One stormy evening early in June the power went out, and plunged into darkness, the kids and I grabbed a flashlight and our old copy of J.K. Rowling's The Philosopher's Stone. Enchanted all over again, and discovering that by some appalling parental oversight child #2 had never before read the Harry Potter books, we embarked on what would become our Epic Summer Harry Potter (re)Readaloud.
Summer is now long over for us (school began nearly 2 months ago) but we are still reading, albeit a little more slowly with the school year routine. We're almost halfway through The Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in the series. As is so often true on a second read, they are magic in new and different ways. Whereas once upon a time I was reading to our oldest, she is now doing most of the reading, and the youngest and I are being read to. And in addition to rediscovering the sheer wonderment of the stories, with children now about the same ages as the characters, I appreciate so much more how Rowling captures the range and depth of children's emotions and experiences and makes them relatable - even to Muggles. Most magical of all have been the hours of joy spent cuddled up on the sofa, laughing, crying, marveling, and cheering with Harry and his friends.
Which books have you revisited and maybe seen in new light?
Happy reading!
Lovely to read this, Jennifer! Nice that you're sharing the reading and that you've got this whole new experience of the books going on. I revisited His Dark Materials recently and loved the first two books just as much, though the third book wasn't a re-read (I'd never finished the trilogy before).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charlie! How wonderful to re-read Philip Pullman- loved those so much. I imagine it would not only be as magical but you might also appreciate so much more the second time.
Delete