Annnnnd....
I'm devastated.
I'm trying to read it as slowly as I can, just to savor it.
I don't want them to end! I think if I had managed to read them at some point before now, I would have re-read them about 20 times by now.
I've been going back and watching the movies as I've finished each book, and not only do so many spotty parts make sense now, but I'm beginning to wonder how I thought the movies were so good. They're well done, yes, but the story... oh my gosh.... there is SO much in those books that you couldn't even fit into a DAY long movie!
J.K. Rowling definitely has a gift. She is an amazing story teller. She hooked me right from the beginning with Book 1. I'm almost debating if to re-read the series right now when I've finished, but alas, The Hunger Games calls...
When I'm writing, I usually can't read books without being overly critical and analytical, because I move into full time editing mode.
But this one?
The story just pulled me right in, and I'm not even pausing to notice if there are any glaring flaws.
I think that's what good books are about... next week we'll delve a little bit further into the difference between good writing and good storytelling.
What books have you read recently (or in the past) that had a captivating story?
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
26 comments:
Hello! Thanks for following :) I love your post - I've just finished Stephen King's 'Misery' and boy oh boy, I got hooked! I finished it last night so I was still reading at 3am! Annie Wilkes is such a compelling character! She scared me to death! And yes I love Harry Potter too! I have to get the last two books as I've already read the others...I totally agree, JK Rowling is such a great storyteller! :)
As I'm reading your post I'm nodding and smiling because it's all SO true and I totally agree. I've lost track how many times I've read the HP series, but it is the ONLY book I seem to be able to reread over and over.
Let us know when you get to THE END. It is a sad day, sniff. Let's hope she writes more and soon.
Great post! I am a fellow Harry Potter fan... I devoured each and every one as soon as they were available from amazon! The same, of course with the movies - although, as you say the movies are good, they haven't a patch on the books.
I was also like that with the Twilight series... not that Twilight is as well written as HP, of course! But the story just engages you from the very first page... to me, the sign of a truly great book. Escapism at its very best.
Thanks for following my blog, by the way. I am now a new follower of yours too!!
I love this post. In my family we have read and re-read the HP series...especially my husband and daughter who pull them before every movie is been released. I honestly don't know how anyone understands the movies without reading the books. I remember walking out of THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN and hearing the guy in front of me say..."Now who was Sirius Black?"
You are officially my hero. XD I am totally in love with the Harry Potter series and always have been. Rowling has a disgustingly amazing knack at bringing characters to life and plot organization. However, I think it's more the imaginative world of Hogwarts that she has created than the actual writing that draws so many people into her work.
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
I'm a complete Harry Potter nut, and read each of the last 4 books the second they came out. But I never read a book right before I go see the movie for the first time, because I'm always dissappointed in the movie. So I won't read the last HP again until after the movie's out.
For me, The Time Traveller's Wife pulled me in that same way! I had to keep reading yet I didn't want it to end!
Have a great weekend!
I think I will be rereading Harry Potter forever - it's just such a great series. Earlier this year, I reread the whole series in audiobook format, and it was such fun!
I just watched all of JK Rowling's recent interview with Oprah on Youtube yesterday, so it was such synchronicity to read your HP post today!
I've seen the movies but not read the books. Too many adult books on my list at the moment.
I started reading HP 1 to my son for his bed time routine. What amazes me is how in-line her books are. There are parts mentioned in book one that hold relevance to book seven! It is a very well though-out series, a goal I hope to achieve myself one day. I was also captivated by the Mistborn trilogy. An epic read.
Pleased to meet you!
I can't tell you how many time I've re-read Harry Potter, except for the last one. I've only read Book 7 once and I don't know why. :)
You're right about good books pulling you in to where you don't really notice its flaws. Another example of that would be what I just finished reading a few days ago, In the Woods by Tana French. It was one of the most exciting books I've ever read and I was sad to see it end.
Okay, so I'm so in the minority since I haven't read any Harry Potter yet--but you've convinced me to get on it!
I love it when a book does that.
I love Harry Potter too! And you're going to love the Hunger Games series as well! :) Enjoy!
Sorry for deleting the above comment! What I meant to say was . . .
I'm glad you're loving the Potter books and gaining a new perspective on the movies! I recently read and adored the Hunger Games series, so I'll be interested to hear what you think of it.
I adore JKRowling for all the reasons you mentioned. She pulls the reader in and her magic is so thorough that even when you finish the book you think you're still in it.
I haven't read a book that did that to me in a long time.
Jai
I only read the first two HP books. But I vow to one day finish the series.
I was captivated by The Duff and Before I Fall.
Don't tell anyone that I haven't read Harry Potter, but after reading this post, I'm going to start with number 1 and read them all!
One of my favorite things to do is revisit a good book. I watched Inkheart yesterday, again, and very much want to go back and reread the book.
I've read the Potter series so many times that I need a 12 step program! I recently turned a reluctant friend on to them and he's as hooked as we are.
Hmmm, good writing vs good storytelling....what a concept! I've never considered the difference and look forward to the post!
I can relate to reading a series of books and when nearing the end reading the last one slowly. All I can say is to savor the feeling. :)
When I was young as Harry Potter was upon first entering Hogwarts, I stumbled across a wondrous book, THE NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS.
The title drew the curious boy I was. But don't fear it was by Thorne Smith who created TOPPER (a staid banker being harassed by 1920's socialite ghosts.)
NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS detailed the adventures of a shy, withdrawn scientist as he is drawn into the world of Celtic magic and ultimately finding a way to turn the statues of Greek gods and goddesses into flesh.
Culture Clash is too mild a term for the hilarious goings-on.
The time is the wild 1920's -- and I learned reading could be fun, immersing you into a world of friends you never wanted to leave.
You might want to read Charles de Lint's THE BLUE GIRL, a YA urban fantasy of two girls, opposite in personalities but both sensing a kindred spirit in the other as they discover magic and faeries can be dark and dangerous. But never fear -- two good friends can trump even the darkest of magics.
Isn't Harry Potter great? I did have a few issues with 5 and 7, but J.K. Rowling is definitely gifted. Amazing series. :)
I love it when a book does that...when a book is so good it shuts my internal editing down for the duration. :)
Gotta say, I found Book 3 to be a bit overwritten but she got back in stride with 6 & 7! Thanks for stopping by my blog! - Stasia
You haven't read all of Harry Potter yet? How much you've been missing. It's a great series. She has such a great flair for description.
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