Would You, Could You With a Book?

First off, I want to call attention to something that I'm somewhat proud of: This is my 100th post on this blog. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, I realize; some big blogs may reach 100 posts or more per day. But The Elephant's Bookshelf is a labor of love and found time. I love to read and to write, and I want to share my thoughts on writing with others. So, I'm happy to reach a random milestone.

Personal backslapping over.

Today, I happened upon this piece in the Washington Post. Apparently, Harry Potter isn't the biggest thing (PDF) since bread with the crusts cut off in the world of children's reading. While J.K. Rowling's justifiably popular series is still a huge best seller, Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the Hogwarts contingent still can't hold a wand to the creatures of Dr. Seuss's imagination.

Also ahead of the Potter books was Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird, proving that the list wasn't dominated merely by books most read by small children. Further emphasizing that point, the S.E. Hinton stories were also up among the top 10.

Weep not for the wizards and witches. The Potter books will stand the test of time. But it's nice to know that children still love to explore worlds of imagination that don't cause their thumbs to develop carpal tunnel syndrom.

Summer Reading

My wife and I are going away tomorrow. She'll be working, and I'll sort of be on vacation for a few days. So, midway through my first Harry Potter book, I'm not sure what else to bring along to read. I'll probably be almost finished with Sorcerer's Stone by the time we land in Florida, so I have to bring another novel or nonfiction work. But I'm also planning to work on a project that has an August 10 deadline. I've got a few hours yet to decide what my other book will be. What would you decide?

Now I've Done It

I broke down. I caved to commercialism. When I walked into the Barnes & Noble by Union Square, I had intended to merely wander through aisles and shelves -- to strech my legs and figure out what I might want to buy with the Amazon gift certificates I've received for writing a couple book reviews. (Man does not live on free books and garage sales alone!)

But there were fewer tables in the front than usual. And upstairs, there was more open space. Why? Well, Harry Potter is coming, of course! There was a sign that gave the time till the book went on sale (just a little more than a day), and it was obvious that all sorts of displays and ancillary stuff would fill the space soon.

That's when it happened. I decided to buy my first Harry Potter book. I started at the beginning, of course: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It appears to be manageable, as debut novels should be. The new movie out now, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, was from a book that clocked in at around 250,000 words. I don't expect to write a review of Stone -- Lord knows there's enough out there already about J.K. Rowling's books. But I am looking forward to determining for myself whether it's written as well as many people say it is.

Keep Reading Kids

In the same vein as the post below about Harry Potter, the Boston Globe reports that kids aren't reading more than before the Potter phenomenon. While they clearly have enjoyed reading about Harry and Dumbeldore and Hermione, et al., the kids need to be shown that other worlds exist for their discovery. Sounds like we need more reading parents and teachers to encourage them!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Bestseller

In general, I've avoided mentioning Harry Potter on this blog -- not out of any dislike of the stories (which, I sheepishly admit, I've not read, though I have seen most of the movies), but because I've not felt a need to add to the mess. Well, my thoughts are changing now, and this little item from USA Today caught my eye. I like that they interviewed several young readers. One in particular impressed me. Andrew Miller, 15, was asked if he'd be disappointed if Harry Potter died in the final installment.

"I know that J.K. Rowling doesn't like it when an author finishes a series with open characters so that another author could possibly pick up the series and continue with it. I will be very disappointed but will understand if he does die. I guess I will have to see how I really feel if this does happen."

The kid sounds like he's hooked, and if he loved Harry and the other characters, perhaps he'll continue to read other great books and build a lifetime of reading. I'd be honored to have him read my novels when they come out. I'd like to know what he thinks.