Is There Anyone Who Hasn't Read The Harry Potter Series Besides Me?
@gtargirl (5376)
United States
October 5, 2007 6:17pm CST
Okay now, no attacking the innocent reader, but I read the first book only because my son's fourth grade teacher was reading it in class. I never had an interest to read the rest of the series. Neither did my son. Don't get me wrong, JK Rowling is a great writer (she knows the formula). Nonetheless, I felt the story had been done before. At the least I thought she was ripping of J.R.R. Tolkien but then again, many writers are influenced by other writers. Anyway, didn't mean to get on my soapbox. Am I alone? Has anyone else not read JK Rowling's books? I wonder what her crime series will be like?
12 people like this
39 responses
@simplyshawn (650)
• United States
9 Oct 07
I have not read any of the Harry Potter books either. I've seen the first movie on tv and it didn't look like something I'd want to sit down and read. I also don't have time to read for fun. I do read, but I have a purpose for those books. Wether it's how to improve myself or learn how to better deal with my kids. I read to learn something, not just for enjoyment. Those days might come back into by life when my kids are married.
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
9 Oct 07
I only read the first book and it didn't get me interested in seeing the movie. Reading fiction is not everyone's forte, so to speak. But I see that you must be reading quite a list of good books. Too much education for me though. I love to sit down with a good story. Takes me away to interesting places with wonderful characters. Again, it's my opinion. Thanks for dropping in, have a terrific Tuesday.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Well, I'm glad to see I'm not alone. I didn't know anything about he books until after the first movie. My sister and brother - who don't read as much as I do and are tastes are about the same - are just really mystified that I have no desire to read these books. They just LOVE them!! I didn't care for the first movie, I apparently have a totally different take on what happend than what I guess everyone else thought happened... But, based on that, it's just not my kinda story. Who knows, maybe one day I'll get bored with what I've got to read - boxes of books actually - and go get the series... My oldest son (now 23) has probably read them all also.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
6 Oct 07
You know, that's so funny, because it's "kinda" one of my fears that I'm going to actually LIKE the books!!!!
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Oh no!! You might actually like the books? That is a frightful thought. I'm kidding. Like I said, I read the first book. From what I remember I thought it was well written and JK Rowling has a wonderful old fashion story telling kind of approach. However, something about it that just didn't make me look forward to the next installment. I'm going to wait till I'm 75, sitting on a comfy rocking chair, on my front porch overlooking the ocean to get to know Harry P. Maybe.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
6 Oct 07
One day when we all run out of books to read (lol) we'll tackle Harry. Who knows, we might even enjoy them. Yes, my friend, you are not alone. Hee hee. Have a great Saturday.
@beyonce03 (2331)
• Canada
7 Oct 07
You are not the only one. I never red the Harry Potter books, but one day, I wanted too. But the thing is, I saw all themovies, so I want to still wait a little bit before reading it. It's not because I don't find it interesting, it,s only because I decided to read others series.
1 person likes this
@beyonce03 (2331)
• Canada
13 Oct 07
I started to read the Eragon book and the other series I'M reading is something that is only in french for the moment and it,s called les chevaliers d'Émeraudes. It,s kinda a mix between lord of the rings, Eragon and Harry Potter lol
There will be 12 books and now the number 11 will be released soon. I know they will make it in english after that.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
That could be, my friend, that you have good taste. Heehehhee. Anyone who loves Linkin Park and NickelBack is automatically cool. LOL. Oh, and people from Australia also have a a headstart on coolness. Anyway, have a wonderful Monday (or is that Tuesday already?) and thanks for your input.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
I bet you can find the books in your local library. And one day, I'm sure, you'll find them at yard sales. That will knock the price way down. There's probably online stores that will give you a good price. If you were interested still. LOL. Have a great day.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Yes, it is good to hear stories about good authors making a nice living. In her case making an awesome living. Kids do seem to lover her and her books. Have a nice weekend, Lakota.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
6 Oct 07
Well, I haven't and I would imagine most adult's have not read these children's books. I don't think it is fair to say she is ripping off Tolkien, the work of whom encompasses a wealth of Mythology and speaks to the route of English culture, as well as explicating one to the major themes of existential human experience; namely the corrupting effect of power. The Potter Books may be entertaining but that's about as far as they go.
