Yes!!! I read them as a child, loved them. I’ve just restarted reading them, literally last night. It’s so great, and so much more detail than the movies, as per usual.
Yes–I have a friend who told me –people need to read what their kids are reading-I remember that and have..gives you something to talk to your kids about.
It’s a good read if you enjoy the idea of magic. The first few books are written, as Harry Potter was for younger readers. The characters and plot develop as you read through.
Yes! It’s something everyone should experience. And I would recommend not going into the book series with the movies in mind. Pretend they don’t exist and create your own image of the series. Much more magical. Something I read with my mom as each book came out till I was a teen. I hope to share that same experience with my son in couple more years.
I re-listen to them when I am in between books. I love losing myself in the universe. Give me a line and I’ll give you the context lol so I say yes, they are worth reading. But I’m biased. Some folks don’t like them.
If you havent read it before I suggest you listen to the unspoiled harry podcast as you read along. One of the hosts has never read harry potter they chat about each chapter and she makes predictions. Very funny and makes you feel like you are part of a book club!
I completely disagree. In fact I would argue that after the 4th book the story becomes quite dark and there are a lot of themes that parallel issues we face in society such as racism and inequality. Although the first book does feel like a children’s book honestly
Oooh, you’ve rattled some cages… have to agree though, I am 38 and have just read one. Have you read them? They are better than the film – or I thought so.
I don’t like/understand the film’s but the books more sense, predominantly because they haven’t got editors cuts in them! Ha ha… I’ve only read the first one though to see if it made the film make sense ?
@Chris – just finishing reading book one to the boys and they love it and I’m quite enjoying reading it to them. Your endurance comment has made me giggle. ❤️❤️
They’re not really great. Just a product of convenient release time and have been milked into oblivion. Most people just want it to hurry up and die off already.
Not really. In fact it was almost denied publishing before but somehow “accidentally” published by an editing company. She couldn’t have timed anything neither did the company that published the book.If they weren’t that great it wouldn’t have influenced millions of people around the world. I remember back in 1999 my sister was crazy for the book and this was before the Harry Potter hype it is today. Just a timeless classic. Some people just hate hype to feel superior than others.
@Arianna maybe so but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try things once at least. Going the opposite of what the trend is now just to feel superior to others is so bourgeois and “old”. I used to think like you and tried to be hipstery and go against trends but being amable and trying things for fun at least once is so much nicer.
Also (as a fellow anime fan) anime is being overrated now. People all over the world are cosplaying and it’s becoming the norm. Have you seen the recent shootings in America? The recent shooter loved anime shit and was trying to sell 80s anime and vapor wave products. It’s a normal thing now. Fashion shows are incorporating anime styles into their clothing and heck even Kanye West the famous rapper says he loves anime and he recently went to japan with his wife.
But are you going to bash that now and say people shouldn’t watch “overhyped” shows like my hero academia and naruto? Hello no. Those are classics and pretty good shows. It’s because people tried it and liked it is why it’s popular.
That being said it isn’t bad to try something once (despite it being “overrated” and popular just to test the waters. If op doesn’t like it that’s fine but don’t bash stuff for the sake of overrated ness
@Arianna didn’t realize that someone in a book club didn’t like reading as much because they might be afraid the other user is right and have to resort to childish tactics to feel better about themselves
That being said you’ll see the book start off as something childish. As the book progresses the mood/style/overall characters will slightly change as they’re growing up. I believe I saw somewhere in the comments someone mentioned this and it’s true (I believe during book4 the tone changes). It goes from magical wonder to politically dark undertones. It’s a wonderful thing to read just to read once if coming of age stories aren’t your thing.
Try the audiobooks. Do a read the book/watch the movie combo. Something that’ll work for you. It’s for sure a classic and I’d always suggest giving classics a full go. Good luck!
I read the first one, then after the second I’d had my fill because I saw that the writing was formulaic. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I found it a bit transparent.
Edgar Alan Poem is definitely formulaic in his short story writing, however, his stories are so divinely inspired and intriguing that one barely thinks about the devises he uses. JK Rowling on the other hand is writing for young adults, and inasmuch as I enjoyed the first book, toward the end of second, because the under structure was just so apparent to me, that was what kept standing out and I just couldn’t move through the plot. It may not seem that way to everyone though.
