The Next Best Book Club discussion

Fiona, I love Harry, too! :) They are my some of my favorite books ever. Funny condsidering I've never really been too into fantasy books...but they're so creative and so well-written that I just gobbled them all up!

I started reading them when I was 22...the first movie had just come out, and I was lonely and living in a new city, so on a whim I went to see it by myself. Fortunately there was a bookstore right next to the theater - I went in and bought the first 4 right after the movie was over, and finished the first one in a day. Last summer in honor of the newest one coming out, I read the entire series back-to-back, and I cried like a baby when it was over.

I've saved them all and plan to re-read them with my son when he's old enough (he's only 2).

I also love the series! I didn't get into them until around the time the 3rd book came out, I think it was. Before that, I actually was very set against never reading them. One summer I was home and bored, so I decided to read my little brother's copy of The Sorcerer's Stone.. and very quickly became hooked. My favorites in the series are Prisoner of Azkaban and The Deathly Hollows just because it wrapped up the story so well and made me cry because it was over. My favorite character by far was Sirius.

Me too! Me too! *jumping up and down*
Every time a new one came out I would start the whole series over again from the beginning, just so I wouldn't forget anything!!

I wouldn't knock her writing style, tho. she does okay as far as I am concerned (I think I'm supposed to use IMHO here, right?)

Prodigal Summer bested only by Poisonwood Bible!! really great

back to HP... how do you work things here? Is there a specific question/topic to address? or is it random acts of lucidity?

Count me in as an HP nut! I started reading when #4 came out. My sister called me and said "this is the one thing you will ever see or read that actually lives up to its hype." I'm so glad she convinced me. It's a phrase I often use to others who are trying to decide whether to read them or not :)

(Also, I love both Poisonwood Bible and Prodigal SUmmer!)

I think sexy was part of it though, and Rickman was spot on... it's all about passion isn't it? Think of anyone you're really in love with - not just physically attracted to - isn't it because that person has a passion (and 9 times out of 10 it isn't you!!)

I'm still passionate about my husband because of his passion for music - he plays jazz guitar, about as sexy as it gets, and while he isn't brilliantly good, he adores it and I love that about him.

but it's the passion again... the misplaced passion for Lily Potter, who he couldn't have, could never have had, but he chose to pine after her and become twisted and bitter.

I loved HP, too, but I came to it very late (after all the books were out). I never thought I'd like it, since I'm not a fantasy fan. Also, I didn't like all the hype surrounding the series, so I avoided it. I decided to read it before my kids did, though, to see what they'd be getting into, and I was pleasantly surprised! I liked being able to read it straight through, but many things were spoiled for me at that point. I read the books back-to-back, so it just seems like one big story to me; so, for this series, I don't really have favorites or least favorites. As far as characters go, my favorites are Harry, Hermoine, Dumbledore, and Hagrid. I didn't start liking Snape until the last book, I believe.

I got the first Harry Potter when it was just out, here in the States; the owner of our local bookstore is a friend, and he recommended it to my mother, as something I would like. I bought the next two very easily when they came out - I was shocked when it had turned into a phenomenon by the time the fourth one was coming out. I had to pre-order that one; actually, the only books I've ever had to pre-order were Harry Potter books.

My favorite books in the series are the first, third, and fourth, but I like all of them.

Query: there are adult versions of the books... are they different from the "regular" versions? and if so, how?

I love the Harry Potter books and got into them around the 5th one. I reread the series when each of the following ones came out and again after I'd read FINDING GOD IN HARRY POTTER. This book made the HP series even more interesting to me because I do not have a classic literature background. This pointed out nods to CS Lewis, Tolkein, Jane Austin and explained how alchemy is used in literature. The colors related to the process (red, white, black) and how they are reflected in character names in the books (rubeus, albus, black). It was fascinating and added depth to the story.

Now I am reading the whole series again out oud to my boyfriend when we are driving places.

An aside re: the US versions and the original UK versions. I think they should have left them alone-americans are bright enough to figure out what the insults and coloquelisms (I can't spell!) are in the book and there is a charm in reading the originals.

This is one of my favorites series! I can't remember when I started them because I got them from the library. I still haven't read the last one because I want to re-read the series and I just haven't had the time to do so. I love the world that JKR created...sometimes I wish it really does exist so I could go to Hogwarts. As far as favorite characters- mine are: Hermoine, Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Ron. I love it that JKR made it a point to have strong and intelligent female characters.

