Harry Potter

Ok, you should have known it was coming eventually. What does everyone think of this series? Personally, I love it and can't see why Christians have a problem with it. It teaches Christian values, and being unable to see past the whole magic thing is kind of pathetic.

I also love Harry Potter! I was raised Catholic and can't figure out why Christians are so against it. Just magic doesn't make sense, since there are plenty of books with magic they don't protest about.

I was against reading Harry Potter for about a year because I was in a stubborn teenage "I'm-too-old-for-this-phase". Then I read the first one and loved it, and found myself at Waterstone's at midnight for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

My favorite is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

I find myself defending Harry Potter everyday at work. It's always people who haven't read the books that have a problem.

As far as why Christians are opposed to Harry Potter, that's just what "they" do.

My good friend (who is a devout Catholic) and I argue all the time about religion because I am an Atheist, and I confess to having a bit of a chip on my shoulder.

I mean no offense to Christians and other people of faith, but in my experience they spend more time oppressing people than anything else.

I know that not all Christians or Catholics are like this, I really hate generalizations, but I've been more wronged by people of faith than by any other social demographic.

I say again, people have a right to believe what they will, many people of faith choose to help others, and do good deeds in the name of God. I think that is wonderful. I try to do a random act of kindness each day. But I do them for me because I like to help others, not because I fear for my immortal (or in my case immoral) soul :)

But then, at the other end of the spectrum you have pushy people who always want to thrust their beliefs at you and tell you that you are going to Hell if you listen to "devil" music. They call people like me names and ban harmless books like Harry Potter.

I told you I have a chip on my shoulder!

No one has a right to judge me because I refuse to believe that my female ancestors were pulled from the rib of some naked guy, who wasn't "aware" of the draft.

I believe in freedom. In thinking what I want, and doing what I want when I want to. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, I don't see the harm. As my mom is fond of saying "your rights end where another person's rights begin."

I'm really sorry I didn't mean to turn your thread into a religious tirade, but I just have a lot to say on the subject!

Christians like the ones you are all describing give the rest of us a bad name. :/ I am Christian, though I am loathe to claim a denomination. I believe the Bible and that we are called to love. It's about freedom in Christ, not rules! Suge, it doesn't sound like the Christians you've met have much love to give. I apologize on their behalf. Truly, that's not what a Christian should look like.

And Harry Potter is one of the best things in print. I have heard of some religions having a problem with it, and I don't know why. There is nothing demonic about them. Perhaps the people didn't read them, just saw the "wizard" label. I rather wish such people would spend as much effort feeding starving people in their neighborhood as they do complaining about everything.

My entire summer currently revolves around when book 7 comes out. :)

Aww... Lefty thanks! Apology accepted, though not necessary (only cuz you are one of my buddies form the Wizard Challenge thread).

There is absolutely nothing else going on in my mind, no brain activity, other than the Deathly Hallows release and the OoTP premiere.

I have Potteritis and I have it bad; running a fever, actually!

What is it with Catholics? I am one, born and raised (I actually teach a Sunday school class). But I still get into all these arguments with my "more" religious acquaintances... whom I like to refer to as brainwashed. I mean, seriously, you haven't read the freakin' books with the good versus evil theme and the Christmas holiday and you're banning or burning them?

Aaaanyway, I'm pretty sure we've all had these arguments, and if I get started on it I'll seriously type forever.

I've been reading the Harry Potter series since they came out, so of course I've read most of them 10+ times. I've already blocked out almost all of July for the 5th movie and the 7th book, and I know I'll cry when I finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I already cry when I finish a great story, because it's never the same the second time around.

I think Snape's good.

I love Harry Potter! I was at first avoiding the hype, but when I found three books for a very cheap price at a market, I thought it wouldn't hurt to try.

I find it hard to believe that you don't know why some Christians have a problem with Harry Potter. He's mainstream and into magic, just like Barney's mainstream and purple. Magic is often associated with the Devil, and purple is sometimes associated with homosexuality. Therefore, the public endorses anti-Christian practices. At least, that's what the Bible thumpers believe.

