Growing up, I was very, very bored with books. I hated reading for class, summer reading, literary guild, etc. I was such an outdoorsy kid that sitting by myself reading just didn't appeal to me. Not when I could hang out with my neighbors, the three Schwartz boys, and build forts, spy on adults or play baseball in the yard. I somehow managed to get through high school with a 3.8 GPA having read probably about 3 books total. Same with college, fairly good GPA and never read for class. I just don't enjoy books that I am forced to read. And because of the scar (no pun intended) left by the mandatory books, I didn't want to read for fun, either.
This all changed when I first read Harry Potter.
It was the summer before freshman year of college when my sister lent me the book to read. (She's not much of a reader, and that never changed for her). I loved it! The storyline was incredible, and JK Rowling has the most vivid imagination and creates such a intense depth among the characters. I had never gotten into a book like this, reading for hours on end, getting sad turning each page that I was closer to the end.
I credit Rowling and her writing for getting me back into reading. I read all the time now. I love it as a true escape from the world. For the past few years, I have been reading a lot of Christian, non-fiction books. These books (although cheesy at times) can be helpful in keeping a good life perspective, but they haven't taught me as much as Harry Potter has. Sounds lame, I know. It's not like Rowling is even like a Tolkien or Lewis, but the Christian theme is so obvious to me. I'm not scared to say that I have learned more Christian values in a book about witches and wizards than any book you would find at Lifeway.
So before you throw off the idea of getting into a late game of Harry Potter, you need to reconsider. And if you need company to watch the movies after you finish the books, give me a hollar.

3 comments:
I love this post! I too am a huge Harry Potter fan :>)
Aww thanks so much! :-)
Myth is important. It gives us a view of the truth that is not veiled in familiarity. I am going to dive in, thanks to you :)
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