Absolute Chaos Discussion Boards
Miscellaneous => Chatterbox => The AC Book Club => Topic started by: honey on April 14, 2009, 08:49:35 PM
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Ok, so I didn't go with a specific author, instead I went with a theme.
Chances are you've seen the movie, but have you ever read the book? This month's theme is Books that have turned into popular movies. I tried to get a variety of genres so there there would be something for everyone, so here goes...
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
As Florin and Guilder teeter on the verge of war, the reluctant Princess Buttercup is devastated by the loss of her true love, kidnapped by a mercenary and his henchmen, rescued by a pirate, forced to marry Prince Humperdinck, and rescued once again by the very crew who absconded with her in the first place.
In the course of this dazzling adventure, she’ll meet Vizzini – the criminal philosopher who’ll do anything for a bag of gold; Fezzik – the gentle giant; Inigo – the Spaniard whose steel thirsts for revenge; and Count Rugen – the evil mastermind behind it all.
Foiling all their plans and jumping into their stories is Westley, Princess Buttercup’s one true love and a very good friend of a very dangerous pirate.
Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding
Written in the form of a personal diary, the novel chronicles a year in the life of Bridget Jones, a thirty-something single workingwoman living in London. She writes (often humorously) about her career, self-image, vices, family, friends, and romantic relationships.
The main focus of plot is Bridget's love life. At the beginning of the year she is a single woman, or "Singleton," who is surrounded by "Smug Married" couples, and worries about dying alone. However, during the course of the year she becomes involved in two romantic relationships. The first is with her charming and handsome boss Daniel Cleaver, who eventually cheats on Bridget with a younger, more attractive woman. Bridget's second relationship is, surprisingly (at least to Bridget), with the stuffy human-rights barrister Mark Darcy. These two men are connected by more than their relationships with Bridget, as Fielding reveals near the end of the novel.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Creatures once extinct now roam Jurassic Park, soon-to-be opened as a theme park. Until something goes wrong...and science proves a dangerous toy....
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
The protagonist is found floating in the Mediterranean Sea with several bullet wounds, including a head wound which results in amnesia. The doctor treating him finds a message surgically embedded in his hip that contains details of a Swiss bank account, presumably held anonymously.
In Zürich, Switzerland, the protagonist learns that his name is Jason Bourne. While attempting to retrace his previous visit to the city he attracts the attention of several people who either fear him, warn him of danger, or try to kill him — but they all unhelpfully assume that he already knows why. He begins to suspect, on the basis of circumstantial evidence, that he may have been a professional assassin. In Zürich he meets a woman named Marie St Jacques and, on the spur of the moment, uses her as a disguise and shield to escape an attempt on his life in a crowded convention hotel.
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Patrick Bateman, the son of a wealthy Wall Street financier, is pursuing his own lucrative career with his father's firm. Bateman is the prototypical yuppie, obsessed with success, fashion, and style. He is also a serial killer who murders, rapes, and mutilates both strangers and acquaintances without provocation or reason. Donald Kimble, a police detective, questions Bateman about the disappearance of Paul Allen, whom Patrick murdered several days earlier. As Kimble stays on Bateman's trail, Bateman's mask of studied, distant cool begins to fall apart.**This one’s full of major violence and sexual content, just to warn you.
The Bridges Of Madison County by Robert James Waller
The story begins as globetrotting National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid journeys to Madison County in 1965 to film its lovely covered bridges. Upon his arrival, he stops by an old farmhouse to ask directions. There he encounters housewife, Francesca Johnson, whose spouse and two children are out of town. Thus begins their four-day affair, a liaison that fundamentally changes them both.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
Harry Potter is the most miserable, lonely boy you can imagine. He’s shunned by his relatives, the Dursley’s, that have raised him since he was an infant. He’s forced to live in the cupboard under the stairs, forced to wear his cousin Dudley’s hand-me-down clothes, and forced to go to his neighbor’s house when the rest of the family is doing something fun. Yes, he’s just about as miserable as you can get.
Harry’s world gets turned upside down on his 11th birthday, however, when a giant, Hagrid, informs Harry that he’s really a wizard, and will soon be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry also learns that, in the wizarding world, he’s a hero.
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LOL before I read your explaination I was like whoa she's all over the place with these.
Good idea for a theme Kelly. :)
I have read all of those except for...can you guess? I bet you can! This one will be a tough one to decide on. I heart almost al those books although American Pyscho didn't do much for me. I didn't like the movie either lol
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Um Bridget Jones?
