Harry Potter vs. Edgar Allan Poe

[mentecuerpo]

Well, I just finished my bilingual Spanish reader, so I might end up reading Harry Potter after all... I do own the first three books in Spanish, and the first one in German though I've never so much as opened it. Might as well see if I can get my money's worth, eh?

I'm sure HP you will teach you many powerful words.

[Sedge]

I haven't read Harry Potter in any language but English, although I just bought Sorcerer's Stone (Philosopher's Stone, to you non-Americans ) in Spanish, German, and Japanese (though it will be a while before I can read it in the latter). I have a handful of my favorite books in German. I went that route because I know the stories well enough to fill in context and pick up new vocabulary without having to look most things up, even when the number of unknown words on the page would otherwise have me completely lost. I have a few children's books, a couple of novels, and some reference books in either Spanish or bilingual editions.

There are very few "Classics" that I would seek to use to study a new language, simply because there are very few "classics" that hold my attention even in my native language.

[Lisa]

The problem with Harry Potter is that it's just not predictable, and it's much easier to read if you kind of know what's likely to be said or done. The unexpected and even nonsensical may be charming in one's native language... but just makes reading frustrating.

E.g, if they talk about a sandwich, normally by my level, I'd be able to deduce the word for whatever was on it, and/or it would be something I wanted to learn. But - this is true - it was a stoat sandwich (my dictionary said ermine, so I googled to make sure it was the book that was out in left field and not me, and apparently it's the book, and it's a stout in the original). I did not need this word! I barely know what they are in English.

[AnthonyLauder]

it was a stoat sandwich (my dictionary said ermine)

So, that would make it a Weasley Sandwich

[mentecuerpo]

Classics or no Classics, HP, or Poe, the important thing is to keep reading. Read what you love to read, if you are B1, reading and learning new words will get you to vocabulary B2, if you keep reading and learning new words, you will move from vocabulary B2 to vocabulary C1 (but, do you need a vocabulary C1 on this language?). Just continue reading and learning new words.

A piece of hard literary work will slow down your reading tremendously if it requires frequent dictionary use. So, I think it makes sense to read what you like and enjoy reading. If it is a tough read, then accompany your reading with a book in your native language or a language you know well as a reference. Even checking the unknown words in the dictionary may not clarify meaning until you read the translation on the "control" book (this is my experience).

Another critical aspect is that even if you know 100 % of the words, you still may not comprehend beyond 75 % of the content, depending on what you are reading and your background knowledge. (think of a human anatomy book written in your language, or a biochemistry book, if you are not a chemist).

You can spend a few minutes a day for a hard book and dedicate most of your reading time to a book that is at your level. For example,
If you want to read a tough book, a classic, (i.e., "The Leopard" by Tomasi Di Lampedusa), a few lines a day or a week will be enough; it is a prolonged read (no rush). Some books are tough to read, even for natives. Reading hard books is optional and not necessary; the important thing is to have fun in the process. Read something interesting for you. Interesting content.

[reineke]

Spanish Resources
https://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=5377/

A Spanish Book Reading Resource
https://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=11639

My Spanish study favourites (gear, people, methods, resources)
https://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9001

Spanish Group
Yah, I know, reading through all the-now 63-pages of the posts the Spanish Study Group would take time. So, take your time! I’d bet a month’s pension payment that you’ll learn something.
https://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5035

There's a thread you might like, selecting extensive reading materials.

Tip of the hat to Speakeasy and DaveAgain for the good work they're doing.

HP is available in some less commonly taught languages but I've seen grown people forcing themselves to read it in Spanish and French because they didn't know what to choose, because they assumed it would be easy and because it's apparently a forum thing.

EA Poe is a very popular choice for bilingual and adapted reader editions.

The Works Of The Edgar Allan Poe: Bilingual Edition (English - Italian) by Edgar Allan ...

Instead of memorizing vocabulary words, work your way through an actual well- written novel .. Each individual English paragraph is paired with the corresponding Italian paragraph. It won't be an easy project, but you'll learn a lot...

