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

I like HP, by the way.

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

(Obscure to children, that is.) And I do actually think the Harry Potter books are lovely.

NicoAndTheNiners · 09/11/2018 22:06

She’s not saying she thinks they’re the best works of literature. Enjoyment is more than appreciating good writing, it’s being transported to a place which really takes over amongst other things. HP does that well.

Dobbythesockelf · 09/11/2018 22:07

Oh and I love Harry potter and my favourite book is definitely a book aimed at teens. But then again I first read it as a teen....

Petitepamplemousse · 09/11/2018 22:08

@bluegreenruby, how old is your child?

Knittink · 09/11/2018 22:09

YABU. I'm a languages teacher and my degree was largely literary. HP is pretty much top of my list too, along with a few other things which wouldn't be considered high literature.

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

11; 12 early next year.

OP posts:
MissEliza · 09/11/2018 22:09

Oh fgs. Maybe it was HP that sparked her love of reading. I always say 'the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' if I'm asked.

catkind · 09/11/2018 22:09

She may not be being entirely truthful. Maybe they're her favourite book which she thinks the kids will have heard of. Or maybe she wants to encourage the kids to read for fun and not dismiss anything as too babyish.
Or maybe she really does enjoy a good fantasy romp, in which case good on her for not pretending otherwise. Favourites can be favourites for all sorts of reasons. I can quite imagine doing an English degree and becoming attached to HP as antidote to all the heavy lifting and analysis.

JacquesHammer · 09/11/2018 22:10

Favourite doesn’t mean most literary worth.

Zolaaaaa · 09/11/2018 22:11

My all time favourite books. The philosophers stone was the first ever library book I independently chose, and the chamber of secrets the first book I read completely independently.
They might not be the best written but they make me so happy and I still remember it being 7 and playing getting my hogwarts letter.
They are magical.

youknowyourself · 09/11/2018 22:12

It's a silly, judgemental comment from the op. I'm sorry we are not all as refined as you, op.

InspectorIkmen · 09/11/2018 22:12

Get over yourself OP.

I like Asterix and I like Shakespeare and everything in between. Not that anyone should have to justify their literary likes and dislikes to you or anyone else.

Cynara · 09/11/2018 22:13

I have an extremely well-regarded Classics degree. I can read complex Greek and Latin texts in the original languages. I'm stating that for context, not to show off. When I was at school, we were forced to read "worthy" literature. Steinbeck; Shakespeare; bloody interminable Maya Angelou. I couldn't stand it. Goody twoshoesness shoved down our throats for years on end. Some of my favourite books are pure escapism and froth. I love Georgette Heyer and the Harry Potter series. So what? It's made no difference to my academic ability or achievement.

MissMarplesKnitting · 09/11/2018 22:15

I like Mozart. And I like Muse.

One is more "studious" then the other but tbh it's ridiculous that you are casting aspersions as if it matters a damn.

Petitepamplemousse · 09/11/2018 22:15

So a teacher told your YEAR 7 child that Harry Potter is her favourite. And you have a problem with this...
I think you need to get out a tad more.

ForgivenessIsDivine · 09/11/2018 22:16

I have an MA in English Literature. My favourite books is That Rabbit belongs to Emily Brown.

SawnUpLooRoll · 09/11/2018 22:17

OP - what's your specialism, and what's your favourite thing connected with that? Is it deep and sophisticated or something you love for other, personal reasons?

Petitepamplemousse · 09/11/2018 22:17

Also OP - I'm an English teacher who likes reading Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. I also like reading Mumsnet forums and rubbish holiday thrillers occasionally.
I like classical music and I also like pop music.
You do not have to choose between 'high' and 'low' culture you know. How needlessly snobbish.

Believeitornot · 09/11/2018 22:19

But HP are great books?

What’s the issue?

youknowyourself · 09/11/2018 22:19

For a long time I only read books that featured my name in the title...

Jamhandprints · 09/11/2018 22:23

My DS's teacher says her favourite book is The Gruffalo. I doubt it really is.

Dobbythesockelf · 09/11/2018 22:23

My dh has a friend with a masters in music, she sings opera etc. A while back they went to a Steel Panther gig. It's amazing how people can like a wide range of things isn't it.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 09/11/2018 22:24

If someone was to ask me what my favourite book was, I’d either say I don’t know or say a classic.

My actual favourite book is a teen chick lit called “The earth, my butt and other big round things” because of how it made me feel and helped me during a particularly shit time. I still reread it now and again and it will forever be important to me.

What’s the big deal? Her favourite book is just that, HER favourite. Why do you even give a shit?!

jcsp · 09/11/2018 22:24

Whilst I read them to my children as bedtime stories I worked with a colleague who grew up with them.

They were a major part of growing up for those now in their mid 30s.