When American Idol finished a couple of weeks ago, I remember seeing psychologists on TV discussing how people might react to it all being over. Some will feel a huge void in their lives, some may go into a state of depression, and many will feel a huge sense of loss. I thought that sounded so ridiculous. These are people you see on TV for crying out loud! We don't really know them. We don't have a relationship with them. How on earth could people ever get so attached to someone who we will probably never even meet?
Now I know.
Jeff and I finished reading the final book in the Harry Potter series last night. My hat goes off to Ms. Rowling. She is absolutely amazing. Her imagination is endless, and her way with words is so natural and creative. I couldn't get enough of this magical world. I think reading it so slowly (which is to be expected when you can only do it when you are together) made me even more attached. I remember when book 6 came out, and our good friends, Ryan and Tamie (love you guys!), were SO excited about it. They bought it the first day they could and sent their kids to Provo to spend some good, quality time with their grandparents, while they locked themselves up in the house alone to devour the book. Jeff and I both thought they were nuts. Well, now I get it.
We read the entire series, and all but #3 together, but now, it's all over. After the end, I was left feeling so excited and satisfied, yet craving so much more. More answers, more details, and more of their world. I've felt that way after each of the other books, but there's always been another one to look forward to. Now there's not. I'm not feeling like I'm going to be needing therapy sessions or anything (at least not any more than I may have needed them before!), but I miss Harry. I feel a void. But, I'm trying to move on. So, my question to you is... what's next? What can we read that is as fantastic as Harry Potter? What will we love to read together? What are your absolute favorites that would be fun to read aloud?
11 comments:
We were the nut cases that bought the next installment as each one was released - Jeff always read them first because he is so speedy and I couldn't wait to get my hands on them.
I too felt a huge let down when Harry was over. I think I was more upset at the end of #6 when Dumbledore died. I didn't see any point reading any more, but I got over it to read #7 for 3 days straight.
My favorites since..... I love all of Mitch Alboms books, "Just one more day" is probably my favorite. I loved "The Holy Man" by Susan Trot, and "Letters for Emily," by Camron Wright. I'll keep thinking... Good luck getting over Harry :)
I know the feeling. It was hard to say good-bye to Harry. I've just started reading the series again, this time aloud to Christian. It will take us a while to finish them, but at least I'll get my Harry "fix" when I need it! My favorites lately are the "Peter" series: "Peter and the Starcatchers" is the first book. It's about how Peter Pan came to be. My big kids LOVED the first book and we're about halfway through the 2nd now. Jack would love it! Pirates, bad guys, crocodiles, magic...it's got it all!
This will sound totally geeky (and it is), but that is how I felt after watching all of the Star Trek Generations episodes. HA! I thought I HATED Star Trek before I got married, but then Richard managed to con me into watching one or two episodes and I got way into it. So, I know the feeling. We have yet to get into Harry Potter. However, we did get the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" books on CD (that is how our family "reads"), which our older kids have enjoyed. "The Hobbit" would probably be better for younger kids, however. Maybe you have already read those. Since we don't have TV, we are totally behind. What is American Idol anyway?...:)
I miss Harry too. James just started reading the series independently. I think it's neat that you read some of these big books together with your family.
Mindy, I'm sending you a cyber-prozac to help you get through it. Here it is O ! And now you've inspired me to read it as well. OK, so did you ever start the books by Stephanie Myers? If not then you can still read something completely not true and enthralling. Love you, Mom
Jeff and Mindy!!!
Oh my gosh, I just discovered your blog today. It looks like you are doing great! It's so fun to read about what you guys are doing. Your kids are the cutest. Check out my blog and say hi...mikeandbevany.blogspot.com
Hopefully you even remember who I am.
I recommend the Bartimaeus series (http://www.bartimaeustrilogy.com/) by Jonathan Stroud (I came across the audio cd's at the library picked them up because of the name). It's about on the same level as Harry Potter - children's lit - and is extremely well written. Especially if you read all three books.
I actually recommend listening to the audio cd's narrated by Simon Jones if you can. He does a fantastic job with all the different voices and made it really come alive.
Janssen recommends Ella Enchanted. It's quite a good book about a girl who has a curse that she has to do anything anyone tells her to do. The movie made after the book is way too hokey. But the book would be a fun one to read together.
Another great series is the Old Kingdom Series by Garth Nix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Nix#The_Old_Kingdom_series).
When I finished them, I had the same sad feeling you described in this post.
I'm a total blog stalker. That's all you need to know. I looked through old posts and saw the one of us on tour. How funny!! You should totally read Stephenie Meyers books- the Twiligh series, if you haven't. Jeff might not like them though. Do you care if I add your blog to my list?
I missed Harry for a few weeks - but once I started other stuff, I'm ok :) I would recommend Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. There are 13 books but they are super easy to read but very entertaining. He's a very clever writer and the way he mixes the stories together and introduces new vocabulary is great! Also, I just started Artemis Fowl - so far it's really fun and apparently there are several books.
I know I'm old fashioned, but one of the very best series we ever read outloud as a family was the "Anne of Green Gables" series by Lucy Maude Montgomery.
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