A new classic!

On my last two posts I conveyed feelings, memories and thoughts about classic books that I read as a child. Today let’s look at something more modern but a classic none the less. While in one of my favorite classes of my undergrad experience, "Children's Literature" I discovered a style of writing and storytelling that reminded me of why I loved to read in the first place, both as a child and as an adult. This book talked about magic and mysterious places, fantastic creatures and a lonely boy with a very special gift. This story spoke miles to me. It brought me back to my childhood once again (as many books that we read in that class did) where I could escape the realities of what life was and where the protagonist could have been me as a boy. If you haven't guess what book I'm talking about let me give you a hint: it's about a boy with glasses and a lighting scar on his forehead... you guessed it right, "Harry Potter"! This book (the first one) allowed many people and me as well, the escape from reality and a fantasy world many young readers and adults crave (even my 78 year old grandma read the whole series). A fantasy world that gave the opportunity for a shy lonely boy (do we see a pattern here) to be a hero and told the world that an individual no matter how insignificant, mattered. "Harry Potter" a new classic that many children and adults alike will be talking, reading and remembering for years to come. Yes, we all watched the movies and they were all great. However, pick up the book and experience it as it was meant to experience; where your mind does the editing and the special effects. I guarantee it will be a blockbuster!

…but what are his stories REALLY trying to tell you?

Hans Christian Andersen, boy could he write a sad story! Those stories could definitely be tear jerkers; as was my experience reading his book and short stories when I was younger. The stories talked about an ugly duckling, a bare footed match-selling girl in the snow, an emperor’s garments or lack thereof and a very sad little mermaid with a very tragic ending. From his book I learned that not all stories have happy endings. Also, they taught a very sad boy (at times), about a sadder world out there. The stories however, did also teach me compassion and how to appreciate what I had and have which I’m grateful for to this day. In college and in a different language, I learned that these stories were written at a time where the poor needed something to believe in after the very sad and harsh existence they experience every day. Now that I’m older and had the opportunity to read these stories again, they tell and teach me different things such as; who were the stories written for and why, the time that they were written historically and they provide a different experience and insight. Aside from a very pleasant (and sad at times) trip down memory lane these same stories taught me 20 some years later, about social class in the 1800’s and the coping mechanisms of people from both ends of the social-economic spectrum in a very gloomy 17^thcentury. Hans Christian Andersen how I appreciate thee! Thanks for the company and teachings as a 10 year old, and for the analytical and historical conversation in my thirties. I sure will pick this book up again in a few years and let you know what Hans tells me in my sixties. Go pick up his book and let me know what Hans tells you.

Magic, adventure and faraway lands

As a child I remember reading "A Thousand and One Arabian Nights" under the covers with a flashlight. I would do this because I would get in trouble for reading so late at night by the corporate who bought me the book, my mom. Growing up in a place where one TV. Channel was all that was available; my free childhood time after homework would have to be filled with something. I could only play so much or build forts with my brother for so long. After the day light left me and the cool of the evening arrived with its mysterious companion, reading was the escape to a place of magic, adventure and far away exotic lands. This book would free my imagination and let me to personalize the brave characters that I thought I would never be. This book allowed me to escape what I sometimes felt to be, a lonely and shy boy who was not as fast or creative as his younger brother and that didn't have many friends. Little did I know that I would have adventure and dangers ahead in this very far away land that is the United States. I have recently downloaded this book to my Kindle tablet and started reading it. Although I don't quite remember all the stories from this classic book, the feeling of anticipation towards an adventure entices and scares me at the same time. Entices me to go back when I was a child and relive the adventures I read. Scares me, that I will be going to bed too late and be tired at work tomorrow; different time, different reality and a different person same classic book. Pick it up and escape to your childhood. I dare you!