A few months ago a friend of mine saw the last Harry Potter movie. Shortly after that he announced he wanted to re-read the books. In order. Start to finish. But he didn't have all the books at his disposal. So I accommodated his objective by giving him all of mine. Every last one. As a bonus for him, I included all the movie CDs, books analyzing the series, and some articles on J.K. Rowling. I am a Harry Potter junkie.
Two weeks ago he handed me back all of the materials. He admitted he ignored all the ancillary materials, but proudly announced that he had read all seven books. In order. Start to finish. His next goal is to re-read the Tolkien series in order – for the fourth time. The man has an appreciation for a good yarn.
Harry Potter shows us that a well-written story with magic, action, conflict, and character development can capture our interest, regardless of the age group for which it is crafted. But what comes after Harry Potter?
I suggest Matched by Ally Condie, a New York Times bestseller written for young adults. In that dystopian society, young men and women are perfectly paired to one another. Or are they? Do the methods of that society work any better than our own contemporary dating services? From the beginning of the book, Cassia finds herself in conflict. Can she be certain that the mate selected for her is the right one? If she refuses, what happens to her? We care about Cassia and the choice she makes because even as adults we can relate to her confusion. What if her soul mate isn’t the perfect match at all?
Pick up the book and its sequel, Crossed. I think you’ll enjoy both.
You did a great job here, re-writing your post too. I love the banner across the top. Your blog looks great. I am proud of you for re-doing. That is sometimes so hard to do. :) And I still need to check out something other than HP! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my site. The good news about the re-do was that I learned a lot more than if the whole event hadn't happened. There is life after HP, but that mourning period seems to take forever.
DeleteI like your "next" home. I read the other post, and didn't comment, but thought about how conversational it is, which makes it easy to read. And, if you can give me tips on getting books back from people, I'd appreciate it - I have several floating out there that I now likely need to replace. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my site and for commenting on the conversational tone. That's what I'm going for. Getting books back from people requires a bit of trust and nagging, although one of my paperback novels by Chaim Potok has been hanging out with "loanee" for 25 years, now. And I have no idea how many times I have repurchased Gate to Women's Country. Do you ever wonder how many public libraries may have to replace each year? Hummmm......
DeleteThis is basically a testing comment, since I already left one BUT I am a Harry Potter fanatic. I really enjoy Jim Dale narrating on the audio books. That's another way to "read" more, get audio books from the library
ReplyDeleteI always have an audio book going. It's my "car" book. I have a bedside book, a lunch book, and a car book. I have cookbooks, too, but those aren't quite the same. LOL
DeleteHi Holly,
ReplyDeleteGlad you posted your address. I couldn't promote U like I did the others already on my FB pg. So now I'll promote U. Joined your blog. Please return the favor...one of the quickest ways to get followers and joiners in the writing community is to ask. And writers are lovely and supportive, I have found. Wasn't really ready for this until recently. And now I am promoting and being promoted. Great.
My blogs are http://www.achristianapologistssonnets.com/
AND
http://www.thefatandtheskinnyonwellness.com/
(Let me know if addresses don't work)
Please check a bit and join...google networked... Thanks.
My third blog will be up today. Some writers I'm in contact with have blogs for each book...and then get a blog for all their books. Sigh. Great stuff. Others have Youtube trailers that look professional...others not. Either way...it's a great process because you control the content...
Ciao
Holly,
ReplyDeleteAfter every post, Tweet it and FB it immediately, if U haven't already done so.
My FB page where you will see your blog promoted is:
http://www.facebook.com/Writingdivine
If you didn't like the page already (don't know if you did from the other class) then please return the favor and Like!
Thanks,
Carole
Like your site. Love the fish/goldfish bowl idea. You are a natural and this will be easy for you.
ReplyDeleteWhich host did you go with? You are on blogger, though, yes?
Will do. I am not quite ready to tweet my posts, but should be later today.
ReplyDelete