Hmmm. What's your favorite *now*?

[Katie]

No: HPFGUIDX 182979

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at ...> wrote:

<<<SNIP>>>
 
> That question is:  Now that we're almost a year out from the 
release 
> of DH and the completion of the series, which of the books has 
become 
> your favorite?


Katie replies: You have tempted me out of amjor lurkdom with this 
post! I haven't read any of the books in months and haven't posted in 
even longer, but here goes. My favorite would have to Half Blood 
Prince. It was the minute I finished reading it for the first time 
and it still is. 

> 
> Tangential questions relating to that one might be:  Has your 
> favorite changed over time, or since the series has ended?  Can you 
> explain WHY this book is your favorite?


Katie replies: My favorite was PoA until I read HBP. It's still a 
very close #2. HBP is my favorite for a number of reasons. First, 
it's the most exciting ending of any of the books, and certainly the 
most shocking. I like how the book as a whole is different in tone 
and in format from the rest of the series, and frankly, I just think 
it's the most well-written. 
> 

> Then, if you're game, how 'bout these:
> *Which is/has become your least favorite book of the series?  
Again, can you express why?


Katie: Unfortunately, DH is most definitely my least favorite. It 
seems poorly written in comparison with the rest of the series, it's 
too long for the story it's telling, and I hate what was done to 
Snape. And, I can't say enough about that damned epilogue.


> *Is there a character you find yourself especially fond of now that 
> it's all over?  Any pourquoi to add?


Katie: Hermione is still my favorite, as she has been since SS/PS. I 
loved her journey and how she grew and changed from that naive and 
rigid girl to a true heroine. I just love her. 


*Which character would you just love to follow from here on out if 
> you could?  Por que?


Katie: Hermione, and Neville. I love Neville, and I have a feeling 
his life was going to be interesting to watch.


> *Are there chapters or scenes (or whole books) that you skip when 
you (if you) re-read?  Warum?


Katie: I skip large sections of PoA - mostly because I have read it 
so many times, but also because I hate it when everyone thinks Sirius 
is a bad guy. Makes me sad!


> *Are there chapters or scenes (or whole books) that you find 
yourself  turning to again and again?  Perche?


Katie: I love the graveyard scene in GoF, love the end of HBP, and I 
really like every scene with Neville. Especially in St Mungo's in 
OotP.
> 

> *Are you surprised at any of your responses?  IOW, is there 
anything  about how you feel about the series now that you never 
expected you'd feel?


Katie: I never expected to feel ambivilent about the series. I really 
have a hard time with DH, and it colors the whole series for me. 
While I love the books individually, as a series, they don't hang 
together as well as I think they should. I find myself wondering if 
my daughter will even read HP, or whether this has all been a passing 
fad. (Forgive me for wondering that, but I really do!)  KATIE