Follow Friday and 'Chronicles of a Harry Potter Fan'

On a note, before I start up all the memes, I'd love for you guys to hop on over and check out the release of the English version for 'Chronicles of a Harry Potter Fan'. I know the author, Thomas Sailer, and I've read parts of the book! Every fan will love it!

Now, onto business! Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. And this week's question is:

Happy Mother's Day! Who is your favorite mom from fiction?

It's Mother's Day? Who knew! It's actually really difficult to think of a mother figure from any of the books I've read, since they're often not the central figure. Although she's not, perhaps, really a central character, I always loved the idea of Aragorn's mother in The Lord of the Rings. Her name was Gilraen and she fled to Rivendell with baby Aragorn when her husband was slain after only four years of marriage. As he set about proving himself worthy for Arwen, even before The Lord of the Rings takes place, she returned to the Rangers of the North, where she eventually died. When Aragorn last saw her she told him:

"I gave hope to the Dúnedain; I kept none for myself."

She seems impossible tragic, but those are often the most beautiful characters. I think it's great that Peter Jackson gave her some screentime in The Fellowship of the Rings, even if it was only on the extended DVD. Here is a really good post about her. 

Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and Friday 56 by Freda's Voice. I've decided to use 'Brave New World' by Huxley for today because I really can't wait to start reading it!

BB:

'A SQUAT grey building of only thirty-four stories. Over the main entrance the words, CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTRE, and, in a shield, the World State’s motto, COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY.'

It's quite a cold, factual beginning. I guess that it's quite foreshadowing of the rest of the novel!

F56:

'He laughed, “Yes, ’Everybody’s happy nowadays.’ We begin giving the children that at five. But wouldn’t you like to be free to be happy in some other way, Lenina? In your own way, for example; not in everybody else’s way.”'

I guess everybody should be free in their own way. I am still not quite sure what 'Brave New World' is about, although I of course know what its title has come to mean, but I am avoiding the blurbs and synopses on purpose! 

So, what are you reading today? And who's your favourite mom?