SO, a new Harry Potter book today! I have not read any of them, but apparently this is the next to last one. I have seen all the movies, and really enjoy them. I think I will start reading the books when my current pile of read me books dwindles or I decide to shelve something.
I think the series of books is really great in that it encourages kids to read - something that has been lost to television, Game Boys, IM/Chat, and internet gaming. I read with fervor the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew (well, I ran out of Hardy Boys and what is the next logical step for a little gay boy?), The Three Investigators, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, etc etc etc. Reading was an escape from many things, but it broadened my vocabulary (there's 780 out of that 1430, SHG!) and really fueled my imagination. I still love to read. I used to watch some TV, mostly Sci Fi like Star Trek, Babylon 5, and good "reality" TV back in the early days of ER. Now, I think the TV is generally an idiot box that contains 99.99% crap, hype, and manipulation of one's view of the world and oneself.
Here's three cheers for J.K. Rowling!
