The Great Gatsby

It was finals week. Everyone else was pulling up an all-nighter, studying their ass off for the final the next day. What was I doing? I was having a novel-reading marathon. Yup. Finished more books that week than the amount of books the whole year. One of the books that I've read, as you might guess, is The Great Gatsby. It was one of the books listed on the must-read books list on goodreads so I borrowed it from the library.

I haven't seen the movie before I went read the book, so I pretty much didn't know the story at all. What immediately caught my attention was the quote at the beginning of the book. It was a quote by the author's father.

"Whenever you feel like critisizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" - Nick's dad

That's just one of the truest quotes I've ever read my entire life. Nick's dad must've been a genius! Anyway, I do not intend on elaborating the quote, mostly because I'm not qualified enough and partially because I think it's wonderful for us to ponder upon it on our own. Mind-blowing, when you read and internalize it again and again.

The Great Gatsby was a great book, but it was also one of the few books that I hardly understand a thing. I mean, I do understand the events, but I don't think I fully understood the main gist of the book. ie the hidden meaning and all those literature stuff. I also read 1984 and Animal Farm by George Powell. All of them are heavy books that I'd recommend to anyone looking for some tough reading. Anyway, I've run out of words to say. I'm also dangerously running out of ideas to write in this blog. Hope the quote above blew you away just as it did to me.

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Harry Potter Causes Addiction

I just finished reading the 2nd Harry Potter book (Chamber of Secrets) and decided to write something about it. Ok, I know what you might be thinking. "Shouldn't one have done with all the collection by now?". Well here's the deal. I don't really watch Harry Potter movies nor read the books. But I have always wanted to know what it was about. And why it was so popular. Surely a series of 7 books would mean that it was so awesome, one book would not be enough.

Luckily my friend has a blu-ray disk of 7 Harry Potter movies, up till The Deathly Hallows part 1. I watched the first episode, and boy was I moved. My eyes were glued on the tv. At that very moment, I thought to myself, "Such a waste if I were not to watch this at all".

image for illustration purposes only

And at that time I had an immediate Harry Potter addiction. Watched four movies four days straight. Even my English sounded Potter-ish (if that's what it's called). Then it struck me. Books! The Harry Potter books! Being a fan of books that I am, watching the movies would be nothing without getting my hands on it's original manuscript.

I knew those books won't be easily available on any bookstore. You know, coz it's been a long time and all. So I decided e-bay would be my best pit stop. And can you believe my luck when I easily found a seller who sells 6 of the 7 collection! On a reasonable price too! RM79 w/o delivery charges.

The following week, I received my package, eager to open it. It may be used and doesn't look new, but as long as it can be read, I'm all eyes for it. I mean, if I bought a new one, sooner or later it would look old right? Not to mention it's eye-popping price. NOT worth it.

 Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (North America version) -Ok, I'm not that good at taking a pic using a webcam-

Actually I had a head start on book 1 by downloading and reading it on my computer. When I got those books, I finished of book 1 in a matter of two days. I hate finishing up a book too fast. Removes the fun and thrill if you ask me. I need to really feel the emotion. Embrace the adventures. Like I'm really there. Only then can one feel affected by the book. Only then can one truly grasp the author's message.

Back to the collection. I want to read up to book 4 to catch up with the movie-watching. Read the book, then watch the movie. That's what I wanna do afterwards. Book 2 unfolds. Finished in just 5 days. Couldn't get my eyes of 'em. The urge to read just tickles my every nerve.

 Pic taken using a webcam. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban.

Today I just started on the third. Prisoner of Azkaban. Maybe in a couple of weeks I'll be able to begin my fifth book. Then watch the fifth movie and so on. Seriously, when I know the ending of the story, the suspense and excitement when reading just depletes. So book first, movie later.

Now I'm officially a Harry Potter fan. My dream one day is to build a school smilar to Hogwarts, along with three of my friends. And I'll make sure a Voldermort-like-person would have the right amount of evil in them. Just enough to take things away from being normal.