Thoughts about reading fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, new and old
In honor of Book Bloggers Appreciation Week, I’m giving away my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. For more BBAW giveaways, visit here and here.
Most people in the blogging world have already commented on this series. But, nevertheless, I will add that I enjoyed Rowling’s amazing creativity in writing this series, although I think her writing was pretty generic and nothing special; especially in the later volumes, Rowling could have fine tuned the novels a lot more. The fact that publishing deadlines and impatient readers affected the quality of the writing was regrettable. To me, Rowling is an example of an marvelous creative writer, not necessarily a great writer. (If you disagree, please don’t attack me. To each his own!)
My favorite books were Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I thought the first (Sorcerer’s Stone) was the most well-written and clever (it wasn’t too violent and yet all three major child protagonists had a significant role in the resolution). I thought Prisoner of Azkaban was the cleverest resolution. I disliked how violent the entire series got by Deathly Hallows, but I still enjoyed all of the series.
I’m sure I’ll read these books again, especially when my boy gets older.
For now, I’m giving away my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, along with a Harry Potter bookmark. The book is the hardcover British (Bloomsbury) edition and has only been read two times, so it’s in great shape. (My other Harry Potter books are the American versions, and I only got the British version this time because I was living in Australia last year.) I’m willing to ship it anywhere in the world.
To enter this BBAW giveaway, please leave a comment with what you loved most about the magical world of Harry Potter. In other words, what magical thing do you wish you could have in your life? Quidditch? Flo Powder? Dumbledore’s putter-outer? Diagon Alley?
For me, I really wish I had a time turner. I can always use more time!
Giveaway ends September 19, 11:59 p.m. CDT, but you can still comment on the post after that! The winner will be selected by a random number generator. Only one entry per person.
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This blog is a collection of my thoughts about books and reading and reviews of books I've read. I'd love to hear your thoughts, too. Please share!
From October 2008-July 2009, I'm hosting the Really Old Classics Challenge.
Also, as an ongoing personal challenge, I'm reading all the works on the How to Read and Why reading list compiled by Harold Bloom. I'd love for you to either join me in this challenge or to follow along with me as I try to learn to read well.
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 8:51 am
I loved Harry Potter! I thought it would be easy to think of what my favorite part of the magical world would be, but it’s hard. I think I liked the new creatures and spells and places that popped up in every book, they were always a surprise to me. If I could have anything, it would be a magic wand. I always thought being able to cast spells would be pretty awesome.
Heather J.
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 9:01 am
Excellent contest! I’d love to have the British version of the book!
My favorite thing is the mix of magic and reality in the Harry Potter world - that’s something I’ve always loved about Fantasy in general, and it was my definite favorite thing about these books. I mean, HOW COOL would it be to have magic as a part of daily life?!
Queen of the Click
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 10:02 am
I’m with you on having time tuner power. I also would like do over button so that can redo certain situations inwhich I didn’t do my best or didn’t project my best self.
Ruby
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 11:07 am
I am a total sucker for Harry and one of the things I would love to have is Buckbeak. He is soo cool and I love the fact we could fly anywhere we need to go. Of course, I would have to keep him from eating anyone. LOL!!
Amanda
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’ve got to admit I’m a big HP fan. I didn’t read the series until after book 6 came out, but then I became completely addicted. When we moved across the country and the HP books were the only ones that were unpacked for six months while we looked for a house, they became my touchstone, my stress reliever. I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve read the first six books over 20 times each, and I’ve probably read Deathly Hallows 5 or 6 times now. Whenever I want something light, I head back to my Potter shelf, which feels like a staple.
I do agree with you that the writing was pretty generic. I was particular irritated with repetition and useless words like quite, rather, and apparently. I lament the time constraints that lead to less good editing. My two favorites in the series are Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half-Blood Prince. The only one I don’t really like is the Goblet of Fire.
