I freely admit that I am a Harry Potter fan. I am not a fanatic, but I am a fan. Is fan short for fanatic?? I don't know. But what I'm trying to say is that I am a casual HP reader, not an obsessor. With the release of the latest, and last, Harry Potter book, which I have been anticipating, I have been met with much opposition. I have decided that Harry Potter books fall into the same category as coconut, iPods, and Oprah Winfrery: you either love it or hate it. I'm not sure why this is. Is it because ministers and preachers the world around compare Harry to some dark priestcraft, akin to the devil? Please. Genius though JK Rowling is, I don't think even she could come up with something like that. It's a story, folks. Even my grandma said, more than once this weekend, that she "wouldn't walk across the street to read one of them books!" You tell me what is so wrong about getting millions of kids around the world to shut off their TVs and video games and sit down and read a book. Nothing.
People "boycott" HP before they even gave it a chance. It's like they are trying to be different, and make a statement, by not doing the popular things. Oh, you super cool non-conformists, you! You are tres chic! I have been trying to think of something that I don't like because lots of other people DO like it, and I can't think of anything. Maybe Derrick can think of something for me, but right now I can't. I'm pretty open minded. I give new things a shot. Heck, I LOVE trying new things. (Unless "new things" means killing spiders. Then I'm out.) Cleaning supplies, makeup, gadgets, recipes, you name it, I'll try it. Why are so many people anti-Potter?
Now, as I have heard it said on another blog recently, why would anyone want to read about a teenage wizard boy who flies around on a magic stick? Let me suggest another book for you to read, one I know you've read before. It's about a teenage boy, who has a crazy vision of two bright white people standing in the air, and he finds this magic golden book hidden in a hill, and he has magic devices to help him decode the magic book. Hmmm....sound familiar? From the outside, (read: NoMo) this story can seem a little weird. Am I right, or am I right? Yet, luckily for you, and for me, we (or our parents) gave this story a shot. And lo and behold, it's one of the best books EVER! (In case you are not a Mormon, I am talking about the Book of Mormon.) Now, I have a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon, and while I do describe it as a farfetched story, I know that it is true. And I also have a firm testimony that the Harry Potter series is some seriously entertaining stuff!
So go listen to your underground music and read your obscure angst-ridden books and be "different." I'll be sitting on my sofa ready Harry Potter, ignoring all the haters, and loving every minute of it. And maybe one days all of these naysayers will get a clue and give something new and popular a chance. Millions of people can't be wrong!
15 comments:
Likening the B of M to HP, wow, that's a new one. I can't wait for next months F & T when I fully expect YOU to stand and bear your testimony that HP is "seriously entertaining", while I, said hater/non-conformist/super cool/tres-chic angst-filled book reader sits on my pew ignoring all of your HP blasphemy.
And another thing, who out there doesn't like Ipods or Oprah?
Did you just compare the First Vision to Harry Potter? AWESOME. Orson Scott Card came and spoke at BYU and talked about why HP is so good for kids and pretty much everything that guy says is like scripture to me, so I feel the same way (even though he is pretty dang liberal and I am not). Seriously though...I only know him from the movies, but why shouldn't we like him? He's heroic, completely selfless, and always looking out for other people. What's bad about that? The morals of the story (at least from what I know) are always wholesome.
I don't like Oprah that much. There, I said it. No, it's not even that. I just don't understand why people give her so much credence. I heard today she makes a quarter of a billion dollars a year. A YEAR PEOPLE! That's insane.
Harry Potter is for dorks! Admit it you are a nerd!
BOOya! Bullseye! One point for Karen! Nice blog.
when did Jim start reading your blog?! he probably reads yours more than mine?! honestly, i don't read either book. ha, ha!
Hey,
Jim Labiszak is a buddy of mine. He would never have posted anything negative about Harry Potter. Karen should really turn off anonymous posts on her blog. No telling what kind of riff raff could show up here posting random shite.
Dude, nobody talks down to the HP except for me! And I wouldn't.. J Lab's clearly be'n framed.
Thanks for havin ma back guys. Josie! No soup for you!
Karen,
This is me hitting my chest twice with my fist, raising two fingers to my puckered lips and flashing the peace sign. Nice post.
p.s. - my husband is most likely related to your husband, as he finds he is with most LDS Callisters. It's my mother-in-law's maiden name.
What! I am the one being framed. I obviously have no problem voicing my opinion/hatred for HP, why would I need to be anonymous?
Jim-I'm convinced you left the anonymous comments and were having a conversation with yourself on my blog. Ha.
Josie, lots of people hate Oprah. I'm one of them. She blows. Lots of people are anti-Apple too. Don't ask me why. Nutjobs.
Really, an Oprah hater...that's right...you worship Jerry Springer!
I once had a friend who refused to drink Jamba because she said it was popular just because everyone was drinking them. I told her everyone was drinking them because they were yummy. She still refused to try a Jamba. I say HER LOSS (and that goes for all those who refuse to give Harry a chance)!! :)
Now every time I see someone engrossed in HP, I think of you...I'm thinking of you a lot.
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