I read the first Harry Potter book before the hype and really didn't care for it much. I could see why young kids would, though. Since then I have picked up the second, third and fourth books as well as seen all the movies. I must say that although I am not a part of the Harry Potter mania folks, I do enjoy the books. The seem to get better as the series grows. I own books five and six but have yet to read them! I will surely pick up book seven, but probably not for a while after it comes out.

At first I avoided reading Harry Potter--I was 13 and way to cool for that! Finally I broke and read it and have been adicted ever since. I have a friend who is Christian and feels very strongly that Harry is "evil", even though I find it a little extreme I have to respect her decision. As for me I am hyped about Deathly Hallows coming out and plan on devoting the whole month of July to Harry Potter.

bign8, I have a hard time seeing why Christians have a problem with it because in the spirit of the law, which is the example Jesus set, it is not "all things magic" that should be forbidden. To have a problem with Harry Potter strictly because it has magic in it would be following the letter of the law--something the Pharisees thought very highly of.

(Pharisees were legalists to the extreme. They thought themselves perfect for their law-abiding skills. And then Jesus called them out--they were sinners too.)

There is a vast difference between the very ficitonal magic in Harry Potter and the truly demonic practices of cults and the like. The spirit of the law is such an elementary Christian concept, it saddens me that some are so against the books "in the name of Jesus."

Of course, as Retrogirl says, we will respect their decisions ... and then make a mad dash to the bookstore for the next book, and the theater for the next movie. :)

I love the series!

Like someone else on the thread, I originally wouldn't read the books because I thought I was too old. (I had referred to it as a stupid children's book that adults didn't need to be reading. Sad that I said it, but true.)

Every time I get a book or magazine on the series, I have to read it in secret and hide it. My sister think's it absolutely stupid to be so into the series as I am. I annoys her.

#3 suge:

You're not entirely alone there. I feel the same on some of those aspects. (Too bad I sneak online, can't type it all now.) Later!

lefty33, Thanks for the Bliblical example. I often find my Sunday school students asking me about Harry Potter and the Da Vinci Code and the like, and they all wonder why people don't like their favorite books and movies. I'll definitely be usign the Pharisees as part of their Bible study next week.

I avoided Harry Potter at first too; it sounded kind of childish and not very interesting to me. Then one of my friends gave me his copy of the first book because he had started it and didn't like it. Reading the first couple of chapters, I was sure I was going to hate it, but after that I was hooked.

I know a lot of people think the books are getting worse as time goes on, but I think they just keep getting better and better. My favorite is either #5 or #6.

I don't really see the point of Christians objecting to the series either. And I've seen articles online that claim that Harry Potter is bad because all the magic in it is real, which is laughably ridiculous. But a lot of Christians do think that anything that paints magic as good must be evil. I don't agree with it, but I'm certainly not going to try to force them to read Harry Potter.

Of course, sapiens!

As zcannon says, I don't try to force anyone to read Harry Potter. But I love them!

That Potteritis has got me bad. What were they thinking, having a movie and book release the same summer, let alone one week apart from each other? :)

#3 suge:
No one has a right to judge me because I refuse to believe that my female ancestors were pulled from the rib of some naked guy, who wasn't "aware" of the draft.
Right on!

lol, Kerian!

I'm going to be near-apopleptic for most of the summer in anticipation of the movie and book. It's like a graduation and birthday present for me! Thanks, J.K.!

My favorite is definitely #5. It appeals to the sarcastic part of me.

I guess I got lucky in birth years. I was actually a little ahead of the curve when I got hooked, as they weren't a huge hit yet.

My favorite in the series is PoA. I think that after reading it I became a true fanatic.

I find that the series is only getting better. I regret that Sirius, Dumbledore and Madam Bones died, but I couldn't stop reading HP anymore than I could stop breathing.

I only feel sorry for non fans. They don't know what they're missing!

Well I first have to say I LOVE THESE BOOKS!!
Next is..I am a Christian but a diffrent kind of Christian. I am a Latter Day Saint otherwise known as Mormons. Maybe you've heard of us?
Anyways.. I don't see exactly why some christians are against it. I mean it is fantasy and all....meaning it's made up..so I don't see why people are against it. It was written for enjoyment...I have nothing whatsoever against these book. I can't wait for this summer because not only does the book come out, but also because Pirates of the Carribean comes out and I can't wait to see it.

