Empathic Ink

After pre-ordering my copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child  for myself on my birthday in March, I've anxiously waited five months for it to arrive at my local BAM store. Once I got my hands on it this past weekend, I was able to read it a little every day and finish it today, four days later. Sadly, I liked the anticipation of waiting for it more than actually reading it. Don't get me wrong; this is an engaging and interesting story, especially since it's in the form of a script, which can come across a little flat. However, despite its intrigue, it in no way compares to the magic, characterization, and eloquently written first seven books. To me, regardless of what it's called, this is not an eighth book. I consider it more of a bonus story for potterheads, like myself. The main reason I can't call this an eighth book is the fact that it's not completely written by J.K. Rowling, herself. This is a script book 'based on an original new story by...

As most of you know, I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and after hearing of Alan Rickman's death today, who portrayed Severus Snape in the beloved Harry Potter movies, I'm actually pretty sad. It's a strange feeling, really, mourning the death of an actor whom I've never met. David Bowie passed away this week, as well, also succumbing to cancer, and his death upset me, too. Yes, I like his music and love him in the movie Labyrinth , but he's truly a stranger to me; both of them are. So, with that being said, why do I care so much?  I think we get upset because the books and movies we love become somewhat real to us, in a way, with the characters becoming a part of our lives. I often get sad when I look at my Harry Potter books because it just reminds me that the story is fiction; it never happened. There's really no Harry, Hermione, or Ron... or Severus Snape. As a book lover who often talks to other book lovers, I know I'm not the only person w...