Harry Potter

[Patrick]

I have to disagree on the gaming magazine thing. People read them religiously like people read Teen People religiously. It all falls back on personal interests. I don't read gaming magazines (except when we get them for free). I do agree that video games are "good" and I enjoy them when I can.

 

One thing to remember is that reading isn't enjoyable unless you read something you are interested in. I am not going to read a book just to read it because it was written by so and so, etc. I am going to read it because I want to and am interested in reading it. If my interests lie in a few books, my interests lie in a few books. I'm not going to start going to the ballet - I don't like the ballet.

 

battousai16,

 

I don't understand. You're blaming Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, etc. for creating books that you sister likes to read and the fact that she chooses them as interesting for all of that? The HP books feature good spelling, grammar, a good stretch of vocabular and what have you (except when in character and trying to establish voice patterns, as with Hagrid.)

 

People should write book reports about books that get their juices flowing - it makes for a better report.

 

However, the problems you are talking about... I would think that that sort of guidance should come from a teacher or parent and not be blamed on a book being interesting. For instance, you must do a book report on so and so, not Harry Potter - if it is all that important. As far as grammar, spelling, vocabulary... that has nothing to do with Harry Potter. I mean, I didn't care two bits about English (this was before I had even heard of Harry Potter - I'm 19) and I really didn't learn a heck of a lot... I learned after high school by wanting to write - I wrote and got better. Some people learn in different ways, as well.

 

You can't blame a game for taking a kids time, you can't blame a book for taking a kids time, you can't blame grand theft auto (the crime, not the game) for taking a kids time. The fault generally lies with the adults around the kid, in my opinion.

[Drunken Monkey]

i should add that the gaming magazines we get here in the uk are actaully quite well written and are in fact aimed at a much older target audience; namely the 16-24 age group, as well as reaching for anyone up to 30 yrs of age.

 

there are also kids gaming mags but the kids don't really buy them cos even they know over simplistic, trash press when they see it....

[Patrick]

I enjoy gaming magazines when I get them. I just can't spend the money. But, if I ever hit the lottery, you bet I'll have some subscriptions.

[Drunken Monkey]

it's not that the kids want to read harry potter cos they're interested in them as books.

 

sometimes it seems like the kids only read the books because its the latest kiddie craze.

 

if you don't read them, you are more or less laughed at by your peers.

 

what i mean is, it is as if the kids aren't really interested in the reading, just wanting to have read the harry potter books.

 

i have no idea what it's like in the states but that is how it is here.

[Patrick]

Well, there are people in everything that like to be trendy. Fair weather fans and so on and so forth. That goes for everything.

 

However, I don't really know of any peers that laugh at you for not reading Harry Potter (that would seem more common in fashion). I've never heard of that before.

 

One thing is that people hear about them and want to experience them, so they read them and then make their own distinction.

 

But, all of this goes for every trend or craze, too.

[monkeygirl]

Hmm..yeah...I haven't heard about kids getting laughed at for not reading Harry Potter. Among my generation, you're more likely to get laughed at FOR reading HP. At least in my school, where everyone's too "cool" for a "kid's book". I, however, am secure in my dorkiness and read away.

[delta1]

I, however, am secure in my dorkiness and read away.

 

Good on ya!

 

The books are ok to just veg out with. Movies are never as good as the book, but HP3 was the worst piece of drivel I've seen in a long time. I'd rather sit through 'Killer Clowns From Outer Space' again than 'th Priz of A'. :(where's the barfing smiley?):

[monkeygirl]

Yeah I've heard mixed reviews about the movie. I'd like to see it anyway, just because I'm easily pleased by movies if I'm in the right mood.

[Drunken Monkey]

not quite luaghed at but not that far off.

 

teased maybe a better word but still not quite....

 

someone must know what i mean.

 

but you hit it bang on target by bringing up the idea of fashion or trends.

 

that's what i see harry potter as being; a fashion.

 

do the kids really like reading?

 

who knows....?

[Patrick]

Yeah, I'll agree with Tammy on the being laughed at for reading it.

 

I think I'll be pleased with the movie. The fact is... I like almost every movie I see in some way. I'm weird like that. So, a Harry Potter movie... that's gravy.

 

Do people really like bell bottoms? Do people really like the drive cars? Does that guy really like the Yankees? Do people really like that Internet thing? Like you said... who knows? You'll have to wait and see for individual folks. But, like I said, that goes the same every craze or trend.