Harry Potter is a troublemaker. I mean posting about him is bound to bring some type of discord. I wrote a post about one of those books and got lambasted for liking a children's book. I am not a genre snob. I certainly cannot dismiss a good book simply because it fits into a genre that other people think themselves too good for. But, apparently admitting to liking the Harry Potter stuff is akin to admitting you have no taste or intellect.
Why?
I finally figured it out.
Its because Harry Potter is a troublemaker.
So why am I not the least bit surprised that the Harry Potter series has topped the ALA's list of most challenged books of the 21st century? That Potter. Always making trouble for someone.
Comments (21)
Uh-oh...I have no taste or intellect either!
Posted by Marg | June 3, 2008 10:50 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 22:50
Huh.
Well, I think all those other people have no taste or intellect.
Harry Potter is certainly marekted for young adults but it is written the way adult books are written: ie complex story lines, multiple levels of acion and innuendo and delving into real, honest to goodnes emotions and issues in ways that childrend books just don't.
So Phoey to the naysayers!
I have to say, I do kinda like troublemakers, too!
Posted by Terrapreata | June 3, 2008 10:52 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 22:52
Its amazing how many people look at me funny when asked, "What did you do last night?" "Oh, not much." I respond "Just reading a good novel."
Soon, people will lose this ability, just like we've lost the ability to speak properly.
Ok that last part is a bit of baloney, but it felt good to say it!
Posted by omninaif | June 3, 2008 10:53 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 22:53
well, you are not alone. I too, have read all the HP books...before my daughter even got to look at them! They would arrive and I would start reading it immediately...
They are wonderful books, and I am always grateful for any book that gets kids reading.
Posted by dawn | June 3, 2008 10:54 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 22:54
Its Click and comment Monday.
have a Blessed Week
Posted by patty | June 3, 2008 10:57 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 22:57
If it makes you feel better, I just admitted to watching Disney movies and was branded a "2 year old".
Posted by Jenny | June 3, 2008 10:58 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 22:58
I've not read any of the Potter books. But among my acquaintance are lots of adults with discerning tastes who have read them and enjoy them.
And Jenn, I watch Disney films as well. Some are very good.
Never let a snob make you feel guilty because their artistic prejudices and pretenstions limit them in what they're willing to read or view.
Posted by Mark Daniels | June 3, 2008 11:26 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:26
people who make fun of you because you like Harry Potter really suck. I love HP, and have all of the books and read all of them at least twice. Plus they're the kiddie covers not the stupid adult covers they have out to hide that you're buy a HP book.
How sad. Bleh ignore them..they lack taste.
Posted by karoline | June 3, 2008 11:28 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:28
Isn't that always the way? People who love kids stuff are always branded childish, hmm.. dr. john sent me!
Posted by Smythe | June 3, 2008 11:28 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:28
I've never read a Harry Potter book and have no intention of ever doing so, but each to their own. Dr John sent me.
Posted by Basil Dray | June 3, 2008 11:29 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:29
my kids are some of the many that just love him and his adventures. dr.John send me your way.
Posted by Chana | June 3, 2008 11:30 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:30
I cannot comment about Harry Potter...have not read the books or seen the movies. I did read the list and cannot comment on those either...I have only read one (Of Mice and Men). Boy, I sure wish I could comment something intellectual so I will leave you with this....Did you know George Washington's only son died in the last battle of the Revolution? It was his only battle and he was the last person to die in this battle due to illness.
Oh, Sent by Dr. John, a guy who has too much time on his hands and thinks the rest of us do, too (just kidding...we love going to his link picks!).
Posted by lorilinna | June 3, 2008 11:31 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:31
I've only watched the first movie and never read the books. He just may be a troublemaker with all of this magic stuff. A great read would be Harry Potter at age 55. I bet he'll have deep seeded emotional issues from what I've seen so far. Stopping by via a bit of Dr. John magic.
Posted by Margie | June 3, 2008 11:32 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:32
Well, guess what? I still read some of the books my 14 year old brings home from the library. And, I'll admit it- I like them. So, I guess I am not very intellectual either. Now, if I admit that I read Dr. John's (but not Dr. Seuss) stories about white rabbits in sweaters, dragons and old ladies with shotguns I wonder what that makes me? I don't know, but no matter what it is, I don't care because I know I have plenty of company!
Posted by Cindy | June 3, 2008 11:33 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:33
I was appalled to find one of my favorite books of all time "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card in the Young Readers section of my local bookstore... What?!? It's an awesome book with some political elements that would be totally lost on a "young reader". It just goes to show that classification doesn't always work as well as we think.
I gotta go now... I'm in the middle of Dr. John's Marathon!
Posted by Cuppojoe | June 3, 2008 11:34 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:34
I love Harry Potter and have read all of his books. So have my grown children. I also own the videos but I have read the books a number of times. I have also been attacked by my friends because of the use of magic as un christian or something. Dr John has also read them I know this to be true.
Posted by bettygram | June 3, 2008 11:35 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:35
I never heard of it. This is the first time. Thanks for letting me know.
Just passing by from Dr. John.
Posted by Friday's Child | June 3, 2008 11:36 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:36
OMG.. I love harry potter...
Oh ya.. I'm here cuz of that marathon thingy of good 'ol Dr. John..
Posted by ARtsy | June 3, 2008 11:37 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:37
I have a friend in her 50s that loves the Harry Potters books! Here by way of Dr John.
Posted by Catch | June 3, 2008 11:37 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:37
I get that a lot. It's too tiring, defending the Harry Potter books all the time, especially those who are too close minded to read them. Like someone else said, it can be read on different levels and is even better written than other "adult" books they brand "intellectual". The books are easy to read, yes, but that doesn't mean they're stupid. I mean, come one. The HP books got kids to read again (including me...when I was a kid a few years ago) and got them to explore other reading materials. As a result, they'd learn more things and maybe even get to read those "adult intellectual books snobs talk about. Would those kind of books get the kids to read? No. So they should even thank HP. Argh. I love HP so much.
Posted by tplee | June 3, 2008 11:38 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:38
Saw this when doing research on "banned books". I, too, get irritated by the more erudite than thou crowd who wouldn't dare sully their fingers with a "kiddy book". Many of my favourite pieces of literature continue to be books like "The Westing Game", which I fell in love with as a child.
Posted by Greg | June 3, 2008 11:39 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 23:39