A few years ago, on a stormy, stormy night, I had two bedraggled Mormon Missionaries knock on my door. I didn't have the heart to turn them away and we ended up becoming friends. We had dinner several times and I even went to their Sunday worship once. Oh and to this hilarious ho down thingy.

They were such nice girls!

Also, and this has nothing to do with Harry Potter, but has anyone seen the Mormon adaptation of Pride and Prejudice?

#21 suge

Thanks for the laughs!!!
No I didn't even know there was one.

Yep there is, and I happen to like it.

Is that a Mormon film adaptation? Or a book one? I happen to love Pride and Prejudice.

Mormons have surrounded my life. My father's side are all Mormon. (I'm not religious, just believe in being a good person.) From what I'm told, a great uncle or something of mine was a very important figure in that religion, considered as important to the Mormon religion as some consider the pope. Ever since I left Utah at at the age of four, they've watched, followed, and checked on my family. I'd be lying if I said it doesn't sometimes creep me out. Good people from what I've seen, though.

Here's what the back cover says, Kerian:

"In this modern-day makeover of Jane Austen's timeless tale, Elizabeth Bennet is determined to ignore the frenzied follies of dating and focus on her studies and friends. Will Darcy is an attractive and sensible young businessman who would be the prefect match for Elizabeth, if not for the disastrous first impression. Will the most daunting obstacle to romance be his pride and her prejudice?..."

You can go to www.PridePrejudice.com or www.PinkBible.com.

I would love to buy the soundtrack, crazy me, I sing along to the songs now.

I regularly go to a sued bookstore. I'll have to check for it when I go there. (Hehe, I saw my typo, and wondered what everyone would make of it, so I decided to keep it! :)

I thought they had been sued so I think, how does a bookstore get sued? Paper cuts in their store?

Hmm...will have to ask, won't I? :)

#24 Kerian

Do you mean our Prophet??? I guess some people would say that.....

Yesss... Harry Potter equals love. I am a Lutheran (so much so that I'm considering being a pastor) and I can see why they think that Harry Potter is bad. The Bible says not to promote witchcraft or commit it yourself, and very devout Christians would feel that this is committing that sin. I, myself, have felt a little uncomfortable at times during Bible Discussion, relating a part of the book to a story of the bible, but it's never wavered my love for the series. I have a small number of books about Harry Potter, including Harry Potter and the Gospel by Connie Neal, and Mugglenet's ever-popular book that I haven't memorized the whole name of it yet -_-;;.

I've been into Harry Potter ever since it came to the states in 1997 (I was seven at the time O.O) The series has lived with me through some of the worst years of my life thus far, and it's got a close place in my heart. I'm going to cry when I get the seventh book!

My favorite book (and movie, coincidentally) is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. My favorite pairing is a three-way tie between Ron/Hermione, Harry/Ginny, and Remus/Tonks, and my favorite character is Neville (heh, and the guy who plays him xD)

About the Pride and Prejudice thing... there is a number of remakes, but the only ones I can remember is the one with Keira Knightly, The one that suge is talking about, and Bride and Prejudice (though I haven't seent that one, yet.)

#30 AlaskaYoung:
I've just seen the Keira Knightly one.

#30
I've seen the Keira Knightly one and Bride and Predjudice.

None of you have seen the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice with Colin Firth? Go rent it now!

I just picked up Harry Potter last month. When they first came out, I refused to read them (I can't even remember why now). But I figured that this would be the last time to get on the bandwagon, with book 7 coming out. I've finished book 4, and I am very happy with the series thus far.

#33
Glad to hear you're reading the series. Great books!

You know, I have Bride and Prejudice on DVD, but I have as yet been unable to sit through it. All that damn singing! I never was one for musicals, and somehow this one really gets on my nerves! I love the costumes and everything, its just that something is going on, and when you least expect it, when you are still shuddering and trying to recover from the last song, they break into song yet again!

btw, isn't it funny how these threads evolve? We started out talking about Harry Potter and religion, now we are on musicals. What next?

Anyone try Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans?

I had a grandparent in the hospital a year and a half ago, and knew my crazy aunt was going to bring three of her kids there, so I decided to buy some to take with me. Luckily, they entertained them pretty well in the cafeteria for a couple hours. I wasn't brave enough to try more than a couple. Blueberry was one of them.

