Combing through my reading career I would safely assume that the longest book I have ever read would be a Harry Potter book. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix tipping the page length scales at 859 pages.
As for 600+ page reads, I find that I don't actually read that many. My average page length is somewhere between 350-400 if I had to guess. Without a doubt I would strongly recommend the reading of the Harry Potter series if you have not done so. I might also be inclined to suggest that you read Breaking Dawn/The Twilight Saga with Breaking Dawn being over 700 pages.
With that said, I will also share the books that I want to read that serve as paperweights. The first one being A Game of Thrones and its following books. This is followed closely by the mildly intimidating Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss and The Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind.
I think that about sums it up! I hope that you have a great weekend, I have been out of commission this weekend creating enough product to sale at my town's first annual comic convention. I can't wait to turn the pages and blog the words when I am done staying up until 3am crafting!
In addition to First Impressions Friday, I take part in the blog hop Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee & Alison.
Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life
(was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader,
did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation,
does it bring you comfort every time you read it?).
To be completely honest, it was the Harry Potter series that did this for me when I was in elementary school. I was a casual reader, reading what I had to for our reading points in school, watching my mom read her romance, and I dabbled in children's reading like Dr. Seuss. But when I finally decided to pick up Harry Potter, mind you I always had a higher reading comprehension, the world that JK Rowling had created opened up something inside my mind.
For the first time in my reading experience, I could envision the world and the characters as they went through the adventures in the book. Until that point, the words had only been that, words on a page. Now they were a story, it was like a personal screening of an awesome movie. Of course, years later, I would screen the awesome movies in the cinemas, but it changed my reading life forever.
How did I not know about this? I was alerted to a post over at HPProgs that a small prequel that JK Rowling wrote for a Waterstone charity benefit is now online. You can find the entire excerpt that she wrote on the HPProgs website. Waterstone also published a small anthology of the pieces from all the authors that contributed such as Neil Gaimon, Margaret Atwood, Nick Hornby, and more!
Here's a small teaser from the excerpt transcript:
But neither James nor Sirius was paying attention. They were suddenly as alert as gundogs, staying past Fisher and Anderson, over the roof of the police car, at the dark mouth of the alley. Then, with identical, fluid movements, they reached into their back pockets.
Since 2001, Harry Potter movies have been a part of our lives. We have watched the most fantastical magic trio grow up on the big screen, we've been a part of their lives as they have ours. Now, ten years later, this wonderful cinematic era is coming to a close. These eight movies have taken us on a thrill ride of greatness; there were times we cried, we laughed, we cheered, and even times the fanatics booed when something was left out. From all walks of life, from all facets of geekery and reading passion, Harry Potter has brought together a community.
Book to movie adaptations can be spot on or terribly defect in their conversions. This series has had its share of cinematic successes and failures. Director David Yates, directing four of the eight movies, has had a brilliant run of glory, ending a cinematic phenomenon with such a magnificent display of cinematography. His artistic genius is accompanied by screenwriter, Steve Kloves, who scripted seven of the movies.
Picking up from the moment Part I ended, this movie is thrilling from the depth of action. Book readers can attest to the authenticity this story emanates from start to finish. It rips the story from the pages of the book and throws them onto the big screen in the most brilliant array of illustrations.
This movie alone served to return us to the magic that is the Boy Who Lived and the world that J.K. Rowling invented and developed. They spared no expense to give the movie-goers the experience of a lifetime; the most spectacular, moving, and powerful good-byes this generation has ever seen.
The casting for this series has always been the most phenomenal job;seeming to pluck the images of the characters straight from our imaginations and into real-life. From the leading characters to the supporting characters, they were all magnificently well placed and incredibly perfected.
Each character grew as the actor grew; the depth of the actor connection was deeper with every installment. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson were stunning in all eight movies as the three leading characters. Regardless of plot, screenplay, or intimacy, these young actors performed with the most magical and profound acting, tried and true to their characters.
Other actors including Matthew Lewis, Maggie Smith, Jason Issacs, Tom Felton, Richard Harris (R.I.P.), Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, and so many more were all amazing in each roll they were chosen for. Even some of the latest additions to the cast including Bill Nighy, Ciaran Hinds, and Guy Henry succeeded under the mass expectations set forth by the preceding films.
But no other actor performs as profoundly accurate and superb as Alan Rickman. His portrayal of Severus Snape in all eight movies has been a phenomenon in and of itself. He has shown his artistic soundness through the avid facial expressions and moments that Severus Snape has experienced. He is an integral part of the plot that unfolds within this conclusion; Alan Rickman has the fortunate opportunity to perform in one of the most moving scenes this film has to offer. His unwavering performance over the past ten years has been monumentally perfect.
Video shared from boushh2187.
Overall, this ending to era of our lives was moving and epic. It included all aspects that we love in movies and all of them that we loved in this book. It has been a phenomenal thrill ride and this film has left my heart empowered. While most fans are full of longing, this movie provided us with a new type of magic, one that will give our imaginations the power to grow and foster a wealth of creativity; the power of good-bye.
