If you like Harry Potter, you might like...

I thought I'd start a thread where we can recommend books and movies to each other.

Several book series come to mind:

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.  This is about another wizard named Harry, but it's more of an alternate reality type thing, where the police more or less know that there are vampires and magic workers out there, but pretty much choose to hide their heads in the sand.  Please note, these are not kids' books.  There's violence, cussing, and some hanky panky.  That being said, this is probably my favorite book series right now.

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman.  Set in a parallel universe where people's souls exist outside their bodies in the form of animals called daemons.  These are marketed as kid/teen books, and in lots of ways they are, but...it deals heavily with theology and religion.  Might be your cuppa tea, might not.  I personally enjoyed them.

Of course I'm gonna mention the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.  More or less for a teen audience, but I liked them, and I know ladies older than I that enjoyed them as well.  Meyer also has a new book out called The Host, which I have not read yet.

The Danny Valentine Series, by Lilith Saintcrow (yep, that's her real name).  Dante Valentine is a female bounty hunter living in an alternate future.  These are for adults/young adults, not kids.  There's plenty of violence, the main character cusses a lot, and there's some hanky panky.  The story gets monotonous but all in all I enjoyed it.

I've wondered about the Lemony Snicket series. I worried that they wouldn't be good but I'll have to give them a try now! Thanks!

THe Dark is Rising. I read this in year 8 which was..... 18 years ago, as an english syllabus text. Then I went out and bought the whole series. Fabulous books!! I highly recommend them - can't remember who wrote them which is shameful.

I'm rereading the Deathstalker Saga by Simon Green.  It's eight books long and is kind of a cross between fantasy and scifi (it's been called a "space opera").  Mr Green's books get a bit monotonous after you've read a few, but he still has some pretty original monsters and bad guys.

Supernatural has a book series!

The Book of Lost Things.. has anyone read this? I read on another post in the lounge that it was good and the description looks great!  I was wondering if any of you have read it?

Ooohh, I've never heard of that one!

*makes mental note to look it up*

On another subject, I started watching Prince Caspian last night! I didn't finish it (it's 2 1/2 hours long), but so far I'm really enjoying it.

I really like the Chronicles of Narnia movies - so far.

Here's more on The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly.

Product Description
High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mournsthe death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf forcompany. But those books have begun to whisper to him in thedarkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imaginationand soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. Whilehis family falls apart around him, David is violently propelledinto a world that is a strange reflection of his own -- populatedby heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps hissecrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.

Taking readers on a vivid journey through the lossof innocence into adulthood and beyond, New York Timesbestselling author John Connolly tells a dark and compelling talethat reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.

Ok, I finished watching Prince Caspian last night, and wow, I really liked it.  I won't say what happens for those of you who haven't read the book or seen the movie, but I thought they did a really good job of converting it from print to silver screen.

I loved both of them, too! The series was totally enchanting, and the transition into a movie was great =D.

It's petty, but I did NOT care for the fact that the Telmarines had Spanish accents!  Shouldn't they have lost them by then? ;)

Lol! I didn't even realize that ;]

The Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville.  The first book, Into the Land of the Unicorns, came out in when I was still in high school.  The 2nd book, Song of the Wanderer, came out a couple of years later.  I have been waiting like 7 years for the third book!!!  And it came out last August; Dark Whispers.  This series is geared to 9-12 year olds and features a young redheaded heroine named Cara, who is not your average child.  I really love this series and recommend it to anyone who has a HP fan in the house.

I just found out that there is a remake of Escape to Witch Mountain in the works!  The new movie, to be released March 13, is titled Race to Witch Mountain.  For those of you who've never seen the original movie or read the book, it's about a brother and sister who have what seem to be paranormal powers.  Good stuff.

What with the movie coming out next month, I decided to read the graphic novel "The Watchmen" by Alan Moore.  I don't normally do the comic book/graphic book thing, but I have to admit, I'm enjoying it so far.  It's based in a world with superheros (think "The Incredibles" but rated R) that are being killed off or otherwise put out of comission.  It's worthwhile if you can deal with graphic novels.  Please note this is not for kiddies.

Some of the best Harry Potter books written by fans...

Year 6: Harry Potter and the Power of Emotion

Year 7: Harry Potter and the Curse of the Damned

Enjoy !!!

Valtor

I just finished the fourth book by Rob Thurman, Deathwish.  OMG.  Start reading this author, seriously.  Fans of Harry Dresden will enjoy this.  For those of you that are reading this series but haven't gotten to book four yet; you are in for a treat.  This features Cal and Niko Leandros, and deals with the return of Cal's psychotic "relatives".  Hint, hint: Cal's not the only character with relatives coming out of the woodwork. 

Ms. Rob Thurman has a new series forthcoming!  This one has a female protagonist.

Original Post by sharpshootinstar:

What with the movie coming out next month, I decided to read the graphic novel "The Watchmen" by Alan Moore.  I don't normally do the comic book/graphic book thing, but I have to admit, I'm enjoying it so far.  It's based in a world with superheros (think "The Incredibles" but rated R) that are being killed off or otherwise put out of comission.  It's worthwhile if you can deal with graphic novels.  Please note this is not for kiddies.

 I actually finished this some time ago but am just now reviewing it.  Bottom line; I thought it was pretty amazing.  It was a little odd to read, mostly because it's a giant comic book, err, excuse me, graphic novel, but was well worth the effort.  An incredible piece of fiction.

I definitely want to read the Dresden Files now that I see so many good reviews.  I never heard of them, but now I have to get them soon.  I loved Harry Potter better than most books I have ever read. 

I am a huge Stephen King fan so here are some suggestions that he wrote...

The Dark Tower Series  This is a 7 book series that is awesome.  Stephen King wrote this over a 30+ year time span and the entire story is over 3500 pages.   These are books meant for adult readers.  The Dark Tower is about a gunslinger named Roland and his journey through life. 

Bad of Bones is about a writer named Michael Noonan.  He looses his wife and decides to move to his summer home...which is haunted.  This book is about lost love and the secrects they hold, new love, murder and of course ghosts.  My favorite book by far.

I also love Neil Gaiman so far (I have read 3 books by him and they were all great).  So far I read Coraline, American Gods and Anansi Boys.  I am guessing every book I read by Neil Gaiman will be just as good.  He writes about bizarre people and occurences. 

I also just read Host by Stephanie Meyer.  I loved it!!!  I hope she writes more because this book was different and really enjoyable. 

Hi Jamie!  Yes, I highly recommend the Dresden Files.  In fact, Book 11 of the Dresden Files, called Turncoat, will be released next month.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about the Dark Tower series.  Epic.  Bag of Bones was also good, although when most people think of Stephen King, they don't think of Bag of Bones.

I have to suggest Duma Key, also by Stephen King.  Loved it.