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or are you the other person that has never read Harry Potter? I thought I wasn't the only one... I actually haven't read any of these. But I'd like to read them...
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Really? lol No, I oved Bridget Jones! That was hilarious!
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I know which one I'd like to read, but I'll wait to see what most people seem interested in.
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The Bridges of Madison County. I'm yawning just typing it out lol
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Good choices! I'm torn between Jurassic Park and The Princess Bride. Harry Potter, of course, is brilliant... if we don't read it in May, I have a feeling it will be up again as a choice for my month!
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Aww, yay Mare! We have something else in common. I have no desire to read Bridges of Madison County either.
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I have no desire for Bridges of Madison County...I've always thought of it as something my grandmother would like. I voted for Bridget Jones...just because I have never read it and I adore the movies...
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I most want to read The Princess Bride, but I'd also really love to read Jurassic Park and The Bourne Identity. And Bridget Jonees! I can't make up my mind. I guess I'll just vote Princess Bride.
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I know I've said a million times I never could get into HP, but maybe this could force me to try it a second time and see what the big deal is lol. So I voted for that.
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I've never read the Princess Bride either but I do love that movie too. And with HP, totally not my thing...my sister is addicted but I can't get into to that kind of stuff, same deal with Twilight...
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My sister got me into HP, and I got her into Twilight. I think HP is way better than Twilight, but now she's saying she thinks Twilight is even more addicting than HP. Go figure LOL.
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LOL we're never going to have a winner at this rate. Maybe I shouldn't have tried so hard to pick something for everyone...
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I haven't voted yet. I'm going back and forth between Jurassiac Park and Bridget Jones. BJD is one of the only books I have read that I literally LOL'd the whole time! And JP was ust a great, intense read.
Maybe from now on instead of a poll we should just say, we're going to discuss this book... lol
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Or just maybe limit the number of choices to like 3 or something.
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I love Bridget Jones Diary and Harry Potter :)
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How long do we have to vote? I still haven't decided yet... I'm kinda waiting to see how the voting goes in case I need to break a tie LOL.
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LOL i'm doing the same thing.
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lol I don't know. I guess for like a week or so because then we can use the last week to get the book.
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I have actually read a lot of those books!
The Princess Bride is great, because it's written in a very unique way. I voted for Harry Potter (which I think I may have created a tie. Oops.) because it's just such a fun series to read.
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ok, if you haven't voted yet, do it this weekend! Lets say Sunday is the last day so that monday we can all go find our book.
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I voted for Bridget Jones, but if Harry wins i'll live mostly because I know where the book is. I have to actually search my house for Bridget. lol
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Ok, so Harry Potter wins by one. I guess it's finally time for me to check out this book...
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I just can't do Harry Potter, just like I can't do Twilight! Maybe next month :)
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I may feel the same way, but I'm going to read it anyway cause I picked it to host and all. I figure if Josh could get so into them (granted he only likes the later ones where they are all older, but still) If even my husband can get into them I should at least read one of them. Hopefully it will surprise me. But even if I don't ever fall in love with it, lots of people have read it so we will get some discussion going in here. (especially if I play devil's advocate and start a debate)
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I'll have to admit that I haven't actually read all of Sorcerer's Stone. I've read (and loved) all of the others in the series but for some reason that one I had a lot of trouble getting interested in. Enough so that I almost didn't read any of the following books until enough people I usually agree with kept telling me that I'd love the series. I'm really curious to find out if when I go back and read SS I still have trouble getting into it or if now that I know the characters, etc, it'll be a much better read.
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The later books in the series are definitely better because that's where the story gets deeper and scarier and more adult. The first two are definitely more kid-friendly. Truthfully, I think they're all wonderful books, but typically if I'm going to read through the entire series, I tend to cheat and jump right to the third book and read them in order from there. Which is funny because the first two are so short compared to the rest, they're quick, easy reads!
