I read a lot of fantasy, across most subgenres, both YA and adult. But my newsletter readers would probably be shocked to learn I have not read the two most talked about series in Fantasy literature. The question that always comes up seems to be:
Which do you prefer, Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings? I have read neither. I've watched the movies though (love them!). Own all the DVDs. I don't look down on people who've read them. I just haven't gotten around to it myself. We even own the first three Harry Potter books - currently boxed up with the rest of our library.
Possible reasons for not reading LOTR:
- don't want to be influenced, as many new authors are said to be
- too much narration/description - I enjoy description, but if it goes on too long I will zone out and possibly miss something important
Possible reasons for not reading Harry Potter:
- because it's a big thing - I'm not one to follow trends
- easier to wait until the series is finished (stopped reading Robert Jordan for same reason)
- my sister owns them all, so there's no rush, I can borrow them whenever I'm ready
A benefit to not having read the books before the movies is I don't fret over something missed or changed details. I have nothing to compare the films to, and can judge each on their own merits. Example: With Jurassic Park, I saw the movie, loved it, went and read the book, loved it as well. With Jurassic Park 2, I read the book first. I went to the movie with a preconceived notion of what it would be - and it was
very different. I enjoyed the movie more the second time, having cleared my expectations.
I hope everyone enjoyed reading Harry Potter book 7. Just don't flame me for never having read any. :-p
