I am 18 and have'nt read any HP book. Every time I walk into a bookstore to buy a book I just watch the Harry Potter books on the shelves and finally decide to go for something more serious(like serious literature for adults). I love the movies and characters, but I'm hesitent to read the books, I just feel it's going to be a waste of time. If I do not read'em, will I be missing something? Specialy that my teen years are coming to an end!
2007-02-07 01:45:57 · 18 answers · asked by mariamofcairo 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
you only NEED to read the books if you feel the NEED to do what everyone else does. If you have to follow fads and trends. If you do, then go for it and read them. If you dont, then ignore that guilt you have over not reading them and be ok with the movies.
2007-02-07 02:07:31 · answer #1 · answered by dreamoutloud2 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am going to turn 27 in 3 weeks, and didn't start reading the Potter books till summer of 2005. (I know, I was a bit slow on the jump...lol). I love them! (And no, I don't have kids or cousins who got me into them...I have no plan on having kids, and my nephews are 3 years and 9 months old respectfully, so they're too young to read yet...) I did it wrong though...the first movie I saw was the Prisoner of Azkaban, plus I saw the other 2 movies before I started reading the books. I probably should have read the books first, but oh well. Don't feel you need something more "serious" just because you're 18. I think I read all six books in about 3 weeks (working full time 3rd shift at the time, or I would have had them done sooner). I plan on being at walmart at midnight on 7/21 just to get the book. (MAy end up staying up all night/day reading it, but oh well. Won't bug me any...and if my b/f gets pissed, oh well...)
2007-02-07 07:45:59 · answer #2 · answered by Cheyenne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you like the movies You will LOVE the books.
Trust me.. I waited until the 3rd movie to read the books. I love POA so much I wanted to read the book to see how different it was, from my experiences I have always loved the books better than their movies, and I was right, again. I actually started with the 3rd book and found out there was so much more to the story. Vital details from the book were missing from the movie & suddenly a lot of things made even more sense (like why Snape hates Harry so much)
It was only then that I realized I was missing out on a lot. So I started over with reading the 1st book. I have NOT been disappointed since. I own every movie and every book. I love the books a lot more. They give you more understanding to situations in the movie.
I could never suggest you read just one book they all have details the movies don't so start from one, you wont regret it! But POA & GOF are missing ALOT of great details. I was actually pretty disappointed with GOF the movie I like it & all but I love the book even more.
Happy Reading!
2007-02-08 17:57:59 · answer #3 · answered by mandad1084 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first two movies are very close to the books. However, starting with the 3rd (and definitely the 4th) there are a lot of great details that are left out. If you enjoyed the subject matter of the movies, then you will really enjoy the books. Go for it. I'm 29 and teach 4th grade. I hadn't read any of them until the fall of 2005 (virtual blasphemy for an elementary school teacher), and I decided to read them before the 4th movie came out. I ended up reading all of them in about 2 1/2 weeks. I love them just as much as my students.
2007-02-07 07:53:08 · answer #4 · answered by Brian D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't miss anything if you don't read them as a teen. I read them as an adult in my late 20's and early 30's and enjoyed them.
Read them if you have time and are interested. They are so popular for a reason. They are funny, a great story, and well written.
There is also something to be said for understanding the pop culture references. The first books are not too long and fairly easy to read. They get more complicated and longer starting with book 3. Not worse, just different.
If you are hesitant to spend the money on the books, get them from your public library. It's free, and that's what they are there for.
2007-02-07 02:07:25 · answer #5 · answered by suzykew70 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No except that ten years from now when they make "I Love the Zeros!" on VH1 and do a whole bit about the Harry Potter books you'll have no idea what they're talking about.
Abut seriously, they are good books, you should get some from your library if you don't want to spend money on six thick books. Read up to the end of third before you decide to drop them (I think in the page count, the first three are about equivalent to the sixth by itself).
2007-02-07 07:32:21 · answer #6 · answered by she who is awesome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a teen, and I know many other adults who have read the books. The books are definitely better. Especially the last 2. So read them. I skipped the first book, and went for the second. You can start reading at the third since you've probably been overloaded with HP stuff.
2007-02-07 02:06:15 · answer #7 · answered by Brandnewshoes 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The books are very fun if you like to write or roleplay because the characters are numerous and intriguing. If you're looking for a challenging red, this is not for you. If you're looking for a read with good morals, this is not for you. If you are a person who absolutely has to read these books to the end of the series, you'll be greatly let down at book five. but otherwise it's a good series and it's nice to be able to understand all th e harry potter allusions in modern society. (not to mention the fanatical talk one will find amidst the general public)
2007-02-07 02:12:29 · answer #8 · answered by cier 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read them if you want to. Personally, I will read everything I can get my hands on. All books have some merit to them. I can't say if you will be missing out on anything if you don't read them, but you never know. I'm an adult and I love the HP books.
2007-02-07 04:41:02 · answer #9 · answered by Jennifer R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion (coming from a person who loves the books) I think you should read them, I recommend them to you! Lol if you don’t want to read them then you shouldn’t worry too much, I am sure life won’t be duller for not having read the HP books, but it is a great experience to read them. Never once when I read them did I think that they were silly and for children – I even made my dad read them!
So if you like reading, like the movies, then why not! If you don’t want too then no harm done, I know a heap of people who have only seen the movies and are content.
2007-02-07 02:13:07 · answer #10 · answered by Australian Rose 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The books are a lot better than the movies. They are more in depth. A lot of the characters and scenes from the books were cut out of the movie. I'd give the books a chance. It couldn't hurt, right?
2007-02-07 02:12:45 · answer #11 · answered by megan nichole 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