Cover to Cover

I am a prolific reader and my tastes in books vary, from historicals to contemporaries, romance to thrillers. This week, I’m going to blog about the latest series of books that I have read…Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling. No surprise there I am sure, after all, that’s been the talk on everyone’s lips ever since the 7th book was released last month. But what may interest you, is that I had never gotten the chance to read any of the other books until recently. So, around the time everyone was clamouring to read the last book, I was now on the first one! But, I can confidently say now, that I’ve caught up with the rest of the world. No longer am I in the dark and accept only the versions that the movies provided (which have omissions and inclusions, sometimes very different from the books).

In my opinion, here are the most significant quotes that describe what each of these books is about.

The Philosopher’s Stone
“After all, to the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure. You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you can want! The two things most human beings would choose above all – the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things which are worst for them.”

Now, as I see it, what’s the use of a long life and lots of money, if you don’t have happiness? And for me, happiness means companionship (not being lonely) so that’s what I would want more than anything.

The Chamber of Secrets
“Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size, and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken’s egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it.”

I’m sure we all know at least one person who has the ability to give a murderous stare especially when you do or say something that does not please them.

The Prisoner of Azkaban
“Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them. Even Muggles feel their presence, though they can’t see them. Get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory, will be sucked out of you.”

I must have a few Dementors stalking me day and night. That will explain a whole lot about my outlook of my life recently.

The Goblet of Fire
“Bone of the father, unknowingly given,
You will renew your son.
Flesh of the servant, willingly given,
You will revive your master.
Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken,
You will resurrect your foe.”

Now why does everything have to take bone, flesh and blood? I think the one missing ingredient is tears.

The Order of the Phoenix
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power that the Dark Lord knows not…and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…”

So that prophecy was what all this fuss was about!

The Half-Blood Prince
“Amortentia. It’s the most powerful love potion in the world!”
“Amortentia doesn’t really create love, of course. It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love. No, this will simply cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. It is probably the most dangerous and powerful potion…When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love.”

With the really bad luck I have with guys, I bet not even an overdose of Amortentia would cause a guy to become infatuated or obsessed with me, much less fall in love!

The Deathly Hallows

“The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, the Cloak of Invisibility. Together. The Deathly Hallows…refers to three objects or Hallows, which, if united, will make the possessor master of Death.”

Again, what is with all these people and their obsession about not dying? I guess people will always fear what they know little about. If I were told that I would die soon, I am certain I won’t be afraid of it neither will I worry about it. I don’t have a husband to leave without a partner or children who will be made motherless. My regret will be that I accomplished so little in the time I spent alive that I won’t be worth remembering.