audiobooks

There's a reason the Harry Potter books are so popular with an adult audience--they're wonderful! And Jim Dale brings Harry's world to life in the audio versions--I pity readers who have ignored these outstanding tapes. Thankfully, they're unabridged. You won't want to miss a word.

The third installment in the series is far and away the best (so far), full of surprises and twists. The first two books follow a pretty simple formula and felt like children's books--I was beginning to fear the entire series would follow the same predictable format. But Rowling's readers are growing older along with her protagonist, and the plot of this one is subsequently more sophisticated.

Like the rest of the world, I am eager for the fourth book, but willing to wait the extra time for the audio version. Mystery readers should try this series--although the books are known as "fantasy" novels they are also cracker-jack mysteries, complete with clues, surprise revelations, and adventure.

Those of you who are too embarassed to be caught reading a "children's" novel have probably also missed out the best fiction of C.S.Lewis and Madeline L'Engle. Don't deny yourself these literary pleasures!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is, I think, the best book published this summer. The characters are intresting, funny, and each one is special. Harry Potter seems like a kid I'd like to know. When I read this book, and the other Harry Potter books, I feel like I do know him. He's nice, friendly, and has a taste for adventure. Fred and George, the Weasley twins, are funny, mischievous, and love to play pranks on people. One time they gave Ron Weasley, their little brother and Harry's best friend, an acid lolly pop and it burned a hole right through Ron's tongue. With friends like them you have to be careful. Harry, on the other hand is a friend you can count on. The plot twists and thickens as it involves adventure, mystery and fantasy. In this volume, Harry faces the secondhand man to the most evil wizard of all, Voldemort. The problem is one of Voldemort's henchmen is getting into the school. To do that requires an inside helper. Who is the traitor? The ending is very suprising. This book deserves five stars, and if you don't have it, get it as soon as you can! It's a great book!

It was the release of this book that finally got me to pick up the series that had so many children and adults raving. It was one of the best book decisions I ever made. HP has proven to be an exciting and fun way to bond with my nieces and nephews along with many coworkers and friends.

"The Order of the Phoenix" does take the reader deeper into the dark world which Voldemort, the nemesis of HP and all good witches/warlocks has tried to plunge them. This book finally sheds light on part of Harry's past that helps to explain the present. Along with Harry, we learn more about his parents and about how things were at the time Voldemort killed them.

We are also introduced to an integral character, Sirius Black. Is he a good witch or a bad witch? Read this "Prisoner of Azkaban" to find out.