Do you ever have those times when you start reading many books all at once and then get distracted by other books and then have a bunch of partially started books?
I hope that makes sense to other readers, too, and not just me. Because honestly sometimes it makes me feel a little scattered. But, hey, there's just so many books that I want to read that I want to read them all--all at the same time.
I've been reading the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay by J.K. Rowling, which is fabulous! But since I know what happens already, I keep setting it down as other books come by. Hoping to finish this one soon, but I'm guessing it'll drag on in to the summer.
Also, one of my coworkers lent me Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. It's also very good, but I'm only reading it on breaks at work, so it also is taking quite a long time to get through. I'm hoping my coworker is okay with the long-term lease! Having listened to Terry Pratchett's The Color of Magic on audio book, I must say, his humor comes through much much better in the paper book.
When I was in elementary school, I was sick one day and staying home for school. Unfortunately, my mom had to take her car into the shop to get repaired, so we ended up in a small cafe called Fifth Corner on the main street of my home town, looking out and the window and feeling pretty miserable. I remember actually thinking though about J.K. Rowling and how she began writing the Harry Potter series on napkins in a cafe. The simplicity of it all inspired me and later that year, I began my own writing project.
After my third grade teacher finished reading The Prisoner of Azkaban to our class, I was devastated. I didn't know how long I'd have to wait for the fourth book to come out. Instead of waiting, I decided that I was going to write my own Harry Potter book four. I don't know if a copy still exists or not, but I assure you it wasn't any good. I was inspired by the characters and the stories in a way I hadn't really experienced books before. I ended up sending the Harry Potter book four I wrote to J.K. Rowling. In return, I got a picture of her and a nice generic fan letter. I was so excited that I took it in to school and showed it in front of the whole class.
J.K. Rowling will never know the full extent of her influence over me and my family. Not only did her books secure in me a love for reading, but I was also able to recommend them to my parents and my aunts. Recently, my aunt expressed shock about that recommendation so many years ago: "I can't believe I ended up enjoying a book so much that was recommended by an eight year old!"
I have a degree in creative writing, began a book blog, and will work at publishing company someday. Though I can't say for certain, I am pretty sure I wouldn't be where I am today without J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series, which is why I dedicated this A to Z challenge to Harry Potter.
"What the hell is a Hufflepuff?" - Dumbledore, A Very Potter Musical
This clip from AVPM pretty much says it all - good guys in Gryffindor, bad guys in Slytherin, and the rest can go wherever they want. Even Ravenclaw is well-respected due to its members intellect. Hufflepuff, though touted by the sorting hat as loyal and true, is often viewed as an unimportant house.
Our first exposure to Hufflepuff is Hagrid explaining what the houses are to Harry in The Sorcerer's Stone: "Everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o' duffers, but -" (80). We don't ever get to hear Hagrid's defense though, as Harry cuts him off. All we're left with is the impression that Hufflepuffs are nothing but "duffers."
I stand in defense of Hufflepuff, as a honorary member of said house, according to Pottermore.
You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true, And unafraid of toil (The Sorcerer's Stone, 118).
I'll admit, at first when the sorting hat gave its Hufflepuff decree, I was a little disappointed. It's true though that I am not quite a Gryffindor, almost a Ravenclaw, and zero percent Slytherin, so Hufflepuff by deduction would be easy enough.
Being described as just, loyal, patient, hard working, and tolerant, though are some pretty awesome attributes. As I turn away from the way Hufflepuff is the ignored or teased in the books, and look at the actual traits of a Hufflepuff, my respect for the house grows immensely.
Now each of these four founders Formed their own house, for each Did value different virtues In the ones they had to teach. [...] For Hufflepuff, hard workers were Most worthy of admission (The Goblet of Fire, 117).
The sorting hat describes how when the other three founders were divvying up which students they wanted, Helga Hufflepuff responded with acceptance and faith in all students: Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, And treat them just the same." [...] Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest, And taught them all she knew (The Order of the Phoenix, 205).
Plus, we've got Cedric Diggory, who was the one person chosen from Hogwarts as most worthy to participate in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, above any Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. (Remeber Harry was chosen under a different school's name, so he doesn't count.)
We also have Nymphadora Tonks, who I love on the same level as my love for Luna! How could you not love the quirky, eccentric, not caring what anybody else thinks attitude? Love her!
If my defense isn't good enough, here's J.K. Rowling's reasoning for why you shouldn't be offended if you were sorted into Hufflepuff by Pottermore.
The A to Z Challenge continues tomorrow with I is for Invisibility Cloak!
