8 Books to Read Instead of Harry Potter

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Willow Talks Books

Willow Talks Books

Күн бұрын

Whether you're a Harry Potter fan looking for more magical schools to explore, or an angry ex-fan looking for something to replace your once-beloved Hogwarts, here are eight excellent books by eight excellent authors to read instead of spending more money on Harry Potter.
Read the full article here: booksandbao.com/magical-books-like-harry-potter
Read books by trans writers: booksandbao.com/transgender-stories-by-trans-writers
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Пікірлер: 96
@AnaMoShoshin
@AnaMoShoshin 3 жыл бұрын
OMG! thank you!! No one ever talks about how she STOLE so much from other books for Harry Potter!! The Cat Wings series by LeGuin is also really great for younger readers.
@vidar8771
@vidar8771 3 жыл бұрын
Why does everyone always look at it as stealing instead of inspiring someone? Just since it has similarities doesn't mean they ripped it from the book for cold hearted reasons. They obviously were inspired and felt it could connect to their own story
@bobc7557
@bobc7557 3 жыл бұрын
I'm sure some would say the same about The Percy Jackson series. The author even said he was inspired by Harry Potter. The formula is similar, and since it's been tried and works, we're getting more books like Harry Potter- some aren't so good (like the Unwanteds ugh I hate that series lol) but some like Percy Jackson are very good.
@TinFoilCat90
@TinFoilCat90 3 жыл бұрын
There are no new ideas. If you can think of 100% someone else has as well. I dont like JK for her pandering to the bs. I hate that everything in this f*cking world now has to be about politics and bs. F*ck can we not just enjoy something? I hate the left and the right. The right are hippie dippies who condone pedophilia and the left are hard nosed ass holes and regular people like me are just done with it.
@BlackWolfCosplay
@BlackWolfCosplay 2 жыл бұрын
I just did a creative writing unit as part of my degree, and this is actually a genuine technique to take bits that inspire you from other things (books, games, tv, film etc.) and combine them to create something different. Many authors take from other stories, there's even a book called Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon that talks about this, he explains it's about being inspired by and honouring that persons work, and that by borrowing from your favourite creators it helps you find your own style. The things Rowling took from other stories were likely already taken/inspired by other things 🙂. The same thing happens with artists all the time!
@Toribell1928
@Toribell1928 7 ай бұрын
@@vidar8771I think the issue is that Rowling made comments about her work being entirely original (I don’t remember the exact quote) and LeGuin herself criticized this as she was the first to develop a widely praised wizard school book even though Rowling claimed Harry Potter was the first
@backtothebooks9201
@backtothebooks9201 3 жыл бұрын
I like that you included Phillip Pullman in this list. I know certain sections of Twitter refuse to remove him from their 'transphobic and therefore dead to me' lists, but he's a great example of someone who didn't quite get it, listened and learned, and came back actively pro-trans because he's ultimately a compassionate person who just hadn't been engaged in that conversation before. (much like Brandon Sanderson unlearning the homophobia that was instilled in his religious upbringing) Unfortunately JKR will just dig deeper and deeper and double down on her irrational fear and hatred, but it's lovely so see so many magical books that I can give to young relatives so thank you for these suggestions!
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
I absolutely agree! Pullman chose to listen and learn. JKR is a lost cause and, well, fine. Good riddance. Sanderson is actually a great comparison. Although he has improved as a person and I praise him for that, the fact that he was a missionary has always angered me just enough to not give his books a chance, even though I'm desperate to. Maybe I should let that go?
@nitzeart
@nitzeart 2 ай бұрын
Oh I didn't know that about him. This is great news!
@charlottegaffney5054
@charlottegaffney5054 3 жыл бұрын
Love the suggestions especially the praise of Kiki's Delivery Service. I'd also suggest The Worst Witch novel series by Jill Murphy. It's similar to Kiki and Little Witch Academia and was a beloved childhood read of mine way before I discovered Harry Potter
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
That's a wonderful suggestion! My partner was a huge fan of those books growing up as well.
@mitzymoomoo6658
@mitzymoomoo6658 2 жыл бұрын
So glad you mentioned Diana Wynne Jones. Absolutely adore the Chrestomanci series💖
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
It's a special one for sure
@racheljane5701
@racheljane5701 Жыл бұрын
Great video ❤️ I absolutely adored The Night Circus and thought I would love The Starless Sea but I didn't as much! I'm not sure whether it's because I listened to it on audiobook. Have you read it and what did you think if you did? X
@1book1review
@1book1review 3 жыл бұрын
Great video idea. There are so many other series to read, what comes to mind immediately is the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud. I didin't grow up with the books either so other than the original books and movies I haven't spent any money on the series and have no issues letting go of supporting her in any way in the future.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
Ooh I've never heard of Stroud or his books. Thanks for the suggestion! Yeah it's definitely easier for us who have less sentimental attachment to her. It's harder for people whose lives turned around HP. But, as we can attest right here, there's so much more out there!
