Great. Was this because everyone else was reading these books and it got you extra cool points to be able to say you'd read them, and you'd feel left out and uncool if you hadn't? Or was it because you were interested and engaged with the books, even if you didn't quite get everything that was going on?
Umm because they were in my parents house, and I'd read all kids books and comics books in the house, and the backs of all the serial boxes and these were the next things I could find with funny parts. (What Shaw and Twain have in common is that they use a lot burlesque and humor that a seven year old can get.)
OK - I get your part about the peer pressure. But ya know what - I don't think it matters. For the most part a kid who reads Harry Potter solely due to peer pressure is not someone who would be reading anything otherwise. If you like to read in general you also know what you like and don't like. Also there is a whole different vibe in doing something from peer pressure because it is "cool" than in doing it because teacher makes you. A lot less likely to end up hating it later. My feeling is than anything that makes reading "cool" to kids is of teh foamy.
Also there is a whole different vibe in doing something from peer pressure because it is "cool" than in doing it because teacher makes you. A lot less likely to end up hating it later. My feeling is than anything that makes reading "cool" to kids is of teh foamy.
My thoughts exactly.
My only peer pressure reading experience was continuing to read the Xanth novels long after the shark had been jumped, though, so take that as you will.
Really, I should have quit after Night Mare. Or, you know, never started reading Anthony. But, in my defense, I did quit by the time I was twelve. (And then we get into my PJF period. The less said, the better.)
Ha! Beliefnet has a pastor writing a column to counsel people
who might be upset by the ending of HBP
after reading HBP. It's very darling. Spoilery too, but darling. [link]
Three-quarters of the way through HBP.
Boy, Harry really is a mean git, isn't he. I'm with Hermione on her annoyance with his depending on the Prince's help in Potions.
It's a very political book, isn't it, with all the references to the new Minister being so anxious to look like he's doing something about Voldemort that's he's throwing anyone in Azkaban on flimsy excuses, just so long as he appears strong. But it's not like JKR can't say, "Look, I've been setting this up for years, it's not like Voldemort and his reign of terror is a new development." Kind of like Lucas being twitted for interpretations of Ep III when we've all known the Empire was bad news for nearly thirty years.
Must read quicker, Hubby's waiting for his turn.
I picked up an interesting book from the discount bin (75% off) -
Supernatural Tales
by Vernon Lee. She was a writer in the late 19th century (real name, Violet Paget) and wrote one of the first books on 18th Century Italian music and theater. As a child from age 14 to 24 she became obssessed with 18th C. Italy and its culture and roamed around deserted villas like Doria Pamfili in Rome and did the research herself from original sources.
Anyway, these are basically 19th century ghost stories set in Italy and rich and detailed and bit decadent.
I re-read the HBP's ending and got a lump in my throat when Ron and Hermione told Harry they were going with him wherever he goes. I love their friendship. But now, because of Rowling's pattern of increasing the death ante with each book, I just can't shake the feeling that Ron or Hermione is going to die in the next one. I really, really hope I'm wrong.
Anyway, these are basically 19th century ghost stories set in Italy and rich and detailed and bit decadent.
That sounds like it would be fun in conjuction with The Devil in Music [link] , about an English dandy who goes over to Italy in the early 1800s and is involved with opera singers and murder and whatnot.
Maysa, I have a feeling
Ron and Hermione will live. She seems to really want them to stay together and have lots of babies. I don't know, however, whether she'll kill off Harry.
Maysa, I have a feeling
That it's a demon? A
dancing
demon--no, something isn't right here.
