Friday, July 20, 2007

Life after Harry Potter

I'm not a Harry Potter fan. I know that makes me a bit odd and out of step, and I did try, but not so much with the books. I find the movies entertaining but I don't rush to see them either. So, of the good -- you'll find no spoilers here. Of the bad...

Well, actually there is no bad. That people love them, I think is very cool and seriosuly, JK Rowling gets huge props for getting that many people, kids and adults alike, all exicted about reading again. That is the best thing ever.

But after the last book, then what? What series or authors could possibly capture people's attetnion like that again?

Quite possibly nothing, but even so, people are going to be looking for something else. I'm not so much on what's being published now, and the series I'm going to list are finished, and possibly difficult to find, but worth it if you can.


Planet Builders by Robyn Tallis, a series of 10 books, science fiction about a planet being colonized and the kids (post adolescents and young teens) who are affect edby any number of odd things on the planet, from telpathic leviathans to smugglers. Excellent young adult series that I still enjoy. I really wish the series was still in production.










The Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston and subsequent books, originally released in the mid to late 1950's, follows the children living in an English manor, past and present, which intersect in the topiary gardens and grounds of Green Knowe. This is a richly descriptive set of novels, atmospheric and haunting without being frightening. There are ghosts and magic and peacocks and hedgehogs with personaility. I believe there are six books in all, and they've recently been re-released.




Space Cops by Diane Duane and Peter Morwood. Three books, science fiction, you can find them used. I was seriously upset when they stopped after three. I love these book, Probably a bit more sophisticated than is interesting for the post adolescent crowd, but exciting and fun anyway, with an excellent repartee betwee the two main characters, and yes, if you are slash fan -- adorable couple these two would make. Officers Evan Glyndower and Joss O'Bannion are partnered in pursuit of interplanetary criminals. It really does read like a police procedural if you like them, but with a twist. Evan is the full-body-armor muscle and Joss is the mixed heritage, brains, but really they are both smart, and Joss has a certain arrogance in the idea that his well-mechanized partner can save his skinny butt. There's a lot of humor in the books and a lot of partnered trust and loyalty. Excellent reads.


I'll poke about and see what other series I can find that I can actually connect you to, should you want to read. (Nothing like being recommended a book and not being able to find it.)

I'm also currently reading a series bu Rob Thurman, and hope to have a cogent review of the two books I've read so far.

And what are you reading after Harry Potter?

Labels: