JK Rowling, UK Darling

[techieMoe]

My girlfriend recently gave me the first couple of books in the Harry Potter series, and I must say (despite all efforts to the contrary) I enjoyed them. Well, let me qualify that. I enjoyed the first FOUR books. I'm trudging through the fifth right now and it's an exercise in patience. Part of me wants to throw it out the window, and part of me says "Just wait it out. It sucks, I know, but you've got book 6 to look forward to."

I'm sure this doesn't mean much to most of you, I just needed to vent.

[fingal]

Harry Potter has rapidly become part of popular culture over here. I've seen about two of the films, but the books don't really appeal to me for some reason (too old maybe).

Or maybe it's because I'm a muggle! Still, I enjoyed the films.

Fantasy is a great genre when it's done well.

[DThor]

I have tremendous respect for the phenomena her books have created, it's great that so many more kids are reading, and from what I've heard it's not hack writing like much of the tween and teen market. I started reading at a very young age and ate it up, I credit much of what I am today with reading, reading, reading(take that for what it's worth ). I'll admit I've never had the slightest desire to read her works myself, though. Most people I know that have read it either have kids, or like yourself, are cajoled into it by loving others . Surely it must beat reading Stephen King, though, right?

I'm in the middle of Steven Pinker's The Blank Slate, which I'll admit is making me drop off early. Maybe I should look at this wizard stuff...

DT

[techieMoe]

Most people I know that have read it either have kids, or like yourself, are cajoled into it by loving others . Surely it must beat reading Stephen King, though, right?

I actually quite like most of Stephen King's books, up to a point. He's wrote some stinkers too (*cough* Desperation *cough cough* Insomnia) but overall I like his stuff. In the case of Order of the Phoenix, however, I'd gladly trudge through one of those two again rather than keep reading this one.

[DThor]

Note to self: ignore pleading to read Potter books

Yah, King has the narrative writing thing down pat, you can gobble up his writing like a yummy, cheesy pizza. I guess I just OD'd on him years ago. The Stand was the last thing of his I read. Good book, but I'd had enough.

DT

[techieMoe]

Note to self: ignore pleading to read Potter books

Yah, King has the narrative writing thing down pat, you can gobble up his writing like a yummy, cheesy pizza. I guess I just OD'd on him years ago. The Stand was the last thing of his I read. Good book, but I'd had enough.

DT

A lady I work with says she's also a fan of King's older stuff (The Stand, It, Salem's Lot) and she's really liking his newest, The Cell. I'm kind of curious. When and if I ever finish this Potter series I'm thinking of picking it up.

[fingal]

I'm in the middle of Steven Pinker's The Blank Slate, which I'll admit is making me drop off early. Maybe I should look at this wizard stuff...

DT

It's just possible you might enjoy reading 'The Once and Future King' by TH White. It's not perfect, but the Merlyn character is strangely comforting and a lot of fun. In fact, it's a 'must read' type of book. It's worth noting that the book is a strange mixture of comedy and tragedy.

Other than that (TH White was a Brit) you might like the novels of Raymond E. Feist - A good starter is 'Magician'. You won't regret reading those because they're very literate and intelligent books in their own way.

[techieMoe]

On the subject of books I didn't want to keep reading but felt obligated to, I trudged through Terry Goodkind's Wizard's First Rule and felt drained afterward. Not one I recommend to fantasy fans... unless they like S&M.

[Giles]

Book 5 in the Harry Potter series is very sub-standard, but if you enjoyed the first ones you'll like the Half-blood Prince (the 6th book) as well. I'm working on the theory that the Order of the Phoenix was just a temporary aborration, and she's back on track again now

Whilst we're on the subject of books, are there any other Pratchett fans out there?

Toodle-oo
Giles

[fingal]

Whilst we're on the subject of books, are there any other Pratchett fans out there?

His books are okay in small doses. That's not a put-down: he's very funny and very truthful in a way. After a while, I find I can't read any more of them ... a bit like eating popcorn.

I really like the book he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman called 'Good Omens'. My favourite part is where 'The Anti-Christ' names his dog: the so-called 'Hound from Hell'... with hilarious results.