Sorcerer's Stone is a great book, though, especially if you're new to the series. I first read it in high school, and although I was very cynical and skeptical and wasn't prepared to like it, I got totally hooked! What you have to remember about it, I guess, is that it's basically an introduction to the whole series. You learn the premise of Harry's story, you get to know some of the main characters and the setting of Hogwarts, and there's a little mystery plot, but the depth, the meat of the series, really doesn't come in until, in my opinion, the third book. Each book has its own storyline, of course, and they're all good and all interesting, but when you think in terms of the overall story arc of the whole series, it makes sense that Books 1 and 2 would be introduction, Books 3 and 4 rising action... Book 4 is kind of climactic in itself because it is a turning point in the series, but then Books 5 and 6 are more rising action, and Book 7 is where you get the ultimate climax and resolution of the series. So personally, I think you can't judge the series until you've read at least the first three or four books, and you definitely can't judge based on the movies because although they're good, they pale in comparison to the books. And now I'll jump down from my soapbox of defending Harry Potter LOL.
I'm gonna enjoy discussing Sorcerer's Stone, although I can already tell it's gonna be hard to stick just to talking about that one, cause there's soooo much more to discuss!
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I may feel the same way, but I'm going to read it anyway cause I picked it to host and all. I figure if Josh could get so into them (granted he only likes the later ones where they are all older, but still) If even my husband can get into them I should at least read one of them. Hopefully it will surprise me. But even if I don't ever fall in love with it, lots of people have read it so we will get some discussion going in here. (especially if I play devil's advocate and start a debate)
I know you're more of a romance fan than fantasy, but being a lover of young adult books, I think you'll like it. And if you stick with the series, there is some romance later on, as they get older. ;)
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I just can't do Harry Potter, just like I can't do Twilight! Maybe next month :)
Aw, have you tried it? (Either??) Don't knock it till you try it. I was skeptical about both, and ended up loving both (Harry Potter even more so than Twilight)! And I'm not a fantasy girl AT ALL.
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The first one is the only one I have read. I do want to eventually read the rest but i'm going backwards and want to see all the movies first. lol normally i'd be the other way around but since I started watcing the movies before I read the books I don't want to get all confused because I know theer are more characters and layers to the books than the movies.
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It shouldn't really be confusing. The movies are faithful to the basic plot of each book, but you're right; the books are a lot more involved than the movies can afford to be. If not before, you should definitely go back and read all the books after the movies are done; if you like the movies, you'll be blown away by the books!
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That's what I plan on doing.
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Aw, have you tried it? (Either??) Don't knock it till you try it. I was skeptical about both, and ended up loving both (Harry Potter even more so than Twilight)! And I'm not a fantasy girl AT ALL.
I am not a fantasy girl even a little...which is why I can't even entertain the thought. My sister and I are both avid readers and she adores both (HP more) but I just can't force myself to break down and start. I saw part of one of the HP movies and I HATED it.
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lol I do love me a good romance, but a book doesn't have to have romance in it for me to like it. I love lots of things. I adore fantasy. Hell, I married a D&D dork, play "dungeon" type board games, and have the Princess Bride memorized. And actually, am a bigger sci-fi nerd than I care to admit. *coughs* Is really excited fort he star trek movie to come out next weekend. *cough* Yes, teen fiction seems to be my favorite (what can I say, I lack a certain maturity) but after that techno-thrillers and good old fashion mysteries tend to be my favorite. I love Agatha Christie, a lot of Michael Crichton and I even have a soft spot for the "Dirk Pitt" novels.
I'm actually not sure what it is about the HP series in general that I lack enthusiasm for. I've seen all the movies, but only like once each and never had desire to read the books. It's strange because they are supernatural teen fiction which is my favorite of all the genres out there, so you'd think I'd have been first in line to read them. I put HP on the list this month thinking that if it got picked it'd finally force me to read them. I'm hoping I have a secret love for Harry Potter that I never knew I had.
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I am not a fantasy girl even a little...which is why I can't even entertain the thought. My sister and I are both avid readers and she adores both (HP more) but I just can't force myself to break down and start. I saw part of one of the HP movies and I HATED it.
Aww... well, if you've never actually tried the books, you should at least give the first one a try. Like I've said, the books are a lot better than the movies. I never got into Lord of the Rings, Narnia, anything like that, but Harry Potter totally got me.
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lol I do love me a good romance, but a book doesn't have to have romance in it for me to like it. I love lots of things. I adore fantasy. Hell, I married a D&D dork, play "dungeon" type board games, and have the Princess Bride memorized. And actually, am a bigger sci-fi nerd than I care to admit. *coughs* Is really excited fort he star trek movie to come out next weekend. *cough* Yes, teen fiction seems to be my favorite (what can I say, I lack a certain maturity) but after that techno-thrillers and good old fashion mysteries tend to be my favorite. I love Agatha Christie, a lot of Michael Crichton and I even have a soft spot for the "Dirk Pitt" novels.
