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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be surprised DSs teacher claims Harry Potter are her favourite books?

207 replies

bluegreenruby · 09/11/2018 21:57

She teaches English and I would surely have expected a little more sophistication from someone with an English degree?

OP posts:
Tartsamazeballs · 09/11/2018 21:59

10/10 for effort 😂

Pass the popcorn....

MinecraftHolmes · 09/11/2018 21:59

They’re entertaining. We can’t all be big fans of Melville.

Unicornandbows · 09/11/2018 22:00

She could also be making that decision based on the age of the students she teaches and not her actual favourite book.

Carpetglasssofa · 09/11/2018 22:00

Yeah, I know a few adults who say the same. Maybe she's just trying to get down with the kids, maybe they really are her favourites. (Is she quite young? Maybe she read them all as a kid) Nowt as queer as folk.

Cranky17 · 09/11/2018 22:00

Don’t be a literary snob. Maybe she just lies to the children so they have a connection

MissMarplesKnitting · 09/11/2018 22:01

She can't very well say it's Lady Chatterley, can she?!!

Original poster
bluegreenruby · 09/11/2018 22:01

I did wonder that unicorn, fair enough if so.

OP posts:
NancyDonahue · 09/11/2018 22:01

Db is a chef and one of his favourite meals is beans on toast.

Original poster
bluegreenruby · 09/11/2018 22:01

Why not, if it was?

OP posts:
ThatssomebadhatHarry · 09/11/2018 22:02

He most likely grew up reading them and has fond childhood memories. Stop being such a snob.

TheChickenOfTruth · 09/11/2018 22:02

I love them too. And Discworld books. There are certainly better written books with more linguistic flair and deep artistry... But I come back to my favorites over and over again.
Like how you can be a wine snob but still just want a nice cup of tea most of the time.

SgtFredColon · 09/11/2018 22:02

I have an English degree AND a masters and I like Harry Potter a lot! I didn’t know that wasn’t allowed.

InfantaSybilla · 09/11/2018 22:03

How old is the teacher? They could quite easily be at an age where they read HP books as a child so have fond memories of them.

youknowyourself · 09/11/2018 22:03

I think I might be your dd's teacher bluegreenruby I have the English degree, I teach, the Harry Potter series is my favourite and I am completely unsophisticated. Small world, eh?

Dobbythesockelf · 09/11/2018 22:03

I told some 3 yr old that my favourite tv show is paw patrol. Obviously it's not but I don't think they know supernatural.....

SgtFredColon · 09/11/2018 22:03

In fact I wrote my master’s dissertation on Harry Potter. So there!

TheVanguardSix · 09/11/2018 22:03

Oh so what? Why do you care?

Anarchyinateacup · 09/11/2018 22:03

They are amongst my favourite books, I find them comforting and nostalgic as they take me back to my childhood. Don't be a book snob.

ButchyRestingFace · 09/11/2018 22:03

How old is she, OP? If she's under 30, I imagine she would have grown up with these books, perhaps they inspired a love of reading (which could still be the case for someone over that age!).

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 09/11/2018 22:05

I would say Harry potter are my favourite series of books. They are light to read, and sometimes it's nice to escape into a magical world where good always prevails over evil.

I am 30 and I grew up reading them and remember queuing at midnight t Waterstones for the last book! They will always hold a special place in my heart even if they aren't a literary marvel. They are my favourite because of the memories they hold and the way I feel when I read them. (And re-read over and over!)

Devillanelle · 09/11/2018 22:05

One of my teacher friends listens to country music instead of classical music. The horror! 🙄

Petitepamplemousse · 09/11/2018 22:05

I'm a Head of English teacher with an MA. I grew up reading HP. They are not genuinely my absolute favourite books, but my real favourites are quite obscure and I do still have a fondness for Harry Potter. If asked by a child, especially Year 7-9 age, I might respond Harry Potter rather than with the name of an Annie Proulx or Richard Yates novel.

YABU and judgmental.

Ghanagirl · 09/11/2018 22:06

I’ve not read Harry Potter and I’m an avid reader but my DD and her friends love it and they had a teacher 3 years ago who was obsessed.
Also worked with a medical Dr prior to having DD who was brilliant and funny plus obsessed with the HP books, I think you’re being snobby just because you don’t enjoy them 100,0000 million readers can’t be wrong!
Disclaimer I have no idea how many HP books have been read or sold but I know it’s a lot!!

Original poster
bluegreenruby · 09/11/2018 22:06

It isn't that it isn't "allowed", which is an odd thing to say. Of course it is "allowed", but it's unexpected for someone with a degree in the subject to claim her favourite book is a children's book - it's like someone with a degree in Music saying their favourite music is Little Mix!

OP posts:
BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 09/11/2018 22:06

I would be the same age as Harry Potter and am still waiting for my hogwarts owl.

It’s extremely clever, full of Latin and wordplay- I wouldn’t dismiss it.

Plus I want my owl.