I read all the Harry Potter books (although I listened to one as an audio book - extremely well read by Stephen Fry) and although I love the world she's crafted I don't really like HP as a hero and I don't think she's all that good a writer. A good story teller, yes, but not that good a writer.
I lurve top 10 lists. And with you guys here recommending Pullman and To Kill a Mockingbird I now have new titles & authors for on my 'to read' list.