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Woa, I'm thinking your intelligence far surpasses mine. I'll have to look up some of those words in my dictionary. I guess some of the ideas in Ms. Rowling's stories (like the invisible robe) had already been done by Tolkien (ring). But I did try to say, that a lot of writers are influenced by other stories and authors. It's a good thing. I do think a lot of adults have read the Potter Series, don't you agree? There's bunches of them that I know. In any case, you're right, I probably shouldn't have said "ripped off." Thanks for your input. Have a nice Friday night.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
6 Oct 07
Well, maybe you are right, I just presumed adults would have better things to do than read kids books. Devices that make you invisible are as old as the hills, Plato mentions the same.
all the best urban
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
6 Oct 07
YOU HAVEN'T READ HARRY POTTER! OHMYGOSH! lol. I'm kidding! I don't think it's awful that you haven't read them. People read what interests them, there are books I don't want to read. And I know they aren't as famous as Harry Potter, but who cares? It's the same situation. You shouldn't be expected to read a book you don't like just because it's famous.
I do read Harry Potter, but I was a lot more excited about reading it when they first came out. As mroe books came out, I still read them...but I could wait to read them. I haven't started the last book yet, I'll start it when I'm finished reading my current book.
I'm really interested in seeing how her crime books turn out too. Any news on that?
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I haven't heard any news on her latest venture. Is she writing for children still, or moving into the big people story line? I wonder. I'm sure she'll do well. Have a wonderful Friday evening.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Yeah that's how I feel. I LOVE MIchaell Connelly books. And if she's planning on writing her crime stories anything like his they are going to be a big hit!
1 person likes this
@lacurandera (335)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I haven't read them, but i might someday, after i get through a few shelves of unread books.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
9 Oct 07
Yeah, I've got quite a to-be-read list of titles on my shelves to go through. Harry P. might be on the end of that list. We shall see.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
I actually got through the first book with ease. Read it in a couple of days. Not because I was interested in it but because I needed to find out what my kids were reading in school. It was simply written so not difficult to get through. But it didn't capture me to read any others in the series. So I heartily agree with you. Have a wonderful Monday morning.
@raychill (6525)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I know a lot of people who haven't read Harry Potter. You have at least read one book though, so you at least started the series. I think that you're a little wrong about J.R.R. Tolkien though. I don't really get the same vibe from the two writers at all. But that's your opinion and mine.
I don't think you were soapboxy at all.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Yeah, I see now that there are those of us who haven't read the HP series. I am not alone--that's always fun to say. In any case I did think to apologize for the J.R.R. Tolkien comment. I guess what I was trying to get to was that there are a lot of similar "ideas" in both their writings. I mentioned the invisible thing (robe versus ring). Anyway I'm glad I didn't get to soapboxy. Is that a real word? LOL. Have a fun and relaxing Saturday morning.
@raychill (6525)
• United States
6 Oct 07
There's no need to apologize about the J.R.R. Tolkein thing, I just disagree. I'm not into the whole Lord of the Rings thing... but a lot of people find the two comparable. I just don't. I don't think their writing styles or the movie styles were similar at all.
Soapboxy can be a word if we want it too :p
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
9 Oct 07
The books are a drag. You mean you don't enjoy reading books or just children's fantasy books? Maybe I should sit through an entire HP movie and see if I would like it. The trailers did nothing for me though. In any case, thanks for dropping by.
@ailema4ever (2668)
• Finland
6 Oct 07
I haven't read them, either, though I watched all the movies he he he...I don't feel like buying those thick books plus I can't borrow them from anyone. I just don't feel like reading them, but the movies are fine. ;-D
So she's writing crime series now? Now THAT I'd love to read...maybe he he he...I'm into thrillers, suspense, and crime novels. ;-D
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Yep, she's writing crime novels now. Of course, she hasn't said if they are children's books or for that 18 and over crowd. And most of us are wondering if she'll ever have the same success with Harry again. Who knows. I'm sure she's a good enough writer. Thanks for dropping by, have a wonderful Monday morning.