The days until the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 release are dwindling; we are at 20 and counting! Full blown trailers have ended but they are releasing new television spots that are new snippets of the movie with new elements and commentary from the characters as well as what is said to be the Grey Lady; we haven't had ghost interaction since Chamber of Secrets! This movie will be, and I revert back to my favorite word, PHENOMENAL! ((More videos behind the cut!))
First Impressions is a meme hosted here at Within Pages where we take a look at all things, mostly booky, and reflect on our initial thoughts. Non-bloggers, non-book bloggers, and everyone alike can participate on any topic you'd like. Feel free to drop your links or thoughts in the comments!
Pottermore details were announced yesterday and on the site are some screenshots of the things that are to come with the website. Take a look.
I truly believe that this can give a unique spin on the reading expereince depending on the way it is implemented. From the feel of the Hogwarts Express shot, it has a setup that is similar to those found on the Special Features of the DVD; very linear exploration or game play. JK Rowling said that she has new and extra material that she has been holding away for something like this to come along and I cannot wait to see what she has up her sleeve so I will definitely try to get an early pass to the site, but for now, I am not quite sure how unique this will be.
Recently, J.K. Rowling set up a site called Pottermore that for nearly a week directed you to a digital countdown, counting the days until her biggest announcement of what Pottermore is and actually will be.
Pottermore has now been officially announced as a unique addition to an online reading experience built for all ages around the reading of the Harry Potter books.
For this groundbreaking collaborative project, J.K. Rowling has written extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories, which will inform, inspire and entertain readers as they journey through the storylines of the books. Pottermore will later incorporate an online shop where people can purchase exclusively the long-awaited Harry Potter eBooks, in partnership with J.K. Rowling’s publishers worldwide, and is ultimately intended to become an online reading experience, extending the relevance of Harry Potter to new generations of readers, while still appealing to existing fans. ...
In the new website, the storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous newly-commissioned illustrations and interactive ‘Moments’ through which you can navigate, starting with the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone. On entering, you choose a magic username and begin your experience. As you move through the chapters, you can read and share exclusive writing from J.K. Rowling, and, just as Harry joins Hogwarts, so can you. You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup. ...
J.K. Rowling’s announcement on YouTube and sony.com today revealed that Pottermore (along with the Pottermore Shop) will be open to all users in October 2011. From today, 23rd June, fans can submit their email addresses on Pottermore.com in order to be contacted by the site following the opening of registration on 31st July, Harry’s birthday. Also on that date, an online challenge will be launched, whereby the first million people to complete their registration will gain early entry into the website, and help put final touches to the experience.
J.K. Rowling commented,“I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years,and to bring the stories to a new digital generation. I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping to shape Pottermore as I have. Just as I have contributed to the website, everyone else will be able to join in by submitting their own comments, drawings and other content in a safe and friendly environment – Pottermore has been designed as a place to share the stories with your friends as you journey through the site.” -excerpt from the press release
First Impressions is a meme hosted here at Within Pages where we take a look at all things, mostly booky, and reflect on our initial thoughts. Non-bloggers, non-book bloggers, and everyone alike can participate on any topic you'd like. Feel free to drop your links or thoughts in the comments!
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So I know that I have been "impressioning" on Harry Potter quite often lately but let's face it, every new release makes me that much more excited because they are each that much more phenomenal which means that the movie will be the cinematic event of a lifetime...and I'm watching it in IMAX.
This is the last trailer before the release of the movie on July 15th and it is...did I already use phenomenal...I need another word...PHENOMENAL! After the roller coaster of excellence and failures I feel the Harry Potter Movie adventure has been, this will be a...PHENOMENAL...ending to a mind-blowingly magical saga.
In the end of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, I felt devoid and robbed of epic battle but with this, I finally feel I will get it all in all of its JK Rowling glory. It is going to be great and you will be missing out if you don't see this one in theaters!
First Impressions Friday is a meme/feature that I have decided to host. I have scoured the internet and not found something quite like this and I hope it will get off the ground and running. It started from the idea that when it comes to books, your first impression can vary greatly from your overall review when you're finished; sometimes the difference can be as vast as daylight and dark. But that isn't all this is about its about first impressions on reading a book (i.e. the first couple chapters), new book covers (judging a book by its cover!), book to movie adaptations, and much more. This can be done by non-bloggers in the comments and by bloggers who aren't book bloggers. I can also include button coding if anyone is interested.
Wow! PHENOMENAL! If Warner Brothers wanted to end the series leaving an imprint on the American film-goer, this is the way to do it. Knowing that Part 1 was spectacular and true to the book, Part 2 can only get better with the action and unveiling of the plot we have (okay, I have read all the books) waited years to see. This movie is going to be my very first IMAX experience and I know that it will be an emotional ride of amazement and heartbreak. Watching the end of the series be so fantastic makes me wish JK Rowling had been in the passenger seat this whole time.
This trailer will give you chills and leave you squealing and wanting more; its absolutely a great teaser to an epic piece of cinematography.
For most of the entire Harry Potter series, it has been a great book to movie adaptation (oh and amusement park!) but there have been hiccups along the way but THIS, this trailer/movie is not one of them.
What are your first impressions? Feel free to leave them in the comments and if you do your own post, leave the link and I will check it out!