I'm actually not sure what it is about the HP series in general that I lack enthusiasm for. I've seen all the movies, but only like once each and never had desire to read the books. It's strange because they are supernatural teen fiction which is my favorite of all the genres out there, so you'd think I'd have been first in line to read them. I put HP on the list this month thinking that if it got picked it'd finally force me to read them. I'm hoping I have a secret love for Harry Potter that I never knew I had.
I hope so too! Based on what you said, I'm not sure you why wouldn't like it. It's very well-written, imaginative, brilliant, and has a little something of everything - fantasy, mystery, adventure, suspense, comedy, drama, romance... it's really got it all!
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lol I do love me a good romance, but a book doesn't have to have romance in it for me to like it. I love lots of things. I adore fantasy. Hell, I married a D&D dork, play "dungeon" type board games, and have the Princess Bride memorized. And actually, am a bigger sci-fi nerd than I care to admit. *coughs* Is really excited fort he star trek movie to come out next weekend. *cough* Yes, teen fiction seems to be my favorite (what can I say, I lack a certain maturity) but after that techno-thrillers and good old fashion mysteries tend to be my favorite. I love Agatha Christie, a lot of Michael Crichton and I even have a soft spot for the "Dirk Pitt" novels.
I'm actually not sure what it is about the HP series in general that I lack enthusiasm for. I've seen all the movies, but only like once each and never had desire to read the books. It's strange because they are supernatural teen fiction which is my favorite of all the genres out there, so you'd think I'd have been first in line to read them. I put HP on the list this month thinking that if it got picked it'd finally force me to read them. I'm hoping I have a secret love for Harry Potter that I never knew I had.
speaking of teen fiction, have you read the Book Thief? I have been told I MUST read it by many people. lol It's a young adult fic.
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Julie I love how passionate you are about HP. I always pictured us discussing this book in a you hosted month. lol
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Thief? Not heard of it. Who is it by? I'm waiting for a book called "Being Nikki" to come out next month. I'm always down for reading a good teen book, so I'll check it out.
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Thief? Not heard of it. Who is it by? I'm waiting for a book called "Being Nikki" to come out next month. I'm always down for reading a good teen book, so I'll check it out.
Markus Zusak is the guy who wrote it. He also wrote the Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
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Ok, that one I've heard of. I'll have to check it out.
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Guh blah! I had surgery last week so I've gotten so behind on everything that's going on. These stories are all so different it's tough to choose!
I will say I've read the first and second HP's in the past week to review before the movie comes out, so that one's fine. And I totally agree about the books far surpassing the movies! I thought they did pretty well with the movies up until the last one (Order of the Pheonix). They left so much out of that movie, including very vital characters. They changed parts of the story (characters who did and didn't do things that are crucial in the final two stories!)
I'm not so much looking forward to seeing anymore of the movies except for I feel the need to know exactly how they're going to explain the things that show up later on that were completely left out in the first place.
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Can I just say as Oprah and inventor of this book club that I am pulling an LD and banning Twilight! lmao
Kidding...but not really. OMG...sorry I just watched 30 minutes of the movie and all the Twilight hate has just come back in a rush!
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lol Mare. That's ok since Twilight was kind of the first unofficial book of the month. I believe it was all the discussion about that book that sparked this lovely club.
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lol Mare. That's ok since Twilight was kind of the first unofficial book of the month. I believe it was all the discussion about that book that sparked this lovely club.
oh thank god. I cannot bring myself to read that one. I caught about 40 minutes of the movie while I dozed on and off the other day... and granted I was pretty drugged up on anesthesia, I thought it was d.u.m.b. :crazy:
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Ok, I'm the hugest fan of the Twilight books, (though I can also admit to their plenty flaws.) but the movie... how can I put it... sucked ass. At least the HP movies were well made.
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AH, I forgot about the Twilight talk. I should bring back that thread just so I can further rant about my hatred! lol
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Julie I love how passionate you are about HP. I always pictured us discussing this book in a you hosted month. lol
LOL I know, I'm obsessed. Second to Bsb, HP is probably the entertainment-related thing I'm most passionate about. I was definitely considering making it an option for my month, but I'm really excited we're reading it next month!
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I can't believe I'm going to make myself try HP again LOL. I said never again after trying the book once, and then the movie. But there has to be something good about it if everyone loves it so much. And I liked Twilight...
