December 14, 2007
And the name is...
...Alastor!
As in: Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.
Thanks to everyone for chiming in (especially wRitErsbLock for posting the name)! It was a really hard decision to make, since it's a little close to our resident cat's name (Arthur), but sometimes that's just the way it goes.
Posted by: ztzcheese at
09:05 PM
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Yay! I'd like to thank my parents for birthing me, my parents for letting me survive childhood, my teachers who taught me to read, my friend D who introduced me to Harry Potter, and the benevolent deity of my choice for whatever powers I choose to believe in.
Posted by: wRitErsbLock at December 15, 2007 06:23 AM (0Pi1o)
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Use all three parts of his name. You can call him Alastor when he's being good, Mad Eye when he's being sassy and Moody when he's just shredded your last pair of good nylons.
Posted by: Darby Shaw at December 15, 2007 11:28 AM (fwmWr)
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August 18, 2007
Tell me this is more than just a rumor!
JK Rowling may have
picked up her pen again.....
J.K. Rowling has been spotted at cafes in Scotland working on a detective novel, a British newspaper reported Saturday.
The Sunday Times newspaper quoted Ian Rankin, a fellow author and neighbor of Rowling's, as saying the creator of the "Harry Potter" books is turning to crime fiction.
"My wife spotted her writing her Edinburgh criminal detective novel," the newspaper, which was available late Saturday, quoted Rankin as telling a reporter at an Edinburgh literary festival.
"It is great that she has not abandoned writing or Edinburgh cafes," said Rankin, who is known for his own police novels set in the historic Scottish city.
I love Scottish detective novels! And I love JKR, too. This ought to be AWESOME!
Posted by: caltechgirl at
07:50 PM
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I didn't really believe she'd quit altogether... writers... write. I think she just wanted to get shed of Harry, et al... Probably sick to death of him and his friends.
She crafted those books so well I'm really looking forward to her next....
Posted by: pam at August 19, 2007 05:27 AM (l6NIn)
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What fun! I also love Scottish detective novels!
Posted by: ricki at August 19, 2007 02:13 PM (qrkix)
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August 09, 2007
So which House are you?
The Grand Poobah of Harry Potter Goodness, aka SarahK (finish the darned review already!) has a
quick and dirty quiz to help you choose a house at Hogwarts without benefit of the Sorting Hat.
My answers in the extended.
more...
Posted by: caltechgirl at
11:56 AM
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I was sorted into Ravenclaw AGES ago on the "official HP website. I'm okay with that... ;-)
'Course you know I am going to go take the quiz. Ha!
Posted by: Richmond at August 09, 2007 06:05 PM (XkZ30)
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I scored as Griffindor - imagine!
Posted by: Richmond at August 09, 2007 06:11 PM (XkZ30)
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I also have a house to finish, so I am not allowed to do much per day. I have a boss.
Posted by: sarahk at August 09, 2007 07:09 PM (QLpkT)
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July 26, 2007
Best HP7 review comment yet
Courtesy of
Nightfly, of course.
Below the fold for the 3 of you who haven't read the book
more...
Posted by: caltechgirl at
12:06 PM
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I haven't, and I don't plan to. Does that make me odd?
Posted by: Amanda at July 26, 2007 12:44 PM (ay+rD)
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I haven't because my hubby bought me the book for my birthday... I'll just wait and hope most everyone is as nice as you and warn about spoilers.
Posted by: vw bug at July 26, 2007 01:17 PM (FPOeI)
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Still on book ONE in the never ending quest to drive myself insane. Thanks for the warning.
Posted by: pam at July 27, 2007 06:24 AM (l6NIn)
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CTG - thanks for the kind words! I can reassure your readers that I've used Spoiler Vision™, so you can safely read the reviews and not see anything unless you highlight the big blank spaces. It's like a giant Yes or No book!
Posted by: nightfly at July 27, 2007 10:22 AM (PuuC1)
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July 23, 2007
Questions for J.K. Rowling
Not that she'd ever even find my humble little site, but I know we all have burning, unanswered questions about things in the Hogwarts Universe. Let's discuss, shall we?
Mine below the fold, and spoiler-iffic discussion (hopefully) in the comments!
more...
Posted by: caltechgirl at
01:57 PM
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One niggling detail that bothered me -- what was the deal with Stan Shunpike? In the last book, Harry and Dumbledore were both convinced he could never be a Death Eater, in this book he is. Did he turn? Was he Imperiused? Was he spying for someone? It wasn't explained or justified in any way.
