Tuesday, December 8, 2015

How Did I Find Harry Potter?



Pottermas 2015 would not be possible if Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I did not pick up Harry Potter series. Everyone has a different story to tell about how they found Harry. The journey is different for each reader and it's unique.

The fandom of Harry Potter will never die. Through books, movies, memorabilia, fan fiction, fan art, conventions, etc., Harry Potter will live on forever. For me, Harry Potter has shaped who I am today. It has been my life for about 14 years and I see myself growing with Harry Potter. I love the journey and the happiness Harry Potter brings me. I didn't start reading the Harry Potter series until I was 14-years-old sometime when the first film was out. It was in between the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I devoured the first four books and was fortunate enough to wait in anticipation for the next three books.

My first experience reading Harry Potter was magical. At that point, I wasn't trying to understand foreshadowing and I wasn't analyzing the books I read. I was sponge, absorbing as much information I can in one swoop. I wanted to know what will happen next. As I grew older and when I do re-reads, I am reading more carefully for clues and hints J.K. Rowling has left for her readers alluding to what will happen in future books. I want to see connections that I didn't see before.
Harry Potter is not a children's book series; it is a series for all ages. Harry Potter teaches important values of loyalty, bravery, sacrifice, love, grief, friendship, trust, respect, forgiveness and family. What I love is how the series can be for anyone. There is something for everyone. And because of this, it is easy to meet new Potterheads. The love for Harry Potter is strong. The fandom comprises of little kids to grandparents.

Harry Potter guided me through my crucial years of my life. From the start of high school until present day, Harry Potter has never failed me. Harry Potter has opened my eyes to the wonders of Hogwarts. It helped me come out of my shell through attending midnight releases, meetups and conventions. Through these events, I was able to meet new people who share the same interests as me. We are all here for one thing. We put aside our differences and unite for Harry Potter.

I can say that Harry Potter is beyond the books. I am part of a HP meetup group, I attend HP conventions, I've been to Hogsmeade twice in Orlando and Diagon Alley once in Orlando, I have attended a Yule Ball, been to several Wrock (Wizard rock) shows, played HP games such as Cards Against Muggles and Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit, read HP fan fiction, attended midnight releases of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie with friends during my freshman year of college and attended the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with my sister, made homemade Butterbeer and watched HP ABC Family marathons.

This is my first time doing a complete re-read of all seven books in a row and I am so happy that Elizabeth and I are partaking in this fantastic Pottermas feature. Not only are we revisiting the wonderful magical world of Harry Potter, but we are coming home!

Image from Tumblr.com
Elizabeth and I would like to know how you found Harry Potter? What was your first reading experience like?

Don't forget to check the blog on December 9th for a Butterbeer recipe.  If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15. 

4 comments:

  1. I love how much you love Harry Potter! I learned about HP in my high school biology class. I think book 3 was the latest release!

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    1. Awesome! I love hearing about when and how people find Harry Potter. Thank you for stopping by!

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  2. I remember whem=n my daughter brought it home, she couldn't put it down, and I was curious so she said go ahead and read it-and of course, I did!!

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    1. Woohoo! That's such a nice way to get into the series. As Dumbledore once said,“Curiosity is not a sin.... But we should exercise caution with our curiosity... yes, indeed.”

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