#35 suge

I do have Bride and Predjudce on DVD and the firdt time I saw it I could only get 1/2 way through and then I had to turn it off (it was bcause of the singing) and the 2nd time I saw it I watched it with a friend and I actually watched the whole thing but I was totally and completely bored out of my mind.

#36
I've tried most of the Beans, but I made my brother eat the really interesting ones, like sardine and booger. I actually enjoyed grass and buttered toast.

Anyone else have Quidditch Through the Ages and/or Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them?

#38 sapiens

I have Quidditch Through the Ages!!

#38 sapiens:

Younger brother? I got my youngest sister to eat most of them the second time I bought them. Yesterday, my two other sisters were throwing their starburst jelly beans at each other. I told them next year it's Harry Potter jelly beans for them unless they learn to behave!

I have both of those books.

Just before all the big hype started, an aunt insisted that I'd love Harry Potter - I'd managed not to hear about it until then! Of course, I was definitely a grown-up when I started...

I loved the books and I'm both looking forward to book 7 and feeling rather scared of it. I'll have to clear the weekend when it's published because I won't be able to resist burying myself in it! Favourite so far is PoA.

#36, Kerian, a friend bought me a box over a year ago and I'm still afraid to try them! There is definately a "vomit" and "earthworm" in the box.. makes me nervous.

#33 - I'm with you on the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, I just bought it yesterday, to my great delight. I've seen the Keira Knightley version and Bride and Prejudice, enjoyed them both, but the BBC version is SO GOOD. Colin Firth is a bonus. >>

I'd be very afraid to try Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. I think the dreading would make it a bad experience, I'll stick to reading about them.

#42 leftty and #43 littlebookworm:

Come on, they're only beans! Just candy! :)

Heh heh... The Bertie Botts aren't all that bad - the grass flavored ones are my favorite!

Yeah, I forgot to mention the older version in like, 5 parts that I watch on public television sometimes. They're all great

Yeah, candy that tastes like vomit! Give me a Snickers any day. ;)

#46 lefty:

Um, okay.

Here you go! *throws snicker bar at the thread. snickers drops on the desk*
. . .
Hmm, doesn't seem to work. Sorry! :)

Do not eat the vomit ones!

#48 _Zoe_:

LOL - I take it you have?

Some kids I know say that one tastes like pizza. What do you think? Do they need their taste buds examined? :)

#36
I have tried them and have even given them to my little sisters. TO see their reactions was sooooooooo funny. I don't think they trust me to this day.

#49 Hehe unfortunately yes. And not even a whole one, we cut it into pieces so that everyone could try.... The worst part was the aftertaste. I thought that once I had eaten it, the taste would be gone, but no.

#51
I did the same thing....and I completely agree with you. It has such a bad aftertaste.

#51 _Zoe_:
I cut them up when I had them last, too! One of my sisters and I sat there saying "You try it!" "No, you try it!"

#47, lol -- thanks for the effort, kerian.

I can't believe some of you have actually eaten the vomit ones!!

Funny that grass doesn't seem to be so bad. Maybe I'll try that one someday. Anyone eaten a dirt-flavored one?

#54---> Hey that was an accident!

I've been wondering since yesterday, how do they reproduce that flavor? wakala

Heck, one could ask that about a lot of the "flavors" in Bertie Bot's. You can just claim magic in the series, but the actual beans? Who knows.

#57 lefty:
No problem! :)

Look at Jelly Belly beans. (I think the two are connected, or are the same people.) I know someone who when to visit their/one of their factories. She got free jelly beans on the trip. Nothing like vomit, though.

Anyone try sardine? That sounds so gross! I hate fish. (Don't really eat much meat, to be honest.)

Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans are made by Jelly Belly. There's a plant near where I live, and she had quite a nice display when the Beans came out. I use the awesome pouches as storage.

you would use those as storage. I don't buy them because I don't like eating vomit, pepper, or sardines... So I'd rather not. Although, the grass one wasn't horrible. Didn't really taste like grass (trust me), but it wasn't bad.

Anyway. Harry Potter makes me happy!

OH YEAH! I was going to go to mugglenet, then I got sidetracked. Thank you for reminding me!

I don't like them much at all. I think they're derivative, poorly written with often painful dialogue, full of plot-holes you could drive a semi through, and just - blah.

