Publish Date: Monday, September 14, 2009
Nothing--not even locking--gets in the way of me and my Harry Potter books!
This blog has more to do with life than cruising, but there are some great stories of our adventures in here, so I thought it would be fun to share.
I love to read–all sorts of books! Historical fiction is my favorite, but I love fantasy, and mystery, and science fiction, and lots of other types of books. However, until very recently, I had never read Harry Potter. Actually, I had never shown much interest in it, but one day, while cruising the Eerie Canal, I was out of books, and Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone was the only book on the boat I hadn’t read.
“Alright,” I thought to myself, “I’ll give it a try!” Well, it turns out, that I had really been missing out over the past few years. Every spare moment I had between locking, docking, and homeschool, was devoted entirely to devouring the first Harry Potter! I loved it. Everything from J.K. Rowling’s writing style, to the remarkable story, to the creative characters caught my imagination, and I was off and rolling on a Harry Potter Craze.
Now, as I live on a boat, and we move every night (sometimes to really tiny towns with no book stores) buying books isn’t as easy as going around the corner to a library or bookstore. Luckily, my uncle Jon was coming down to meet us for few days, and he was kind enough to purchase books two, three, and five, as well as get his daughter’s book four to lend me. I powered through two and three in less than a day. Four took me a bit longer, but soon I was done with that too. Next came the fifth, which took me a tad longer to read than any of the others, but I was finished by the time we started the North Channel.
Of course, once I finished the fifth, I had to go on to number six! But how? We were in pretty remote areas, and you usually don’t come across bookstores selling the Harry Potter Books in the middle of the Canadian Wilderness. Fortunately, we reached Little Current just before I burst. We tried several bookstores there with no avail. Finally, we were able to find a library, and borrow a library card from the dockhands sister! I had to read this one in a day, but I got ti done just in time. Whew!
Two weeks later, my Grandpa Tom came to visit, and brought the seventh book with him. So, I was, alas, done with the series. Well, not quite. We still needed to see all of the movies! Between iTunes, a rainy and wet trek to no less than five DVD stores in Montreal, and my Uncle sending us his copy of Chamber of Secrets in the mail, we were able to work our way through the movies by the time we got to Gaspe in Quebec. “Yay!” I was thinking to myself, “Half-Blood Prince is still showing on the big screen here! We can go see it.” Half-Blood Prince Showing? True. Going to see it? True. Understanding the movie? NOT true. We were in Quebec–an entirely French speaking province. And yes, the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood prince movie was indeed in French.
So we’re done. I’ve seen all the movies and read all of the books, so what else is there, right? Wrong. “You see,” I told my parents one afternoon, “Now that I’ve read the seventh book, I understand so much more, and have to go back to pick up other clues in the other books. Four and six especially.” So another hunt began. Two new bookstores, nine used bookstores, and one place that I’m not quite sure what it was, we had Goblet of Fire for me to slurp up again, taking in much, much more. A month after that, (of course, after several attempts to find it in a French Bookstore) we came across Half Blood Prince on P.E.I., and so my book collection was complete.
Now, we’re still in full Harry Potter mania. Even though I’ve read them each three (or even four) times, I’m still going back over and finding more things, and picking up more clues. We saw Half-Blood Prince on the IMAX screen in Halifax (yes, it was in English), and now, I even have Dad reading them! My parents will tell you, they hardly recognize me when I’m not clutching on of the Harry Potters! It just goes to further show, good things come when you least expect them…
Ayla,
For twelve years old, you write very well. It is interesting to note, while you have been homeschooled, it has certainly not affected your learning ability. Have you asked yourself, why do we need physical schools at all? Why not learn over the Internet? I’d be interested to know if your parents agree.
John
Two Harry Potter books in a day! You are a voracious reader, Ayla! They are really fun books and Megan, Michael and I really enjoyed them. Sounds like you’re going to have to talk your parents into pulling a little boat filled with books behind 3@sea. A little floating library.
Are you counting down till your big birthday?
Love,
Kathy
Hi Ayla,
Although not the same as having a real book in hand, when in the field, I’ve been reading ebooks on my PDA, and more recently, iPhone. The benefits include having a whole library in your pocket, being able to download books from anywhere in the world, and not needing a light to read. Plus, the classics are often free! Perhaps this would be a good option for you, especially when you hit foreign shores.
I love following your blogs! I’m sorry that I will miss them over the next few months, as I’m heading off to Pakistan to research ancient earthquakes. Have a good birthday and enjoy your upcoming legs down the east coast and central America. If the timing works out, I’d love to meet you guys in Panama to show you how geology impacts the canal expansion.
Love,
Chris
Chris
Congrats Ayla on finishing them all – and providing the best proof possible, that HP is best devoured at your age. I’m always telling parents not to let their kids read them too early. They’ll get the plot, but they’ll miss so much that they’re just not ready for. And there’s really so much great stuff they won’t like when they’re older. I loved all of them – but the 7th was my absolute favorite. I’m really enjoying reading about your trip. Happy sailing!
Ms. Cebrian
Hi Ayla, my name is Layla. I am 8 Years Old and my father charlie met you at trawler fest last year. We live in Baltimore and have a trawler too. I really like the harry potter series too!! I am in the middle of the 7th book. and have books 2, 5, 6 and 7. I am working on getting the rest!
we like to boat on the chesapeake bay. I am learning to drive and really like it. I play bass and my brother plays drums, I really hope you get my email and write back.
Layla
Hey Ayla,
It’s Alex here. I have also gotten really into the Harry Potter books! I am only on the third book for the first time as I really am not such a good reader but I still love doing it!! I miss you so much!! Hope to hear from you soon!
Love,
Alex
I love Harry Potter as well and I’m 44 years old. It’s a great series with some great life lessons in it. Love your families blogs! I drive over the road in my profession and I look at my traveling just like you do. The real America isn’t in the big cities, it’s in all the small towns throughout this great country. Stay safe and good luck in your travels! I live in Port Huron,Mi and love the great lakes, which is why I still call this “home.”