Catching Up With An Old Friend

I recently decided that it was time to get back in touch with an old friend...Harry Potter.

It's been a few years since I re-read the series, which is long for me because I used to read it each summer.  It's as magical as I remembered and I still find myself laughing out loud and tearing up at the sad parts.

I have a special relationship with Harry Potter.  The series was the one that really made me the geek I am today.  I didn't care what people thought of me when I told them that I was a fan of the books because they just couldn't see the magic in the story.  It opened my eyes to all the wonderful books that are out there and full of so much imagination.

It was also a book that bonded me with my mom and sister.  I wanted them to love the books as much as me so I decided that I would read them the books out loud.  To my amazement they actually wanted me to keep going after I finished Sorcerer's Stone.  We even went to midnight movie showings together.  It's something that we still talk about to this day and I'm thankful for the bond that we have with Harry and his story.

I'm currently reading my favorite book in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  It's easily the most loved book in my collection.  I'm about halfway done and still can't put it down.

Have you ever re-read a series that makes you just as excited as the first time you read it?
What books are your favorite?
What books would you recommend for someone to read?

Guardians of the Galaxy

I was very lucky to go to a Thursday showing of Guardians of the Galaxy.  I will admit to not know much about Guardians.  As soon as I found out that it was going to be a movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe I was really excited, it doesn't take much to excite me though when it comes to Marvel.

So, with not knowing too much I read up on the characters, but not a lot.  I pretty much knew their names and small back stories but not a lot of detail.  Since I didn't know much I didn't have any thoughts on the cast.  I knew their work but had no opinions about their capabilities to play these characters.

Here's the review and there may be some spoilers (you've been warned):

I LOVED IT!!!

I am pleased to say that I didn't need to know much about these characters, although after seeing the movie I want to know more!  It was funny when it needed to be, Peter and Rocket were great, it was dramatic when it needed to be and the action sequences were amazing!

It left me wanting more, which is what is supposed to happen, right?  I'm counting down the days until the movie is released on blu ray and I can want it over and over again to catch things that I missed the first time.

All in all I thought it was great, probably the best movie I've seen this summer.  The characters were interesting and different than what we've all been used to these past couple of years.  It was a nice change and I can't wait to see what Marvel does in the coming years.

Also, can we discuss the end credit scene??  Unbelievably amazing!!!  That's all I say because I don't want to ruin anything for people that haven't seen the movie yet.