Ellie Bpink Bpink itibaren Hamarnya, Zhytomyrs'ka oblast, Ukrayna itibaren Hamarnya, Zhytomyrs'ka oblast, Ukrayna

I read this at the right age. It was back home after my first year of college and still lacking any life experience that could prevent me from thinking Objectivism was anything short of some solid truthin' about reality. I have a strong suspicion that if I were to re-read today, I would be really annoyed. So I'm leaving this one to you, 19-year-old Krista, where it rocked your world during your ill-thought out quasi-Libertarian phase.

It was September 1998; the third Harry Potter book had just been released. Pottermania? What's that? It was still unknown except to a vast population of younglings who'd read it... and I fell in love. Oh, how I fell in love. I fell in love with the poor, starved-for-affection, later known to be a twit Harry. I fell in love with the pretentious know-it-all Hermione. I fell in love with the awkward, grew-up-in-his-brother's-shadows Ron... and most of all? I fell in love with the snarky, unplatable, snarling, rude, hygienically-disinclined professor of potions, Severus Snape. Almost ten years later, I'm still obsessed with it in many ways. WHOA. A great divergence from book 5, this one was tightly written, well-plotted, and a gripping read that had me reading from 1 AM to 6. It was enough to put me into tears because of what happened to Dumbledore (a character I thought I didn't particularly like!) and the flight of Snape, whom I adored beyond all reason. Another reason to love this particular addition to the series is the character of Draco Malfoy who actually changes and develops in this particular volume. Before, I had thought the boy would basically remain the same, stagnant way until Harry defeated Voldemort, but Rowling outdid herself. She made him a living, breathing character who actually (dare I say it?) pulled on a few heartstrings. Oh jeez, and of course, what can there be said about Snape in this book? What's his agenda? What's his purpose? What was Dumbledore's purpose on insistently trusting the man who ended his life? I keep remembering the fourth book and how Harry asks Dumbledore why he trusts Snape and Dumbledore tells him that that's a matter between the two of them. And I can't imagine this being the end. Thus, when the seventh book comes out, I hope all questions are answered!

Bryson wrote this after living away from the USA for many years. He had trouble adjusting to certain things and ideas when he moved back. I fear that I will have the same problems when I go back. I already feel it when I just go back for a visit.