Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Obviously this is a very well written book. But it was certainly not written for me. I don't typically like young adult fiction or magical fantasy. I'm bored with the “chosen one” troupe (especially when he can do no wrong), the wise/all knowing leader, the gentle giant, the cartoonishly evil “normal” guardians, the male Nellie Olson, the loyal but obviously inferior best friend, the neurotic girl, and the evil/oh-maybe-not-so evil teacher. And I HATE schools for precocious, misunderstood youngsters with gifts they were magically born with but did nothing to actually deserve. For me, Rowling doesn't really come up with anything new, she just compiles it all together and makes it accessible and shiny for today's market. And that's fine if you like children's fantasy in the first place, but I personally don't.