- I think I might read the first Harry Potter book next year, to see if I like the series. It seems like something I might like, although, I generally don’t like reading about children characters. Hmm.
- I finished To Be Taught, If Fortunate. What an interesting, quick read. In this novella, Ariadne is in deep space with three other astronauts, exploring a moon and three planets, at the turn of the twenty-second century. “Somaforming” has been developed to make slight transformations to astronaut’s bodies so they adapt better to the places they visit; for example, they become more muscular for the planet with more gravity. They’re so far away from earth that it takes 14 years to send a message and 14 years to receive one. In the beginning, they’re getting messages regularly, but they stop coming and the crew can’t figure out why.
- This book had a lot of interesting themes. One of the hardest ones for me to read about was what level of pain is warranted to a native creature in the name of science. Ideally, none, but there were some unavoidable instances in the book.
- When I googled the genre for this book, it came up as “LGBT Literature.” I’d say it’s science fiction. It’s mentioned a few times that a few of the crew members sleep with each other, but it’s not really a theme. It’s odd Google categorized it that way.
- Next up was Inside Out, Demi Moore’s memoir that just came out. A coworker recommended it for work book club, and it wasn’t selected, but I requested it from the library. A few people told me they didn’t think Demi Moore’s memoir would be worth reading, but I’m nosy, and it was interesting! She had a very challenging childhood that I think would surprise a lot of people. This was an easy quick read.
- I started The Overdue Life of Amy Byler next. I would have preferred to start one of my library hard copies but I was traveling and didn’t have them with me, sad face. This book is about a mother with two teenagers whose husband left them three years ago, and suddenly reappears in town and wants to reestablish his relationship with his kids again. I like the writing, but I am exhausted from traveling and working on the garage and think it will take me a while to read this. (Or read much at all – you may not get another update like this for a while!!!)
I have never read the Harry Potters myself but my oldest son, Florian, and his girlfriend, Charlotte, are huge fans and read them all as kids and then again as adults. They really grew up with the books. The first one came out when they were 10, and I think the books got progressively harder, darker and more complex as the series went along. So I think the first one is most like a children’s book, and the later ones are real adult novels. I know what you mean about reading books about kid characters, though, so I will be curious to see how you like it.
That is so cool that the books grew with your son (and a huge part of the population). What a gift for that author to give the world!
And thanks for the heads up – I will see if the first one is too “kiddie” for me. I hope not!
I would definitely give Harry Potter a chance. I never read the books as a kid, because I’ve never been into the whole fantasy/wizards/magic thing and wasn’t particularly interested. When I was 25, a friend was HORRIFIED that I had never read them and basically forced me to as a condition of continuing our friendship, ha. So I “read” all seven that summer (listened to them on audiobook, actually), and then a year or so ago actually read them as books. Now I do things like go to sleep in Harry Potter pajama pants and use my lunchtime walks to play Wizards Unite (the Harry Potter version of Pokemon Go), so you could say I enjoyed the books 😛 I really don’t think the characters will strike you as particularly child-like, except maybe in book five (The Order of the Phoenix), which is when Harry is at his angstiest. Amy’s correct that the books do get progressively harder, darker, and more complex, and the characters grow up as the books go on, so things become more adult and serious throughout the series.
Wow! That is a true binge on them, that summer! Did you feel like they were quick to get through?
That is so cool that you found them as an adult and are as big of a fan as if you had read them when you were younger! And it’s so awesome that they have the apps, and merch, and the amusement park so you can keep on loving them even though the series is finished!
Ohhhhh, can we have a Harry Potter book club as you read through the series? I’d love to reread them again. That series is just my absolute favorite and I hope you give them a chance. You might find the first two books a bit child-like because Harry is 11 and 12 in them, but they do get more adult-like and darker as the series goes on. THEY’RE SO WORTH IT, I PROMISE.
Oh yes, we can! Are you planning to reread them next year? I was thinking to start then.
Now that I have your seal of approval, I know they are worth the read! <3