I do appreciate the fact that they have encouraged reading in people who would not otherwise necessarily read.

I absolutely hate how they have been hailed as new, exciting, unique. They are not remotely any of those things.

(My opinions have nothing to do with religion - I am not Christian.)

Different strokes for different folks, I guess!

#61--> I'm just curious.... how many have you read so far?

62 suge

I've read all of them. And I'll read the last one, too, most likely. Pretty much everyone (including some of my friends and family) talks about them, so I like to understand what they're saying. And my sister likes to take me to see the movies, and since the movies don't make sense if you haven't read the books...

Thanks, bluesalamanders :)

Sometimes people that haven't even read the books say that they hate them. I guess I'm keeping mental track of the statistics of People Who Hate Harry Potter: read vs. unread. hehehehehe At least you gave them a chance, too bad you didn't enjoy them! :}

bluesalamanders, could you give us some examples of these "holes?" I'm not saying there aren't, I'm just wondering what you consider plotholes.

I can't, I'm sorry. It's been several years since I read most of the books. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to google for something like that, though.

Edit: A quick google got me this and this .

I have been re-reading Harry Potter both because I like it and because I really would like to figure out why they are so enjoyable. I do admit that Rowling's writing is not great, nor is she original, or unique, to be honest no one is unique in literature, but I think in Harry she has created a character that everyone can relate to, and something in her books is warm and fuzzy and comforting. I just don't know what it is, but they have a feel to them that inspires me to want to read them again. They also have mysteries attached to them, which doesn't appeal much to me but does to a lot of the people I know. I think overall the worldwide fervor has inspired everyone to read Harry Potter, and I think there is something in there for almost everyone.

It's funny to see how the other half feel, thanks for the links bluesalamanders. lol... People war-game these books soooo much that it is no wonder they don't enjoy them.

suge -

I don't know what "war-game these books" means.

Oh, sorry, it means ummm.... over-analyze.

Huh. I don't see either of those links as over-analyzing. I read for pleasure. But I expect the books I read to be well-written with decent dialogue and reasonably hole-free plots (no matter what age group the book is supposedly written for), otherwise it's simply not enjoyable.

I don't think those people disliked the book because they analyzed them; I think they analyzed them because they disliked them.

Agreed on all counts.

Have you read any of the other sites in which they discuss Harry Potter "inconsistencies", or "Flints"? Some of the stuff I've read there is utterly idiotic..... that's war-gaming.

I actually agreed with some of the things link #1 said.

Hey, we all have opinions. Like I said before, it's funny :)

I agree with Suge. Some inconsistencies listed are quite ridiculous at times.

Bluesalamaders: I want you to know I wasn't referring to the links you listed. I'm going to check them later since my computer is being stupid.

I actually agree with some of the first link as well - Order of the Phoenix is by far my least favorite and it is largely because Harry irritates me so much in it and is so SO stupid. I know many people who liked it, but personally I was extremely disappointed when I finished that one for the first time.

I think JKR doesn't think so much when she writes, but she should realize that with so many readers, every small inconsistency will be picked up on and analyzed to a ridiculous extent. I prefer to just enjoy the books and not harp on what's wrong with them. I'd never claim them to be great literature, but I love them anyway. I don't expect everyone to, and I'm glad you gave me a different perspective, bluesalamanders.

littlebookworm -

You're welcome. As long as you don't try to convince me that I must love them, too ;)

Now, bluesalamanders, I insist that you must learn to love the books! Go reread them are prepare yourself to adore them, at once! ;)

Kerian -

Oh, you'd be surprised, the things people say...

bluesalamanders-

Hey, at least you gave the books a shot. I love the series, but the way I see it, you've well-earned the right to feel how you do about the series. Also, it's nice that you'd read the series for your friends despite that you don't like the books. :)

I don't think anyone should love anything, but I think everyone should give all books a try. I can't stand people who don't read something and proceed to criticize it. I have weird interests compared to most of my friends, so I'm far past expecting everyone to like something just because I like it. =)

littlebookworm -

I don't think people are required to read something before criticizing it, actually. To have some knowledge of it, yes, but to read it? Not necessarily.