@EV-yp5hx
@EV-yp5hx 3 жыл бұрын
This is a really well put together list of recommendations, thank you! However, I don't agree with the undercurrent of this video that suggests that Rowling stole ideas. I'd like to qualify this by saying I'm definitely not an expert, but as a casual reader of fantasy it seems to me that fantasy as a genre (or at least some fantasy) has a much more defined common pool of ideas than most other genres seem to. Quests, magic schools, tolkein-esque elements, and many many more recent additions. Rowling took elements, subverted others, and even added things that future writers then took from. She wasn't the most innovative writer, but I don't think her actions were unrepresentative either.
@extraHERO
@extraHERO Ай бұрын
This is a bad faith video that can’t be trusted because that’s what you get when ideologues try to make honest videos
@amalathisdreaming
@amalathisdreaming 10 ай бұрын
Saving for later as I definitely need some good replacements to feed my magical world addiction. Somehow - despite hearing about most of these books before - I only read His Dark Materials, which gives me a lot to catch up on.
@mikkareads
@mikkareads Жыл бұрын
I adore Dianna Wynne Jones, I grew up with the Crestomanci novels in the early to mid 80s. But my favorite of her was Hexwood, I discovered that in the mid 90s while on a trip to London and have read it numerous times since. My favorite of Ursula K. LeGuin will always be "The Left Hand of Darkness", but of course, that's not like Harry Potter at all. I loved "The Night Circus", I really need to finally read "The Starless Sea". "Neverwhere" is another of my all-time favorites. What I tend to recommend as an alternative to Harry Potter is the "Young Wizards" series by Diane Duane, though it's much more steeped with philosophical queastion and almost nihilistic themes.
@heatherbradford6900
@heatherbradford6900 2 жыл бұрын
Nevermore! By Jesica Townsend! It's Perfection.
@morningstar6577
@morningstar6577 2 жыл бұрын
Perhaps you might also like Tamora Pierce's fantasy books
@induwaraperera9110
@induwaraperera9110 2 жыл бұрын
Do you have any books that you don't need , if you can donate it it would be very helpful for Us.
@storyphilepremium1724
@storyphilepremium1724 2 жыл бұрын
I had no idea Kiki was a book! One of my favorite Ghibli movies.
@tuddlesbookclub1089
@tuddlesbookclub1089 Жыл бұрын
Thank for the remediation. The Night Circus in on my reading list to read. Can't wait to read it. Sounds good.
@bobc7557
@bobc7557 3 жыл бұрын
I recommend 'A series of unfortunate events' and literally anything by Neil Gaimen. He's the best lol.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
Totally, I have a big video and an article dedicated to Gaiman's works. He's a gem.
@melsbookshelf
@melsbookshelf 3 жыл бұрын
What a wonderful video! Thank you so much - I am excited to read some of these with my 6-year-old! I have never read the golden compass it sounds amazing.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
That is one book I wish I could erase from my memory and read for the first time. I hope you love it like I did! And I hope your 6-year-old loves Kiki!
@SwanSong_Kotlc
@SwanSong_Kotlc 11 ай бұрын
I recommend Keeper of the Lost Cities. Super good series in my opinion! You should try!
@graciareyes7824
@graciareyes7824 3 жыл бұрын
Sadly Diana Wynne jones already passed away.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
For some reason that information fell out of my brain before I filmed this. I'm old.
@poppie267
@poppie267 9 ай бұрын
I can recomend The Supernational Investigasions serries by B.B.Alston.
@storyphilepremium1724
@storyphilepremium1724 2 жыл бұрын
Neverwhere is one of my favorite books. Great recommendations!
@Ali94749
@Ali94749 3 жыл бұрын
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell served as my replacement!
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
A very good choice! I really need to read Piranesi.
@Toribell1928
@Toribell1928 7 ай бұрын
Love this video! Harry Potter will always hold a special place in my heart (and are widely available secondhand so no need to support the author directly) but I no longer want to engage with the franchise so this is a great list! I’d heard of some of the authors but not all these series :)
@santanalopez14
@santanalopez14 11 ай бұрын
Another good alternative to harry potter is a tale of magic by chris colfer. It is fairly new and it's really good, quite similar but in my opinion way better. I read the whole trilogy in 3 days it was so good! I loved harry potter when i was like 10 but I find it hard to read now, but a tale of magic is way better, and it even has an lgbt character, as well as strong lgbt themes. Thanks for the video, I will definitely check some of these out!