Lauren, where did you get the originals from? I've only seen the American version in the bookstores.

I've read and liked the first five books in the series. I still have two to go. I have to read the book before I see the movie (which I have thought to be excellent adaptations!), so I have a little time left. I find Snape to be one of the more complex, interesting characters, but I have soft spots for Dumbledore and Hagrid and, of course, Harry.

Fiona asked: Lauren - did they change more then just the title then?
I remember reading that they had changed some of the language, slang words like git or something which might have been incomprehensible to the american reading public... hog(warts)wash!
but did they change the titles too?

I have a thing for Dumbledore... a few words, nitwit, oddments, squelch...

I know that the first one went from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone. I don't know about any of the other titles.

I'm trying to remember how I got into these. I think my mom bought the first four books on the recommendation of my aunt. She gave them to my sister for Christmas. I read them all and asked for my own set for my birthday in July. I was probably 22 or 23 when all of this happened, by the way.

I love them, but 4 and 5 are my least favorites. The whole World Cup thing got way too long for me in 4. I thought Harry was in danger of becoming a whiny brat in 5. But overall I adored the series.

I don't think I really have a specific favorite character. I do think that Dumbledore's awesome, and I have a little bit of a soft spot for McGonagall. She tries so hard to be strict, but you can tell the Gryffindors are her favorites. Of course I love all the main characters the most. I was glad that Molly Weasley got her moment to shine in the 7th book! :-)

HP Brilliant books, my kids grew up with them! We read the first one when it first came out and kept reading them aloud clear through the end (and my kids are teenagers now!) We were sad to see them end, the end of an era for us!

I've long thought she should write the prequels from Lily and James' point of view.

Loved Snape from the beginning and held out hope for him clear through, even with my kids telling me I was crazy. Ha, I say!

Love Alan Rickman, and everyone from the movies. Great casting from Britain's premier actors, and the kids are excellent too. I've enjoyed the different directors with their different takes on the story.

Fave book #5, it was just a little edgier and meatier I thought, #5 fave movie too, same reason!

P.S. Fiona, do read Guernsey, so much fun!

Yes! I think it would be a great holiday gift book too!

Fiona, Jackie, Hayes- As far as I can remember it was just the slang and the title of the first one (they didn't think Americans would read something with "philosopher" in the title, sad). I bought the first 5 books when I was in Ireland and England. When I came back the other books were coming out and I bought the american versions-it may be a lttle thing but I missed the British-isms.

I'll agree with you on both of those thoughts... I wonder if they ever did a marketing survey or whatever you call it before they made that decision or if it was just someone's brilliant idea. I'm surprised the author agreed, actually.

I've never read anything about her, or an interview, or even another thing by her... any thing interesting around?

I started reading the series after Azkaban came out in the Theater. Before that I had no interest, but my son was reading them, so we had them already. Then I read book 1 through 5 (5 had just came out) during a few month period back to back.

I was hooked.

Fiona said: She admitted Dumbledore was gay in an interview after the 7th was published.

As long as she was gossiping she could have mentioned who his lover was... ;) I wonder why she even mentioned it.

Hayes - I think she mentioned that Dumbledore was in love with Gellert Grindelwald, actually.

I remember the episodes with Grindelwald in the last book, but I never got the idea that it was homosexual thing... but I'm pretty obtuse about that sort of thing, in the sense that I just don't think about it much and a lot of things go past me.

I'll just have to go back and read it again : ) oh goodie!!

I love, love, love Harry Potter. Which is funny because in the beginning I had zero interest in reading them. I'm not a big fan of fantasy and the idea of wizards just turned me off. But one day I was bored and picked up the copy of the first book my brother had gotten for Christmas and I haven't looked back since.

My favorite characters are Snape (of course), Hermione, and McGonagall.