Posted by: Ian Hamet at July 23, 2007 03:12 PM (i5qPG)
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There was some discussion that Stan was under the Imperius curse, and then he went to Azkaban, IIRC, so he may actually have been a good guy, and it wasn't just speculation. Not sure, though.
Posted by: caltechgirl at July 23, 2007 06:19 PM (qPLLC)
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I'm guessing that Draco recovered sufficiently from the whole thing to be considerably less repulsive ten years down the line. Though I'm not sure how much of that would be real personality improvement and how much would be that those he needs to impress would be less repulsive. But yeah, eeeewww.
Posted by: Deb at July 24, 2007 10:04 AM (Z7+lJ)
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Here's something that has not been answered to my satisfaction: Is Snape a vampire or part vampire? He has always been described as bat-like, cloaked in darkness, darkness of the dungeon, etc. And then, it this book, when Snape flees Hogwarts, he flies off like a bat.
Surely if he were an animagus we would know, right? She doesn't come right out and say it, so I'm still wondering.
Posted by: Phoenix at July 24, 2007 01:10 PM (4N2f4)
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i dunno.... Scrimgeour was always described as if he was a lion animagus... or Crookshanks, but he was neither. I think JKR just likes the animal similes...
Posted by: caltechgirl at July 24, 2007 01:19 PM (/vgMZ)
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Okay, but page 599 says...
"With a tingle of horror, Harry saw in the distance a huge, batlike shape flying through the darkness toward the perimeter wall."
Posted by: Phoenix at July 24, 2007 01:28 PM (4N2f4)
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And, just before that, snape escapes by jumping out of the window. He was carrying a wand, but no broom. So, he either wingardium leviosa'd himself or he flew out that window without benefit of a broom.
Or...he learned how to fly sans broom like Voldy.
Posted by: Phoenix at July 24, 2007 01:33 PM (4N2f4)
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Sorry I'm late.
I don't think Hagrid has a Patronus. He was expelled in his third year, so he never learned that spell. ... Ron's terrier and Hermoine's otter are probably meant to be personality clues. It feels right to me (even if I can't explain quite why). ...
However, I share your puzzlement about Draco. This may have been one of those "left on the cutting room floor" bits, but she set us up for a big change of heart that didn't really get there; it would have helped us get behind his marriage later on.
Posted by: nightfly at July 27, 2007 10:29 AM (PuuC1)
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I agree on many of these question and im really puzzled ....
What i wonder is Who is the headmaster on Hogwarts?
Is it Harry himself or anyone else in the near being.... And why did Lupin die off scene? I thought his char. was worth a little more than that. And why didnt Harry use the marauders map when going to find
Voldemort when they were looking for him in hogwarts ... was there too many people around?
I will leave these question and be visiting this forum now and then..........
Posted by: Alexander at July 28, 2007 08:12 AM (BHpHh)
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July 22, 2007
Emerging from my Harry Potter Haze...
Of course, I was done with HP7 on Thursday night, courtesy of the dude who photographed the "carpet" book. Thanks, bud. You rawk.
We did go out yesterday morning and get 2 copies, and I finished it with DH yesterday evening (we were reading aloud).
To make up for it, we set ourselves up for some more serious house work, and this morning we nearly finished the front room.
But this evening I am going to snuggle back up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and re-read a few favorite moments.
So, what did you love? What did you NOT love? Spoilers sure to abound in the comments, if you're a slow reader.....
My own thoughts in the extended:
more...
Posted by: caltechgirl at
04:09 PM
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I was SO happy when Neville turned out to be such a hero! The parts that bothered me the most - the students who died fighting in Hogwarts, Dobby ::sniffle::. I was thrilled when Molly Weasley kicked Bella's butt! I laughed out loud at that scene. And what about Kreatcher? He was awesome!! Ack! There's so much I loved about the book, I feel like I am going to pop!
Posted by: Kate at July 22, 2007 04:44 PM (XargM)
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I loved the thing insanely, but I haven't wanted to get too excited around Jay since he's only a bit more than halfway through it. The way that man reads my mind, he'd figure some of it out by my extreme level of happiness. Ditto on Snape. If he hadn't turned out to be exactly who I thought he was, I'd have been crushed. I really appreciated that she went ahead and let things unfold logically, rather than trying to be all tricksy. Well done. Very well done. And can I say again that I'm happy the Snape thing turned out the way it was supposed to? LOL.
Posted by: Deb at July 22, 2007 05:37 PM (Z7+lJ)
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Got my copy Saturday, but haven't read it yet. Instead I am doing what I promised myself... going back and reading from the very first book, slowly, enjoying it. When I finally get to book 7 it'll be that much better!