Many adults are Harry Potter fans, so if you like the series, go for it. It just wasn’t for me. I taught English. I had to read many YA books. Many of my students who saw the HP movie feigned writing a book report on the first book. I had a blast with that. I had them answer specific questions pertaining to what specifics of happened in the book that did not happen in the movie. They were even allowed to refer to the open HP book when writing their book report! Such are the ways of us savvy Language Arts teachers!
Yes!! Books 1-3 are relatively childish and if you’re a dedicated and quick reader they don’t take more than a couple of days to read. 4-7 definitely get darker and more complex. It’s worth sticking out the first 3 to get to those!
Most definitely. Popularity is no measure of merit but, in my opinion, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is a masterpiece. She creates vivid characters with a few deft touches, she places you in the action, she is funny, and, in my opinion, she is much more serious than many have given her credit for being. Yes, the Harry Potter series is great fun and wonderful entertainment, but it is also a profound meditation on the nature of good and evil (as all great “children’s stories” are). The fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (which was made into by far the worst of the films), is the greatest dystopia in the English language since Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.
I could send you a free ebook for review if you like? My book is Love, Care and Share. If you accept the offer please visit the website. FYI: The book is being made into a movie screenplay right now. Cheers, Tom
At this point the books are cultural touchstones, there is a lot you will be missing if you never read them. They are wonderful books, very worthwhile..
its really up to you. i mean, if you ask me, you should read brave new world, 1984, and fahrenheit 451 and others may suggest outlander. still others, ove and elenor elefat.
Yes.
Ehh. I liked the first one. ?
Yes!
Yes!!! I read them as a child, loved them.
I’ve just restarted reading them, literally last night. It’s so great, and so much more detail than the movies, as per usual.
I read them even tho I barely care about Harry Potter. They are well-written and I like them more then the movies.
Yes, have read them several times!
YES
Yes harry potter is a must read
YESSSSSS
Yes!!!!!
Yes, for sure.
YES
Yes–I have a friend who told me –people need to read what their kids are reading-I remember that and have..gives you something to talk to your kids about.
So true. My oldest son and I read Harry Potter and Percy Jackson together and we still talk about them 2 years later. It’s an excellent way to bond.
Great idea!!
No
Yes
Absolutely
Maybe. I would say there is 90% chance you should.
Always…
It’s a good read if you enjoy the idea of magic. The first few books are written, as Harry Potter was for younger readers. The characters and plot develop as you read through.
Don’t just read it because it’s popular…
absolutely
No
Yes! 🙂
Absolutely. X
Yes, they are wonderful books.
Ummmm….
Absolutely
All Muggles are required to read Harry Potter.
You must!
Yes!
Fun! Easy reads!
YES.
I loved the series
100% yes
Yessss definitely
Yes.
I got illustrated books and are reading them with my little ones, I’m enjoying them.
I haven’t, don’t plan to …
At 38, I’ve only just read the first one. It’s worth a go.
I lost interest at book 4… the looooong recaps killed me!
Bummer because book 5 was the best one!
Read the first, an ok kid’s book. No interest in reading the rest and not having done so has not impacted my life in the least!
of course
Oh yes absolutely.
Absolutely!
Definitely yes!
Yes!!
I just read mu first one’Goblet of fire’ and I enjoyed it…
Yes! It’s something everyone should experience. And I would recommend not going into the book series with the movies in mind. Pretend they don’t exist and create your own image of the series. Much more magical. Something I read with my mom as each book came out till I was a teen. I hope to share that same experience with my son in couple more years.
I loved them, so I would say yes! But it is a series, read the first one and then make up your mind!!!
Yes !!
I really enjoyed it … as an older reader too … read the first when I was thirty two.
Definitely!!!
I’ve just finished book 4 and will be starting book 5 tonight. First time I’m reading them and they’re very good (so far)
Book 5 is the best
I haven’t either.
YES!!!! Back me up here, @Josh!!
Definitely if you like those kind of books!
If you don’t like magic or fantasy aspects in books it won’t be worth it for you
Ive never read it either so your not alone, but im not even considering for my tbr pile lol
You should
I re-listen to them when I am in between books. I love losing myself in the universe. Give me a line and I’ll give you the context lol so I say yes, they are worth reading. But I’m biased. Some folks don’t like them.