JG, I also loved Molly Weasley's moment in the 7th book. Best line of the series, IMO.

oh, i love sharing my HP story...

i came into the series based on a recommendation from my YAL instructor during my 4th year of college. i think her exact words "if you want to read something fantastic that your future students are already into, pick this series up".

over thanksgiving that year, i bought the first one in paperback. i didn't read it until christmas break, and i really really liked it. i was planning to wait to get the other 2 when they were in paperback, but that was the summer that book 4 came out, so i bought the 2nd and 3rd books within the same week and finished in record time. i bought the 4th about 3 weeks after it came out, and read it at the beach. i have been to the release parties for 5 through 7, and even my husband has read all but book 7.

in regard to the earlier comments about Snape and having a prequel told from his POV....i think it'd be awesome. i literally threw book 6, i was so PO'd at him. i really, really thought that i was going to see a redeeming quality in him, that wasn't a total jacka--, and that made me so mad. however, i totally came to understand him better in book 7.

i think if i were in school, i'd find a way to write a major paper on the character and role of Severus Snape. he's just so complex....

the only book i haven't read more than once is book 7. i was just discussing this with my students this afternoon, and i think it's because if i read it again, then it's proof that the series is over.

go harry!

I credit these books with turning my teenager into the avid reader she is. (She tells me I have to say now that she is very pretty and has lots of friends.)

Evidently, avid reader=nerd.

I love Molly's moment too, Jessica!

And yes, HP has made readers of a lot of people who maybe weren't before - kids as well as adults.

I love to re read the books too. I love how she'll drop a tiny hint about something in one book, and then 2 or 3 books later, it becomes something important! These books are just so well thought out and woven together! Genius Rowling!

Yep Fiona- she likes being a geek too but she isn't completely out of the closet yet. She's only 15, she's got time.

One of my favorite compliments ever was being told I was "gexy," as in geeky + sexy =

I keep telling her smart girls are the biggest secret of them all.

That's awesome, Marsha, I have a teen bookworm too, I'm going to tell her that!

I'm so glad I never have to be a teenager again! But I LOVE being a mom to 2 of them!

the next book that rowling is putting out comes out in december- the tale of the beetle bard. it's the story book that they used while looking for the horcruxes and it has more short stories in it.

I ordered Beedle the Bard for Christmas for my kids and I'm excited to see it!

Well, okay, yeah . . .

I love Harry Potter! I started reading them around the time the 2nd book came out. My younger neighbor had the first one so I picked it up and was immediately hooked. I have read them over and over, although still haven't read 7 more than once.
I definitely cried at the end of the book 7. So sad its over. I think its time for a reread of the whole series soon.

Favorite characters are: Ron, George, Fred, and Lupin. Also love Malfoy because he is such a great villain!

I'm having a sleepless morning ... happens with age, don't you know ... found this in another game (F, Marry, Kill) and thought I'd transport it here:

How 'bout for you Harry Potter fans
Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Mad-Eye Moody

I'll change the original answer and say:
F Snape, cause I bet he'd know how,
Marry Dumbledore, gay or not, cause he'd be very good company, and
Kill Moody, cause otherwise I'd never have a private moment ever again.

hayes, that was awesome! i have agree with your answers to that question!

as for my favorite characters, i think it would be the Weasley twins (they were too much fun), Hermoine, Ron/Harry at a tie, and Snape, even though he made me so mad in book 6!

My husband and I dressed up as Fred and George for Halloween. It was funny.

If you could be one of the HP characters, who would you want to be?

I loved this series - not since CS Lewis's Narnia did I find a YA fantasy series that I enjoyed so much. My favorite was "Prisoner of Akabazan" though I also liked The first two and the Goblet of fire. I'm glad I read them all but by the time the last one came I was pretty much "over them" that being said I think they are VERY VERY good and a must read.

OMG - You sound like me...This book is intersting because the writing is nothing special, the idea is not original, the climax is not very exciting, the bad guy is not very frightning - and yet...I devoured it. Still can't figure out why but I did read it cover to cover with little pause.

I just finished New Moon and did not have the same reaction as Twilight - I found it really boring and dull. Not sure I'm going to go on with the series at this point.


--
Wife of fantasy author: Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)

I started HP right after the 4th book came out....I was teaching a summer camp where the kids had to read for an hour a day. This one kid NEVER would read. Then the 4th HP came out. I had to yell at him to stop reading.....so the next day I borrowed the first book and read it in 2 hours. I've been hooked ever since. Every year or so I re-read them all.....

ROFL, Fiona!!

I agree 100% - well said

LMAO- Fiona, you and your Snape fantasies!

