#16 - and the Harry Potter Blogfest

#16 on the list of best/worst things about being an aspiring novelist: writing vs. reading (and a blogfest - it's down there - points down - start with the part in green)

Everyone knows that to be a good writer, you must be a great reader. I've read hundreds of books - probably thousands - in the 31 years since I first learned how. Recently, though, I've slowed. It's a time thing.

**ducks from rotten tomatoes about to be hurled across the continents**

Which means I haven’t read (most of) the Harry Potter books.

**peeks to see if it’s safe**

Last year, my son wanted to read The Deathly Hallows. He's an advanced reader and sometimes we struggle to find him appropriate books (at that time, he was 8, but reading at a 6th grade level). He'd seen all the HP movies many, many times, so we decided it would be okay, but that I'd read ahead of him in case there was something we should discuss (like the possible elimination of some of his book-friends).

It took me forever to read it. I'm sure there's tons of really clever stuff that I missed because I hadn't read any of the others and some stuff I forgot over the 4 months it took me. I'm sorry. I'll try to catch up eventually.

But man, have you seen those books? They're HUGE. If I take the time to read them all and really, really pay attention so I catch all the clever stuff - I'll never have time to write. Or shower. Or make sure my kids shower.

So, for now, I'll watch the movies (er, glance at the movies over the top of my laptop as I write - it's a Friday night ritual my sons and I have. Sort-of-family-movie-night.)

What books have you missed out on reading lately? Or what have you read that was super awesome and I should drop everything and run out to the nearest library/bookstore to pick up (don't say Harry Potter)?

Oh, yeah, there’s supposed to be a blogfest post in here somewhere

Michael Di Gesu is someone I met through ABNA and I wanted to support his first blogfest (click on his name to learn more). But it's about Harry Potter. And I'm just not smart clever well-versed enough in HP to pull it off. So, instead, I asked my son (who's since read 3 of the books) to write one. He's home sick from school today, so this was perfect timing. Take it away, Zachary.

Thanksgiving Dinner with the Weasleys

Harry looked at the table and couldn't believe it. All the turkey was gone. Nobody got a bite but Ron. His mother, brothers, and Ginny got really angry at him for eating the turkey. Fred (or George, maybe) said, "Well, we're wizards. Can't we just poof up a turkey?"

Mrs. Weasley said, "No you can't, you're underage. At least we have all the stuffing. Wait a minute. Fred? George? Did you eat all the stuffing?"

"It was so good, we couldn't resist."

"Aww, come on," Ginny said.

"I'm starving. Couldn't Mr. Weasley poof up some food? Isn't he of age? Can he do it?"

"Hmm, that would be a good idea, Harry, but he's off at the ministry. He's doing something for the Minister of Magic."

Fred and George tried to make some food with magic, but Hermione caught them.

"Fred? George? Don't even try it or Dumbledore will give you an F for Charms and an F for Defense Against the Dark Arts as punishment."

Mrs. Weasley said, "I'll just go to the Muggle store and get a turkey. Hermione, you're in charge. Everyone can snack on the pumpkin pie. Except for Ron, you should be full of turkey."

"Yeah, I am. I'll take a nap I'm so full," said Ron.

The End.