I'm still sorta kicking myself for voting HP lol.
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Yay Rose!
Sorcerer's Stone has been in print for like twelve years now, so it's definitely past the bandwagon phase by now, yet people are still talking about it, still obsessed with it... it's definitely something special!
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And if it's acted out by hamburgers it won't have more depth than some other hambuger acted out movies which shall remain nameless! lmao
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My vote would def. go to Harry Potter. I absolutely love the series. I've read the books multiple times. I listen to the books on my ipod at work, and the movies are great, too.
J.K. Rowling is an amazing writer. The intricate plot line is... You don't realize it at first, with book one and two. Those are fun books, but it was book three where I went, "Wow." When you realize someone mentioned in passing on page book one page one becomes important; when you realize how many seemingly minute details there are that are essential to the plot line.
Also, she's written the characters so well that they become real to you. Too often, writers use plot to push character. It's supposed to be the other way around: character drives the plot. She does that remarkably well, and I can't say enough about this series. ;D
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Yes!! Book 3 is definitely where it makes the jump from "fun, magical children's series" to "deep, brilliant fantasy epic." Or starts to, at least... there's so many more layers even beyond that, it's amazing.
And so true about the characters. I can honestly say I pretty much love every one of them, even the villains, even the annoying ones, because they are all so quirky and interesting, there's something to love about every one, even the ones you love to hate. I've never been able to pick a favorite character; it's just too hard!
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LOL the Harry Potter talk is making me want to abandon Cell and jump right back into HP this very minute! And I'm enjoying Cell too, and want to finish (and am going to, don't worry!), but I adore Harry so much, I could read the series over and over again and never tire of it! I basically have, for seven years now LOL.
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lol well we'll jump right into it next month then, how's that? I am actually going to be internetless for an eternity (ok a week) starting Friday, because of the move, so I won't be back online until about the 6th or 7th... So how about when I get back I'll have my first question ready and the discussion can commence? I'm assuming it won't matter to start talking about it early on because most have read it, and those of us who haven't have most likely seen the movie or at least know enough about it that not much will be spoiled...
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lol well we'll jump right into it next month then, how's that? I am actually going to be internetless for an eternity (ok a week) starting Friday, because of the move, so I won't be back online until about the 6th or 7th... So how about when I get back I'll have my first question ready and the discussion can commence? I'm assuming it won't matter to start talking about it early on because most have read it, and those of us who haven't have most likely seen the movie or at least know enough about it that not much will be spoiled...
You mean like that part where Harry Potter turns out to be a wizard!? Cause boy howdy I did NOT see that one coming!!! :P ;)
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LOL!
That sounds good, Kelly. Hopefully I will have time to sit down and finish Cell by then anyway!
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lol Rachel. And yes, Julie, you should finish Cell! And I need to use my disconnected time to finish the two books I have right now. My first Earnest Hemmingway book and I'm in the middle of this cute little one about a world where people have fairies, and this girl doesn't like her fairy so she's trying to ditch it. LOL my reading choices are as ADD as my writing preferences.
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LOL funny! I was in that phase back when we were reading My Sister's Keeper, and I was reading like two or three other books at the same time. I finished two and put the other one aside for now to read Cell, and I probably won't come back to it until after my impending Harry Potter phase revival. I never did finish re-reading Twilight either... I started re-reading it right after the movie came out, and I plowed through it up until when James, Victoria, and Laurent come in, and then I got bored and moved on to something else LOL.
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Yes!! Book 3 is definitely where it makes the jump from "fun, magical children's series" to "deep, brilliant fantasy epic." Or starts to, at least... there's so many more layers even beyond that, it's amazing.
And so true about the characters. I can honestly say I pretty much love every one of them, even the villains, even the annoying ones, because they are all so quirky and interesting, there's something to love about every one, even the ones you love to hate. I've never been able to pick a favorite character; it's just too hard!
I know what you mean about the characters and the "love to hate them"- I love to hate Dolores Umbridge. I despise her. Whenever I read book 5, I get so angry at certain parts, like the detention and her "special quill" >:( She surpasses Voldemort for me!
;D
Yes, the layers in the series... The fact that she could keep up with such an epic ongoing storyline, with so many twists and turns is truly superb writing. I know J.K. Rowling is richer than the queen and never "has" to write again, but I hope she does. I know nothing will ever beat Harry Potter, but I'd love to see what other storylines she's capable of putting on paper.
