Thursday, 21 July 2005
Harry Potter
Oh to be J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books. For the latest book that just came out last week, 6.9 million books were sold in the first 24 hours. The previous record was 5 million 2 years ago for the previous Harry Potter book. J.K. Rowling is just printing money right now. She literally is worth more than the Queen of England and might overtake Oprah one of these days as the world’s richest woman.
For all the naysayers that postulate about how we shouldn’t be glorifying books that detail wizardry, I say it’s a premise based on incorrect assumptions. Harry and his friends always use their powers for good and the villains all get their comeuppance. They are classic tales of good versus evil, with the good side always winning in the end.
In today’s age of the internet and video games and hundreds of TV channels, I find it refreshing that kids are waiting at midnight to buy a 700-page book. Anything that encourages kids to read is a positive to me. I might be biased towards reading because that is what I did as a kid as opposed to playing video games. While I was decent at sports, I stunk at video games and gave them up at an early age and concentrated on reading. It was the best choice I ever made as a kid. I had over 130 Hardy Boys mystery novels, along with assorted other action books and some sports biographies thrown in the mix too.
I didn’t get in on the Harry Potter craze until 3 books ago when, a week prior to it coming out, Newsweek printed the first 2 chapters. I was hooked right then and there and bought the first few books. For stories that are geared towards kids, they are surprisingly spellbinding for adults to read too. I liken it to the Pixar movies. They are geared towards kids but is there any adult out there who hates Toy Story or Monsters Inc. or Finding Nemo? If you do, you’re definitely in the minority.
The people who make fun of these kids who dress up as Harry and Hermione and Ron are probably the same assholes who picked on kids who were smaller than them in grade school and high school. I’m not saying Harry Potter is for everyone, but I do think that when a book sells millions in its first week and 80% of the buying audience is under 15, that’s a triumph for education.
Oh yeah, and the first 3 movie adaptations have been pretty damn good too and haven’t strayed too far from the books.
For all the naysayers that postulate about how we shouldn’t be glorifying books that detail wizardry, I say it’s a premise based on incorrect assumptions. Harry and his friends always use their powers for good and the villains all get their comeuppance. They are classic tales of good versus evil, with the good side always winning in the end.
In today’s age of the internet and video games and hundreds of TV channels, I find it refreshing that kids are waiting at midnight to buy a 700-page book. Anything that encourages kids to read is a positive to me. I might be biased towards reading because that is what I did as a kid as opposed to playing video games. While I was decent at sports, I stunk at video games and gave them up at an early age and concentrated on reading. It was the best choice I ever made as a kid. I had over 130 Hardy Boys mystery novels, along with assorted other action books and some sports biographies thrown in the mix too.
I didn’t get in on the Harry Potter craze until 3 books ago when, a week prior to it coming out, Newsweek printed the first 2 chapters. I was hooked right then and there and bought the first few books. For stories that are geared towards kids, they are surprisingly spellbinding for adults to read too. I liken it to the Pixar movies. They are geared towards kids but is there any adult out there who hates Toy Story or Monsters Inc. or Finding Nemo? If you do, you’re definitely in the minority.
The people who make fun of these kids who dress up as Harry and Hermione and Ron are probably the same assholes who picked on kids who were smaller than them in grade school and high school. I’m not saying Harry Potter is for everyone, but I do think that when a book sells millions in its first week and 80% of the buying audience is under 15, that’s a triumph for education.
Oh yeah, and the first 3 movie adaptations have been pretty damn good too and haven’t strayed too far from the books.
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Posted By James at 8:42 AM
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21 Jul 2005
Deanna
I agree with everything you said. I worked at the bookstore when book 3 came out. I refused to give in to the hype surrounding the series and hadn't read any of the books. A few days before book 3 came out, I started reading the first one. I believe it took me about 5 or 6 days to complete books 1, 2, and 3. They really are excellent books. And don't let them bash on you for reading the Hardy Boys. I read a lot as a kid too and read Nancy Drew. (And yes, I even read some Hardy Boys!)
Deanna
I agree with everything you said. I worked at the bookstore when book 3 came out. I refused to give in to the hype surrounding the series and hadn't read any of the books. A few days before book 3 came out, I started reading the first one. I believe it took me about 5 or 6 days to complete books 1, 2, and 3. They really are excellent books. And don't let them bash on you for reading the Hardy Boys. I read a lot as a kid too and read Nancy Drew. (And yes, I even read some Hardy Boys!)
21 Jul 2005
Antagonist
So does this mean it took James THIS long to finish The Half-Blood Prince?
Antagonist
So does this mean it took James THIS long to finish The Half-Blood Prince?
21 Jul 2005
Jim
Correction: JK is on Forbes list this year listed as a billionare! More power to her, she worked hard, and deserves it. I would be happy with 1 percent of that bank. She is the richest woman in England, and was a former teacher and on welfare w/ 1 kid when the 1st book came out. I remember reading that one of the publishers that originally rejected her 1st novel said that fantasy books are a DEAD genre! What a dumbass... Anyway I seen the movies...OK, i guess, and still have to finish the 1st book, but will eventually read 'em all. Some idiot up here in NYC waited on line 16 hours to get the 1st copy...
Jim
Correction: JK is on Forbes list this year listed as a billionare! More power to her, she worked hard, and deserves it. I would be happy with 1 percent of that bank. She is the richest woman in England, and was a former teacher and on welfare w/ 1 kid when the 1st book came out. I remember reading that one of the publishers that originally rejected her 1st novel said that fantasy books are a DEAD genre! What a dumbass... Anyway I seen the movies...OK, i guess, and still have to finish the 1st book, but will eventually read 'em all. Some idiot up here in NYC waited on line 16 hours to get the 1st copy...
21 Jul 2005
Hey Nerd Boy
130 Hardy Boys books? JK Rowling's life is a fairy in itself. Wasn't she on public aid when she wrote the first book and sent it out to a bunch of publishers? I seem to recall her editor saying he just happened to pick it out of the pile of wane be novels sitting on his desk. He admitted he doesn't have the time to read most of the novels he has sent to him. So she's lucky to even have the chance to succeed. Now she's worth hundreds of milions of dollars. Time to start writing a kids book. With some of the whoppers I've told during drunken stupors, I should be able to make up a nice little 400 page novel with ease...
Hey Nerd Boy
130 Hardy Boys books? JK Rowling's life is a fairy in itself. Wasn't she on public aid when she wrote the first book and sent it out to a bunch of publishers? I seem to recall her editor saying he just happened to pick it out of the pile of wane be novels sitting on his desk. He admitted he doesn't have the time to read most of the novels he has sent to him. So she's lucky to even have the chance to succeed. Now she's worth hundreds of milions of dollars. Time to start writing a kids book. With some of the whoppers I've told during drunken stupors, I should be able to make up a nice little 400 page novel with ease...
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