How many people in Wisconsin read Harry Potter?

Aithne_Rini · 07-16-2005, 03:35 PM

With the new book, The Half Blood Prince, comming out just today, I thought now would be a good time for such a question.

I myself am an avid reader of the books, and I like to think I can hold my own in a converstaion about them.

Please tell me what you think about the series.

**Kris10** · 07-17-2005, 10:41 PM

Good post! I have become a fan of the Harry Potter series. I'm usually not much for fantasy, but I got hooked on the wonderful detail in the series. You really feel like you're right there with the characters when you read the books.

My only complaint would be the time between books! By the time a new book comes out, I have to reread the previous books to remember what happened! I'm also terribly impatient, I confess I've been searching all weekend for spoilers! It doesn't spoil anything for me, knowing who dies. I still want to know how it happened!

I still have to order #6, but I needed time to get caught up!

andy · 07-18-2005, 08:52 AM

How suitable are they for an older audience?

Aithne_Rini · 07-18-2005, 06:14 PM

I know quite a few older people that read and love them. Some even much more than some of the younger people I know.

To what you said Kris, I am the same way, but I can't stand spoliers. Although most of the people that know won't even whisper it around me because of how mad I get.

I just almost want to wait until all the books come out and just read them all in one go.

andy · 07-19-2005, 01:14 PM

I have been looking for another series to read. I just hate getting into things when they are popular. :cry:

I doubt people are going to forget about Harry Potter any time soon though.

**Kris10** · 07-19-2005, 09:55 PM

Despite the popularity, this is definitely a good series to get in to. I can't imagine kids picking up as much detail as adults when they read the books. For a supposed children's series, I've had to go back and re-read a lot of things in the novels! They make you think and remembering detail is essential!

**LinksToThePast** · 07-20-2005, 06:47 AM

I was one of the adults in line on Saturday to get the book when Barnes and Noble opened.

If I recall there was only one kid under 10 with his father, there was maybe 2 in the 10-15 age bracket. The rest of the audience were 18-probably 60 something. Most in the 20-30 age group if I had to guess. Unless they were out buying for their younger siblings, I would say they were interested in the series. Many of them were preorders.

Definately worth checking out if you are into reading.

**keith** · 07-20-2005, 08:42 AM

Lots of anticipation at my house for the book. Whoever reads it has to plow through for the others who are waiting.

They're all fans of the author and I've heard the rags to riches tales about her.

The books on tape have made the rounds here, too, and everyone likes them. And of course - the movies - during which I hear commentary on the books.

Regards,
keith

andy · 07-20-2005, 08:45 AM

Maybe I'll check them out. I think I'm just afraid I will end up liking them :?

I hate being a part of pop culture hysteria.

Woah: http://yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_22620.shtml

Crys · 07-20-2005, 10:45 AM

Bah. The only problem with Pop Culture Hysteria is if you like something _because_ it's popular even though it's bad. If you like it, you do.

Besides, being counter-culture is trendy these days. You can't get away from it. It's a joke I've heard some of my fellow oldbie punks and goths use about the younger ones: "I want to be different and special, just like everyone else!"

On the Andy Borowitz link... "'In my heart I believe that could have saved Jude's life, even if he didn't have one,' she said." bwahahahahaha

He's got another Potter one on the same site: http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publis...le_22949.shtml "New Harry Potter Book Destroys Precious Rain Forest: 652-Page Tome Ignites Ecological Catastrophe, Sierra Club Warns"

taradellemann · 08-23-2005, 09:09 PM

I just wonder how they decide what to put in the movies and what not to cause i think some things in the books should have been put in the movies and they werent.Cant think of one right now but i remeber getting quite mad when reading them i actually started talking to myself ,my husband thought i was going looney.Now its even worse he bought me a HP computer game and he has to pull me away from the puter!

Watchman · 03-20-2006, 02:16 PM

Such an old topic, but with 5,000 plus members, we need a bump...

I have read the books, the first five, probably four times, and the last one twice.

The tapes/CDs are excellent, you can do your work and listen to the stories.

I don't think they're entirely childrens' books, as there are a few deep aspects to them.

Let's not have me start on the movies though; people go see them because they see 'Harry Potter', and yet, WB is perfectly willing to cut loads from them, to save time. Make them two parts, if you msut, but realize, people want to see the books; the the Director's twist on them, or his interpretation. You know you'll make three times what you put into them, so spend the dough.

The only downfall is the author is a bit "anti-American" and yet, her first book was worth 50K in the UK and we bought it for 200K here, and exploded it. Possibly, her 1 billion pound networth came from our free market since we cut the big check and we spread her books throughout the world. At least we helped immensely... Ah well.

taradellemann · 04-26-2006, 06:57 PM

I was quite impressed with the new movie they really put alot of detail into it this time yeah there were screwups but that happens with all movies.As for the book i loved it til the end not much else to say there.I am really thinking there is going to b more than people think i dotn think she can end it as easily as she thinks she can but time will tell i guess.

Rob1981 · 05-17-2006, 08:40 AM

I have read all the Harry Potter books so far, and thought they were good for the most part. I didn't like Order of the Phoenix much though, hopefully the movie will be much better than the book.

I hope the author keeps her word and ends it at book 7 (?), I can't remember if that's the right number or not. If she goes against her word, people will expect many more books and I don't think she wants to write Harry Potter for her whole life.

writeit · 08-15-2006, 05:55 PM

I'm going to weigh in here even though it has been a few months since the previous message was posted.

I absolutely love the Potter series. I have read all of them. Initially I didn't want to because I thought it was a children's series. Once I started reading them though, it was difficult not to read the next one. I had not gotten into a series that much since I was a teenager and I have recently celebrated the second anniversary of my 39th birthday. I have been reading a lot of self-help and leadership things mainly John Maxwell.

The best parts of the Potter books for me are the imagery and the underlying meaning. I get into the things he wants me to do, but it is not the same as just getting lost in the fantasy that the Potter books allowed. I could just sit back, read and imagine what was happening and how it looked. There is a lot of spirituality, morality and life lessons (for adults and children) in Rawlings' work: good vs. evil, supporting your friends even when it is difficult, rely on others for the support you need, dream no matter what stands in your way, work together to get the job done, your true friends are your friends for life and we all need at least a couple of really good friends, believe in yourself and the skills and talents you have, keep learning because no matter how much you think you know there is always something more to learn...and many more. I do not see how anyway has really believed these books to be witchcraft; they are more craft than witchery.

I agree with several others who said the movies lacked something, at least for me. The imagery was OK, but it was not as good as my imagination as I read the books.

I too stood in line at one of the smaller local bookstores just because I had pre-ordered the book and wanted to join the fun when the book was released. Many of the patrons that night were kids, but it was fun. I went home and started reading the book until I finally fell asleep with it--good thing it was the weekend.

I know the final book will be a tear-jerker, but I am looking forward to its release. I hated when the two books were released so closely and the writing was not as tight, meaning I didn't find myself in as much of an imagery world, so I am willing to wait to be sure it has the same quality as the first ones.