Apparently Qualified

Write the ideas down. If they are going to be stories, try and tell the stories you would like to read. Finish the things you start to write. Do it a lot and you will be a writer. The only way to do it is to do it. 

I’m just kidding. There are much easier ways of doing it. For example: On the top of a distant mountain there grows a tree with silver leaves. Once every year, at dawn on April 30th, this tree blossoms, with five flowers, and over the next hour each blossom becomes a berry, first a green berry, then black, then golden.

At the moment the five berries become golden, five white crows, who have been waiting on the mountain, and which you will have mistaken for snow, will swoop down on the tree, greedily stripping it of all its berries, and will fly off, laughing.

You must catch, with your bare hands, the smallest of the crows, and you must force it to give up the berry (the crows do not swallow the berries. They carry them far across the ocean, to an enchanter’s garden, to drop, one by one, into the mouth of his daughter, who will wake from her enchanted sleep only when a thousand such berries have been fed to her). When you have obtained the golden berry, you must place it under your tongue, and return directly to your home.

For the next week, you must speak to no-one, not even your loved ones or a highway patrol officer stopping you for speeding. Say nothing. Do not sleep. Let the berry sit beneath your tongue.

At midnight on the seventh day you must go to the highest place in your town (it is common to climb on roofs for this step) and, with the berry safely beneath your tongue, recite the whole of Fox in Socks. Do not let the berry slip from your tongue. Do not miss out any of the poem, or skip any of the bits of the Muddle Puddle Tweetle Poodle Beetle Noodle Bottle Paddle Battle.

Then, and only then, can you swallow the berry. You must return home as quickly as you can, for you have only half an hour at most before you fall into a deep sleep.

Books for Fans of Harry Potter

For our recent Harry Potter Night event, I made an epic list of books for fans of Harry Potter, which includes books for younger readers just discovering the stories for the first time, as well as older readers who have grown up with the series are are like GIVE ME MORE. These are magical adventures sure to keep you entertained as you wait for that recently announced new book to come out this summer! 

So, here’s your epic Harry Potter reading list! 

Adult Fiction

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

“The tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.” SOUND FAMILIAR? If you’ve been hesitant to dip your toe into adult fantasy, start here.    

Perdido Street Station by China Mielville

This gritty novel about a scientist and and otherworldly creatures has an amazing steampunk-esque setting. This is perfect for readers who most loved learning about all the places in the Harry Potter world, and those who like dark, cerebral fantasy tinged with horror. 

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

This story of Kell, a rare magician who has the power to travel between realms of four interconnected Londons with varying degrees of magic, and Lila, a pirate without a ship, is full of clever and witty writing, memorable characters, and a fantasy world with a unique magical system. Highly recommended! 

Unwritten: Tommy Taylor and the Ship that Sank Twice by Mike Carey

Tom Taylor is often confused for Tommy Taylor, the wizard in a popular fantasy series. Strange parallels in their lives, however, soon have him wondering if there’s something more going on… a great graphic novel for Harry Potter fans! 

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Often explained as “Harry Potter: The College Years”, this is the story of a young man who grew up obsessed with a magical fantasy stories, only to unexpectedly get accepted to a famous magic school. Perfect for those still waiting for their letter from Hogwarts. 

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

This whimsical historical fantasy about a young magician who scorns her element and training, only to save the day in a great adventure. 

Dragonflight by Anne McCafferty

If dragons were your favorite part of Harry Potter, check out this classic fantasy novel about a young woman and her dragon who must save their land.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Lamora is an orphan who grows up to be the city’s most beloved con artist. A caper novel set in a richly detailed fantasy city, this is a fun, witty romp for fans of fantasy.

The Rook by Daniel O’Malley

This offbeat and sardonic novel is part urban fantasy, part thriller. Secret agents in a paranormal version of Britains MI5. Full of cheeky humor and lots of adventure. 

(These adult books are a good fit for most teens, too). 

Young Adult Fiction

Shadows by Robin McKinley

Set in an alternate America in which magic has been genetically removed from the population and made illegal, Maggie struggles to hide what she can see in the shadows. Fans of Hermione will love Maggie’s vulnerable wit. 

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Feisty characters, a unique magical system, and tons of adventure make this a perfect book to hand fans of Harry Potter. 

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

This isn’t your normal boarding school! This Victorian steampunk fantasy follows Sophronia as she learns the art of poisons and alongside lessons on manners. Supernatural, funny, and full of adventure. 

The Prince of the Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

In 1943, in a seaside town where their family has gone to be safe from war, thirteen-year-old Max and his sister Alicia, with new friend Roland, face off against an evil magician is this eerily creepy story.

The Hero at the End of the World by Erin Claiborne

Fans of “Chosen One” tropes will love the way this novel turns this on its head. Sarcastic and witty with a fun magical world, this is perfect for readers who have read all the Harry/Draco fanfic and are still hungry for more. 

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

A half-muggle teenager acquires new powers, meets hunky boys, and saves the  world. More atmospheric than romantic, this is a fun paranormal mystery. 

Woven by Michael Jensen and David Powers King

A princess and a ghost set out on a journey to find a magic needle that can sew the ghost back to his life. 

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

If Harry Potter fans are craving stories set in non-Western worlds, this one fits the bill. The story of a Nigerian girl who learns she has latent magical powers teams up with new friends to defeat a killer (but she still plays soccer, too!). An original and highly engaging fantasy. 

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

After the suspicious death of her mother in 1895, sixteen-year-old Gemma returns to England, after many years in India, to attend a finishing school where she becomes aware of her magical powers and ability to see into the spirit world. Atmospheric and steamy! 

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Sabriel, daughter of the necromancer Abhorsen, must journey into the mysterious and magical Old Kingdom to rescue her father from the Land of the Dead. Bonus: talking cats! This high fantasy is a classic for a reason. Pro tip: the audiobook is amazing! 

The Storyspinner by Becky Wallace

Political games meet magical intrigue in this fantasy debut, perfect for readers who loved the large cast of characters and multiple perspectives of Harry Potter. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Hardcore HP fans will love Cath’s journey to reconcile her fandom life with her real life when she goes off to college.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Let’s be real, this is Harry Potter fanfic. And it’s a great homage to the original. 

Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older

The author wrote this as an answer to the question, “what would Harry Potter have looked like if it featured non-white kids from the inner city?” With a unique magical world, lots of action, and a refreshingly diverse cast, this is a great new young adult urban fantasy novel. 

Middle Grade Fiction

All those Buzzfeed and Flavorwire type lists of books for fans of Harry Potter usually only list the really big names in children’s literature - the types of books that the adults writing them loved when they were kids. We dug a little deeper and also included some recent releases of magical, fantastical middle grade books that younger readers will enjoy - especially those who aren’t ready to read the later books that are the more young adult, darker side, yet. 

So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane

Half Magic by Edward Eager

The Forbidden Library by Diango Wexler

The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

The Oracle at Delphi Keep by Victoria Laurie

The School of Good and Evil by Soman Chanani

The Bell Between World by Ian Johnstone

Time out of Time by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Story Thieves by James Riley

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Magyk by Angie Sage

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin

Find these book in the Lawrence Public Library catalog. 

Happy reading! - molly 

Easy as Pie Scarf

by Megan Delorme via Ravelry.  

Megan says the following about the pattern:

I created this pattern so that those that are new to Cables and Lace will be able to try something new. Don’t be intimidated by these elements as the pattern has many repetitive stitches so it isn’t so complcated.However, for those seasoned knitters it still has enough interest to keep one going. Enjoy!