[cwnyth]

Sure, Ørberg coupled with other books is fine enough. I do think his basic idea (a text that gets progressively more grammatically complex) is important and good, but not without exercises, grammatical elucidation, drills, etc.

Also, you're much better off reading The Hobbit in English. The Latin translation is known to be less than superb.

[golem14]

Thanks for the hint on The Hobbit.

For me, the takeaway was that finding the Ørberg book later in life made me WANT to go out and read some latin texts. The Latin instruction in grammar school did absolutely NOTHING in this regard, sad to say.

I feel pretty strongly that treating Latin as a living language would have enabled me to go much farther, without necessarily spending more time on it.

As an aside - we probably agree more than we disagree, but I feel talking about the importance of drilling grammar just recalls the Monty Python sketch from Life of Brian, and not in a good way :)

[zombot]

Harrius Potter et philosophi lapis OTOH I found a blast to read. The translator is quite resourceful finding Latin names for all kinds of modern stuff. Visne ranam socolatam?

[golem14]

https://www.google.com/search?q=Visne+ranam+socolatam

has a delightful answer in the AI section, and the two top results are in this thread.

Since the AI section does not trigger, here is mine

   "AI Overview               

   Minime, gratias tibi. Ranae socolatae non mihi placent!

   (No, thank you. I do not like chocolate frogs!)

   Note: This is a phrase from conversational Latin exercises, sometimes appearing in materials like Rosetta Stone.
   "