For instance, I will criticize Da Vinci Code and Eragon without having read them. But I have read about them - from a variety of sources, pro and con - and heard about them from people who liked them and people who didn't.

I also don't think people have to give all books a try. If you're not interested in, say, westerns, or romances, or science fiction, or whatever, well, there are plenty of other things to spend your time reading.

I criticized The Da Vinci Code before and after I read it. Can't stand it.

hehehehe I'm reading Eragon now.... wait I have to go post in the literary crushes thread! *sighs, with a hand on her chest, and a dreamy look on her face*

I still like to read things myself, to form my own opinion of them. It seems to me that the more controversy there is around a book, the more I want to read it! ;D

suge:

Now it's my turn -> hehehe! :)

I definitely become more interested in a book when people want to ban it.

bluesalamanders - I just think that if you haven't read it, you can't really decide for yourself. I didn't really mean that everyone should try every book ever, but I do think they should try it before they say they definitely don't like it or criticize it. If you don't like it, you don't finish it, and then at least you know. You can assume you won't like something and stay away, but in my opinion you're never sure until you're read it. I like to form my own opinions and not go on what other people have said. I just trust myself over them. That's just my opinion though, yours is different.

For example, I criticized Harry Potter without ever reading it (admittedly only to my mother), and once I did read it, I didn't feel the same way. I thought Stephen King would be too scary for me, but once I read his books I basically fell in love with them. Now I don't judge unless I've read. I still stay away from books I think I'll dislike based on other people's opinions, but I don't know that I wouldn't like it myself, I just choose not to waste time or money on those books.

Controversy made me read The Da Vinci Code. Bad idea!

I didn't think The Da Vinci Code was all that bad... ending was horrible, but I liked the adventure and treasure-hunting side to it xD I'm also 17 and obsessed with controversy too... I thought Angels and Demons was better. Eragon... meh :/ Murtagh is the only reason I read it xD

As to giving books a try, I always at least TRY to read it, whether it's getting it off bookmooch.com, the library, or a friend. If I read the book and thought it was disgusting/boring/confusing, I just don't read any more of it. If I didn't LOVE Harry Potter so much, I wouldn't spend the hundred-some dollars on it. I think the links did prove some points, and I start to see some faults in the series as I mature in my reading, but it's always been part of me, growing up with the books for the past 10 years.

On that note, I go into fangirl mode: ZOMG LAST ONE IN 2 MONTHS *tearteartear*

I'm not a fan of thrillers or mysteries in general, and there are just levels of poor writing and bad characters that I struggle to deal with. My boyfriend liked it because he likes exciting stuff like that and it made him think a bit. He disliked Angels and Demons, though. After that he realized Dan Brown had a formula, and a kind of bad one, and decided to read my recommendations instead. =)

I'm with you, AlaskaYoung. I'm 17 and though I love the classics sometimes I just want something that'll make me giggle and fantasize, if only as a break for my brain. I, too, have grown up with Harry Potter (Dan Radcliff and I even have the same birthday), though I started reading the books before the hype. I love the books for the escape they supply. For me, the best books are the ones that completely take you away. Emily Dickinson said, "There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away," and it's totally true.

I've gotten to a point where I must admit that golden oldies (for me) like Harry Potter just aren't cutting it anymore. I still love the series, of course, and there are times I wish I could go to a magical boarding school, but after I read To Kill A Mockingbird my sophomore year I couldn't go back to simple.

Anyone else experience this?

Oh, and also:
I thought I'd hate The Da Vince Code, but I actually liked it. It just seemed a little too easy for the subject matter. On the other hand, I LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVED Angels and Demons. For some reason it appealed to me a lot more.

#87 sapiens:
Well...it was different once I started college. I stopped reading YAs in search of being more grown-up. I became embarrassed over books like Harry Potter, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, etc. As an English major, I thought I should be well-read when it came to classics, and I went in search of them. Since then, I've also discovered fiction, fantasy, and non-fiction. What I've come to realize is it doesn't matter. I can be an adult and English major, and still love the HP books.

By now, many of us have come to realize rather that the series is not simple but complex. I say this as I reread the series yet again and I look for missed clues to the next and final book. I also look at my shelf and see all those books written just to entertain and help readers understand the complexity of the series.