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You mean like that part where Harry Potter turns out to be a wizard!? Cause boy howdy I did NOT see that one coming!!! :P ;)
Shh.... don't ruin it for everyone!
:D
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I know what you mean about the characters and the "love to hate them"- I love to hate Dolores Umbridge. I despise her. Whenever I read book 5, I get so angry at certain parts, like the detention and her "special quill" >:( She surpasses Voldemort for me!
;D
Yes, the layers in the series... The fact that she could keep up with such an epic ongoing storyline, with so many twists and turns is truly superb writing. I know J.K. Rowling is richer than the queen and never "has" to write again, but I hope she does. I know nothing will ever beat Harry Potter, but I'd love to see what other storylines she's capable of putting on paper.
I'm totally with you! I think Umbridge is actually my favorite villain... she's like the quirkiest of them all. The spying kitten plates and her quill take the cake! And her "Hem hem." LMFAO She's the best part of the fifth movie for sure.
I can't wait to see what JKR comes up with next. HP is a tough act to follow... and I still kind of just wish she'd write a prequel Marauder series... but I'll totally read whatever she does end up writing next. She's absolutely brilliant.
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lmao you're already discussing this and we haven't even strated reading it yet.
So, Harry is a Wizard then? Does he take Dorothy back home to Kansas at some point? lol
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lmao you're already discussing this and we haven't even strated reading it yet.
So, Harry is a Wizard then? Does he take Dorothy back home to Kansas at some point? lol
No... but I do vaguely recall reading something about him sharting out an epic "yellow brick load." So there is that ;D
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lmao you're already discussing this and we haven't even strated reading it yet.
So, Harry is a Wizard then? Does he take Dorothy back home to Kansas at some point? lol
Hey, it's May now! LOL
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Hey, it's May now! LOL
Yay! Let the... official discussion begin! :)
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lmao you're already discussing this and we haven't even strated reading it yet.
So, Harry is a Wizard then? Does he take Dorothy back home to Kansas at some point? lol
LMAO I know right?
Some of us haven't gotten the book yet! lol
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LMAO I know right?
Some of us haven't gotten the book yet! lol
lol... and some of us finished reading it 10 years ago ;)
j/k -- I'm on book three now in my quest to reread them all before the movie comes out in June, so TSS is still fresh in my mind!
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Hey SOME of us never joined the Harry Potter bandwagon LOL.
Though I have to admit, when I did try the 1st book, I was totally biased cause of how mainstream it was. I didn't want to get into it, which is probably why I didn't lol. Or at least partly why.
I will say I have the book ordered though, should arrive in less than a week. And Walmart had an awesome sale where they had books 1-6 for 25$ all together. Since book 1 was like 10$ as it was, yeah I couldn't turn that deal down, so I have a boxset minus 1 book coming my way (that I can order later). I'm horrible right? lmao.
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Hey SOME of us never joined the Harry Potter bandwagon LOL.
Though I have to admit, when I did try the 1st book, I was totally biased cause of how mainstream it was. I didn't want to get into it, which is probably why I didn't lol. Or at least partly why.
I will say I have the book ordered though, should arrive in less than a week. And Walmart had an awesome sale where they had books 1-6 for 25$ all together. Since book 1 was like 10$ as it was, yeah I couldn't turn that deal down, so I have a boxset minus 1 book coming my way (that I can order later). I'm horrible right? lmao.
I hope you're able to get into it this time! If you can just read book one and two and enjoy them, you'll get to three and it gets more "mature" as you go. As Harry grows up, so does the storyline and... well, it really is worth reading the series. :)
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I finished Cell and busted out my Sorcerer's Stone book tonight! I'm excited because I got the complete set of hardback books for the Christmas before last, so that I'd have them all matching, and so I could put my old books in my classroom library, and I realized I have never cracked open the shiny, new hardback version of Sorcerer's Stone. Love!
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I have actually sarted to read this already. Hagrid has just made his entrance lol
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My books arrived today. (and a day early so yay, this is why I love walmart.com's shipping).
I already finished Sorcerers Stone. What does that tell you? LOL. I really enjoyed the book once I gave it a chance. I feel cheap for that lmao, but I totally did. Once you get past the beginning where he's still with the Dursleys, it really picks up. I enjoyed seeing the story of a boy who's supposed to be a legendary hero, but he has no idea who he is, and is fighting to learn for himself who he is beyond the stories. It's really a story of self discovery, wrapped within the fun fantasy magic.
