Seeing as it’s going to be a couple of weeks before I have the chance to see the final installment of Harry Potter I thought, why not have a “moment of silence” for one of the most beloved children’s books ever? Well, maybe not so much silence, but thoughtfulness…

I’m not going to lie, it took me forever to get into the first book. In fact I think I re-read the first few chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone at least three different times before I was able to connect with it. I’m so glad I kept going back! Life without Harry Potter would be entirely different and as the years past I believe that the entire Harry Potter experience will be for our generation much like Star Wars was for our parents.

Though my overall experience with the series was one I look back with fondness and I can’t wait to see the last movie on the big screen, I think that what I’m most excited for is sharing it with my children. They’re obviously too young now, but I can’t wait to spend evenings cuddled up together slowly devouring the series all over again as I see it through their eyes. It’s something I can hardly wait for! Until then, I settle for this fabulous new addition and savor these final moments.

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

Are you a Harry Potter fan? If not, why not? I doubt there are many non-Harry Potter fans out there, especially among my readers. Because I know we’re all clamoring for more from JK Rowling I couldn’t help but make mention of this very exciting development!

Apparently, JK Rowling has something new in the mix! According to the Bookseller.com a spokesperson for Rowling states that “It is not another Harry Potter book but we cannot reveal any more at this stage, fans will have to keep an eye on the website. It will be launching soon.” Pottermore is just the site they’re referring to!

I’m seriously beyond excited! So, while we wait for this new endeavor by the marvelous inspiration for millions of new readers everywhere why not follow the Twitter account as well as her YouTube announcement channel that states an announcement is coming in just 6 days!!! And for now, sit back and enjoy the most recent trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2:

*Edited to add: The newly released trailer 2 for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, amazing!

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.

I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: Who is your favorite female character, in a book or on a TV show/movie? Why?

Truly, could you go wrong? Hermione Granger is amazing! She’s level headed, intelligent, caring, funny AND she loves to read! (By the way, isn’t that first pic just so cute!?)

When I initially read the Harry Potter series Hermione blended into the story a bit, until the last book that is. In the final installment, The Deathly Hallows, Hermione stood out to me as an independent and strong leading lady. She holds her own against even the worst of enemies and still manages to get “the” guy. There’s just so much to her character to love that I could spend hours talking about her, she’s just that good.

On the film side, I remember seeing the first movie and thinking, “man, these kids kind of stink at acting!” Well, I’m glad both the actors and myself have stuck it out to the end because it’s definitely been worth the journey. There’s a scene in the fifth movie, The Order of the Phoenix, where Ron, Hermione and Harry are sitting around the fire place talking and something comes up and they all start laughing. It’s actually one of my favorite scenes in a movie ever. They all seem so natural, so real, it’s like you’re sitting down with the three of them and you can truly see them. I loved it. I’m so excited for the final movie to be released and just because I love it so much, here’s the trailer for those of you who haven’t seen it yet or who still need to be tempted to take a look yet again!

One thing I’m not a fan of…Emma Watson (the girl playing Hermione) and her new haircut. I can’t stand it! What do you guys think?

Now, your turn! Link up below and tell everyone “A Bit of You!”

Next Week’s Question: Who is your favorite male character, in a book or on a TV show/movie? Why?

Have a question to add? I’d love some suggestions! Just leave them in the comments and I’ll see about adding them in as we go!

Also, feel free to grab either of the buttons for your own “A Bit of Me(Me)” post (or create your own), but make sure to link back to There’s A Book. (You can also resize these down to a smaller size if you’d like.)

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

I found this over at Katie’s site, Book Love and could NOT resist sharing it. I love her site and then putting this up put me over the edge! Isn’t it just perfect?!

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

Blog Name: YS Princess’s Ideas, Resources, and Reviews
Blog URL: http://www.ysprincess.blogspot.com

When did you start your blog and why?

When I started my job in the Children’s department of a library, I found out that the previous summer all employees had been required to start a blog for training purposes. I started my blog back in January of ’09, however, I did not start keeping my blog updated until this past November.  My blog is directed towards other children’s librarians, but contains a selection of things I think anyone who works with children and/or teens might find useful. This includes but is not limited to: reviews of helpful websites, kids games and other products, book, audiobook, and movie reviews, ideas for storytimes and other special programs, and even occasional resources for personal use. Hopefully by the time this interview runs, I’ll have started my craft section.

Tell us a little about yourself outside of your interest in books.

When I think about it, I realize I don’t really have much of a life outside of books. I’m a full time student at FSU, so I have my textbooks; I work full time at a library, so I’m surrounded by books at work; and when I’m not working or doing school, I still sometimes read for fun. I do have a couple random quirks/interesting facts:

I’ve backpacked the Grand Canyon rim to rim several times, and I can lick my elbow. I used to enjoy scrapbooking, until I spent every day for two weeks straight putting together an entire (and overstuffed at that) scrapbook for an anniversary present. I’m hoping by the time I have my own kids, I’m up for it again. My favorite place  in the world is Walt Disney World, though I’d really like to go to Ireland. People at work call me Disney Princess, and it’s not just the parks – I have yet to meet someone who can beat me at Disney SceneIt. I’m also slightly obsessed with the TV show Supernatural.

Your favorite book from your youth and the story behind it.

I was really trying to think of some amazing book that no one else would ever say, but I have to admit – it would be the Harry Potter series – at least the first four. I first tried reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when I was 9 or 10 and couldn’t make it past the first chapter. It wasn’t too difficult for me, and I wasn’t what you’d consider a “reluctant reader”. I had been going to the library since I moved to florida when I was 3, was reading books on my own by 4 and made my way to the adult section “far too early”, and had the 10 books that my mother allowed me to check out from the library done the same night we had gone [to the library]. Something about the book just didn’t grab me. But when I gave the book another chance a year later, I made it through. And then I made it through the second and third. And then I made it through them all again 6 more times (each!) – though I only read the fourth one four times. I was the last in the generation that wasn’t raised on computers, so the first thing I can say I really did on my own on the computer was make a website for role-playing Harry Potter. It was amazing. I was always coming up with new things to add and always going through the books again and again. I had gone through the books so many times that I got to the point where just a quick scan of the page was all I needed to know what was on the entire page and whether I could use anything for my website (a lot of the ideas came straight from the books). I was very sad when Geocities closed this past October and I lost all my work.

“First things first…Harry Potter IS an amazing book/series. I think that anymore it doesn’t get enough credit because the YA genre has become such a huge part of the reading world, we often forget that a lot of it started with a boy who thought his parents were killed in a car crash. J.K. Rowling is an incredible story teller and I’m proud to say I also would consider her books some of my very most favorite.

“Now on to Elisabeth’s site. Wonderful! Just like her logo and banner indicate her site is full of amazing places any reader who loved to travel to. Even though her site is relatively new she’s amassed a great following and it’s easy to see why. She reviews all types of books, but because of her background in children’s literature she has a greater understanding of what a child (or those interested in children’s lit.) would love. I highly recommend her site, especially for those looking for their next adventure or parents looking for a great book for that little one in their life. You will love her site!

“Elisabeth is also having a 50 followers giveaway coming up very soon! She’s giving away a few books and even a $30 credit towards an online bookstore. So go, check out her site! If she can increase her followers to 100 she may even up the amount of books she’s giving away!”

Interested in participating in “When I Was Young”? Please use our contact form and let us know!

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©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.