I've been wanting to read the Harry Potter books for a while now. Everyone who's read it has loved it and I know hardcore HP fans everywhere, so I thought I'd give it a try myself.
I thought of buying the entire boxset of the 7 books but I wasn't willing to pay full price, and when I saw someone selling it for 50, I immediately asked about it but it was on reservation. The books aren't so easy to find at the library either because they're always on loan.
However after some thinking as well as some reading of other series due to the hype around it, I decided that I am not gonna read Harry Potter after all, and I'm not going to try either. I've come up with 3 valid reasons so if you're a fan and you're reading this, please don't get mad at me.
1. It's not exactly my favourite genre.
In fact it's probably my least favourite. According to Wiki, the Harry Potter novels fall under the category of fantasy literature. They contain a few aspects of other genres but they're mainly categorised as fantasy. Never been exactly my thing.
I've liked books since I was a kid, and the HP books have been around since forever, even before the time I first started reading. There must have been a reason why I didn't pick it up despite it being everywhere; why my mother bought me all kinds of books that I liked but never Harry Potter. We both just knew it wasn't my thing.
And to tell the truth, wizards and witches don't exactly appeal to me. I'd read about werewolves, sure, and even a little sprinkle of vampires is okay but witchcraft and wizardry... Nah. [I watched the first film and was dragged to the fourth with my cousin, both movies of which I just did not enjoy.]
2. They're best read growing up.
I know a few Booktubers who read the books in their late teens and even early 20's. The most common complain they have is always "I should have read the books as a kid."
As someone who's turning 20 I don't think I should be reading middle grade books anymore. I read Percy Jackson last year, and while I enjoyed them a part of the experience was a bit spoilt due to the main characters being 12.
The main characters in HP grow older and wiser in the books, that I know, but I don't find myself relating to growing characters if I don't grow up with them. Is it just me? For now the youngest a character should be for me to enjoy the book would be at least 16.
3. I know a lot of what happens.
With fans and fan accounts everywhere there are spoilers every corner of Twitter. I know who dies, what who secretly is, who betrays who, yadda blah. Personally I wouldn't read a series I've been spoilt for; there won't be any emotional impact because I'd be expecting and waiting for it to happen.
The HP fandom is a strong one, to the extent that it's spoilt me on too many accounts. I got spoilt for The Mortal Instruments series quite hard, and that's probably why I'm not enjoying it even though I loved The Infernal Devices.
So no, I am not gonna read a series where I know exactly what's gonna happen here, there, and in the end.
great points! HP books are better than the movies when you let your imagination take place but tbh it teaches you importance of having friends, fighting for a good cause and hope. The best way for starters is to read all of them because youll appreciate how the stories became mature and more serious and magic isnt important. Thus, it teaches you more of moral values and things that you can relate in your real life story. If it wasnt for magic, people would still read it because the focus of the whole story is fighting for what is right, magic is just a bonus and makes people stick around longer, relishing the inner child inside. although it is a well written book, it is not for everyone. Books like this are what you called pop music in the music industry. or hollywood in the movie industry. So its good for everyone but it isnt a must nor will it be a regret. Youll appreciate the thought and efforts if the author if you were to read it now. Overall, I would say that its better to read it when youre 9, hence, you made a good point! :D
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