HP and the Mega Hit

Harry Potter, J K Rowling, ’nuff said.

Garden Gnome

There isn’t much left to be said about this series. Incredibly clever plot (except for that last scene in the waiting room–too much exposition, but I guess she owed it to us), good enough writing, lots of laughs and adolescent angst. And plenty of twists and surprises and edge-of-your-seat horror. That snake!

Golden Snitch

Now I reread the series to try to pick up on the clues. When the first movie came out, I remember hearing the director say something about checking with JKR about what he could omit, and she mentioned something (he wouldn’t say what) that needed to be there, but not why.

I had my suspicions at the time, and it only took the final volume to confirm them. Made me feel very clever.

There are some silly bits (Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, for example), but these are meant to appeal to readers who like that sort of thing. And I have to say I was happy to see Quidditch recede to minor importance. But otherwise, a perfect set of books, for a good 2-3 weeks of reading.

Oh, and the illustrations? From two tiny books written for Comic Relief, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Quidditch Through the Ages.