I have to admit something about Book 7. I am addicted to it.

You probably thing this is an exaggeration, but unfortunately, I’m afraid it isn’t. In any free time I can muster, I am reading it. I have put off normal adult responsibilities, like cleaning, to make more time to read it. When my friends call me while I’m reading it, I jump at the sound of my phone because I forget where I am. Then I ignore their call because I just can’t tear myself away.

I bring it to work with me but leave it in my car. I find myself sneaking out of the office on my lunch break to read chapters of it, sneaking glances at the clock and hoping I still have more time. I read it before going to bed, staying up later than I should, and then I have dreams about it.

The good news is this has only been going on for one week, and with all that reading, I’m more than halfway through. I recently got past where the last movie ended, so I’m really trying to savor the rest, as this is the only part of the HP series that I have not yet seen portrayed on film. My own imagination still has free reign…mostly.

I’ve read some criticisms of this book, that it doesn’t have a lot of action, that not much happens for a very long time. I disagree. Things are continually happening, even if they aren’t duels or death.

I love so much of this one, I don’t even know where to start. I love the conflict and the struggle they all face, internally and with each other. I love how their friendship is really, truly tested, how much Ron and Hermione are possibly giving up to follow Harry. I love when Ron comes back, and how Harry tells him that Dumbledore must have given him the Deluminator because he knew he would come back to them. I am always impressed with Harry’s leadership, his gut instincts, his bravery, and how he still feels bad making people risk their lives for him. Hermione really shines here, with all of her intelligence, logic, and efficiency saving their butts numerous times.

The comparisons to the Nazi’s, deathcamps, and the Final Solution are more evident here than ever. Those elements of history have always fascinated me, and since taking a trip to Berlin and a concentration camp since reading this book the first time, I am seeing even more of that in the series this time around.

Rowling just amazes me. How did she do it? Make something so interesting, complex and detailed that it all seems so real, like it could have happened, or could be happening?

Tangent: Harry’s parents died in 1981, when Harry was one. That means that Book 7 took place when he was 17, or in 1997. I never thought about what year it might be when this was all occurring, but doesn’t it seem like it totally shouldn’t have been the 90s? Also, I always pictured Harry younger than me, I guess because I started reading when I was 14 and he was 10, but in fact, he’s older than we are…you know, if he were real. Which he totally isn’t.

  Anyway, I am actually looking forward to finishing it so that I can get back to my normal life and stop thinking about this book all the time. Also the dreams are getting really weird. Although not as weird as Harry’s dreams, amiright?!

-E

You guys. This book is taking me FOR.EV.ER to get through.

I started it at the end of February! This is crazy. I’ve finished these books in just a couple of days in the past. I think it’s because I’ve seen the Goblet of Fire movie way more times than all the rest of them, so maybe I just know what’s going to happen and can’t get into it?

I don’t know. I really want to get to 5-7 because I don’t remember a damn thing from those, especially 7. But I just can’t. find. the. motivation.

I still have 300 pages left, for god’s sake.

Any words of encouragement for me? Even if those words are “stop whining, suck it up, and GET TO IT.”

-E

I finished Azkaban last week. I really love this one. When I first read it it was my favorite of the first three, and it definitely still is.

Sirius and Lupin are some of my favorite characters, and we finally get to meet them in this book. Lupin being a werewolf continues with Rowling’s accepting-people-as-they-are theme, and I really love the story of his friends becoming Anamagi illegally just so they can be with him when he transformed. Again with all the friendship love!

I felt for Harry for those few seconds when he really thought he was going to leave the Dursley’s. I remember being so excited for him the first time I read this, and then being so bummed when it turned out he’d have to go back to Pivet Drive. Ugh.

And now a comparison of one of my favorite movie scenes to the one in the book: when Harry conjures the patronus to save his other self and Sirius. I absolutely love this scene in the movie. Every time I see it I get chills! The book, though, didn’t seem as exciting. I guess this is the effect of cinema- the CGI dementors are scary, the music is suspenseful, and there is so much anticipation build up in the movie when Harry is waiting, waiting, and Hermionie is pushing him, but he keeps saying his dad is coming, his dad is coming.

But his father doesn’t come, because he is dead. Instead, Harry conjures a patronus that is the same shape of his father’s Animagi, because although James is dead, he is a part of Harry and will always be with him, especially when he needs to protect himself. That’s some powerful stuff right there.

Another reason I liked this book was because the story really starts to mature without getting too dark yet. The official “cross over” when the story takes its turn to the dark side (for me, anyway) is when Cedric Diggory dies. That’s when you know this shit is real, and Voldemort isn’t fucking around anymore. He will kill children to get to Harry if he has to.

We’ve all been a bit absent around here lately, does anyone have any thoughts on this one? I bet you’re all happy to have moved on from the Chamber of Secrets.

-E

Yeah, this is the worst of the series, no doubt, and I’m ready to move on to Azkaban. 

• Dobby is annoying but not in the likeable way he is later in the series.
• The flying car isn’t as exciting as it used to be.
• There is a lack of suspense with the diary now that I know what happens. (Could have complained about this other times I’ve read the series, it’s more apparent now for some reason.)
• Polyjuice Potion: This was a cool idea, but I didn’t like that Hermione turned into a cat.  She was sidelined for decent part of the story and just didn’t love this like I did other magical potions in the books.

But!  There are some good things that I’m glad to be refreshing myself on:

• This is the first time you see a true wizarding house, in the Weasly’s.  I think anyone who has read this book would not mind living there, even in poverty.
• The increasing importance of Parseltongue and its proof of the still-living connection between Voldemort and Harry.
• How classmates are willing to turn on Harry at the drop of a hat with the suspicious things going on.  This comes into play later in the series.  Harry has to learn how to deal with being an anti-celebrity to most people and I love the teenage way he reacts to it.  So well-done by Rowling.
• Colin Creevey.  He wrecked me in the last book.  I loved this kid; he’s Harry’s biggest fan through thick and thin and is impossible to dislike.
• Polyjuice Potion: I know I mentioned it earlier as a dislike, but I’m glad it was put into this book because of its use later.

More to come!

-A