Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Yes, I unashamedly admit that I'm a Harry Potter fan. I've read the first few books several times now, rereading the series as The Order of the Phoenix, and The Half-Blood Prince came out, and again for The Deathly Hallows. I can honestly say that it's one of the best series I've ever read, right up there (for me anyway) with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia. I commend J.K. Rowling for spinning a wonderful tale of good vs. evil and making you thoroughly fall in love with a great variety of well-rounded characters, indeed with an entire universe. If you've not read the Harry Potter series, don't miss out on some great literature because you think they're childrens' books. They're very well written and thoroughly enjoyable by child and adult alike. Also, if you're a Christian, I beseech you to not believe all the bad press that the Harry Potter series has received from Christian media. At the end of the day, it's fantasy, and it's a classic struggle of good vs. evil in which good must eventually triumph. I almost find myself wishing I'd forget a lot of the story, just so I can go back and reread the entire series yet again! So, from one muggle to another, give Harry Potter a chance. You won't be sorry you did.

Summer Reading

**UPDATE** I finished all of the Firstborn Series by Karen Kingsbury and have started the first book from the next series...Sunrise. They are all good, but I kinda feel like they are dragging on and on!

Many of you know that I was NOT a reader. I used to like reading before it was required in Middle School! :) HA! Anyway, over the last couple of years I discovered a few books that I LOVE! Mom had a few books by Francine Rivers that I picked up and I fell in love with her writing. More than that, I fell in love with the characters. Here are a few that I highly recommend by her:

• Redeeming Love
• Let me just say that I cried throughout most of this book! This book, as well as all the rest I'm going to recommend, will make you take a survey of your relationship with Christ. This book is so good it has it's own website! :)

• Mark of the Lion Series
• Talk about characters! You will fall in love with Hadassah and wish you had her faith. These are 3 of my all time favorite books.

• And the Shofar Blew
• The Scarlet Thread
• The Last Sin Eater
• This is a GREAT story that was recently made in to a movie.

There is one more of hers that I am going to read this summer, hopefully. It's called the Atonment Child.

In the last 3 weeks I have read 7 books! I CAN'T believe that! If you came to our house you would know that I've been doing something besides cleaning! :)

The books have been:

• Dreamers by Angela Hunt
• I would like to read several more of hers.
  
• The Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury
• There are 5 books in this series...Redemption, Remember, Return, Rejoice, & Reunion
• The Firstborn Series by Karen Kingsbury
• There are 5 books in this one as well. I've only read the first one. They are: Fame, Forgiven, Found, Family, & Forever

Both of these series involve the same people. There is another series that she is working on to follow these called the Sunrise Series! I have a lot more reading to do!! :)

Let me know what your favorite books are or if you've read any of these. I'd love to know your thoughts!