Finally gave in and read Harry Potter (and the Sorceror's Stone)

[LTC]

I'm far too young for Harry Potter to have been a significant aspect of my childhood, but I did not regret the moment when I finally got around to reading the books. I do not think they are of extraordinary writing quality and I do not think Rowling is the best author out there, but I also think these aren't required elements for an enjoyable series. There was excellent worldbuilding and I find the entire reason I liked the books was the enchanting world of Hogwarts and the schoolish shenanigans that went on within its walls--to the point where I had to stop reading the seventh due to boredom! It's just not my kind of book, and not my kind of wizardry(I prefer Diane Duane, if you'd like to compare styles of magic.) I do think the books are overhyped in terms of literary quality, but it deserves every bit of attention in other ways.

I never understood this mentality either. As if just because its mainstream automatically makes it bad somehow. It just never made sense to me.

This is a bad habit of mine, and I'll tell you why I do it: I don't want to be associated with the rest of the fanbase. People have their reasons for liking things, and I have mine; only no one'll care to ask, and I'm paranoid of being grouped together with people of a different thought process. It is a bit silly, I'll admit, only it's fairly common.

[Rebel Yellow]

I still stubbornly refuse to even look at a Harry Potter-book, and I never will read them. to me they have two major flaws: 1. it's fantasy and 2. it's about a kid. which to me makes it a silly read for a grown up. Even as kid I found fantasy too silly and I'm sure not going to start reading it now. Seeing grown ups with HP books makes me want to LOL.

I find it interesting that you can point out flaws in a book that you haven't read. Furthermore, I was not aware that it was possible for a whole genre to be a flaw. Clearly you don' like fantasy, but different people have different tastes and it's important to respect them. It is not uncommon for adults to read the Harry Potter series, as even Stephen King has praised the books.

What I do find silly, however, is a well-read person using "LOL" as a verb.

[BlizzardHarlequin]

I'm not afraid to admit it, but I never read the books when I was young, due to the fact of being too young to read them.

I watched the movies first when I was a little kid and that's what drew me into the world. It takes a higher imagination to believe a book than a movie and I guess that's what poisoned my mind before I actually opened up to see how an image can sometimes not be as good as an imagination.

If someone gives you a picture of a girl and a strawberry, there's much more possibilities than just a girl picking a strawberry to think about.

[LTC]

I still stubbornly refuse to even look at a Harry Potter-book, and I never will read them. to me they have two major flaws: 1. it's fantasy and 2. it's about a kid. which to me makes it a silly read for a grown up. Even as kid I found fantasy too silly and I'm sure not going to start reading it now. Seeing grown ups with HP books makes me want to LOL.

Those are not flaws.

Those are preferences that you do not share.

I am glad that you appear to realize this on some level, however. I'm not sure why that would strike you as funny. Have you never picked up a book or toy from your childhood out of nostalgia? Did it occur to you they may be revisiting it for sentimental reasons, or reading it the first time to see what they may be missing out on?

[BlizzardHarlequin]

I still stubbornly refuse to even look at a Harry Potter-book, and I never will read them. to me they have two major flaws: 1. it's fantasy and 2. it's about a kid. which to me makes it a silly read for a grown up. Even as kid I found fantasy too silly and I'm sure not going to start reading it now. Seeing grown ups with HP books makes me want to LOL.

I agree with LTC. I believe you are pointing out your own dislike for it, not giving your opinion.

I also shiver at the thought that you believe that adults with HP books in hand are funny.
Fantasy is not a thing for only a child to enjoy, it carries us through life and provides escape into lands away from harsh reality.

[Protar]

I still stubbornly refuse to even look at a Harry Potter-book, and I never will read them. to me they have two major flaws: 1. it's fantasy and 2. it's about a kid. which to me makes it a silly read for a grown up. Even as kid I found fantasy too silly and I'm sure not going to start reading it now. Seeing grown ups with HP books makes me want to LOL.

Each to there own of course but I object to the implication that fantasy is for kids. It's absolutely not true.

[heyitsmary]

The first book came out when I was 10, but I avoided the hype until I was about 17 and decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did, because I think it's one of the best books of the past decade or so. And the great thing about Rowling's writing is that it only gets better as the series continues. There is an epilogue at the end of the last book that I believe was one of the first things she wrote in the series, and it's not nearly as well-written as the last 3/4 books. It really shows how much she improved her writing as time went on.

[milagros]

Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone is simply magical. An introduction to a minutely detailed, rich magical world.

