I am 60 and have just finished reading the series for the 5th time. I’ve read it twice in book form, twice via audio book (Jim Dale narrator) and most recently in the Great Britain audio book narrated by Stephen Fry.
For children’s books with adult voice I would also suggest “The Wind and the Willows” (just finished the third time), CS Lewis’ Narnia series, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland“ / “Through the Looking Glass”, and George MacDonald’s “The Princess and Curdie” (he and Lewis were contemporaries and friends of JRRT). Additionally, although not fantasy, I would place “Huckleberry Finn” among these must reads for adults.
Harry is a bit whiny- and after a read aloud to the children, I had to explain in depth that it was not okay to have someone else do your homework for you.
I’m glad you enjoyed them. Personally, I just picked up Tom Sawyer to start re-reading/reading Twain for the first time as an adult. I vaguely remember some from 35-40 years ago, but am getting much more from an adult read. Especially as I’m reading them alongside Grant’s memoirs.
I was an avid fantasy reader and Tolkien zealot who refused to read Harry Potter on the same unvalidated grounds that it was beneath me. Then I bought the first book for my daughter on a business trip. My wife, knowing my position, loudly suggested I read them along with my daughter when I gave it to her. I agreed and we read each one then watched the corresponding movie. The books are excellent and we had a wonderful time working our way through them and the films together. My daughter has since read them 5 or 6 times over and I just made my way through them again. They stand up and I stand corrected.
What a lovely tribute to the books and to their author. I started reading the books after I saw the first movie in Fort Myers of all places (I was not from Florida). And I have reread all of them at least once. I have also seen all the movies multiple times. Welcome to the club!
Good call! I am regularly amazed by the number of “people of substance” I encounter in the national security world who limit their horizons by their refusal to spend any time on fantasy or science fiction. Not to rehearse arguments that have been better made by others, but this manifestation of “professionalism” is not a strength.
So glad your muggle curiosoity swept you into the world of Hogwarts and all things wizarding. I took a different approach and refused to see the various movies until I had "read" the respective book. I think the movies were very good adaptations of the books, but there is nothing like reading the "CODE". I use the word "read" loosely as I listened to the amazing storytelling voice of Jim Dale in the audiobook versions. Once you've completed your Hogwarts journey, I'll recommend a book you might enjoy - The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. George Clooney directed the film adaptaion of the book, which I plan to watch this weekend.
I am 60 and have just finished reading the series for the 5th time. I’ve read it twice in book form, twice via audio book (Jim Dale narrator) and most recently in the Great Britain audio book narrated by Stephen Fry.
For children’s books with adult voice I would also suggest “The Wind and the Willows” (just finished the third time), CS Lewis’ Narnia series, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland“ / “Through the Looking Glass”, and George MacDonald’s “The Princess and Curdie” (he and Lewis were contemporaries and friends of JRRT). Additionally, although not fantasy, I would place “Huckleberry Finn” among these must reads for adults.
Harry is a bit whiny- and after a read aloud to the children, I had to explain in depth that it was not okay to have someone else do your homework for you.
I’m glad you enjoyed them. Personally, I just picked up Tom Sawyer to start re-reading/reading Twain for the first time as an adult. I vaguely remember some from 35-40 years ago, but am getting much more from an adult read. Especially as I’m reading them alongside Grant’s memoirs.
Now then, you have to read Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality.
I was an avid fantasy reader and Tolkien zealot who refused to read Harry Potter on the same unvalidated grounds that it was beneath me. Then I bought the first book for my daughter on a business trip. My wife, knowing my position, loudly suggested I read them along with my daughter when I gave it to her. I agreed and we read each one then watched the corresponding movie. The books are excellent and we had a wonderful time working our way through them and the films together. My daughter has since read them 5 or 6 times over and I just made my way through them again. They stand up and I stand corrected.
What a lovely tribute to the books and to their author. I started reading the books after I saw the first movie in Fort Myers of all places (I was not from Florida). And I have reread all of them at least once. I have also seen all the movies multiple times. Welcome to the club!
Ahhh, enjoy. Island time - nothing like it!
Good call! I am regularly amazed by the number of “people of substance” I encounter in the national security world who limit their horizons by their refusal to spend any time on fantasy or science fiction. Not to rehearse arguments that have been better made by others, but this manifestation of “professionalism” is not a strength.
So glad your muggle curiosoity swept you into the world of Hogwarts and all things wizarding. I took a different approach and refused to see the various movies until I had "read" the respective book. I think the movies were very good adaptations of the books, but there is nothing like reading the "CODE". I use the word "read" loosely as I listened to the amazing storytelling voice of Jim Dale in the audiobook versions. Once you've completed your Hogwarts journey, I'll recommend a book you might enjoy - The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. George Clooney directed the film adaptaion of the book, which I plan to watch this weekend.