Now that I've said a mouthfull: basically, you're life will change so much over the next few years; you're going to take in a lot of books, and at last reach a place where you find yourself able to read anything, from things you enjoyed as a teenager to things you may enjoy as an elderly person. :)

Yes, I have DEFINITELY gone through the whole 'more mature' literature phase. After my mom started recommending books to me, I dare say that I started finding Harry Potter... boring. Just a bit. I started with, like sapiens, To Kill A Mockingbird sort of set me off on this Classics era I went into. I still pick up my teen romancey Sarah Dessen, but I've expanded my tastes.

By the way, I'm reading White Oleander now... one of the best books I've ever read.

#89--> Haven't read the book, but the movie was absolutely fantastic!

#89 Alaska Young:
Gasps. I never actually found Harry Potter boring. *whispers "How can you say that?"* :)
Funny you should mention Sarah Dessen. I had the movie tie-in to "How to Deal" in my BookMooch inventory, when it was mooched from me this morning.
I think I've seen that movie, too, though I'm not absolutely positive.

I know what you mean Kerian, I also lose track! I love books-turned-movies too!

I'm getting quite an assortment of DVDs since I stopped renting them from Blockbuster. I have trouble remembering which ones I saw as rentals. Aren't books-turned-movies awesome? On the backside of one of my DVDs (Ever After), it says it is also a book, but I've never found it. :(

I'm sort of iffy about books-turned-movies. The Harry Potter movies... they give the books some sort of justice, but being a hardcore Potter fan, I'd sit through 7 hours just so they'd put every little bit in xD. My favorites are all of the Pride and Prejudice films (didn't we talk about this before? xD), The Little Princess, and The Secret Garden. They leave some things out, but they keep the important things in and they turn out BEAUTIFUL. I STILL cry every time I watch The Little Princess or The Secret Garden... I think the worst book-to-movie is Eragon. It was SO friggin cheesy, and the egg was basically an oversized Viagra pill. Murtagh was nice to look at, though xD.

My favorite Harry Potter movie is... gah... I like all of them some way or another. SS/PS was just cute and pretty, and I remember way back when I watched it at the tender age of 11, I was scared of Voldemort and had a panic attack in my movie seat xD. CoS was my favorite book, and the Chamber scene was amazingly done. PoA was a really nice artistic film, from (dadadaaa!) the director of my fave book-to-movie, The Little Princess. GoF was funny, and I really like the art of the Lake sequence and the Voldemort Resurrection was really nice.

What is your favorite book to movie? Least favorite? What about your favorite Potter movie?

#94 AlaskaYoung:
I've watched those movies; they made me cry, too. I haven't seen the Eragon movie, though.
Hmm. When I watch movies, I tend to not now they're movie-tie-ins until later. I'm not sure which is my favorite, yet. I have to think over for the Potter movies, too. I keep hoping I'll end up liking another film better than the past ones. (I liked those ones, just not as much as I think I could have. Obviously, books and movies have differences. :)

heheheheh I love The Little princess/The Secret Garden (They come in the same DVD) too!! My mom loved it so much, I gave it to her :)

I agree, I would sit through countless hours of HP, as long as they stayed true to the book, and included more cool stuff in the movie! They should have a hardcore fan edition of the movies!

I know exactly what you mean. Right now I'm totally in love with Erangon!! I couldn't keep my eyes off him!! Did you see him with his shirt off??!! I thought Mortag looked a little creepy - those eyes!! I hated how they changed the story line. you're right Saphira's egg was a joke!!

# 95: Yeah, I keep liking the past movies more and more as I get older and new ones come out, as well as the the older ones.

#96: Haha... well, I'm sort of... *ahem* I hate labels, but if I had to fit into one, it would be "emo," and emo boys are HOT. Emo boys in LotR or other such attire is ESPECIALLY HOT. That makes Murtagh TEH HOT. xD pwn.

*ahem* I'm done fangirling for now. (maybe)

I've been watching The Little Princess and The Secret Garden since I was 3 and 6, we have the (now ancient) VHS versions of them. I actually watched them last night... and cried again.

EDIT: Speaking of The Secret Garden, Maggie Smith, who plays a magnificent Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films also plays Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden! Just a coincidence...

#97 AlaskaYoung.:
I've been wondering what other movies I saw her in. Thanks! :)