I am about to start reading Harry Potter for the first time. My reasons for doing so are many (I ranted about some of my complaints here: http://aubreyhansen.com/2013/06/stop-di ... t-wizards/), but primarily I am reading it for study. As both a fantasy and a YA author, I have much to gain by studying Rowling's wildly popular work. Add in the fact that I'm a Christian writer so the moral debate surrounding Harry Potter is relevant to me, and this could get quite interesting.

To that end, I was wondering--is there anyone here who hasn't read HP before, or hasn't in a long time, and is also interested in reading it for study? I would very much like to discuss the first book with you, as well as the others if I get that far. Those who are longtime fans of the series are welcome in this discussion as well, but I'm particularly interested in sharing the journey with fellow writers who haven't taken the plunge before.

Any takers?

I've never read them. I don't think I ever will; I would have in order to take part in this little venture with you, but I don't have the time or energy right now to hardly read kiddie chapter books, let alone the Harry Potter books. Sorry about that; I hope you find some takers!

I'm actually reading the first book right now. (About half way through.)

I already have a lot of thoughts but I don't want to go off half cocked. (And none of those thoughts have to do with the "magic")

Oooh. I may be a taker... even if not, I'll still be interested in your thoughts. I'm a HP fan and have read the first 4 books, I think. Where do you plan on having your discussions?

We are gonna talk right here in this thread. *points* So stick around!

Cool! Good timing, Joe. I plan to start the book either today or tomorrow. It was originally my weekend project but that's not happening , so it'll be this week's reading project.

Alright! I might join in then.

I'll join you when I pick it up from the library on Tuesday to start my first reread of the series.

Sweetness!

I think I read Harry Potter until Book 6 and I've seen the first movie. I do want to do this book study with you all, but I'm just not sure I can get/borrow the books. And find time to read them all.

I finished it last night. I'll hold off though till ya'll all finish it.

I'm trying to decide if i want to read the second one or not. I probably will since I haven't got much to read right now.

Idril, we'll probably be talking for awhile, so join in any time. This thread isn't going anywhere. Other people can always post on it in the future if they want to resume the discussion.

Awesome, Joe! I have to finish a script and have a story meeting tonight, but my goal is to at least get this started.

I would consider joining in, but I have to get the book, and I don't foresee getting it picked up any time soon.

Sadly I can't join in with this either. At least not this time, but maybe another time with another book.

I picked it up today, and started reading it. Two things struck me with the first sentence. First, it is definitely very British, and at the beginning, definitely a children's book. A bit like Roald Dahl, I think, though I don't remember if he was English or not.

So next time I read a book I should start a thread and invite y'all to play along, is that what you're saying?

Finally got started on this! I'm not very far in, but I do like Rowling's style so far. The story has an innocent whimsy that makes the fantasy enjoyable. Her dialog and narration also has a humorously blunt quality to it.

Her writing style doesn't seem to work for me. Its right on the boundary of whimsy and its somewhat jarring when she takes it to far sometimes.

I'm wondering if it will sober up as Harry (and, I presume, the target audience) grows. Some of the later movies look rather dark.

*drags in a beanbag and some snacks* Then I'm here to stay.

Yay!

*snoops in Idril's snacks* What'd you bring?

Somewhere around Goblet of Fire is when things get much more serious, and a lot darker, I think, because that's when Voldemort really returns.

*decides to be smart and not click on spoiler this time*

*peers into Mary Poppins-ish bag*

A bit of everything. Cookies, cakes, brownies. Some salty food like potato chips, nuts. Some fruits (gotta be healthy, you know ). And root beer of course. Lots of root beer.



I cannot recall up to which Harry Potter book I read, but I do remember when I felt that the books were getting darker,because Voldemort was returning and his power was getting stronger.

That's the beauty of these books. They grow up as Harry grows up. And, if you were my age when the books first came out, you grew up with Harry, which I think is really cool. You will not regret the read, I promise you that.

Yep. Dumbledore is quite the character. His humor is spot-on for me.

*laughs*

Plus, it speaks a touch of Spanish, which I really liked.

I picked the next two up from the library today and I'll start them soon.

Did you finish book 1 already, Varon? I've been making steady but slow progress.

Yep. It's fairly short for a HP book and I managed to finish it in one day.