There’s a self-help / ‘spiritual enlightenment’ book that I started to read maybe a week ago. Now I’ve read quite a few of these books since this pandemic started (yes, the things a lockdown can make you do). And while I’ve enjoyed most of them, this particular one I absolutely cannot stand. I just cannot finish it any longer.
My attempt to read and understand that ‘best-seller’ of a book (I’m deliberating whether I should write about it or not) got me halfway. And I just cannot go on. I kind of reached a ‘boiling point’ so to speak not just with that book but some self-help / spiritual books in general. I’d like to say I’m a fairly enlightened person but I just cannot take it when cultish ideas are being spawned and people, desperate to cling to anything, any glimmer or string of hope, would gravitate and start taking on the idea as gospel truth.
Anyway, going back to my point. I needed to ‘cool down’ so I decided to read something that will take me to that no-fail, comforting and familiar spot of warm magic: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s (or Philosopher’s) Stone.
My IG post for today best explains it.
I think I’ll be reading other books along with HP and see how far I can go. I’ve read the entire 7 books twice, but when I want to have a quick ‘feel-good’ moment, I re-read the first three.
Anyway, here are some of the best lines from Dumbledore in Book 1, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone:
The mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Harry, and I ask you not to go looking for it again. If you ever do run across it, you will now be prepared. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.
Of course, this is best understood knowing the context behind it, and most of all, what Harry sees when he peers at himself in the Mirror of Erised.
And here’s one of my favourites from all 7 books, a classic line:
There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.
I love the Sorcerer’s Stone in particular because I find it so nostalgic and all sorts of warm looking back at how J.K Rowling started to introduce this entire world and characters she built.
I loved how the first chapters with the Dursleys are so reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s Matilda and her family.
Coincidentally, did you know that the feared and legendary Mrs. Trunchbull of Matilda also appears as Aunt Marge in the film adaptation of the 2nd book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets?
Well it wasn’t really an awkward moment for me. Not at all. In fact, I felt a triumphant glee when I found out I was right with my hunch. That thuggish gait was unmistakeable!
Now I don’t know about you, but that page just makes me want to curl up, read, and drown in the magical world of Hogwarts.
Looked. Hooked. Booked. 