Harry Potter

The end is approaching -- the final movie, I mean.  It's difficult to call myself a true fan of J.K. Rowling's masterpieces when I never actually read the books until the summer after the fifth movie was released.  After that, I read the first six books in two weeks during summer break.  I was obsessed, but with the coming of the next school year, my Harry Potter fixation halted.

However, it embarrasses me to say that, after speeding through the first six, I only made it half-way through the seventh.  I read up until the break between part 1 and part 2 of the movie version, and I'm just now getting around to finally finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  I suppose that means I can't call myself a true fan, but I can definitely say that I am totally in love with the series.

Poster for the Final Movie

Before reading and watching the magic of Harry Potter, I wasn't much of a fantasy fan.  I can't say they changed me into a fantasy fanatic, because Harry Potter is still the only series or single fantasy book that I've thoroughly enjoyed.

So if there is anybody out there who hasn't read Harry Potter, I am not suggesting but telling you to read these books.  I'm sure most of you know or at least have heard of the plot, but in short, Harry Potter, a boy born a wizard, must overcome a destiny he shares with Lord Voldemort, the evil wizard who killed his parents when he was an infant.  Along with friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, Harry learns magic and explores the dangers of the wizard world at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  J.K. Rowling's writing is superb -- entertainingly funny dialog, creative names and creatures, amazing friendships, and a staggering imagination.  You feel like another member of the triad, just following along.  By now, I know the characters and their personality, and I genuinely worry and feel happy for them, even after I remind myself that it's just a book.

My favorite book of the series is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth in the series.  A wizard competition called the Tri-Wizard Cup is held at Hogwarts, and, of course, Harry is selected to represent Hogwarts even though he is technically too young. I'm a competitive person, and I really like the idea of a magical tournament.

Overall, the Harry Potter series is a must-read.  Even if you generally don't like fantasy books, read these.  I literally couldn't put them down.  There's hype over them for a reason.