I'm now making my way through Chamber of Secrets. I also hate Draco lol.
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Wow, so you read the whole thing in one day? Can I say I told you so yet? LMAO! ;D
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Wow, so you read the whole thing in one day? Can I say I told you so yet? LMAO! ;D
No...but you can be happy to know I've been zipping through them. (remember how I told you my problem with books is that I consume them WAY too quickly?) Yeah, I'm already just at book 4. I just started Goblet of Fire, where they arrived at the World Cup Quidditch tournament with the Weasleys + Hermoine.
Dammit I'm gonna have to order book 7 soon :P LOL
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LOL if you like them enough to already be at book 4, I think I can say I told you so! ;D
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No...but you can be happy to know I've been zipping through them. (remember how I told you my problem with books is that I consume them WAY too quickly?) Yeah, I'm already just at book 4. I just started Goblet of Fire, where they arrived at the World Cup Quidditch tournament with the Weasleys + Hermoine.
Dammit I'm gonna have to order book 7 soon :P LOL
You've read 1-3 in like the last 3 days??? Wow! What's your favorite of the first three? Like I said, The Prisoner of Azkaban was where I really started appreciating how complex/intricate the storyline was.
Book one is fun because everything is so new. Its like your right there with Harry- he discovers he's a wizard and is learning about that world at the same time as the reader. One of my favorite parts of the first book is the descriptions of Diagon Alley- all those shops are so creative. And although its fantasy and everything's magical, J.K. Rowling makes it so real.
Harry as a wizard has to go to school, there are tests, their fave sport is Quidditch and there are leagues/teams.... Rowling somehow keeps everything very grounded, if that makes sense.
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I think that's why I love Harry Potter so much compared to the other popular fantasy series I could never really get into. Yes, it's very much fantasy, but JK Rowling puts so much effort into making it seem realistic, like there really could be this whole wizarding world hidden from Muggles. At its heart, the series is as much a coming of age story as it is a fantasy saga, and it's so easy to relate to the main characters because they are portrayed as real kids/teenagers who deal with the same feelings and problems that real adolescents do... along with the unique conflicts that come with being wizards and witches LOL. I like that better than fantasy series that are set in an entirely different world that doesn't connect to our real world at all.
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Like I said, The Prisoner of Azkaban was where I really started appreciating how complex/intricate the storyline was.
Word.
The Harry Potter series is great, and it's what opened the door for me to start enjoying the supernatural/fantasy genre. Before I read Harry Potter I never was interested in it, and I have to admit it's the main reason why I was reluctant to start reading it. I find it's a very easy read and while the first book starts off a bit slow, I think that's important and helps this series be a gateway to fantasy. It comes off in a very realistic and plausible way. I would say the first book holds the readers hand as they enter a completely different world, and we get to experience that at the same time as Harry does, with as much awe and excitement. Does that make sense? I get really giddy when it comes to Harry Potter LOL.
Anyhoo, that's why I think it's a bit necessary for the first book to start off a bit slow. I found that as I was reading it I grew more fond of the characters and more excited to learn what was going to happen to them next.
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That totally makes sense. I don't mind the beginning of Sorcerer's Stone; it makes Harry into a more dynamic character because we get a great introduction to him BEFORE he finds out he's a wizard, and that's important. Great point about how it introduces us to the wizarding world at the same time Harry's introduced to it. It works out really well.
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By the way, we should take this discussion to the other thread. Maybe close this one?
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You've read 1-3 in like the last 3 days??? Wow! What's your favorite of the first three? Like I said, The Prisoner of Azkaban was where I really started appreciating how complex/intricate the storyline was.
Book one is fun because everything is so new. Its like your right there with Harry- he discovers he's a wizard and is learning about that world at the same time as the reader. One of my favorite parts of the first book is the descriptions of Diagon Alley- all those shops are so creative. And although its fantasy and everything's magical, J.K. Rowling makes it so real.
Harry as a wizard has to go to school, there are tests, their fave sport is Quidditch and there are leagues/teams.... Rowling somehow keeps everything very grounded, if that makes sense.
I'm a fast reader when I'm interested in the book. I gobble them up whenever I can scrape up time in those cases.
I'm actually mid-way through 5 now. I love Order of The Phoenix so far, it's the darkest book yet, and it starts really building up. Harry's own issues really come to light. Plus Umbridge is annoying but hilarious LOL. But I like dark fantasy, so so far, this one is my fave.