Lots of fun at the Guardian today.

Helena Bonham Carter = Bellatrix Lestrange

More HP news: At the HC&G benefit last night, Stephen King and John Irving begged JKR to spare Harry's life. 

And lastly, what books make you flirt? 

I admit it, I'm a sucker for guys who aren't afraid to read kids' book in public (and no, HP doesn't count).  If you're reading David Foster Wallace, I'll avoid eye contact.  If I don't barf first.

Comments

[MotherReader]

The best thing about the "what books make you flirt" article is the string of comments - no, make that the string of British comments - following the article. Like, "I'd fancy the girl reading Kafka..." Those Brits and their cute words.

[jess]

Reminds me of a New Yorker cover where you see two subway trains stopped next to each other - on one a girl is reading and on the other a young man has the same book - and they've just noticed each other.

[Es]

I got a bit heated after reading the "what makes you flirt" article, so I posted the following reply:

I appologize in advance if similar comments have already been posted, I've only read the first 20 or so replies.

The arrogance of those that consider themselves the cultured few never failes to surprise me. I personally find those who refuse to appear in public with say Bridget Jones, but then draw the curtains, hide under the bed and read it anyway (and probably enjoy it), laughable.
And everyone who reads Dan Brown is an idiot? Please. You've all read Dan Brown.

So I confess: I've read books by Helen Fielding, Nick Hornby, Sophie Kinsella, Dan Brown, William Sutcliffe and many more. I've read Truman Capote just before the movie release. I thought "Christ Recrucified" was one of the most mindboggling books I ever read. I can't say I truly enjoyed "Crime and Punishment".
My bookshelves are crammed with classics, humour, history, drama, crime and everything in between.
And I am familiar with the works of Kafka, but I reserve the right to laugh until I cry while reading "Are You Experienced?" anyway.

I like your blog though ;-)
xxx
E

[Es]

(the heatedness came from reading the replies actually, not the article)

[Leila]

I actually stopped reading the replies because the people commenting were so obviously Not My People. (The one that put me over the edge was the guy who said that DFW was a turn-on -- shudder.) I mean, I'm somewhat of a book snob, but I'm usually only half-serious. They brought book snobbery to a whole new level. And it seemed like they meant what they said. Yuck.

But I thought that the question itself was a fun one.

[Es]

In a day and age where people have to be pryed from their computer screens and dragged away from their television sets, I find it unbelievable there are people who ridicule other people's taste in books. Let's face it, not everyone kicks off with a good ol' Dostoevsky and literary intrest should be nurtured and encouraged, not squashed by some poof who thinks he's all that because he "knows" literature.

I'm sorry, it's a bit of a sore spot. Every kind of artistic arrogance gets on my nerve.

Nevertheless, it was indeed a fun question.