Harry Potter

I know I should be into Harry Potter. I like what it's done to get kids reading, and think it's great that people go crazy and go to the premiere of a book.

But I read the first one a while ago, and I just found it okay. A little bit like warmed over Roald Dahl without the subversiveness. I mean, I didn't hate it, and maybe my expectations were too high, but I just thought it was okay. The movie was a rote retelling of it that didn't make me want to see the sequels and didn't leave much for those over twelve, even though I think I would like to see the Alfonso Cuaron-directed one someday because I've liked his work and that one got good reviews.

Anyhow, I feel a little guilty I'm not into this whole craze more. First off, it probably would be a good way to connect with my students, as I know a few of them will be fans. In fact, a student of mine from last year just e-mailed me all about it, saying, "... I don't want any other fantasy books except for Harry Potter. By the way, you haven't told me whether you read the HP Series or not!! You have to be!!" I heard from somebody that the books got better as they went on, that the longer the Harry Potter book, the better it is. We'll see. I've got a ton on my reading agenda right now, but maybe I'll be tempted.

Another good reason to be tempted is that my oldest friend, D., whose wedding I just attended in Maine, has been appointed the task of writing the review for the book from her employer, which just happens to be (one of the?) the largest news wire service in the country. Her review was due in to Gannett sometime this afternoon; apparently, she's been reading nonstop since she and John got the book at midnight on Friday. With any luck, it will be picked up and printed across the nation tomorrow and the next day. We'll see. That would make me read it, I think.

Right now, I'm still reading Don Quixote and finally picked up and read half of the Phil Jackson book Sacred Hoops, which is always on the summer reading table at Barnes and Noble, so I figure other schools are assigning it as summer reading. It actually might be a book to hand to kids because so far it's very readable and focuses on how Jackson meshes spirituality and basketball. Cool stuff, so far.