I finally caved and started reading....
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
May 3, 2011 2:40pm CST
I first heard about the Harry Potter books from a colleague in Paris. She raved about this amazing, funny book she was reading - the series was a single book at that time, as far as I know!
Then there was all the fuss. Then the films.
Like a lot of people who were vaguely interested at the start, I was put off by all the hype and screaming fans. I watched the films (and will watch the last) but, without having read the books, they were just "good" for me.
Then a very old Internet friend in Australia saw me say something along those lines and popped me a note. "If you don't really obsessively hate the very idea of Harry Potter," he said (I'm paraphrasing), "you really should read them. They're very good and much better than the films."
He's always had impeccable taste in books before, so...
...I finally caved and started reading. I'm about half-way through the first one, I think (only started yesterday) and must say I'm pleasantly surprised. I was honestly expecting something badly written and completely crap!
Writing's not amazing, but it's an easy read and enjoyable. Characterisation's good. Looking forward to the others...
Was anyone else surprised by the fact that a series of books that's actually quite good is popular? Most decent authors seem to spend their lives in anonymity while the junk makes it to the No.1 spot.
4 people like this
11 responses
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
30 May 11
I read them basically because everyone else has so I thought I should. Now I am reading them again, this time to my son.
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
19 Jun 11
You'll have to phone him every night at University and read to him... 
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
8 Jun 11
Fortunately most of the graphic stuff is in the later books, so at the rate we are going now he will be an old man by the time we get to it. We just finished the first book.
1 person likes this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
4 May 11
The Harry Potter books that I have read were impressive to me. I think I've read two of them. I have been a fantasy fan for years and am always on the lookout for well written books of that genre. I especially like Terry Goodkind's Wizard series. The Bartamaeous Trilogy also caught my attention. I'm an avid reader, and fantasy is not my only reading. I don't like junk and when I realize a books fits that definition, I stop reading.
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
4 May 11
You're not the first person I've heard mention Terry Goodkind - not read them myself (never had the chance). Are they good? Any thoughts on his style (light, slow, action, etc.)?
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
5 May 11
Goodkind wrote The Sword of Truth series (12) which spawned a tv series, Legend of the Seeker. The books are the good vs evil theme with a continued fantasy world of wizards, fighters, otherworldly creatures and dots them with philosophy and human interest themes. There is a lot of action with confrontations with an evil empire and its minions. The villians are vanquished in each novel with a lead-in to the next adventure. Goodkind has been quite prolific and continues to be so with another novel coming out this August. I think he is finished with the 'Sword' series and is going into science fiction.
1 person likes this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
5 Jun 11
I just swapped for another of TG's books with my online swap site. It's a tad short for him so it won't take long to read. I've kind of fallen slack on my reading since I've been doing more myLot lately. Just got the notice re: best response. Thank you for that.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
4 May 11
I have always resisted reading what "everyone else" was reading. My daughter, whose taste and opinion I greatly respect read at least one while she was still at home. Also in part because so many Christians were so against it, she wanted to know why. She is a Christian, and a writer, herself. She found them to be good, and nothing to burn witches over. I will read them all, eventually. Probably this summer in a mass reading binge. I did not read Louisa May Alcott when all my friends did. I did not read Tolkien, when my friends did, or CS Louis. I say all this because I genuinely enjoyed all of them, when I read them on my own terms. I fully expect to enjoy Harry Potter as well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
4 May 11
There are evil witches, and evil people who are not witches. It is good to enjoy fantasy and know where it ends. I am really the only person in my family who is not strongly into fantasy, including my brother the preacher. I do more westerns,history and self help things. On occasion I read a good fantasy. the thing is, if you are reading history a lot of history has been influenced by non Christian belief. As a Christian, I know what I believe. A fantasy book is not going to harm my beliefs. I love good books. I have just been waiting to have the guts to go to the young adult section and check out Harry Potter.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
20 Jun 11
I have heard Christian people bash both Tolkien and Lewis. I loved them both when I read them. I can appreciate the allegory involved. I have Christian friends who are more in touch with their mystical side of their personality. It is an aspect of giftedness that we should be thankful for.
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
4 May 11
The whole Christian furore thing amuses me endlessly. Publicity-seekers with no clue. Same thing happened decades ago with Dungeons & Dragons - which all my brothers and I played... and my father was a preacher. Some people would have all the old myths and legends burned if they could. 
And witches aren't evil, either. Wasn't that whole thing due to mistranslation in the first place? 
