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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I figured that with the excitement that has surrounded the release of the 7th and final book of the Harry Potter story called the Deathly Hallows I would review the books in order of their release. I will begin with the first and shortest of the stories, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

I was volunteering in a public library when I was first exposed to the Harry Potter phenomenon, which I was fully unaware of at the time. At that point the third of the series, The Prisoner of Azkaban, was already out and it was flying off the shelves. However, I was slow in picking them up for myself. After awhile of experiencing the movies I decided that I would finally read them myself. Immediately I was hooked. Harry Potter and the world that J. K Rowling creates draws you in every step of the way. I suppose if I reveal details I will not be ruining anything for anyone but I will resist getting into any great detail and focus on a broad range of topics. By far the shortest book of the series, The Sorcerer's Stone, begins with a young unappreciated boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs. With each introduction of character we are drawn into a magical world that lay underneath the quite mundane "Muggle" world. By the time you realize it you will be completely immersed in Harry, and the discovery that he is part of this brand new and ever exciting and expanding world. Read this if for no other reason than to experience something completely unique and exciting. Read it so you can discover the magic all around you.

I actually finally watched Turistas and was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. I half expected the repulsive tripe that has splashed its way across cinema screens of late and instead got a fully functioning film with a not half bad story and good acting. I am not saying this movie was Oscar worthy by any means but compared to films such as The Devil's Rejects and Hostel which revel in the grotesqueries and torture this film instead focused on the story and kept the gore on the back burner. Granted there was gratuitous nudity and some blood showing up from time to time but the movie did not pause to rub the viewers proverbial nose into the wound. I would say that out of everything this movie was a surprise to me and for that I recommend it to intrepid movie goers all around. Check out the scenes underwater. If for nothing else this film scored high for me because of the tension built by unique situations.

Lisey's Story Finished, and on to something else

I have always enjoyed Stephen King due to the original ideas, smooth writing, and escapism I felt everytime I picked a book up. Lisey's Story was a little labouring for me. Not because of anything in particular but because there was something lacking in the execution. The story was good, the fantasy was great, but it didn't grab me like the early works. This was Stepehen King reflecting on a long and productive life. On the way things could be, on what may have happened along the way.It is all about the journey and inevitably the end that has to always come.

Here's Looking forward to Richard Bachman's Blaze

Alien Agenda- Jim Marrs

What can I say I am a UFO nut? I have researched the subject and heard all of the stories from Travis Walton to the Betty and Barney Hill abduction to the possibility of moon bases run by extraterrestrial intelligence. When I picked up this book I antici[pated the same old stories rehashed over again. Except what I actually got was a compedium of UFO lore that spanned the dawn of time to present day, and there was stuff there that I had never heard of before. I could not put this book down. If it is all true I cannot say. But what I can say is that presented in these pages is the Alien Agenda plainly written and very intriguing. If you read it expect to be challenging yourself with the question: Are we alone and if not are aliens among us?

Harry Potter

With the new Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows ready to hit shelves on July 21st and the new film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix coming out ten days before you have to be wondering what you can do to fill your every Harry Potter need. Simple: merchandising, merchandising, merchandising. Visit my Amazon Store to purchase Harry Potter replica props, costumes, films, books, and even the brand new action figures. Soon your wait will be over and all your questions will be answered but until then keep your eyes out for new Harry Potter merchandise.
If you have not pre-ordered your Deathly Hallows yet I have no idea what your waiting for when it hits shelves it could vanish just as easily.

Casino Royale

I grew up on James Bond movies and watched them all at least 15 times a piece, if not more. I know the lines, the gadgets, the villains, and the Bond Girls. I know that George Lazenby was a short lived Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and I know that Jaws was not always a bad man. All these things I know but I never expected this. Limited gadgets but high action, limited stretches of the imagination and engaging characters. This movie was excellent. If you were beginning to worry about where the franchise was going wonder no more. Casino Royale delivers all of Bond with no fillers. Watch the movie and experience the new generation of Bond.

Buy the Film

The Historian- Elizabeth Kostova

This is a beautifully crafted book combining the elements of mystery, folklore, horror, history, and old world style. If you have ever read Bram Stoker's Dracula you can see an influence with Kostova who emerses you in the three periods that the book encompasses from the first person narratives of those characters involved. If you like history you will love this book. For the out an out horror fan there is a little disappointment coming your way but what Kostova leaves us with is real characters in an unreal situations. I believed it all from the real life settings right down to the bloodsuckers roaming the pages from time to time.

The Loch- Steve Alten

The Loch is a wild romp through the Scottish Highlands blending old Templar Knight Intrigue, Monster lore, court room drama, and present day underwater scientific research into a cohesive whole. At times it may seem that the technicalities get in the way of the story and possibly they do but they are much needed explanations as to what is happening and how. The rich history of Scotland is shown through the eyes of a self proclaimed exile from the United States named Zachary Wallace, a descendent of the great and beloved Sir William Wallace of the Mel Gibson Braveheart variety. He also happens to be the first marine biologist to catch a glimpse of the elusive Architeuthis dux more commonly known as the giant Squid during his expedition to find said creature in the Sargasso Sea. Flash forward Six months we find Zachary’s estranged father accused of murder back home in the Scottish Highlands on the banks of the Great Loch Ness. Strange occurrences and monster sightings intermix with Zachary’s inability to get over his past with something that happened in the Loch 17 years before. Over the course of 464 pages Steve Alten shows us the world that thrives around the Loch Ness with interesting characters we care about. The story is solid and the science seems sound. The only thing that takes a while to get used to is the Scottish dialect written out from page to page but that is the fun of this book that takes you into the world of Nessie and back out again. For whatever reason you pick up this book just remember one thing that no matter what you think that maybe something is below the depths just waiting for a reason to surface.

Lisey's Story by Stephen King

I have just started reading Lisey's Story and it is not your typical Stephen King fare. For the first time I find myself bogged down in the words struggling to get from page to page. Yet, even though it has started out slow (I am only about 100 pages in) it is intriguing. There is no way of telling what direction the book will go on and I am looking forward to hearing what Lisey has to say. Join me at www.goodreads.com and find out what I and others have to say about Lisey's Story.