, the sooner we can start! I just know it's coming any minute...any minute now...

UP TO SPEED

I've spent the last 11 days rereading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, thus completing my "Harry Potter Project." That's over 1500 pages of the story; I've seen ads in Barnes & Noble telling us how many pages we've all read and how many more there are to go (somewhere in the 740 page range, I believe). But for now, I want to say a few things about the pages I just read.

The most recent book came out two years ago and the one before that came out four years ago, so I hadn't remembered everything about the story. The big story, sure, especially the death of Dumbledore that occurred at the end of book six. I remembered Umbridge from the fifth book, as well as Dumbledore's Army and all sorts of other things. I also remembered how J.K. Rowling made you like Ginny Weasley quite a bit before Harry himself realizes the same thing (very well done on her part). I had forgotten all about the prophecy and Horcruxes and smaller points as well. But now I feel I'm armed and ready to experience the last book in the way it should be experienced. Guess I'll find that out for sure in three weeks...

IN BETWEEN

I've spent the past three days reading two things - Fables: Sons of Empire and the April issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

Fables: Sons of Empire is the 9th volume in the long-running series, collecting 8 issues. We get the 4 issue "Sons of Empire," which focuses on the potential invasion plans (of the entire Mundane world) of the Adversary and his council. That is intercut with bits that catch us up on Flycatcher, Red Riding Hood, Boy Blue, and more. That's followed by the Christmas issue, "Jiminy Christmas!," in which on the wolf cubs meets Santa and learns his secrets. Next is the two issue "Father and Son," drawn by Mike Allred; it shows what happens when Bibgy, Snow White, and their children visit the North Wind in his castle. Finally, there's an issue devoted to reader questions and it's drawn by a variety of artists. I wouldn't suggest this volume as a starting point to the series but for long time readers, it's a solid group of issue if not quite on par with the high points of the series. Oh, it is always written by Bill Willingham and usually drawn by Mark Buckingham.

As for F&SF, it is a special "Gene Wolfe issue," featuring commentary on Gene from Neil Gaiman and Michael Swanwick (two of my favorite writers), a more critical essay on his work, and a new longer Wolfe story, "Memorare." Wolfe is one of those writers I always respect when I run across his work and I should really start seeking more of it out...trying one of his novels, perhaps. His story here is one about memorials in space that can be dangerous as well as the dangers of our relationships - it's good stuff. The rest of the issue is rounded out with the usual columns and stories from David Gerrold (with a fun sequel to a recent story), Donald Mead (a so-so story about the aftermath of the Donner party), and David D. Levine (with a cool look at a made-up legend and its impact, told in reverse.

So, what's the "in-between" here? Well, I've decided to stop my practice of putting two books in between my "Harry Potter Project," so I've started the fifth book. At this point, I'm letting the story carry me..we'll see if I can be totally reread by the end of the month...

4x4

It's been a while since I posted any reviews, so I thought I should catch up. Since my last review post, I've read 4 books and 4 trades...

It only took me 2 days to reread Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third book of the series (and of my "Harry Potter Project"). It's the first book to not feature Voldemort as the main villain; instead, one of his supporters appears to have broken out of the wizard prison Azkaban and is after Harry. Of course, things aren't as straightforward as that. This book also features such cool bits as the Marauder's Map, which shows not only a map of Hogwarts but who is where in the castle, and Hermione's use of a Time Turner, which allows her to take multiple classes at the same time and also plays a big role in the finale of the book. For me, this book kicked the whole series into another gear the first time around and I was just as enthralled the second time around.

Next up was All-Star Superman Vol. 1, which collects the first six issues of the series that reimagines Superman (somewhat akin to Marvel's Ultimate line). This series is by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, which I feel is one of the best writer/artist teams working today. The first issue features Superman rescuing an inventor on the Sun, which appears will lead to Superman's death. So what does he do? He tells Lois that he, Clark Kent, is Superman. That's the first issue. From there we get Supermen of the future; Lois getting super-powers for a day; Clark and Luthor in the midst of a super-powered prison riot; Jimmy Olsen as a cool, capable man; black Kryptonite; and the death of Pa Kent. It is a series full of cool ideas and visuals with plenty of heart. It is what super-hero comics should be and I highly recommend it.

I've mentioned my love for the Legion of Super-Heroes on this blog several times. Of course, my Legion of Super-Heroes has been gone for more than a decade at this point - the franchise has been rebooted a couple times since the mid-90s. Right now there is a story going on in a JLA/JSA crossover that features that original Legion (more on that later this week) and it made me decide to try the latest Legion reboot. Legion of Super-Heroes: Teenage Revolution collects the first six issues of the latest series, which is written by Mark Waid and drawn by Barry Kitson. The future that this Legion is in is one of homogeneity and the young Legion members want to shake up society. They find themselves at odds with the United Planets and the Science Police. These characters aren't the same as they were but there are still some similarities. I liked it well enough to want to pick up the next trade at some point.

