JULY -- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling One of my favorites in the series.
JULY/AUGUST -- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling Where does Rowling figure only two people died??? By my count, it was SIX on the good guys' side. The first didn't bother me too much because I wasn't emotionally invested in the character, but the rest . . . . ::bawls loudly:: Then the happy moments: Neville organizing the resistance, Percy's return, Neville's big act at the end. For a while, I wasn't sure what I was going to make of the book, but I was very happy with it from the Dynamic Trio's capture by Fenrir Greyback on to the end. For the movie, a lot of the material before the capture can be shortened without losing anything significant, but cutting much after that will damage the story -- though choreograhing the final Great Hall duels will be difficult.
AUGUST -- The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho A novel about a woman discovering the Great Mother and her trials in teaching others about Her. One interesting thing is that the book is not told from her point of view or even as a "biography" but rather through recollections of people who knew her or knew of her. This book resonated with me because I could see some of myself and my own journey in Athena (who the book is about) and in her teacher Edda. Some of my favorite bits:
Edda: "Try to feel good about yourself even when you feel like the least worthy of creatures. Reject all those negative thoughts and let the Mother take possession of your body and soul; surrender yourself to dance or to silence or to ordinary, everyday activities -- like taking your son to school, preparing supper, making sure the house is tidy. Everything is worship if your mind is focused on the present moment" (p. 149). In fact, the entire portion beginning on this page -- laughing at ourselves when we doubt, trusting that we are guided exactly where we need to go, daring to be different.
Edda: "You are what you believe yourself to be" (p. 152).
Edda: "The real Tradition is this: the teacher never tells the disciple what he or she should do. They are merely traveling companions, sharing the same uncomfortable feeling of 'estrangement' when confronted by ever-changing perceptions, broadening horizons, closing doors, rivers that sometimes seem to block their path and which, in fact, should never be crossed but followed.
"There is only one difference between teacher and disciple: the former is slightly less afraid than the latter" (p. 213).
Gypsy blacksmith, Edda's teacher: "Please, God, my Mother, don't give up until I've taken on the shape that you wish for me. Do this by whatever means you think best, for as long as you like, but never ever throw me on the scrap heap of souls" (p. 220).
Athena, when asked what she has gained from believing in a Spirit who is close at hand rather than an unreachable one far beyond the clouds: "The joy of being alive. I know that I'm here, and that everything is a miracle, a revelation" (p. 233).
Edda: "In order for us to liberate the energy of our strength, our weakness must first have a chance to reveal itself" (p. 235).
Athena: "Love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. It isn't what romantic songs tell us it is -- love simply is. (. . .) No definitions. Love and don't ask too many questions. Just love" (p. 258).
I checked the book out from the library, but I think I will have to purchase my own copy so I can underline my favorite passages.
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