Extraordinary Stories bilingual English-Arabic...

Edgar Allan Poe Двуезични разкази на английски и български език...

Books sorted by lexile levels
"Within a range from 100L below to 50L above his or her Lexile measure, a reader is expected to comprehend the text well enough to understand it, while still experiencing some reading challenge."

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, (Lexile Levels 880 - 1030)

EA Poe Tales of Mystery and Terror Collection (Lexile level: 840)

Alternatives

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne, Natalie Pope Boyce (Lexile Levels 230 - 590)

Goosebumps Original Series by R. L. Stine (Lexile Levels 280 - 640)
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald (Lexile Levels 390 - 600)
Artemis Fowl Graphic Novels by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin (Lexile Levels estimated 535 - 635)

Hardy Boys are the Clues Brothers by Franklin W. Dixon (Lexile Levels 330 - 580)
Hardy Boys Secret Files by Franklin W. Dixon (Lexile Levels 510 - 540)

Geronimo Stilton (Lexile Levels 500 - 720)

Enid Blyton
The Famous Five 650 - 700

Alex Rider 670 - 770
Stormbreaker 670

Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan (Lexile Levels 590 - 740)

Nancy Drew Girl Detective by Carolyn Keene (Lexile Levels 560 - 820)

Roald Dahl Classics by Roald Dahl (Lexile Levels 450 - 870)
Roald Dahl Short Stories by Roald Dahl (Lexile Levels 410 - 980)
Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi (Lexile Levels 560 - 690)

Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None 570
The Murder on the Links: A Hercule Poirot ...730
A Murder Is Announced 740
The ABC. Murders 740
Murder on the Orient Express 640

Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer (Lexile Levels 670 - 720)
Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep -- 660
Bambi by Felix Salten 690 (translated)
Where the Red Fern Grows 700
The Little Prince 710
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (Lexile Levels 600 - 930)

Bartimaeus by Jonathan Stroud (Lexile Levels 730 - 820)
Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (Lexile Levels 790 - 970)
E.B. White Classics by E. B. White (Lexile Levels 680 - 920)
Redwall by Brian Jacques (Lexile Levels 600 - 1010)
I, Robot 820
Pinocchio 840
The Da Vinci Code 850
Stephen King
Cujo 830
The Stand 840
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 850
To Kill A Mockingbird 870
The Ox-Bow Incident 890
Fahrenheit 451 890
Jane Eyre 890
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (Lexile Levels 890 - 950)
Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien (Lexile Levels 810 - 920)
Tales from the Brothers Grimm 900
Hans Christian Andersen Tales 950
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm 960
Anne of Green Gables 990
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 1020
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne 1070 (translated)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 950
Tom Sawyer, Detective 700
White Fang 970
Riders of the Purple Sage by Grey, Zane 1000
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Adams, Douglas 1000
Treasure Island 1070

[tarvos]

After the recent news about Rowling I'm sticking with Poe

[chove]

Turns out I'm ~70 pages from the end of the (first) book, so I'm determined to finish out of sheer bloodymindedness now.

[Remarkablemusician9]

How much easier do you think HP is compared to The Hobbit? I have bought the latter recently as my first novel in Japanese and I think I have been overly optimistic.

[reineke]

The Hobbit has a higher Lexile score than LOTR even though it's more of a children's book and I personally feel that it feels easier than LOTR and Harry Potter. Based on the Lexile score the first book in the Harry Potter series should feel somewhat easier. As someone noted, the Lexile score for The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is 680 which is considerably lower than Harry Potter. It's a useful tool but it cannot replace an experienced adult reader's personal evaluation. I think the Goosebumps series followed by the Little Prince and some Enid Blyton would feel considerably easier than Harry Potter.

HP unique kanji

Chapter 1 – 569 kanji
Chapter 1 and 2 – 739 kanji
Chapters 1 to 3 – 893 kanji
Chapters 1 to 4 – 991 kanji

HP Japanese resource
https://forum.language-learners.org/vie ... 7&p=109732