I started reading the books again right from the beginning and the same with the films. I usually try to read a book before seeing a film but I didn't in this case, I finished watching all the films quite early in the challenge and I really enjoyed them.
You can see from the above photo that the earlier books are much shorter than the later ones, I've read them over a period of time and have just finished them. There were some things in the films which I didn't quite understand but the books answered the questions I had. I often find that a film skates over an important issue whereas a book provides greater attention to detail.
I really enjoyed the story as a whole but I have some favourite books. I love Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as this is where it all began. I really enjoyed being introduced to the characters and getting a feel for how the story would progress. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is another favourite. I enjoyed the Triwizard Tournament and found this a really exciting story. I also enjoyed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows because this is the book where everything is explained.
Have you read Harry Potter or seen the films? Which ones are your favourites?
I have seen all the films but never read any of the books but I should and I will. We are planning a Harry Potter film session each weekend then we have promised my DD's that we will take them to Harry Potter World? Please excuse me if I have the name of the place wrong xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely something for you daughters to look forward to. I finished watching the films quite a while ago now but I'd like to see them again now that I'm finished reading all the books, they're definitely books and films which you can read and see over and over again.
DeleteYes for me the first four and seven are the best. Having read the first four to my children as they were published, one of the most exciting times ever was sitting in a cinema when the trailer came on for the Philosopher's Stone. The music started and magic began. Many years later I went on a school trip (I'm a teacher) and as I walked into the great hall with that music, well, I shed a tear or two. Lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. They're such magical books to read with children, and watching the films too. I'm sorry that I never got to finish reading them all with Daniel but he got to the age where he wanted to read the later ones himself and Eleanor's never been a big Harry Potter fan. She's seen a few of the films but she really isn't all that bothered. I can imagine how magical it is to walk into the Great Hall with the music playing.
DeleteI sometimes feel like I'm the only person who hasn't read one of the books or seen any of the films. I believe they are excellent once you get into them, just not my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteAnother off your list. X
I'm sure there's many people who haven't read a Harry Potter book or seen any of the films. I doubt they'd have been something I'd picked up if it hadn't been for Daniel but I'm glad I did.
DeleteI haven't read any of the books but have seen some of the films. xx
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed both but, as is so often the case, I enjoyed the books more. I just think an author has more scope to develop the story line more and give greater detail than in a film.
DeleteI've read all the books and seen all the films and I like both, both if I had to choose then the books would be my favourite, just because of the level of detail. I'm not sure that I have a particular favourite out of the books though, I just love the story as a whole.
ReplyDeleteThe books are definitely my favourite and I'm so pleased that I got round to reading the later ones. I know what you mean about the story as a whole, I think that each book is quite different from the others but they all build into a wonderful story overall.
DeleteI´m afraid I fall into the same catagory as Jules, neither read the books or seen the films, not my thing really, but I glad you have enjoyed revisiting and finishing the story xcx
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have said they were my thing either but I started reading them because Daniel wanted to. I wonder now how many other books I let pass me by because I don't think they're my thing.
DeleteI so admire JK Rowling's writings. As a writer myself, I love researching and composing non-fiction, but have no imagination, or talent, for fiction writing. I read the first couple of books, and must make time to read more. P. x
ReplyDeleteI have no imagination either so I'm always in awe of anyone who can come up with such a popular story, such as this is. I have to wonder how JK Rowling's mind works to think of such things.
DeleteI'm one of the few people on earth never to have read a Harry Potter book and I've only seen a couple of the films.
ReplyDeleteMy "Wizard Harry" of choice is the main character in The Dresden Files series of books.
I doubt I'd have come across Harry Potter if Daniel hadn't wanted to read the series. I haven't read any of The Dresden Files books but they seem very popular.
DeleteI have not read the books nor watched the movies although I did purchase the series for my son. I'll likely give them a read once he's done with them. I'm thinking it may be better to watch the movies first and then read the books as I often find that I'm a bit disappointed in the movie if I do it the other way around as I imagine the characters differently and, as you say, some of the details that are elaborated on in print are omitted or changed in the movie. What would you recommend - read or watch first?
ReplyDeleteI'm often disappointed in a film if I read the book first too but I do still like to read before I watch. I have to say that with Harry Potter I enjoyed both the books and the films and I really don't think it would matter which you do first.
DeleteI haven't read any of the books or seen any of the films. Something I am going to have to rectify as Lily our Grandaughter is loving them at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThere's definitely something about Harry Potter which really appeals to the younger generation, though having said that, Eleanor was never keen. I think many adults enjoy the books and films just as much too.
DeleteHarry Potter remains very popular ...
ReplyDeleteBut, I haven't read the books nor watched the movies, although younger family members have read books seen films and visited the Harry Potter tour, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/
Talking of enjoyment!