My next read was the debut novel by Joshua Ferris, Then We Came to the End. It's about an ad agnecy that is going through a wave of layoffs and what happens to the people...gossip and odd behavior and humanity and anxiety and meanness and friendship. It's also written in the royal "we," which is a very interesting choice. It allows for wide-ranging viewpoints but also keeps things at a distance for a while. By the latter half of the book, you don't notice it as much, however. This is a solid book but I wouldn't put it on a par with, say, Max Barry's Company (though that novel is not as straightforward as this). Still, when it comes out in paperback, you may want to give it a look.

I went right into another book, I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle. In it, Dennis Cooverman uses his valedictory speech to profess his love for the titular head cheerleader. From there, things become very interesting for Dennis and his friend Rich. I'd say more but I wouldn't want to ruin it for you. Think of the really good movies about high school and you'll have the gist; in fact, Doyle starts each chapter with a quote from one of those movies. The book is hilarious and really, really good. You should read it.

I switched back to comics after that, reading Nexus Archives Volume 2. Nexus and Judah found themselves on the Bowl-Shaped World and met up with The Badger, a crazy martial-arts master who calls everyone "Larry." Meanwhile, Sundra and Jil went into business (and more) together and Tyrone got himself elected the first president of Ylum. After that, the slaver Clausius makes his return and Nexus investigates ways to stop the dreams that haunt him. Oh, and we learn a bit more about where his powers might originate. The issues collected here are from the early 80s but they still seem fresh. Mike Baron and Steve Rude created a masterpiece with this series and I'm counting down the days until I can justify buying the next volume of this series. Oh, and there are new issues about to be published as well!

I made a rare foray into Marvel Comics after that, reading Doctor Strange: The Oath, which collects the five issue mini-series. Why Doctor Strange? It was written by Brian K. Vaughan (and Marcos Martin on art didn't hurt either). The story is about magic and medicine and goes back to the beginnings of Doctor Strange and features what could be the end of his faithful servant Wong. Oh, and Vaughan uses Night Nurse and it world wonderfully. Proof that Vaughan is one of the best writers in the comics industry.

Finally, I spent the last 6 days reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It's tough to get through a 700 plus page book quickly. It's also tough to not spend all your time reading it. The Quidditch World Cup. The return of the Death Eaters. The Triwizard Tournament. Students from other schools. A dance. The full return of Voldemort. If you like this series, this is certainly an important book. Hard to believe it's been 7 years since I first read it...

I should also mention that I read the April/May double issue of Asimov's in there somewhere too. And that brings us to today, where I will start another trade.

THE HARRY POTTER PROJECT: THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

The one advantage to being sick the past couple days is that I had more time than usual to devote to reading - no going out and enjoying the nice weather for me! It was because of this time that I finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 3 days.

When I read this book the first time around, I felt it was not quite as good as the first book. This time around, I'm not sure why I felt that way. Sure, the pacing of the book doesn't lend itself to finding out what happened in their lives on a daily basis but that can be inferred from what we learned in the first book. This book concerns itself with telling the story and just giving us new concepts along the way, rather than giving us all the concepts and telling the story. If that makes any sense.

We do get some new characters and they are fun ones - Dobby the House Elf, who has to hurt himself whenever he gives out information he shouldn't and does his best to protect Harry, and Gilderoy Lockhart, the vain best-selling author and new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (completely ineffective, of course). Oh, and we can't forget Moaning Myrtle, the ghost of a forgotten girls bathroom.

We also learn more about Voldemort as a student at Hogwarts, meet a phoenix, watch as our young heroes transform themselves into other students, learn dueling, and so on. It's a fun book, a good book, and makes me just want to read the next in the series...

That shall wait, however. I have the new novels from Michael Chabon and Ian McDonald coming towards me in an Amazon box as we speak and until they arrive, I'll be reading some comics. Oh, and that was book #11 on the year...now if I can read 4 or 5 more in May, I'll really be cooking.

THE HARRY POTTER PROJECT: THE SORCERER'S STONE

A number of years ago, I got a couple books for Christmas - a gift from my mother. It was the first three books of a series she had read about and thought I would like, based on my love for the Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings as a child. They were by a new writer, J.K. Rowling and were about the adventures of a boy named Harry Potter. My mom was right - I liked them a lot. This was before full-scale Pottermania, though I noticed that when the fourth book came out the following summer. My wife and I have read the new ones as fast as possible, sometimes picking up the book when the other puts it down. This summer, of course, brings the seventh and final book of the series. I always said I would reread the series so I could have everything relatively fresh in my mind as to enjoy the last book as much as possible. A couple weeks ago, I started the project.

The first book of the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, is very readable. The plot moves at a fairly quick pace, the language is descriptive without bogging down, and the energy of the book makes you want to read it as fast as you can. It's full of cool ideas and names - Muggles; Quidditch; Bertie Bot's Every Flavor Beans; broomsticks and spells and evil and and and... It's fun. And it's good. Reading it again makes me want to read the rest of the books right away, though I'm going to spread out the remaining books. I do have until the end of July...though at the rate I've been reading, I do need to be careful.

One other note, I've been keeping track of how many books I've read since the start of 2001. From that time, I read 215 books before I started this project and this is the first time I've reread anything. Not a bad streak.