“Harry Potter and the Deathly Donald”

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Donald Trump, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Social Effect of Reading

A new study written by Professor Diana Mutz reports that American fans of the Harry Potter series not only have a lower opinion of Trump, but also finds that the books the participants read, the greater the effect. Even when factoring in political party affiliation, gender, education level, religion, and social class–all factors that are known to predict how Americans view the Republican nominee–the Harry Potter effect remained the same. When you think about it, it’s not really shocking, as Trump’s values and political views are the the antithesis of the themes of love, tolerance, and opposition to authoritarianism that are so prevalent in the books. Sadly, despite this fascinating study, in the end it’s doubtful that getting Trump supporters to read Rowling’s series would miraculously change their minds and convince them to vote for Hillary Clinton, but one can always dream!

Happy Birthday Harry & Jo!

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Birthdays, Harry Potter, Inspirational quotes, Jo Rowling

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”

~ Albus Dumbledore ~

Blimey Neville!

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Harry Potter, Humor, JK Rowling, Neville Longbottom, Racy Pics

Yes! That is Matthew Lewis, aka Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter movies. I think JK Rowling has the best response:

@Mattdavelewis ~ Not as bad as watching Dan in Equus, but close. Warn me next time for God’s sake!

I have to go scrub my eyes out now!

My Harry Potter Re-read

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Favorite Series, Gail Carson Levine, Harry Potter, Inspirational Quotes About Reading

As I near the end of my gazillionth re-read of one of my favorite series, I had to share this quote by one of my favorite authors, Gail Carson Levine.

Attention All Muggles!!!

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Dolores Umbridge, Halloween, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Pottermore

  Next Friday, Oct. 31 if you go on Pottermore.com there will be a 1,700 word backstory featuring our favorite evil Witch with a fondness for the color pink, cute cuddly kittens, and torturing children. Just be warned though. When Jo released her last short story this past July which featured Harry, Ron, and Hermione attending a World Quidditch Cup match, so many people logged on to the site that it crashed. So be patient. 

Here’s a great illustration of me right now:

Getting On My Soapbox. You’ve Been Warned!

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Christianity, Fanaticism, Harry Potter, Plagiarism

Just when I think I’ve heard it all. A “Christian” woman has rewritten Harry Potter because she’s afraid if her children read the original they’ll become witches. Yep. You’ve read that correctly. Grace Ann Parsons has penned Hogwarts: School of Prayers and Miracles. Seriously? I’m going back and forth between being outraged to laughing hysterically. Honestly. What is the matter with these people? I’m not even going to list the many Christian symbols that are in this book and the prevailing themes of love, loyalty, courage, and good triumphing over evil, because you know what? It doesn’t even matter. If you don’t like the books and you really think your children will start waving wands around and performing evil spells on an  unsuspecting populace, how about reading a series like The Chronicles of Narnia instead? For some reason which I don’t understand most people who disapprove of Harry Potter love C.S. Lewis’s books. While I’m a fan, it doesn’t make sense to me because his books also feature magic, witches, etc… I think they just see that he was a conservative Christian writer so anything he wrote is acceptable.  This woman has had the unmitigated gaul to think she can just take a book and rewrite it to suit her agenda. I know Jo Rowling has little patience for plagiarism so I hope she hauls this woman into court. Because that’s what this is, plagiarism, and I don’t think it should be ignored. I’m climbing down from my soapbox down.