During the holiday season, as I decorate and make Grinch kebabs and Chex mix and sing holiday songs at the top of my lungs, I also have the tradition of reading certain books. Almost always, The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper is one of them—if not the entire series. Some years I go to comfort books, often YA such as Narnia or A Wrinkle in Time, or to mythic fiction, such as books written by Pamela Dean and Terri Windling.
This year, I decided to finally read the entire Harry Potter series. Most of which I haven’t read before.
I imagine you’re shocked. I’ve seen all the movies, but I’ve read only a book and a half so far. In fact, I bought The Philosopher’s Stone when I lived in Wales, and the cover notes that it won the Triple Smarties Gold Award. (Smarties are roughly the British equivalent of M&Ms. No idea why they give book prizes.) Kinda before the whole mania happened. (And Philospher’s Stone is the only title as far as I’m concerned, because I don’t think Americans are too stupid to deal with it.)
Aaaanyway, back then I read it, and got halfway through The Chamber of Secrets before I…kept setting the book down and forgetting to pick it up again. This happened several times. It wasn’t a conscious action. Finally I figured out that there was a scene that annoyed me: Dumbledore asks Harry what’s going on and tells Harry that he can trust him, and Harry lies and says nothing’s wrong. Because if he told Dumbledore, the plot and book would end. Some friends have noted that Harry doesn’t trust adults because of his past, and I get that, but that’s not in the text. So my subconscious has always gone “Eh” and I’ve put the book down.
Interestingly, the scene didn’t bother me as much in the movie, but then I’m more trapped when watching a movie, and it wasn’t enough to make me throw up my hands and leave.
So I’ll power through, and continue on. Honestly? I’m really looking forward to it!
What do you like to read during the holidays? Any traditions?
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