[SparkIdeaRevelation]

The Harry Potter series holds a pretty significant place in my literary world. I watched Sorcerer's Stone about two years ago and was intrigued by the world Rowling created. I read the book shortly after and became enchanted by how imaginitive the world was. It was this that sparked(heh) the idea for my novel and threw me into writing, because I want to inspire people, give them that same spark, like the series did for me. I even buy and donate SS and Eragon (another influential book for me) to charity during Christmas time for the same reason.

[Luna13]

Good for you! HP is among my favorite books. It makes me happy when I hear about someone who appreciates it because of the book itself. Too many people see the movies without reading the books, or say now that there is no point reading it now that all the movies are out and and there's no more hype about it.

[Rebel Yellow]

The movies can't hold a candle to the books.

[jkell88]

I am most certainly a Harry Potter child. I read the first book in the fifth grade and watched the last movie in college. I agree with the idea that JK Rowling is not the best writer out on the shelves today, but what I love about her is that she never claimed to be. The stories speak for themselves in terms of entertainment value but also inspired an entire generation to put away the laptop and read. That impact alone makes me a fan. Also, as a sidenote, I am excited to see someone else mention the name Diane Duane. I have been a Young Wizards fan for many years. The two book series (YW and HP) made such an impact on me that I went as far as designing a tattoo and having it placed on me to incorporate both.

[Rebel Yellow]

I agree with the idea that JK Rowling is not the best writer out on the shelves today, but what I love about her is that she never claimed to be.

Prose isn't everything in storytelling. Being the best writer doesn't mean you have the ability to captivate the attention of millions of people.

[rick_danger]

I could never get into harry potter.

[emines]

Yes, and Rowling is quite a genius too. She studied Classics in college. There's a youtube video of her speaking at Harvard's Commencement Ceremony - check it out!

[E. C. Scrubb]

I'm a bit older, and was never interested in reading the Harry Potter series until about two years ago. I have since finished the series two or three times. Personally, I disliked the first two books and almost quit the series. I had a few friends however, that told me they felt the same way and to keep reading, so I did, and found that JKR started hitting her stride in the third book and really took off in the fourth book. Of course, the last forty or so pages of book seven, I won't discuss.

I've already read twilight about the same amount of times, and besides some of the pedantic writing (yeah, that's the pot calling the kettle black), I don't get what a lot of the criticism is about. Then again, I see a lot of deeper meaning and themes running throughout the series (especially starting in the second book), which people often don't explore. I find it sad, because the way she handles the fate vs. free choice discussion is quite fascinating, I believe. I think that all plays into the "neediness" of Bella, because it's just more than emotion, it's a supernatural/fatalistic drive that she is experiencing, and reaping the repercussions of when it seems to be going off course. It's why the language she uses concerning Edward, is the same language the Pack use when talking about imprinting.

One other note between the two - JKR hit her stride in the fourth book she wrote, and it was books four through seven that really propelled her and the story. Stephenie Meyer only wrote four books in her entire series (and they were her first four books as well). When comparing books 1-4, there's not as much of a difference between them as some make out, I believe.

[Quinn T. Senchel]

You were a deprived child! I grew up having the books read to me in school when I was very young. I know it sounds silly but in a way I feel that Harry and his friends aged with me. To me, Harry in the 7th book has matured greatly since the first books and it feels as though we grew up together. They're nostalgic, magical, and I love the world Rowling built.

I normally read trendy books because they're usually good, but then I made the mistake of reading that rubbish known as Twilight. Because of it's trendiness, I also began reading A Game of Thrones. So far I find it's a bore.

[ezzz]

I am a huge Harry Potter fan. Not only because I grew up reading them, but because the story itself and the detail Rowling puts into each and every one of the books is something you can appreciate no matter what age you are. In no way do I think they should be labelled books just for children, as it seems to me that the books grow with their readers.

[Padfoot]

I got the first book for an 8 yr old when I was 11. I wasn't very fond of the first book, I actually had a hard time with the first chapters. But I quickly became hooked. When a book came out, I would get it that day, and read it until I was done. My parents would tell me off for it all day, I'd eat while I read, missed out on sleep. It was ridiculous, but I just had this hunger with them, bit obsessive I suppose. I still read them. I have copies in my car in case I get stuck some where, some in my house. I'm a very big Potterhead nerd though.

I see flaws in it, of course. Especially after reading it so many times.

[HongKong]

I just can't get along with books meant for teens so I got the first book and read it, sorry didn't like it but hopefully learned something.