My Favorite Fantasy Series (multiple)

I've wanted to write this post for a while now, I got the idea a week or two ago when I wondered what books CIU had on Harry Potter since I am currently doing an FDS on the HP books/movies (centered around Snape).

Some interesting notes, before I begin:

1. CIU DOES possess a copy of every Harry Potter book. They also have books on each side of the HP debate including (which is still a debate to some, although Twilight is debated a bit in some circles now) - "HP: The MENACE behind the MAGICK" and "The Gospel According to Harry Potter" (Christian HP fan defending it against HP-haters). I think CIU should be applauded for this. Or rather, Mr. Wenger & Dr. Dan who are, in fact, crazy HP fans.

2. My dad loves to read but neither of my parents like sci-fi/fantasy AT ALL. Mom likes to read historical fiction/biographies/classics (Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, and Gone With the Wind are some of her favorites)and Dad likes to read Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Christian novels, (NOT Left Behind although he read some of those when they first came out)and other spy thrillers.

3. I don't know how I got my love of sci-fi/fantasy. Well...I know what started it but I don't know how it was allowed to grow and develop into a reading obsession. For a while, if I didn't read a book a day I had 'hunger pains' to read...I'm pretty addicted to reading as it is now, but it was much worse when I was younger. I used it as an escape mechanism and besides, who doesn't want to explore other worlds?

First off - I started reading at 5, around the same time everyone else does. I was homeschooled and we had a reading curriculum, that, apparently, had me reading in a few weeks. I already knew my favorite Dr. Seuss books by heart so I started reading The Chronicles of Narnia - I read all of them that year and have read them at a least once a year since then. They were my first favorite fantasy series.

Second - I was really a reading addict. My friends would hide their books when I came to play because, otherwise, I would just sit and read. My mom punished me for things by telling me 'you can't read a book for the rest of the day.' I was devastated every time. She also would take my books and make me play outside in the summertime. Maybe that's why I hate summer so much...:) I began choosing my own books and the library is, to this day, one of my favorite places. It always makes me happy to peruse a library, or, better yet, a used bookstore (so I can buy for cheap and keep them - the only downside to a library is that you have to return the books).

Third - I do a lot of research about the authors I read and the books that sound interesting to me. When I'm at the library, I have a system of finding books I like - I walk through the aisles (Childrens' section, 99% of the time) and glance through the titles. If one sounds interesting, I pull it out. I can ALWAYS tell by the cover if I am going to like the book. I've experimented with this and found it to be true. Except that one time.

Needless to say, I've read quite a bit. My favorite categories are: fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction/fiction, childrens' books, classics, fairytales/myths/folklore, poetry, information books about art, history, dance, theatre, artists, movies, dollhouses (any of my passions), and the occasional biography, thriller, or cookbook.

I do NOT enjoy books that are strictly in the romance category. I also do not tend to check out books that are 'Christian', ESPECIALLY the Christian romance novels. UGH.

My three favorite fantasy series (different from trilogies, b/c there are several trilogies that I love as well) are: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Redwall Series, and the Harry Potter Series.

All of these, oddly enough, are from British writers. C.S. Lewis, Brian Jacques, and J.K. Rowling, two of whom are still living. I have read C.S. Lewis's and Brian Jacques' other writings (or most of them) but as I am talking about series today I will not discuss them.

The Chronicles of Narnia - I know some people hate this series, but for the life of me I cannot figure out WHY. They are not strictly allegorical, although they do have quite similar parallels with Christianity. A REAL allegory is the Pilgrim's Progress - which is alright but nothing like The Chronicles. I love the Chronicles of Narnia because when I was little, I did not understand what they meant. I knew what happened to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, but I did not know what that meant in my life. As I got older, I realized that C.S. Lewis had 'baptized' my imagination (he mentions 'baptizing the imagination' in his writings) and I could see what he was talking about. His writing is, for lack of a better word, old-fashioned, which is my favorite style of writing. I love the fine and delicate touch people had in childrens' stories of that period. The imagery and story elements are brilliant and I adore these books very much. Since I think in color, The Chronicles of Narnia are a swirl of gold and crimson, beautiful, enchanting, and standing the test of time. Classics that will never die.

The Redwall Series - These books have made Brian Jacques quite famous in some circles, but his books are not as widely know as either C.S. Lewis's or J.K. Rowling's. His epic Aurthurian/Robin Hood-esque stories about hares, badgers, mice, ferrets, stoats, and foxes are legendary. All of his books are at least 400 pages, most ending up at around 700...the reason I love these books so much is, again, the imagery. The stories are highly entertaining and there are quite exciting parts in each, but the imagery of the food the animals eat (homemade scones and harvest ale, anyone?) makes my mouth water. The bravery and honesty of the good woodland creatures is to be admired and followed, and, honestly, I love the accent Brian Jacques made up for the moles. They are so cute. And the Badgers will eff you up. The hares are also entertaining and oh! The otters! Well, you should go read them yourself. Luckily, Brian has written over 15 of these books and is still happy to write them. He started writing for the blind children he worked with which is why Redwall is so full of imagery. These books are stuff of legend and I hope that my children will love them. The colors of Redwall, to me, are a bright red and moss green.

My final favorite series is, of course, the Harry Potter series. I love, love, love this series. This is the newest of my favorite series, the one I've read most recently (I'm reading it through for the...3rd or 4th time?) and the one with my favorite literary character of all time - at least, of the books I've read so far. :) I did a lot of research, I prayed a lot because of all the dumb hype Christians had about it, and I have argued about it, discussed it, and written about it to every side of the HP debate.

I can't see why this series is bad but I won't go into that now - I will just say that this series is the only thing that helped me process my grief over the death of my brother (that happened when I was 2) and helped me re-think my ideas on death and life and love and every thing else that people need to sit down and think about. I really respect J.K. Rowling and when I heard Dumbledore was gay it gave me MUCH more respect for a character I already loved. Professor Severus Snape, however, is my favorite character. The HP books have helped me through some rough times. I (again, it's my favorite thing about a book) love the imagery and the storylines and the characters and the way Rowling writes. The books are a swirl of colors, crimson, gold, purple, orange, silver, green, blue...many of my favorite colors.

If you like to read and haven't read any of these books, I would highly suggest all of them. They are, in order:

CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (published order which is the best way to read them):

The Lion, The Witch, & the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse & His Boy
The Magician's Nephew
The Last Battle

REDWALL (not in order as you don't have to read them in order):

Redwall (#1)
Mossflower
The Bellmaker
The Pearls of Lutra
The Long Patrol (#9)
The Outcast of Redwall
The Legend of Luke (#12, my personal favorite)
Marlfox
Martin the Warrior
Taggerung
Triss
Mattimeo

etc.

THE HARRY POTTER SERIES

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone (or, in England, the Philosopher's Stone)
Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban (one of my favorites)
Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince (might be my favorite)
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows (2nd favorite?)

Have fun reading!