A Good Book Can Change, But It Cannot Be Changed

You know that you have done something incredible when it is talked about for years. Obviously, this happens a lot with literature, the classics are the classics for a reason right? And what I think is best about those kinds of books is that people are constantly analyzing, finding new meanings, and fantasizing alternate endings so that the book is always relevant. A good book is not static, it changes.

To me, there is no better example of this type of writing than the entire Harry Potter series. Yes, I may be very biased as I literally grew up with Harry Potter. We hit milestones at the same time. I was in that generation that started reading the books around age 9-11 when they came out and I continued to grow with them until the final book was released July 21, 2007; almost exactly one month after I graduated from high school. I left high school at 18 as Harry left Hogwarts.

To me, it feels like I was reading those books just yesterday for the first time, so I'm always surprised when I'm reminded of how "old" they really are. The first Harry Potter book was published in 1997! And not until 1998 in the US. And yet, if you were to go on Buzzfeed right now, in 2015, I would almost be willing to bet money that there is an article on the main page that SOMEHOW relates to the Harry Potter franchise. And that shows the complexity, the fluidity, and the impact that those seven books had on millions of people starting over twenty five years ago. That is truly an accomplishment.

I consider myself a very committed fan to Harry Potter and the queen J.K. Rowling, but even I will admit that sometimes I am surprised or amazed reading what other people have interpreted from the books. It helps that living in a society basically driven by the internet, we are privy to pretty much everyone and their mother's opinions about anything whenever we want, but I also think it speaks to the strength of the story and the intellect it took to piece that together. Fans keep finding new interpretations or things hidden within the main story, because J.K. Rowling wrote with so much detail and awareness that it would probably be impossible to catch everything on a first read. That type of attention to detail, the level of dedication to her story, is astonishing to me. You have to be so intelligent in order to create something like that. Honestly when I start thinking about it, it blows my mind. That is why, forever and always my answer to the generic "If you had to sit down and have dinner with ANYONE living or dead who would it be?" will be J.K. Rowling.

The point is, to create something relevant and interesting is difficult. To create something that has the power to last and still be relevant, is rare. Every time I see a different post about Harry Potter show up on the internet, I get excited. And it reminds me that it doesn't matter that the book came out 18 years ago (ohmygod I just died a little because that made me realize how old i am!!!!), because everyone will read it differently and find a new way to change the story that has become so well known by people all over the world. And the best part is that no matter what new theory pops up, in the end we still all love the same story.

Such an intelligent woman. 

A new obsession with audiobooks

Seriously, why did I wait so long to listen to audiobooks? I don't know what I was thinking! But I had this strange misconception about listening to books, like it was something only old people did or the experience would be too different.

I will gladly admit that I was wrong. Very wrong.

Audiobooks allow my love of reading to continue even when it should be literally impossible to read a book. While driving my car! On a walk! okay those are really the only two examples I can think of, but still! Do you know how much time I spend in my car? That was a lot of wasted reading time, until  the joy of spoken fiction and non-fiction came into my life.

The only review I've done on here so far (which sad, try harder) was of an audiobook. So maybe everyone thinks I don't read actual books, but I do! I swear! Anyway, I have listened to some great books recently and since my miraculous if not probably 10 years late discovery.

I was worried that listening to a book, I wouldn't get the same joy, I wouldn't pay as much attention, things would be lost. And while sometimes that is a bit true, there is also a whole different level that is added when you listen to someone read. The intonation, emphasis, the smallest little comments can sound so much different! Maybe I would have read it in a very similar way, but hearing the voice behind the words almost makes me feel like I'm actually having a conversation. I can hear the emotion. It is different and unique, and I don't think that every story makes a good audiobook honestly. I don't necessarily know what characteristics make for the perfect story to listen to, but here are a couple good ones I've "read" recently.

One of the window displays at Macy's in NYC this Christmas. So appropriate. 

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell was everything I had expected and yet still surprising. I can't explain why, but I always am excited to read anything written by Gladwell but at the same time I kind of dread actually reading them? It makes no sense. So I decided to listen to it. And I'm so glad I did! The title gives you a pretty good idea of what the book is about, the underdog versus the powerhouse, and why sometimes too much power ends up being hurtful. Lets just say, after I read this book I told my parents that I was mad at them for ruining my life because they didn't die before I was 16 (it wasn't mean, read the book you will totally understand).

Another recent car read was I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You by Courtney Maum. I had absolutely no idea what this book was about, I had just heard the excellent reviews. It was not even CLOSE to anything I had guessed, but it was really good! A bit predictable unfortunately, I found myself yelling at the main character at one point because "the answer" seemed so obvious to me. But regardless, I enjoyed it. There were interesting layers and I did like how it ended. I wouldn't say it is on the MUST READ list, but it was a fun "read" and I enjoyed it.

If you truly want to expand your personal level of nerdiness or increase the number of ways you can walk around with headphones in while learning things, I would suggest trying out the audiobook. If you are really in love libraries like me, you may have noticed that a lot of libraries have an online affiliate where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks and that is awesome. Check it out. I don't think you will regret it. If you do, I really can't be friends with you anymore.