Too Old For Harry Potter & Season's Greetings

[Amy Z <lupinesque@yahoo.com>]

Merry Christmas, everyone!  What are you doing reading this list?  Go 
be with your family.

Mary Ann wrote:

> I think there's also an image issue here.  
> The author points out that he sees adults on public transport 
reading 
> these books.  As he does so, he makes judgements about these 
people.  
> So, IMO, he is very conscious of others passing judgement on him.  
> Does he really object to the content of the HP books (I agree with 
> Judy that is seems that he's never even read them), or does his 
self-
> image/self-importance not allow him to be seen with a book that 
> doesn't ooze knowledge and self-realization?  

Bingo.  I thought this line was telling:  

"This is no different from taking them to see the latest Disney – 
you'll laugh, you'll get into it, you may even have a good time. But 
would you actually book a ticket to go and see it on your own? Of 
course not; it might be seen as rather sad, if not downright suspect."

Not "it would be rather sad," but "it might be seen as rather sad."  
I think s/he'd enjoy life more if s/he didn't worry so much about 
what other people thought.

But this line was truly sad:

"Of course, we have all read similar books out loud to our children 
and enjoyed the experience, possibly enjoyed the book itself – only 
because we were vicariously enjoying it through them."

If s/he's never read a book to a child and enjoyed the book itself, 
not vicariously but directly as a reader 
moved/amused/inspired/impressed by an author, well . . . actually, I 
just don't believe her/him.  It can't be done, unless s/he's reading 
her/his children nothing but See Spot Run.

Amy
feeling a sudden overpowering need to reread The Secret Garden for 
the 20th time