Mr. Benedict, J.K. Rowling, & New York

I’ve completed my first summer read: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart. It’s become my replacement for the Harry Potter series; it is a children’s book and a very easy read but the book tells an intense story and touches on serious issues regarding right and wrong, relationships, and sacrifice. The book I just finished is the latest installment (October 2009) and third in the series. Stewart has written other works as well including a novel for adults. I highly recommend these books as a wonderful summer read in these hot and lazy days.

J.K. Rowling enticed her fans for about a week dangling a countdown on a new YouTube channel titled: JK Rowling Announces. On 23 June at 6am CST, high noon in the UK, Jo Rowling released a 1:49 video thanking her fans for their readership and announcing a new website, pottermore.com. Within this website she will provide a new reading experience for the Potter stories, participant influenced, releasing side information about “the world of Harry Potter I have been hoarding for years.” Rowling is also releasing the Potter books in e-book form for the first time entirely through her own website. I hope to be one of the first to enter the website in July to preview and help develop it. While I’m not head-over-heels excited like I might have been for the release of one of the books, I am looking forward to finding out what other tidbits and stories Rowling’s imagination created in the development of the 7-book series which has taken the world by storm.

New York State Legislature passed its own same-sex marriage bill late on 24 June. With no opposition from the governor the bill will soon become law. One of the most frustrating things about the law is how a religious protection amendment was passed to convince conservatives to vote for the bill, never mind the fact the religious protection is guaranteed by our nation’s Constitution. Let us join together in prayer for New York, especially for Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, one of the most important Catholic voices in the state.

As always comments, civil discussion, and opinions are welcome.