Harry Potter certainly isn’t just for kids

I will whole-heartedly admit that I am a Harry Potter nut. I know some people will find this cheesy and silly of me, but anyone who has actually read one of the books will admit that they are highly addictive. If you can get past the sheer size of the monsters (and I am talking about the size of the books), then every page is worth the read.

The book finds Harry Potter in his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lord Voldemort (the most evil wizard to ever live) is at large and gathering his Death Eaters and preparing to attack the good wizards and witches of the world. The magic world is in an uproar and everyone is on edge wondering what will happen now that Voldemort has returned. Harry is now the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and on top of dealing with his normal adolescence, he is wondering what the future will hold for him. After losing his godfather - his dead parents’ best friend, Sirius Black - in the last book, Harry is once again an orphan. He is escorted to school by Professor Dumbledore (the headmaster of the school and Harry’s most trusted mentor) and informed of his important role in the coming year. Dumbledore informs him that he will be privately tutoring Harry in the coming year and he should be prepared for the dark times ahead. With some help his trusted friends Ron and Hermione and from an old potions book belonging to the self-proclaimed “Half-Blood Prince”, Harry tries to figure out who is working for Lord Voldemort and who are truly his allies and friends.

As Rowling promised, we lose another major character in this book. The story is unfolding for a huge battle and a very climatic ending to the series. Harry is preparing for the final battle where (somewhat reminiscent of the Matrix) he will find out whether he truly is the “chosen one” meant to fight Lord Voldemort in a final battle.

If you haven’t caught the Harry Potter bug yet – then pick up the paperbacks at the bookstore and start from the beginning now. Rowling has successfully carried the Harry Potter series through six books (this is the sixth in the series) and will end the story with the next book. Her books are well thought out (she will admit that she is a complete stickler for details) and she has created a very intricate tale in a completely fascinating world. These books certainly aren’t just for children.

I can’t say enough good things about the series, and if you are want to escape into another world, then these are the books for you. The Half-Blood Prince is my favorite Harry Potter book to date. It is available at local bookstores, online and at the Nashville Public Library. As a side note, if you enjoy books on tape or CD, this is an excellent set (not to mention Grammy award-winning) to invest in. I have all of them on CD and enjoy listening to them in the car.  

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Scholastic, 652 pp., $29.99

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less