Day 5: Literature Appreciation Day!

There are many reasons why we, as HPA members and Harry Potter fans, have banded together: the exchange of ideas, the sense of community, a belief in idealism and our ability to accomplish magic in the muggle world. But ultimately, the reason we are all here, the reason why one year (and five days) ago today, millions of people gasped, wept, and laughed as one is because we each picked up a book and read. It all started from a story.

And look what Harry’s story has achieved.

With that, the HPA is proud to announce Day 5 of the Eleven Days of Breaking Out of the Muggle Mindset: Literary Appreciation Day! Literature can be a profound force in our lives; Harry Potter is an excellent example of the effects a good yarn can have. Reading expands our horizons in ways that no other medium can. So today, your task is simple: recommend a good book to a friend!  What have you read lately? What books have you adored? Reviled? Devoured?

You can discuss your book recommendations right here in our very own forums! In addition, some of our staff have provided their own recommendations for you to take a look at right here….

I (Kate), the Staff Coordinator, recommend Sunshine by Robin McKinley. “Sunshine is the most original and awesome (and I don’t mean the adulterated version of awesome; I mean awesome in its original sense- inspiring of awe) vampire story told in years.  It’s fascinating and adult, and conquers what is often a very worn genre, and bringing fresh new fun with a wonderful main character. You will never see cinnamon buns the same.”

Karen, Chapter Coordinator, recommends Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. “Just like Owen tells Annabel to ‘Just Listen’ to the music, this book draws you in and makes you Just Listen to the characters. What does it mean to listen to someone tell their personal story when that story seems superficial, mysterious, or even heartbreaking? Can we ‘just listen’ to these stories without judgment? And how will these stories change us?”

Amanda, Project Manager, recommends Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen. “It talks about many of the myths of USA (and world) history that are considered facts, the distorted view of many historical events, and the many, many events that are simply ignored, but are actually quite important. History is very relevant to today’s world, since we keep forgetting the lessons we should have learned before. Some things we consider to be new problems are in fact very old ones we’ve dealt with before! Whether you are from the USA or not, you’ll definitely learn something new, and take away some valuable lessons about life.”

Ami, Wizard Rock the Vote Co-coordinator, recommends The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. “I know that Interview with the Vampire started the Vampire Chronicles but the Vampire Lestat is my favorite! It is fascinating and thought provoking!  I fell in LOVE with Lestat when I was 15 and love him still today!”

Ashley, Potterwatch Editor, recommends On A Pale Horse by Piers Anthony’s. “It’s a thrilling tale of death, love, adventure and finding yourself.  It’s one of my favorite books by my all time favorite author. It’s an overall fascinating book that I have pulled some really great quotes from in the past.”

Dinah, House Party Coordinator, recommends The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. “The first time I read this book was for school – despite that, I still loved every second of it. The story covers the misimprisonment of Edmond Dantes and his revenge upon those who imprisoned him. It is a tale of love, loss, and overcoming the bad in ourselves.”

Nic, Facebook Coordinator, recommends Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. “Although I had heard wonderful things about both of these authors, I had never found a chance to read their work.  It must have been fate that I would discovering this amazing collaberation between them!  The story is filled with odd characters, including angels, demons and an out of place Anti-Christ.  If you’re looking for a laugh, or two, or a hundred, this is the book for your summer reading list.”

Tita, Forum Manager, recommends The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. “It is is a wonderful story that reminds me the importance of friends, love and all the things that we can only see with the heart.  The Little Prince helps me keep the child in me alive and asking the questions the adult in me forgets to ask. I read it for the first time when I was 11, and to this day I still look at the stars hear them laughing because of a Prince that lives in one of them.”