@GeneralGrizzy
@GeneralGrizzy 10 ай бұрын
If you want a great manga on magic done right, I HIGHLY recommend witch hat atelier
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 10 ай бұрын
Read it, love it 💜
@GeneralGrizzy
@GeneralGrizzy 10 ай бұрын
@@WillowTalksBooks I absolutely adore it 🩵
@miyayume_eclectic_dream
@miyayume_eclectic_dream Жыл бұрын
His Dark Materials Ibread it as a child. I read HP just bevor the first movie was made....so last book wasn't written. And no, have seen only movie 1&2. Night Circus is one of the best fantasy one will ever read!!! The writting is so so ivy-and-mystical-and-magical-like ...
@AscastMC
@AscastMC Ай бұрын
I also bread it
@miyayume_eclectic_dream
@miyayume_eclectic_dream Ай бұрын
@@AscastMC 😜🤣🤣🤣
@wburris2007
@wburris2007 2 жыл бұрын
I read His Dark Materials Series about 15 years ago when I was in my late 40s, and enjoyed them very much. I also enjoyed The Name of the Wind.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
HDM really are ageless books that anyone can fall in love with
@lelelelele1770
@lelelelele1770 2 жыл бұрын
His dark Materials were so good! I read all the books a few months ago
@user-hd7be3kn7t
@user-hd7be3kn7t 11 ай бұрын
I was sorry to hear you view of the Harry Potter producers, I too own the. Books and movie's. And turfs sound very dangerous in a world conflict way, I guess I wrote you to say I hope you're misunderstanding the situation. Of course I know nothing, except I concider myself clairvoyant. Not all is lost...! We'll be o.k.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 11 ай бұрын
JKR uses the money people spend on HP to pay the legal fees of Nazis and fascists
@JZ-gx8tb
@JZ-gx8tb 3 ай бұрын
​@@WillowTalksBookslol
@gydemusic
@gydemusic 3 жыл бұрын
Yes! Thank you Will for standing up for love and decency and for all your recommendations as always
@maxrush859
@maxrush859 2 жыл бұрын
Harry Potter is still better but The Name Of The Wind is amazing
@fletchforever82
@fletchforever82 2 жыл бұрын
Oh. One of them
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
LOL! I'm really going to need you to clarify. Or maybe you shouldn't...
@jethalaalchampaklaalgada7927
@jethalaalchampaklaalgada7927 2 жыл бұрын
Hey do you think Jk rowlings stole some ideas from "Groosham Grange" And the "Worst Witch" And the most suspected one "Secret of Platform no. 13" What do you think??
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
I haven't read or seen any of those so I couldn't say! But there's also the infamous Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman. Comparing that side by side with Harry Potter is cringe-inducing, honestly. Although Gaiman did refuse to throw JKR under the bus cuz he's nice like that.
@jethalaalchampaklaalgada7927
@jethalaalchampaklaalgada7927 2 жыл бұрын
@@WillowTalksBooks So you mean Harry Potter isn't 100% original but it is just combination of lots of infamous books ?
@glaciergang
@glaciergang 2 жыл бұрын
I was so happy to see Little Witch Academia here! Cutest anime ever
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
Isn't it? Heartwarmig and beautifully animated
@AbsurdExistentialist
@AbsurdExistentialist 2 жыл бұрын
Great video! I remember Ursula K LeGuin making a comment once about how Rowling is not very creative. I did grow up reading the Potter books, and my mom and I connected and bonded over the series and she even read them for herself, so I did have the sentimental connection to it. But when you're in your late 20s and 30s... And people your age still pine over the park and the movies and which House they identify with... It's really quite embarrassing lmao. Rowling's TERF beliefs only made it easier to move on to better things. Read another book, people!
@MadDogRyan
@MadDogRyan 7 ай бұрын
Like Harry Potter and could care less what Rowling says or thinks while I disagree with what she says she has every right to say it I just read the books I bought when I was kid and won't buy anything more from her if we got rid of the her right to say what she has said we wouldn't know that she's real butthead to put it lightly
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 7 ай бұрын
Sorry, I can’t read that
@ameliareads589
@ameliareads589 3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely fabulous video! And thank you for standing to your opinion! You actually made me really emotional.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! There are few things I care about as much as trans rights.
@heypeopleitsmatt
@heypeopleitsmatt 3 жыл бұрын
Great video and intriguing recommendations, you've earned a new subscriber. Here's to more of us coming in
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@bobbykeniston7240
@bobbykeniston7240 2 жыл бұрын
Sorry to keep commenting on your older videos--- just discovered your channel. I put down "Ender's Game," less than halfway through when I looked up more about Mr. Card and found his homophobic rants. Too many great books and great authors to spend my time supporting instead. I have recently been telling people to think about reading some Eva Ibbotson with their kids instead of Harry Potter. I have read her books "The Island of the Aunts" and "The Secret of Platform 13" (about an abandoned platform at King's Cross that happens to be a doorway to a magic world... hmmm). I was amazed by how much Rowling seemed to lift from her. Ibbotson, before her death, was very gracious about it in an interview.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your attitude towards authors and their work. We need to lift up ethically good, kind authors at every turn. And thanks for recommending me an author as well!