No
Yes !!
Love them!!
If you havent read it before I suggest you listen to the unspoiled harry podcast as you read along. One of the hosts has never read harry potter they chat about each chapter and she makes predictions. Very funny and makes you feel like you are part of a book club!
If you like that genre then yes you most definitely should!
Yes!!!!!
Absolutely yes!!! Brilliant books
Probably, if you are 11.
I completely disagree. In fact I would argue that after the 4th book the story becomes quite dark and there are a lot of themes that parallel issues we face in society such as racism and inequality. Although the first book does feel like a children’s book honestly
STRONGLY DISAGREE!!!!!
Same I strongly disagree am 32 and love harry potter books my uncle bless him is 67 and loves them too
Oooh, you’ve rattled some cages… have to agree though, I am 38 and have just read one. Have you read them? They are better than the film – or I thought so.
@Emma-Dawn I’ve read one and seen one film. Both were an endurance test to be honest.
@Chris I think if you read past the second one your opinion would totally change!
I don’t like/understand the film’s but the books more sense, predominantly because they haven’t got editors cuts in them! Ha ha… I’ve only read the first one though to see if it made the film make sense ?
@Chris – just finishing reading book one to the boys and they love it and I’m quite enjoying reading it to them. Your endurance comment has made me giggle. ❤️❤️
??
Yes!
They’re not really great. Just a product of convenient release time and have been milked into oblivion. Most people just want it to hurry up and die off already.
Not really. In fact it was almost denied publishing before but somehow “accidentally” published by an editing company. She couldn’t have timed anything neither did the company that published the book.If they weren’t that great it wouldn’t have influenced millions of people around the world. I remember back in 1999 my sister was crazy for the book and this was before the Harry Potter hype it is today. Just a timeless classic. Some people just hate hype to feel superior than others.
Or, you know. It’s ridiculously overrated by this point. I’ve even read them. They’re truly nothing special.
@Arianna maybe so but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try things once at least. Going the opposite of what the trend is now just to feel superior to others is so bourgeois and “old”. I used to think like you and tried to be hipstery and go against trends but being amable and trying things for fun at least once is so much nicer.
Also (as a fellow anime fan) anime is being overrated now. People all over the world are cosplaying and it’s becoming the norm. Have you seen the recent shootings in America? The recent shooter loved anime shit and was trying to sell 80s anime and vapor wave products. It’s a normal thing now. Fashion shows are incorporating anime styles into their clothing and heck even Kanye West the famous rapper says he loves anime and he recently went to japan with his wife.
But are you going to bash that now and say people shouldn’t watch “overhyped” shows like my hero academia and naruto? Hello no. Those are classics and pretty good shows. It’s because people tried it and liked it is why it’s popular.
That being said it isn’t bad to try something once (despite it being “overrated” and popular just to test the waters. If op doesn’t like it that’s fine but don’t bash stuff for the sake of overrated ness
I never understood the excessive need to type essays because your feelings are hurt. It’s the Internet. Grow up.
@Arianna didn’t realize that someone in a book club didn’t like reading as much because they might be afraid the other user is right and have to resort to childish tactics to feel better about themselves
@Arianna also this is the internet you’re right so you’re bound to find someone who disagrees with you
@Arianna go against my points on my “essay” and I’ll respect your point :^) but if not then you’re just on here to be a snob
Yes. Enchanting, magical.
I think you should try…I could not get into them, but there has to be a reason they are so loved by many…
@Kate ??♀️
Let me first start off saying:
It’s a coming of age story.
That being said you’ll see the book start off as something childish. As the book progresses the mood/style/overall characters will slightly change as they’re growing up. I believe I saw somewhere in the comments someone mentioned this and it’s true (I believe during book4 the tone changes). It goes from magical wonder to politically dark undertones. It’s a wonderful thing to read just to read once if coming of age stories aren’t your thing.
Try the audiobooks. Do a read the book/watch the movie combo. Something that’ll work for you. It’s for sure a classic and I’d always suggest giving classics a full go. Good luck!
Yes.Yes.Yes. Brilliant stuff.
Definitely ?
Oh I would say so, fabulous books xxx
I read the first one, then after the second I’d had my fill because I saw that the writing was formulaic. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I found it a bit transparent.
