Why did you decide to continue reading HP books?

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 177929

> > Alla:
> >
> > Anything in particular that hooked you on the books from the 
> > start or just everything? :)

Mike:
I'm like zgirnius, if there had been only two books out when I 
started them, I would have given up. The story was fun, I liked 
Harry and Ron (Hermione was just okay) and I was interested in Snape 
insofar as he seemed to have a connection to Harry's parents. It was 
PoA that got me hooked. 

Wonderful things kept popping up. The Dementors were scary, I wanted 
to know who this Lupin character was, the Marauder's Map was the 
coolest thing (and finding out Harry's dad and co. made it was a 
bonus), Harry's Firebolt (cuz I loved Quidditch and loved that there 
was so much of it in PoA), then the whole last part of PoA was 
riveting. I loved getting the back story on the Marauders and Snape, 
loved that JKR had Hermione helping Harry with the time turner, and 
was overwhelmed by the connection Harry got to James through 
his "Prongs" Patronus.

One of the biggest reasons PoA got me was that Harry finally won the 
day with magic. If you think about it, Harry came out the hero in 
both PS and CoS without really doing any magic. Now, PoA comes along 
and Harry not only wins with magic he performs advanced, powerful 
magic. Yeah, now we're getting somewhere!


> Laura
> <snip> 
> The kids are dealing with divorce, death of a sibling, a
> horrific car accident, gangs, sex, etc.  These books,
> in contrast, deal with serious issues, but they don't
> always take themselves so seriously.  There is humor
> and relief to balance out the seriousness.  

Mike:
This is a good point. There was not only a lot of humor, but the 
serious themes weren't being shoved in our face. I'd much rather 
JKR's subtle method than have to endure overwrought dialogue between 
angst ridden teenagers.


> Laura
> Secondly, the books are complex enough to keep
> up continued interest.  

Mike:
Another good point, Laura. I loved to think back and see how many 
things were slyly or matter-of-factly brought up in one book, only to 
resurface again and again in later books. The vanishing cabinets were 
the most famous, especially how close Harry came to discovering their 
secret. But we also got the Whomping Willow, the Shrieking Shack, the 
RoR, Riddle's Diary, the Pensieve and "Expelliarmus". It made me want 
to reread every book to see if I could guess what would make a re-
appearance.


> Laura
> Finally, there are the characters.  
 <snip>
> It is somewhat surprising, therefore,
> that I wasn't particularly taken by Snape.  

Mike;
I loved to hate Snape, but like you, I wasn't really that much 
interested in him. I didn't care what happened to him like I cared 
what happened to Harry. I was interested in his story inasmuch as it 
involved MWPP and Lily, but not for Snape's sake. I admit that I was 
sorry to find his love for Lily was his sole motivation, I expected 
something more. But it didn't bother me that much and I noted that 
others enlightened me to LOLLIPOPS going all the way back to PoA.


> Laura
> but Harry, Ron, and Hermione certainly did.  And, not just them,
> but loads of the other characters, too.

Mike:
Oh Yes!! 4 for 4 Laura!! The other characters made the story. I was 
invested in Harry, but it was the other characters that made the 
story fun to follow. Let's face it, Harry was just too bland. But the 
Marauders (especially Sirius), the Twins, Luna, Neville, and even 
Snape and Draco were much more colorful. They were where my fun came 
from. And Ron was downright funny.