@Toribell1928
@Toribell1928 7 ай бұрын
I love Eva Ibbotson! Thoroughly enjoyed her books as a kid, definitely underrated
@august3777
@august3777 3 жыл бұрын
I think its so bad that these authors like Orson scot card and JK Rowling decide to have these opinions that have people hate their work, and am certainly in the group of people who doesn't want to support them. Its just sad. But these are great choice, most I haven't of before, with the exception of Hale's Moving Castle, Every time I plan to read it,I burn out on fantasy. But now I think I'll look into it for the spring when I return to fantasy. Also, I did hear about Ursula LeGuin and that JK Rowling "Borrowed" a lot from when writing Harry Potter. Have to look into that one too. Thanks for the video, you had a lot of great options here.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
It is sad that they choose to die on such awful hills and, in turn, negatively effect the lives of good people. But at least there are countless other great writers and artists who are worthy of your time and money!
@faustianacademia
@faustianacademia 3 жыл бұрын
I would like to add "The Worst Witch". Indeed, Rowling is such a disappointment, thus, I will try the alternative books you have mentioned; starting with Phillip Pullman's book, which I own.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
My partner was a big, big fan of The Worst Witch growing up but I didn't know enough about it to add it to the list. Thank you though!
@faustianacademia
@faustianacademia 3 жыл бұрын
@@WillowTalksBooks It had been adapted as a series over Netflix, so sweet to watch and of course to read. I hope you make the second part of your recommendations and include it.🙏
@musiquemacabre
@musiquemacabre 3 жыл бұрын
Happy to see this list! Seriously, we don’t have to support JKR when there is such great work that’s kind of in the shadows.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
This. 100x this.
@shakespeareandspice
@shakespeareandspice 3 жыл бұрын
I don’t actually see the point of the other books and movies Rowling keeps churning out. It just seems greedy anyway. Great idea to give recommendations outside of the fandom.
@arandomuser9459
@arandomuser9459 3 жыл бұрын
I recommend reading the worst witch or watching the Netflix series. It’s similar to Harry Potter but it’s also different.
@robertarnold6192
@robertarnold6192 22 күн бұрын
Harry Potter forever, Hogwarts forever. I’ll support the franchise extra for you.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 21 күн бұрын
Okay, Robert. I’m sure your life is very fulfilling. Careful not to do anything too interesting ✌️
@justjuanreader
@justjuanreader 3 жыл бұрын
What a great video filled with amazing recommendations!! 👏🏻 Putting the whole JKR thing aside (I personally disagree with you but think we should all be respectful and open minded towards each other), I could not agree more with you! There are many series and novels that young readers should know more about (although I can’t think of not recommending HP, myself, because of how much it means to me personally), especially His Dark Materials. I am also always recommending the Bartimaeus books by Jonathan Stroud. Love your channel 👍
@leticiasumie1
@leticiasumie1 Ай бұрын
❤❤❤❤❤
@debbiet5130
@debbiet5130 2 жыл бұрын
Never got on with Harry Potter (when they first came out in my 40s!😁) LOVE Ursula Leguin and boy, did JK Rowling rip off some of her ideas! Great video!
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
Ursula Le Guin and Diana Wynne Jones were both so ahead of their times. Revolutionary writers! 💜
@debbiet5130
@debbiet5130 2 жыл бұрын
@@WillowTalksBooks Yes-I haven't read any of DWJ's books, but I will now put them on my list. Loved the Philip Pullman ones-read all 3 in a week when they first came out!😊
@pratyayeedutta389
@pratyayeedutta389 2 жыл бұрын
In case of Harry Potter my view is as same as your.I loved the series from my childhood days,once I was so much in it till my 19/20 years age...but then I discovered author's transphobia...at first I was so much surprised then I thought, " okk,Childhood ambience is now over".
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
Yeah I've had to cut ties with a few things I've loved because the creators are dangerous and bigoted people. I'd rather support good and kind artists, always 💜
@SkYla416
@SkYla416 2 жыл бұрын
I mean jk sucks but the books are so good
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 2 жыл бұрын
You should check out Shaun’s vid, just titled “Harry Potter”
@selwynr
@selwynr 3 жыл бұрын
I found Rowling to be a very second-rate writer, her style overrun with cliches, so when I found out about her awful politics and bigotry, it was a no-brainer to never support her in any way again.
@WillowTalksBooks
@WillowTalksBooks 3 жыл бұрын
Haha I feel exactly the same way! Never cared about the little wizard boy or her lazy writing, so I never had to have my heart broken by her cultish bigotry.
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