And witches aren't evil, either. Wasn't that whole thing due to mistranslation in the first place? 1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
3 May 11
Hello, Spike. I also baulked at reading the Harry Potter books, but a good friend of mine who bought them for her children - got stuck into them herself. Then she passed them on to me. I'm old enough to have read all Enid Blyton's school stories when I was still a schoolgirl, but the HP books are as enjoyable for adults as well. As you say, nice for a good author to do well, while she's still alive to enjoy the proceeds.
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
4 May 11
Enid Blyton, now there's a memory. I still remember the Secret Seven and all that. Simpler days, eh? 
In some ways I'm a bit sceptical of all the fuss around Ms. Rowling - I think it's brilliant she's had success in her lifetime; it's brilliant that she's the world's first billionaire author (very encouraging for us lesser pen-pushers); I don't know much about her but she seems quite normal (unlike some people who become self-important pratts with celebrity (e.g. Terry Pratchett, according to one of my brothers who's met him 'behind the scenes')).
On the other hand, it must be awful to be so successful... I mean, how do you follow HP? How do you stay even vaguely normal and modest when everyone's screaming about how great you are?
In some ways I'm a bit sceptical of all the fuss around Ms. Rowling - I think it's brilliant she's had success in her lifetime; it's brilliant that she's the world's first billionaire author (very encouraging for us lesser pen-pushers); I don't know much about her but she seems quite normal (unlike some people who become self-important pratts with celebrity (e.g. Terry Pratchett, according to one of my brothers who's met him 'behind the scenes')).
On the other hand, it must be awful to be so successful... I mean, how do you follow HP? How do you stay even vaguely normal and modest when everyone's screaming about how great you are?
@davidsonj (42)
•
4 May 11
Are you serious? I'm not an avid, but I do enjoy a good book once in a while. I've read a lot of mystery and action books, and the harry potter series was one book that I always thought about reading but never did. I watch the movies, but only because I have a little crush on Emma Watson, and the many hype behind them. But if you say that the books are good, maybe I should give it a try sometime. I hope i don't waste my summer reading.
Thanks
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
4 May 11
You could always just read one and see - only a day lost that way if you hate them!
@joeyalberta (106)
•
5 May 11
hello spike!.i already read all the books of harry potter and i must agree that its one of the most beautiful book i ever read. in reading books, you will be able to do thinking and imagining. books are more better than films!:)
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
5 May 11
I've just finished the second one. They're certainly not the most beautiful I've read, but they are very enjoyable and easy to burn through quickly. Only started the second last night. Light and fun.
@duck2day (316)
•
3 May 11
I'm glad you finally caved in and started reading. They really are excellent books and it's shame that some people refuse to read them just because they're popular.
They're fantastic books and I've had to convince a few people to read them. Suffice to say, they ended up loving them!
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
4 May 11
It's a shame I didn't read them when the colleague suggested it, way before all the hype. D'oh!
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
4 May 11
hello spike,
i have seen about a couple of harry potter films but honestly i have not read the book.
i was thinking that just like "bourne identity", i have loved the film of harry potter better than the books.
well, you are making me doubt what i have in mind now.
ann
i was thinking that just like "bourne identity", i have loved the film of harry potter better than the books.
well, you are making me doubt what i have in mind now.
ann1 person likes this
@xiaohunmeihua (209)
• China
4 May 11
Though I have not yet seen the famous Harry Potter series , I do know they have a very good reputations among lots of readers, and lot of my schoolmates have once been crazy about them... I quite agrre with your point that sometimes I really surprised at the popularity of a series of good books because I have also read something impressive among many people. yes you said it. The books like Harry Potter is easy read and enjoyable, and we can see it to relieve ourselves. As anyone of us could not avoid bearing stress from any aspects of our life, we need some reading materials to help us get rid of the fatigue. That may be one of the reasons why they are so popular to readers from all age levels.
1 person likes this
@chocokreme (319)
• Philippines
3 May 11
Hi! I really love these books eversince in highschool. My u.s based aunt sent me my first four books. Its more enjoyable than the movies. It is not profound and its easy to understand. The twists are amazingly excellent.
1 person likes this
@whispers168 (768)
• United States
16 Jul 11
I love to read but have never read the Harry Potter books either.I have seen all the movies up to date but never had the chance to read the books.I know from experience in most cases the books are always better then the movies.The books have more of a story line and details.I need to start my reading of the books as well.Glad you are enjoying your book.