I think it would be fun to have a magical broom so I could fly. That’s what I think of off the top of my head. You don’t need to add me to the contest, though - I have all seven of the books, so someone else should get your copy.
Jena
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I’ve recently hooked my workout buddy on HP, and she’s so excited now and isn’t (too) embarrassed to be reading “kids” books. But my 7th book is at my Mom & Dad’s in Ohio, I want to reread it now, and I’d love to read another British version–my friend picked me up HP#3 when she was in London and I just read it a couple months ago… very funny reading “torch” instead of flashlight…
As to what I most want from Harry’s world… I think I want the Weasleys for neighbors… or maybe a wand. No, I think I want the Weasleys more than I want a functioning wand.
Lindsey@A Kindred Spirits Thoughts
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 2:28 pm
My favorite part of the Harry Potter world is the Weasley house, the “clock” they have, and the magical housecleaning… hehe Thanks for the giveaway, I would be beyond thrilled to win!
Lindsey
Amanda
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Wow. What a great giveaway! To be able to fly around on a broom would be great I think. But silly-wise I love the paintings that talk and move. It’s great!
Evie S.
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Awesome. GREAT giveaway!
Uh… to anwer your questions, in the world of Harry Potter, I would love to have Hogwarts school of witch craft and wizarding. I think that would be awesome!
Please enter me.
Evie S.
Judy
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Really cool giveaway. It’s so hard to choose what magical aspect of Harry Potter I wish were real, but I think I’d have to say apparition. It’s just…SO COOL. I would pull a Fred and George Weasley and apparate all over my house…hehehe….however, I could do without the splinching, thanks.
Linda
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 5:02 pm
My favorite part about the magical world is the pensieve.
Traci
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I adore Harry Potter. It’s hard to pick just one thing - I’d really like it all. If I had to pick one aspect, I guess it would be Hogwarts. I’d suffer through high school again if it could be there.
Traci
Lauren
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 7:07 pm
One of my favorite objects was the Pensieve.. it would be so nice to store your memories and be able to relive them again! That and all the mystical creatures - dragons, trolls, unicorns, phoenixes.. So cool.
Jenny
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 9:49 pm
My favorite things are the Room of Requirement and the Marauder’s Map.
3m
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I have all the books except this one!
I would love to be able to just make feasts ‘appear’ and then magically disappear when everyone’s finished!
Theresa N
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 7:32 am
I love Hogwart’s, the school with the mostest everything.
Kristi Valiant
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 8:33 am
I’d have to say the Marauder’s Map. I like to know where people are.
Mandi
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I’ve only read the first four books but would like to finish the series next year so please enter me.
I don’t know what my favorite magical thing is, I’m probably with you on the time-turner though. I could use one of those.
sandy
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 5:35 pm
How cool would magical powers be? The invisible cloak/cape or the way you could travel so quickly. It would be amazing to travel so quickly.
Book Dads
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I am a big fan of Harry Potter, tried to read the first book to my 4 year old son. It was a little too much for him to sit still for, will try again later.
The magical thing I would most like to have is being able to transport from place to place through the fireplace. I’d do away with that awful money pit known as a car.
Sunny
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 9:21 am
Definately the wand!
sj3girls(at)hotmail(dot)com
tanabata
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 10:21 am
Don’t enter me, I already have the British edition. Just wanted to say that I totally want a time turner too! I’m always complaining that I don’ t have enough time to do everything I want.
valerie
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 10:36 am
flying would be such fun!
Chain Reader
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 11:57 am
I completely agree with your comments on Harry Potter–while the writing wasn’t excellent, the world she created was so detailed and complete, and the themes were powerful enough that I didn’t care. Some books are great writing, some books are great stories, and the masterpieces combine the two. But mostly I just loved the way I felt when I read Harry Potter.
