The End of Harry Potter Begins

In a few short hours I will be setting off for London to get the final Harry Potter book.

It feels like only yesterday when i first read a Harry Potter book (after being nagged into it by a friend). I was hooked from the very first page of the very first Harry Potter book.

I have been on a journey like most Harry Potter fans. Willing Harry on in his struggle against Lord Voldemort.

I was expecting Rowling to take longer writing the final book, but she didn't. What lays ahead? Deaths of major characters, Snape's true colours being revealed or possibly left open to debate and of course Harry Potter's final show down with Lord Voldemort.

To those of you who are going to Harry Potter parties, then i wish you all a good time. And I hope no Death Eaters spoil the party with blurting out the ending! I should hopefully be attending Mugglenet's, Mugglecast that is happening in London. I shall return from London on Sunday, and will most likely have a full report posted within a few hours of being home. Or I may just read the Deathly Hallows all over again.

And finally, It seems the religious Jews in Israel don't want the Sabbath to be broken by bookstores opening up so people can buy the last Harry Potter book. BBC News Article JP Article

Culture for All book club

In light of all the recent troubles with the world, I figured that Culture for All should have a book club. I think that it would be nice to have a place where we all read books of relevance, and then discuss them. The first book on the list is Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel. I am halfway through this book, and I feel it is so great, that all Culture for All readers should read this, in order to discuss the implications of what Ms. Hirsi Ali brings up in her life story. I have found her life to be so compelling, so astonishing, that I think everyone who can read this book, should. Here are some other books I have in mind, after Infidel... 1) Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl - One man, a world reknowned psychotherapist, discusses his experience in Auschwitz, and how he has observed that those who had a reason to live were much more likely to survive. It is an inspirational story, and shows how nihilism may lead to the death of the West. 2) Restoring Free Speech and Liberty on Campus, by Donald Downs - I have not read this book yet, but I have it from Amazon. Mr. Downs discusses how campus speech codes and political correctness has led to an atomsphere of repression and lack of real learning on college campuses he gives his prescription over how to change things, and traces the history of this development. 3) The Middle East, by Bernard Lewis - Gives an overview of the history of the Middle East. great primer, lacks Said-ian political correctness. 4) The New Concise History of the Crusades, by Thomas Madden - An un-PC history of the crusades. Essential reading, given the history of the Crusades apparently is still being debated. 5) In Spite of the Gods, by Edward Luce - A concise book, explaining the rise of modern India. For those who crave an understanding of modern India, this is one of the best books out there. I gained invaluable insights into India, and exactly how and why things are how they are, by reading this book. Of course, it tells one side of the story - but it's a story you rarely hear. ------------------------- Thsoe five books are future books planned for the Culture for All book club. But first of all - Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel. Anyone who can get a hold of it, please do! I would love everyone's thoughts about this very powerful tome.