Friday, May 20, 2011

Book Blogger Hop!

Book Blogger Hop

It's Friday and that means it's time to hop! Every Friday, Jennifer from Crazy for Books hosts the Book Blogger Hop. A question is asked and hundreds of bloggers answer it, hopping from blog to blog to see what everyone else has said.

This week's question is: If you were given the chance to spend one day in a fictional world (from a book), which book would it be from and what would that place be?

My answer: There are so many books that I could answer this question with, some more literary than others. I think, in the end, it would have to be Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series. While I would love to spend time in Deanna Raybourn's vision of Transylvania, the far reaches of space that permeate sci-fi novels, or the beautiful British countryside of an Austen tome, Diagon Alley is a place that no one can really visit. It simply doesn't exist. For the right price I could go to Europe or, when technology finally permits, into space, but I can never really go to the magical world that J.K. Rowling built for her novels.


Why, out of the magical locales I could have picked, did I decide on Diagon Alley? Because there's so much to do and to see. Hogwarts is only great if you can actually go to school there and it really doesn't offer many friend-making opportunities for those of us over the age of seventeen. But in London's magical street there are people from all over the world of all shapes and sizes and colors and ages. There's also tons of stores that offer a feast for the eyes. It would be like being a kid in a very large candy shop where most of the candy can probably bite you.

So, what did you guys pick?

-Gabe
Posted by gabrielreads at 12:24 AM
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35 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 20, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    Great answer. Harry Potter and his magical world will live on forever! Thanks for stopping by my blog and following me, I'm following you back=)
    -Mocha from A Cupcake and A Latte: YA Reads, Reviews & More!.

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  2. JadeMay 20, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    Thanks for stopping by I am now following back. When I picked Hogwarts I was considering the whole HP world inclusive of Diagon Alley. You're right...there is so much to get into on Diagon Alley!

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  3. UnknownMay 20, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Diagon Alley would be incredible, although you kinda could go there if you went out to Harry Potter world!
    I picked the splinter worlds created by Diana Wynne Jones in her Crestomanci series, the whole lot, I couldn't narrow it down as much as you did!

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  4. KaityMay 20, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    Thanks for following Bitten Books. I'm following your blog now too :)

    Can you imagine how long you'd spend in Flourish & Blotts? I'm pretty sure I'd be in the poorhouse after visiting there.

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  5. newshadeofgreenMay 20, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    Oooh, good answer! Thanks for following me. I would love to meet up with you in space :). Unfortunately, it probably won't happen on a shuttle... it will be fun to watch what vehicles emerge in the coming years.

    I understand about the TBR pile. I am so overwhelmed right now, and of course I continue to troll for new books to read!

    Have a great weekend! ~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte

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  6. gabrielreadsMay 20, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    Mocha: Thanks for the follow!

    Jade: Thanks for following back! I completely understand. If I had more than a day I would go exploring everything, but I just feel there'd be so much to do in Diagon Alley that even a day wouldn't be sufficient to see it all. It's kind of like the Louvre.

    Kayleigh: That is true, but it's not the same. I mean, obviously it's not the same, but you know what I mean. :)

    Kaity: Thanks! I can definitely see myself having to bring, like, a storage facility with me to hold all of the things I bought from that store alone. Add in all the other stores and we're talking a warehouse. :)

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  7. gabrielreadsMay 20, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    Jen: Thanks for the follow!

    Agreed. Shuttles are, sadly, becoming a thing of the past. What makes my heart ache is that I'll never get to see a launch in public. I'll just have to wait until they come out with their new-fangled space vehicles. LOL

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  8. Angela's Anxious LifeMay 20, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    Ok I should've went for Harry Potter! I love the pic that you posted. Have you been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? It is to DIE for!

    Angie

    XOXO Angela's Anxious Life

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  9. KarenSiMay 20, 2011 at 4:37 AM

    Plus Diagon Alley has a book shop! Think of all the amazing books you could look at from the wizarding world.

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  10. CarissaMay 20, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    Hey Gabriel! Thanks for stopping by!

    The world of Harry Potter was definitely on my list of places to go. These questions are so unfair because I know I could never just pick one!

    Happy Hop!

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  11. Anja K.May 20, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Came by for the Hop. Great answer, this was my runner up, I'd love to spend a day in Diagon Alley - you had a great point about it being for people of all ages, as opposed to Hogwarts, too!

    Anja @ http://reading2011.blogspot.com/

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  12. DeepaliMay 20, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Great pic! I love how you frame these pics, how do you do that?

    I'm following you back - so nice to see a fellow Terry Pratchett fan :D
    I didn't even think of Diagon alley, but that would have been in my Top 3 places I'd like to spend a day :)

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  13. UnknownMay 20, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    I'd love to visit Diagon Alley. There are so many things one could see and do and people to meet. Great answer!