I would like to put an original answer for what I would want of the magical world, but truthfully I would also want the time turner. Just think how much more I could read!
yessenia
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 4:43 pm
wow! i loved pretty much everything in the harry potter world and wish it was all here in real life. i guess the one thing i would want to have here are those wands. they are just soo darn awesome!!
Brandon
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I would like to be able to go to Diagon Alley. All the shops would be really cool to go to. I’d go to Weasley’s Wizard Weezes.
Brandon
sithbrandon@yahoo.com
Kathy Conley
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 11:08 am
My favorite thing is the ability to time travel - wish I could do that!
Elizabeth M.
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I love all the magical spells they do with the crazy words they say for them. I also like how they get to/from Hogwarts school!
Annie G
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Pet dragon named Norbert (I have a brother named Norbert but I think a dragon would be way better)!
israel y
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 6:10 pm
it would be amazing to have Quidditch as part of my life. i mean i love the sports we have right now, don’t get me wrong. hockey, basketball, football - they are all great. but adding Quidditch to the current professional sports would be pretty cool!
Peng
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Please enter me.
I also wish for a time turner.
Thanks
Book..Spot
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I really like the idea of pictures/photos/paintings being alive and animated…Though it might get annoying, I think that could be a lot of fun
Not that flying cars wouldn’t rock
-Lucile
LINDA MORGAN
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 11:23 pm
A MAJIC WAND THAT COULD DO MY HOUSEWORK, MY HANDS GIVE ME A LOT OF PAIN SO THAT WOULD BE MY LIFE SAVER….
Tiffany Beth Pettey
Friday, September 19, 2008 at 2:15 am
i love harry potter period: spells and the magical world….wish i could have cool companions in real life…i would love to win this
Samantha Pruitt
Friday, September 19, 2008 at 3:50 pm
a Thestral would be cool to have, even though i wouldn’t be able to see it, hahaha. maybe i’ll just stick to a hippogriff or make it easier and give me a broom. Having a port-keys would be pretty cool too, or Floo powder!
Diana Corlett
Friday, September 19, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I really NEED this prize because…I have not read a single one of the Harry Potter series! But other than that what I would like is the ability to turn back time…so the time turner would be my choice!
dlcwin[at]gmail[dot]com
Pamela White
Friday, September 19, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I loved the loyalty of Harry and his friends to each other and courage under difficult and sometimes deadly circumstances.
Rebecca Reid
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 8:22 am
Thanks to everyone who entered! Check out Rebecca Reads for the winner.
Amanda, thanks for your thoughts: such generic words were what I was thinking of. But it’s still so much fun, isn’t it?
Brice
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I’d have to agree with you, Rebecca. These books are incredibly creative and Rowling creates a completely original universe. But I don’t think they are great writing. The Prisoner of Azkaban was my favorite (so far, I’ve stopped after book 4). I liked how that story unfolded and was so enthralled by it.
Rebecca Reid
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Brice, I think the subsequent books keep unfolding and unfolding: they get much more complex, I think. A step beyond the simple stories of the first few. Do you intend to read the rest?
Brice
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I got bored with the fourth one. I started reading the series after the fifth movie, because as much as I enjoyed the other movies, I liked the extra depth of the fifth one. I got to the fourth book and was just having trouble getting into it. I think I’ll pick it back up after I get done with the other books I want to read.
Amanda
Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 10:07 am
Brice, if it’s helpful, many people consider the fourth book the slowest, most monotonous book of the series. There’s a lot of repetition and a lot that could have been cut out. The last three are far superior to it. When I’ve gone back to reread the series (which I’ve done too often), I usually skim most of book four.
Chain Reader
Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I have to put in my two cents and say that the fourth HP is my favorite!
Brice
Monday, October 6, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I’m going to give it another chance here soon. I’d really like to get through the series by the sixth movie. Pretty feasible with how far apart they are putting the movies…
valerie mabrey
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I loved the fact that when you read it the boks came to life. I liked the visions she gave me in the books more than I did the movies.