Enjoy your weekend, although the weather does seem to be getting a little cooler and umbrella's were needed when out earlier!
All the best Jan
A whole new generation is now discovering Harry Potter and it's as popular as ever. I don't know anyone who's been to the Harry Potter Studios but I know people who have been to Harry Potter World in Universal Studios in the US and they thought it was brilliant. It's rather cold and dull here this weekend, though we haven't had any rain yet so we went out for a nice walk yesterday and we plan to do the same again today.
DeleteI also read the books to my children and we waited with bated breath for the next one to be published. As they got older, the read the books themselves, one would have it in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. I enjoyed the Goblet of Fire much more as a film and liked the Prisoner of Azkaban as a book.
ReplyDeleteI remember Daniel queueing at midnight at the local book shop with his friend when one of the books was released, there was always so much hype about each of the books coming out. I'm often disappointed with a film when I've read the book but I think Harry Potter is different, you can take away different things from each.
DeleteI loved the books sp pmuch and the movies were amazing. If you read the books you understand so much more about what is going on and why things are happening, the movies, due to time I expect do not delve into all that they need to.
ReplyDeleteI think we're in the minority here, I thought more people would have read Harry Potter than appears here. I agree about the books explaining more. I thoroughly enjoyed the films but there's so much more in the books.
DeleteI've never read any of the books and I've only seen snippets of various movies. The rest of the family have seen the movies. I know very little about HP and co!
ReplyDeleteWell done on completing two of your challenges.
Lisa x
I suppose having a child who was growing up as the Harry Potter books were being released brought it more to the fore here. Daniel and his friends were really into it but Eleanor never really bothered, she's seen a few of the films but hasn't read any of the books.
DeleteMy brain doesn't do fantasy. I cannot read it or watch it. I just find it difficult to comprehend. I think your doing so well with your list.
ReplyDeleteI'm not usually into fantasy either but there's something about Harry Potter which I really enjoyed. Perhaps I should give some other fantasy books a try.
DeleteBoth... read the books (4 of mine are first editions) and have all the films on DVD. It's nice that a new generation is also finding Harry and his friends. So many interesting actors in the films, some even with just a small cameo role.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how many well known actors are in the films, it seems that you haven't arrived if you weren't offered a part. It's a shame that it's all come to an end now but I'm pleased there was a chapter at the end of the book letting you know what happened after the story had ended.
DeleteI have never even been tempted to read this set of books. I have seen the films (usually on tv) but for some reason the whole thing has really passed me by.
ReplyDeleteI was only introduced to them through Daniel, I doubt I'd have picked them up otherwise. I'm glad I did though.
DeleteI must confess to never having read the books or seeing the films. If daughter had been younger I'm sure I would have done.xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that many people got into Harry Potter through their children, it was a case of having a child of the right age at the time, which I did.
DeleteI remember picking up the first Harry Potter book because I was in need of something to read, not really expecting that i would enjoy it, I went and sat out in the garden and didn't come in until it was too dark to read, i was hooked!!
ReplyDeleteWe always went to the book shop at midnight to buy the new release, we couldn't wait, lol. I have seen the films but much prefer the books, which I've read at least 3 times now. I am also collecting the illustrated books as they are released.
I've seen the illustrated books, they're really lovely, aren't they? It won't be long until you'll be reading them again, Oliver won't be far off wanting you to read them to him. I remember Daniel going with friends to get the new releases at midnight, he was always so excited.
DeleteI read the first book and watched the first film with my girls just to see what all the fuss was about really. That was enough for me to be honest.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand both my daughters (now 23 & 24) are experts on the whole thing. They also have nighties, socks, tote bags and other H.P. paraphernalia. When I was visiting the eldest in the U.K., we went into one of those game cafes that have become popular and I found myself playing a Hogwarts version of Cluedo. I had no idea who most of the characters were or what the references were. I was persuaded, however, to do a quiz to see what house I would be sorted in to and, apparently I would be in HufflePuff (is that how you spell it?).
I think both the books and the films changed as they got further along, the subjects became much darker and more adult themed too. Daniel enjoyed the books and films but he's never been a super fan. Mick, Eleanor and I have done the house sorting too, I was Hufflepuff and Mick and Eleanor were both Slytherin.
DeleteYou're getting on well with your 50 Before 50 list.
ReplyDeleteI have seen all the films, visited the Harry Potter Studios twice, but I only have one of the books, the first one, but it remains unread, which seems like the wrong way round to do things...
I think I'd enjoy visiting the Harry Potter Studios now that I've read the books and seen the films. I can definitely recommend reading the books if you enjoyed the films, there's so much more to the story when you read it.
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