Edgar Alan Poem is definitely formulaic in his short story writing, however, his stories are so divinely inspired and intriguing that one barely thinks about the devises he uses. JK Rowling on the other hand is writing for young adults, and inasmuch as I enjoyed the first book, toward the end of second, because the under structure was just so apparent to me, that was what kept standing out and I just couldn’t move through the plot. It may not seem that way to everyone though.
Many adults are Harry Potter fans, so if you like the series, go for it. It just wasn’t for me. I taught English. I had to read many YA books. Many of my students who saw the HP movie feigned writing a book report on the first book. I had a blast with that. I had them answer specific questions pertaining to what specifics of happened in the book that did not happen in the movie. They were even allowed to refer to the open HP book when writing their book report! Such are the ways of us savvy Language Arts teachers!
That’s kind of too bad though (the 2nd book was by far my least favorite), the series definitely gets better as the characters get older!
If you are 10
I absolutely loved it! Remember getting the 1st book for my son and I got hooked 🙂 Have read them so many times, I have lost count
Oh yes
A million times yes!!
Yes
I would not.
100% yes.
Yes
it’s a lot of fun!
Definitely!
Absolutely!!
I’d say no but many people love them. I read the first one and it just felt like a kids book. I don’t like kids or YA books so it was not for me.
They actually develop as HP did from children’s books to adult books. From 3/4 you find a distinct change…
Totally worth the reading
Absolutely!
I think they get better as her children get older.
Yes yes yes
Yes
Yes!! Books 1-3 are relatively childish and if you’re a dedicated and quick reader they don’t take more than a couple of days to read. 4-7 definitely get darker and more complex. It’s worth sticking out the first 3 to get to those!
I actually stopped reading after the first 3. But I did like them.
Yes, they are excellent
Yes- give the first book a go and you can decide uf u like it… only ur decision to continue the series then x
YES
One word: ABSOLUTELY
Wow! I love how passionate most of you all are! I’m convinced☺️
Hell yeah!
Definitely!!
Absolutely.
Silly question ! ??❤️
Yes definitely.
I think, if you read all of them in order, you will be surprised at the growth of the children and the books. I personally love them.
I agree. I loved all the books, but I definitely feel they got better each time.
YES!!!!!
Absolutely!!
Oh yes, absolutely. They are my favorite books of all times.
Meh.. I never got into them. I read the first in middle school.
ABSOLUTELY!!
Um, yeah!!!
YES!!!
Yes
YES!
Yes! Great imagination, great story
Oh yes
No
Yes. I’m enjoying reading them to my kids at the moment but I’ve gone back to them on a regular basis
Absolutely yes!!!
Yes
Yes!
Yes! A million times YES! ??
Ive just started the first one. Ive seen the movies but not too interested, hopefully the book keeps me in
The books are soooo much better than the movies IMO.
Yeh so far the first book is really good ?
Most definitely. Popularity is no measure of merit but, in my opinion, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is a masterpiece. She creates vivid characters with a few deft touches, she places you in the action, she is funny, and, in my opinion, she is much more serious than many have given her credit for being. Yes, the Harry Potter series is great fun and wonderful entertainment, but it is also a profound meditation on the nature of good and evil (as all great “children’s stories” are). The fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (which was made into by far the worst of the films), is the greatest dystopia in the English language since Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.
I could send you a free ebook for review if you like? My book is Love, Care and Share. If you accept the offer please visit the website. FYI: The book is being made into a movie screenplay right now. Cheers, Tom
Yes
Yes, yes, yes. Our family read it for the first time less than a year ago. I regret not reading it sooner.
I love the HP franchise, the first book is simple story, it sets the scene, persevere, they get better with each book.
If you pick them up in charity shops then it’s a benefit.
Absolutely. I really enjoyed it.
I haven’t either. Just seen the movies about 10 times though.
At this point the books are cultural touchstones, there is a lot you will be missing if you never read them. They are wonderful books, very worthwhile..
Absolutely yes!!!
its really up to you. i mean, if you ask me, you should read brave new world, 1984, and fahrenheit 451 and others may suggest outlander. still others, ove and elenor elefat.
Yes
Definitely!
Yes great books
Absolutely!