I think JKR may not be the most lyrical writer, but to be able to imagine that world, keep it all straight, have every little detail line up so perfectly, she just must have an incredible mind. I mean, there just are no contradictions in HP, it's all so well thought out!

Great series -- for me it peaked at "Prizoner of Akabazan but I love them all.

First, Marsha re: post 52- I credit these books with turning my teenager into the avid reader she is. (She tells me I have to say now that she is very pretty and has lots of friends.) -LMAO sooo funny!

I started reading HP before the 5th book came out. I had finished college and started my career so finally had time to read for fun again. A woman at work recommended them. I loved them all, and was able to finish 1-4 before seeing the first movie.

I have heard critics of JKR saying the books are not well written...I don't see that, but whatever. Here's the deal. Rowling is a fantastic storyteller. From page one of this series she has been building up characters. Over 10+ years she's led along millions of people who are totally caught up in is world and these stories.

Anyone who can humanize Snape for me at the end while stringing us all along the whole time to feel so much contempt for him...

Dumbledore, though through the whole series was practically perfect, was shown as a multi-dimensional character, who admitted his faults to Harry at the end and really showed how well Rowling can develop characters.

I'm re-reading HBP (6) in preparation for the movie--my DH doesn't read, so I have to fill in the gaps after we watch the movies (which he loves). It's strange to read this story in particular, knowing now what I do (having finished 7).

Also, despite the fact that I found it borderline creepy at the end, I though Rowling did an excellent job of capturing the correct ages of the characters in each book. In 6 and 7 I had a hard time coming to terms with the idea of the kids being romantic teenagers, but I think the characters grew appropriately as the series went on (I was the one who couldn't accept that they were teenagers!)

Julianne,
I'm so glad that your daughter became an avid reader because of Harry Potter. I think that is one of the endearing aspects of this book - it really did awaken a reading craze in the young (and not so young like myself).

I actually was not fooled by the Snape thing - I was 100% sure he was not evil - mainly due to Dumbledore's unwaivering trust. I even won a beer from someone who is now a dear friend who was 100% sure I was wrong.
--
Wife of fantasy author: Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008) - Fantasy Book Critic Review
Avempartha (April 2009)

I am a 39 year old HP addict. I, like the rest of you it seems, have re-read each book before picking up the next one at its release- I have also read 6 twice and 7 only once.

I picked up HP at book 4 when the hype really started, never having heard of them until then. (My co-worker insisted that I'd love these books and forced them on me. She has since visited London and picked up the Brit version of the first book for me.)

I think there's a splurge thread on this board somewhere - I've been contemplating a huge splurge and buying the $100 copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard from Amazon's site. I must really be nuts.

But beyond the normal craziness - here's some truly horrific nonsense: My husband and I had the worst fight of our 18 year marriage over Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince . Its true. We didn't speak to each other for two and a half weeks afterwards. And it all stemmed from both of us wanting to read the book the minute it was released. (Tho, not only that, as arguments in a marriage are almost NEVER about one thing in particular.)

So, now we have two full sets of the entire series - both in hardback. And if Rowling would ever agree to it, I'd get an electronic version as a backup, too!

Oh, and my favorite of the series is 5 - I love that Harry finally gets to be the leader/teacher he's supposed to be and I totally love that he can't keep his temper - such a typical teenager's reactions. The emotions are all over the top and utterly senseless. JKL gets teens and children in general in a way that few authors past the age of 25 can.

And Robin - I recently finished the Twilight series (another one I had to see what the fuss was all about and read for myself). Get thru New Moon and you're home free. That one just plain sucked, but the other two are better. And I love how she closed the series altho few others agree with me.

Hey IUHoosier - Ya New Moon was slow - Still conflicted about the last two - you didn't have problems with Breaking Dawn because I've heard many people compain about it. Though I'm sure if I do read eclpise I'll have to read the last just to finish it off - probably while I'm stalling on Eclipse LOL.

My favoriate was Prizoner Of Akazaban - I liked the twist where you thought Siris Black was evil and he turned out to be good and Harry's God Father. Nice turn of emotions. I personally didn't like the "bratty Teenage years" but then again my three kids were soooo easy when they were in their teens. Well once is still in them but I can tell it won't be a problem.

The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008) - Fantasy Book Critic Review | Avempartha (April 2009)