    My Hop and Follow!

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  14. gabrielreadsMay 20, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    My Anxious Life: Not yet, no. I plan to someday, though.

    pussreboots: Just stopped by your blog. I didn't even think of Wall! That's a really great choice!

    Karen: Exactly. I have a feeling that if I were a character in Harry Potter, I'd probably still be a book reviewer. And, of course, I'd give all of Lockhart's books really low ratings.

    Carissa: I know how you feel. There are just way too many great books out there. Thanks for the follow!

    Anja Kasap: Thanks for following! I just followed back. I've never read Jasper Fforde's books and I don't know why. The premise is something that's right up my proverbial alley.

    Deepali: Thanks for the follow! I think that the frames are part of the html of my template but I'm not sure how to do it. I'm also not sure how to undo it, which is what I would prefer. If I figure it out, I'll post a comment on your blog.

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  15. Chelsey @ Starry Sky BooksMay 20, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Diagon Alley would be a fun place to visit! I don't know why Harry Potter didn't pop into my head when I saw the question. Good answer! Also, I'm returning the follow. :)

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  16. gabrielreadsMay 20, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Jen: Thanks for following. I'm following back now. I've never read the books you chose, but Ireland sounds so nice. I'd love to visit there someday. :)

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  17. JenMay 20, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    I also would love to visit Diagon Alley, providing I had plenty of money. I'm sure I'd see all sorts of things to bring back home. :)

    Happy Hopping!

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  18. AnonymousMay 20, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Great choice, a very popular one.

    here's mine:

    http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-blogger-hop_20.html

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  19. Sally BibraryMay 20, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Thanks so much for stopping by, hon - always nice to meet a fellow Imagica lover. That's one of the few books I will go back and read on a regular basis.

    Happy to be a new follower!

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  20. RenMay 20, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Happy Hop Day!
    New Follower here.

    I thought about Harry Potter's world but I'm going to stick with Darth Maul :)

    Have a great weekend.

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  21. barmybexMay 20, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Great answer - you've taken a very common answer but put your own unique spin on it. I love Diagon Alley and would love to visit - especially Honeydukes sweet shop!

    Have a great weekend

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  22. BLHmistressMay 20, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Diagon Alley would be so much fun , I would love to visit the bookstore :)

    Follow Friday and Blog Hop

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  23. gabrielreadsMay 20, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    So many comments!

    Thanks to all of you for following. You're awesome!

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  24. BrodieMay 20, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Girl after my own heart! <3 It would be a dream come true to visit Diagon Alley. I wouldn't even care if I had no gold to spend there, the exploration part is enough!

    Let's meet up at Florean Fortescue's for an ice cream next weekend ;)

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  25. AngeMay 20, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I think the world of Harry Potter is a great place to visit.

    Happy Reading
    Ange

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  26. gabrielreadsMay 20, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Brodie: Actually, I'm a guy. LOL. But ice cream sounds like a plan.

    Ange: You're welcome. Thanks for stopping by mine as well. :)

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  27. MarlaMay 20, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Hi, Gabriel. Thank you for stopping by and becoming a follower. I am returning the favor and following you back. Diagon Alley is an excellent choice. There certainly wouldn't be any shortage of things to do or see there! Have a great weekend.

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  28. Mel uMay 21, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    This is a very good answer-shows a lot more thought than just your standard HP answer-

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  29. Kylie1403May 21, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    Thanks for stopping by! OMG your blog is STUNNING and YAY HP LOVE

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  30. SusanMay 21, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    I chose HP's world, too, because seriously, what's not to love? Well, Voldemort, but other than him, it's a fun, magical, exciting place that would be incredible to visit.

    Glad to have found you via the Hop!

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  31. Nina @ Death, Books, and TeaMay 22, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    I swear most people chose Diagon Alley... it does seem like a great place to be.
    And Black Butler is great...or maybe that's just my opinion...oh well ^^
    New follower!

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  32. ConorMay 22, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Just hopping through and wanted to say hello. I like the site a lot. I look forward to your Pride, Prejudice and Zombies review.

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  33. gabrielreadsMay 22, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Thanks for the follow, Conor! I just followed back. Your book sounds interesting and your posts are really funny.

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  34. Midnyte ReaderMay 23, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Hi there, I'm stopping by late from the Hop. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I've been perusing your site and it's great. I would love to visit Diagon Alley as well, especially the Leaky Cauldron. I love your explanation of why you chose it.

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  35. gabrielreadsMay 24, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Thanks for the follow and for the compliment! I'm always so worried that people aren't going to like what I do here, but so far that hasn't been an issue. The Leaky Cauldron would be awesome, but Flourish and Blott's would probably be my first stop.

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