talkmagic.co.uk

logically, any book no matter what can obviously be liked or disliked by 'someone'...some of the classics have left me cold, some that no one ever mentions are wonderful....

i must say though, i want to slap the Potter books out of adults hands when i used to see them on the train...

it makes me quite angry...

yes, yes...its just a book iain, its good for parents to understand what their kids are reading, and if they enjoy it iain - who are you to question it?

well, i question it cos one set of books doesnt make up for lazy parenting...

also - theres a million and more better books out there (i did count once) - that a kid could read and enjoy a lot more than Potter...

sherlock holmes is a good example...even The Hobbit is infinately superior in language and tone than Potter...

and i defy anyone to read The Damnation Game by Clive Barker and not be absolutely amazed at how good a book that is...spooky, gruesome (not mr) touching, beautiful and altogether horrific and thought provoking...one of my all time favourites...

Hey getting a kid to read is hard enough.

If the kid wants to read Harry Potter and its a method of interaction and you can use that to say, "Hey Treasure Island is really good to... or how about 20 leagues under the sea."

You can't be mad that a kid decided they liked the story and an adult decided they did too.

I watch childrens movies all the time because I LIKE them. I can appreciate it and I'm always amazed at what complexity they leave and they take out.

I mean obviously your opinion is your opinion but it seems awfully harsh and closed minded.

Seems to me that this thread is about as likely to provide a definitive answer as the other thread on 'What are the ten best card tricks'. I've never read Harry Potter and don't feel the need to but I know plenty of (alleged) adults who have and they enjoyed the books. A lot of them also enjoy things like the James Bond novels, both the original and the non-Fleming works, and many of the women like the Mills & Boon stuff as well. DaVinci Code was one of the blockbusters of recent times, plenty of controversy and publicity but it was still only a fictional work. I've been buying a lot of books recently about magic and magicians, life stories and autobiographies rather than how to do tricks stuff, but I'd bet few of my friends would see them as worthy reading material. A couple of weeks ago I was in our local Waterstones and the array of novels was gobsmacking - no way could anyone read them all in lifetime so there has to be a selection process and if my choices are different to anyone else's then fine, just don't disturb me when I'm reading OK?!

Interesting to see 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea mentioned.

At the risk of starting a flame war, I have to voice my opinion that while Verne was a pioneer of his genre and a truly imaginative individual, he wasn't a particularly good or engaging writer. I found myself ploughing through his books because they were regarded as 'worthy'.

Pete

Oh, and I thoroughly disagree with the notion that kids' books should be out of bounds for grown-ups.

Escapism is escapism, says I.

Besides which, I won't have anyone tell me that I shouldn't indulge in AA Milne's Pooh stories!

pcwells wrote:Oh, and I thoroughly disagree with the notion that kids' books should be out of bounds for grown-ups.

Escapism is escapism, says I.

Besides which, I won't have anyone tell me that I shouldn't indulge in AA Milne's Pooh stories!

Damn right about Winnie the Pooh! I try to read the Pooh books at least once every 18 months because there is something so charming about the stories and one of my first memories was listening to the tape of them during long car journeys.

I try not to be pointlessly nostalgic about things though, which I guess is why I also try to read The House of Leaves every 18 months too! I just started it again two nights ago and I'm already having trouble sleeping!

pcwells wrote:Oh, and I thoroughly disagree with the notion that kids' books should be out of bounds for grown-ups.

I always look through the teen and young adult books in Borders when I get chance to visit. My favourite novel of all time is one written for children: The Giant Under the Snow by John Gordon. I couldn't care less who the target audience is if the story is good.

I just want to say that I'm sick to death of everything Twilight. I could go on and on but I'll leave it at that.

pcwells wrote:Oh, and I thoroughly disagree with the notion that kids' books should be out of bounds for grown-ups.

Escapism is escapism, says I.

Agreed completely Anyone who refuses to do or read anything because "it's for kids" are dull

And I still believe that 'Winnie The Pooh' anf 'The House at Pooh Corner' are the best examples of Great Storytelling and Beautiful Writing you'll find anywhere. The way his use of language alone can make me giggle is a true talent.