Don't you love alliteration? I know I do.

I also loved The Tales of Beedle the Bard, even though I consider it too short. I was delighted when I opened this one Christmas day! The stories themselves are charming, yes, even the Hairy Heart one. And I especially enjoyed the commentary by Albus Dumbledore at the end of every wizarding fairy-tale.

And by too short, I mean it took me less than an hour to read the entire thing. It was sad that it ended so quickly. Although I would like to put my vote in for publishing Hogwarts; A History next.

And so I moved on to Twilight and to my surprise I was sucked in! I became so enamoured with it so quickly and thoroughly that after reading 3/4 of of it I had to stop. I can't read another page until I have the other three and won't have to stop for anything then. It would just be too sad to finish the first one and not be able to immediately pick up the second!

Having said that, did anyone find themselves laughing out loud while reading this one? And I don't mean laughing at it (haven't I just said how much I love it?). But really, now. I found myself so delighted with certain parts of the narration and dialogue, that I just had to laugh.

Ahh, well. It's taking more willpower than I thought it would to keep from reading the rest of Twilight, but for the moment I'm contenting myself with Odd Hours the fourth book in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series. Also highly amusing at times.

My re-reading of the Harry Potter series, which culminated in a seven-hour marathon, was delightful, as usual. As is always does, re-reading the entire series firstly, reminds me of all the things I love about them, and secondly, allows me to see the story as whole. To see it's progression, it's growing-up, if you will. I appreciate the books as a reader, as a fervent fan, but I also appreciate Rowling's skill on a more academic level. She knew what the ending would be almost she started the beginning, as some writer's do, and she managed to keep the series a cohesive whole. No mean feat, I assure you. And it's not until you get to the end that you really begin to see the beginning.

Rowling wields the tools of writing with astounding skill. Her use of foreshadowing, which are sometimes more like hints, is among the most subtle I have ever seen. Yet in a close re-reading make you go "oh my god! she's talking about so-and-so there, I can't believe I didn't see it before!" Of course, the way she uses narrative misdirection is fantastic. I just love it.

I think the success of the Harry Potter series is not only to do the singular story of the Boy Who Lived, but is as much due to the way she tells that story.

I go onward though, and am about to read The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Wish me luck!