Yeah, I should take my temp; I could be SICK! LOL!
Posted by: pam at July 23, 2007 05:32 AM (l6NIn)
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I love that JK broke with tradition and formula on this one. It felt much more adult somehow. I, too, was not surprised with Snape's revelations. I was a bit peeved at one thing, however. I feel that Dumbledore's compartmentalization of information really hurt the Order.
I continue to see about a bajillion symetries between the story and WWII, but that's nothing new.
I loved the way that Kreacher transformed after being shown some kindness. I liked the addition of a pragmatic and realistic Aberforth. It really really upset me when both Tonks and Lupin died, leaving their child orphaned like Harry was. Dobby's death didn't hit me as hard, but it was nice to see him go out on his own terms and in a noble endeavor. I really liked seeing the entire magical community rally there at the end. Somehow, it pleased me to see the Malfoys brought so low and then redeemed, if grudgingly. Snapes death made me really angry but not because I felt sorry for him, but because it so purely defined Voldemort: so evil that he would kill even his most trusted lieutenant (however wrongly - he never knew that Snape had betrayed him) for an advantage - without really thinking things through.
Posted by: Phoenix at July 23, 2007 09:34 AM (4N2f4)
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What I most wanted from the books was Snape being innocent, and he was, so I was happy.
Posted by: Ith at July 23, 2007 03:55 PM (1sIg4)
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I too was surprised by the Harry/Ginny and in the epilogue, the Ron/Hermione romances/marriage + kids thing. I think it was a little strange given that in the other books Ron and hermione always seem to bicker and argue, whereas Harry and Hermione really seemed close. I was expecting them to hook up. It was almost as if both H/Hr were too afraid to tell each other of their love and it fell through. Harry did save Ginny's life, and he does seem to like her. They never kiss though (?)And in the 6th book Ron is all over Lavender. You'd think they would be the couple in the end, Harry + Hermione, and Ron + Lavender.
Posted by: Francis at July 27, 2007 05:42 PM (mWQIO)
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July 18, 2007
The First Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Review!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hasn't been made available to the press yet, but the Baltimore Sun obtained a copy and has
posted a review (link not necessarily spoiler-free) (SPOILER-FREE QUOTE!):
Readers could enjoy Rowling's temporary, folksy fix for chasing away the blues (eat chocolate) while applauding the more permanent balm she offers: Concentrate with all your might on the events and people that have made you happy.
Book seven is no less penetrating, but it lacks much of the charm and humor that distinguished the earlier novels. Even the writing is more prosaic, less fanciful.
But, how could it be otherwise?
By book seven, Rowling is no longer inventing her magical world. Here, characters are accustomed to it, so it holds few surprises for them -- and by extension, for us.
In addition, Harry and his friends are no longer children. The early books, in particular, were enchanting because we could watch Harry and his friends struggling with exceptional powers, which they had not yet mastered. So a young witch or wizard would mount a broomstick for the first time and promptly be bucked off. It wasn't unlike watching real boys and girls take their first steps or learn to read -- skills every bit as magical and mysterious as casting a Summoning Spell.
By the end of the article, she does give away some minor spoilers, so read the
whole thing at your own risk.
Spoiler stuff below the fold for the brave amongst you!
more...
Posted by: caltechgirl at
06:49 PM
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I highlighted a FEW lines and then thought better of it... my book has been shipped and I want to read it for myself.
I expect Harry to die and I hope a few others I don't care for, but other than that... nah, I'll find out in a few days.
Posted by: pam at July 19, 2007 05:26 AM (l6NIn)
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Arrgghh! I want to read your whole post but I have to wait until after I read the book!
Posted by: Kate at July 19, 2007 08:34 PM (XargM)
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I'll wait too, thanks. I wonder how many, or how few, people have actually read the spoliers.
Posted by: Mike at July 19, 2007 08:39 PM (JQe3J)
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Like you, I hate suspense. I love the series but impatience gets the better off me. I don't get incensed when there are spoilers so I read it. Some of my predictions were right
And I don't believe entirely the 700+ scans are real but as I hear from the reviews of the NY Times and Baltimore Sun... Thanks for the insight anyway. (: Have a nice time reading the book!
Posted by: Vanessa at July 20, 2007 08:11 AM (s0DuC)
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I just finished it last night and have started re-reading it. This is truly the best series of books ever. The characters aren't static, the plot isn't a bland re-hashing of books earlier in the series, and while you know where it's going, you have no idea HOW it's getting there.
I *heart* JKR. She deserves every damn dime she's made on this!
Posted by: Mrs. Who at July 22, 2007 10:29 AM (9FXen)
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