@ailema4ever (2668)
• Finland
8 Oct 07
Gtargirl, I think I once heard someplace that Rowling herself admitted or predicted that her other books wouldn't have the same success as HP. She said that luck only came once or something like that he he he...
Oh well...I'm still curious about her new novels, though. ;-D
@Stiletto (4579)
•
6 Oct 07
I read one of the Harry Potter books (not the latest one) because I'd heard adults going on about how much they enjoyed them as well and ... it's a childrens book! It IS a very good childrens book but still a childrens book all the same. I have no idea why adults would get so caught up in it all. I'm sure when I was 10 years old I would have loved them but not now. So I've never had any inclination to read the rest of the series - it's a bit too basic for me I'm afraid.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Uw, I'm just like you. Harry Potter is a children's book. Somehow though Ms. Rowling was able to attract a very wide audience of adult readers. It's still a mystery to me too. I actually read the first book and it did not pull me into the basic story line. Yes, she knows the formula for a successful book. I heard once that most of us read at a 6th grade level so if that's true maybe that is the reason why adults were interested in Harry. I'm only sayin', that's what I heard. Thanks for stopping by Stiletto and have yourself an awesome Monday morning.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Hi gtargirl! I have my hand raised.LOL I havent read the Harry Potter Series. I just really had no interest in them. And besides I really havent read anything in a couple of years now. Now that I must wear glasses to read.UGH!
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Hi TerryZ. I guess that's what most of us are saying. For some reason we just never had an interest in the HP series. It's allowed. And I know how you feel about glasses. I've had to purchase a pair myself. Every page is a blurr these days. Haven't checked in with Mr. Eye Doctor yet. My glasses are from Wal-Mart. Anyhow, thanks for dropping in. Have a wonderful Saturday afternoon.
@Simoneetah (420)
• Canada
6 Oct 07
I haven't read the book. I would rather watch the movies.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
I haven't seen any of the movies either. Of course, I saw the trailers, but it just didn't attract me. I heard the special effects were pretty good. Thanks for your input. Have a lovely Monday morning.
@MarieJ23 (1040)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Count us in gtargirl! Neither me, my husband, my husband family and my family reads Harry Potter series. People may say, what happened to this family?" but each of us differs in interest and it just so happened that we are not interested in it. I can still remember that my classmates in college went crazy on the first release of the book and they call me weird coz I am just few of those who don't like it. hehehe
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Ah, yes Marie. It's not that you and your husband and family are weird it's because you all have taste. LOL. It's funny how so many adults went gaga over a book written for children. It must be the easy-read attraction. I'm kidding. She probably aimed the series at the child in all of us. But I agree with you Ms. Rowling's books just never held my interest. Anyway, hope you're having a wonderful Monday morning and thanks so much for your comments here.
@dreamsof06 (19)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Well I haven't read them so you're not alone, but I have seen all the movies except the new one with my step-daughter. Shes' 7 and thinks Harry is cute. But I assume that since teh movies are pretty good so are the books. I've been wanting to start reading them though, I just always put it off when I go to the store to buy one.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
I wonder if we do decided to buy the books now if they will be available in a package deal or something. Somewhat like the "Chronicles of Narnia" series. Anyway, it's nice to welcome you in the "I haven't Read HP club." Hehehehe. Of course, you might leave that club soon. Enjoy them and if you do read them let me know what you thought of each book. Thanks for stopping by.
@lsutiger17 (14)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I haven't read any of the Hary Potter books. I haven't seen any of the movies either.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
8 Oct 07
Me neither. Oh wait, I did read the first book. I loved it so much I forgot the title. Hehehehe. Just kidding. Haven't seen any of the movies and I'm sure there's more of those coming in the near future. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Monday.
