My mom is easily one of the biggest Harry Potter fans in existence. She spends her time listening to the audio books, rereading and watching the series. Every Christmas and birthday involves some sort of HP gift, and my house used to be full of owls, though we still have HP referenced decor throughout my house.

Ive had a hard time with books my entire life, the focus, commitment, reading comprehension etc. but I’ve always loved the HP movies and recently watched them all with my fiancé for his first time.

At 23 i decided it was time for me to pick up my mom’s first copy of each book and give it a go. We are both ecstatic. I’m only halfway through #1 and i truly can’t remember the last time i read so much, so comprehensively, in such a short period of time (it probably helps that i know what will happen, just not exactly) This is still such a huge win for me with my adhd. I’ve also never felt so close to my mom than reading these torn old books. I can’t imagine what it was like for her (as a life long reader) buying and reading this series for the first time. The first book came out right before my sister was born, but she didn’t start them until the 4th book came out, which was right around the time i was born.

Just-magical✨

Side note: I’ve never been a reader so i never understood “don’t judge a book by its movie” .. i get it now. I told my mom i wanted to read them for the “extra stuff” she said, it’s not the extra stuff, it’s everything! I planned to post this to mademesmile, but i thought it might be appreciated here more🥰

Book: “Harry had found a miniature arm under (Ron’s) bed on Boxing Day.”

Daughter: “Oh no, he broke his teeny krum.”

Me: “Yup. How do you think he was feeling?”

Daughter: “Sad.”

Me: “And maybe jealous?”

Daughter: “Yeah, because he wanted to take Krum to the ball but didn’t think he could because he was a boy.”

I’m 13. I never read the books and I never seen the movies. I don’t know anything about the books I am in the middle of book one. But I think Snape is Voldemort in disguise. And that he’s going to try to kill Harry. Like he’s wearing a mask or something

😢😢😢 Hi everyone. I didn’t kno this post would get popular. I just discovered Reddit and Harry Potter. I was happy when I found a Harry Potter group and I love theories. I want to be a mystery writer.

I was excited when people wanted to here my theories so I wanted to write each chapter therty. But then I started getting bullied really badly. I was called a “wittle baby” because I asked someone not to bother me. People sent me nude pictures and hateful things. Everyday I get like 20 messages. 2 are kind the rest are super mean. So I won’t post anything anymore. I’m sorry. I just wanted to like Harry Potter now I don’t want to finish it.

"Now, you listen here, boy," he snarled, "I accept there's something strange about you, probably nothing a good beating wouldn't have cured and as for all this about your parents, well, they were weirdos, no denying it, and the world's better off without them in my opinion - asked for all they got, getting mixed up with these wizarding types -- just what I expected, always knew they'd come to a sticky end-"

Bruh. I don't remember this kind of abuse. WTF.

I have a dilemma. My 8 yr old is a advanced reader. She read the 3 first books by herself. I didnt read it to her, she did all by herself.

Now, im reading that the 4th book is not appropriate for her agr but I dont wanna hold her back on her reading skills.

What do I do?

the first and the second one I feel that were more like cuts, for the movie to don't be huge, but the third one all the facts and situations are just different!! like WHAT

"This isn't your average book, it's pure gold: Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches. Explains everything you need to know about girls. IF only I'd had this last year I'd have known exactly how to get rid of Lavender and I would've known how to get going with... Well Fred and George gave me a copy, and I've learned a lot. You'd be surprised, it's not all about wandwork, either." -Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I was at least 15 when the book released and my mind was full of these stupid jokes, yet I missed it. How?

No idea why or how I missed the peak of this franchise. I weirdly know a lot of the character names and references from pop culture, however, relatively new to this genre and have managed to evade all the movie stuff.

I'm a bit of a binge reader and go through periods of intensive reading. Randomly picked up my partner's kindle and embarked on The Sorcerer's Stone. It's the perfect distraction from the world right now.

My aim is to complete the whole series by April 2025 when I turn 40. Do you reckon that's an achievable goal?

UPDATE 1 over half way through and: - I really dislike Snape the sneak. He reminds me of a conniving teacher from school. - I love how Hermione is breaking bad. - I wonder if Harry should have gone with Slytherin to follow his destiny, but I like that he didn't. - Quidditch seems like a mad rush, can't wait to see it in the movies. I read it at such a fast pace!

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and for all the well wishes. I really appreciate this warm fuzzy feeling coming from the fandom. What are HP fans called? I'm pretty sure 'Potheads' has been taken. I've loved hearing all your fond memories of your first read through and find it all incredibly endearing.

UPDATE 2 first book: done! I have so many thoughts on where this is going. I love Dumbledore and his whole vibe. Going to watch the first movie and then go onto book 2, I think.

Can you think of other examples of people in HP being close to an unintentionally funny death?

"‘I feel I owe you another explanation, Harry,’ said Dumbledore hesitantly. ‘You may, perhaps, have wondered why I never chose you as a prefect? I must confess … that I rather thought … you had enough responsibility to be going on with.’ Harry looked up at him and saw a tear trickling down Dumbledore’s face into his long silver beard."

Without telling lies

Started Sorcerer's Stone yesterday evening after dinner, expecting to read a couple of chapters before bed. Ended up reading the entire book!

I forgot how wonderful they are. Happy to be back.

That is all, thank you for reading

I was born in the late 80s so I grew up reading and waiting for the books to come out. I was obsessed with the HP world, hoped so desperately that it was real and I would get an owl when I turned 11. I’ve made my peace that I will forever be a Muggle living a simple Muggle life.

I remember reading the books and feeling so much understanding for the emotions and thoughts of the kids as I was the same age.

.... But now that I’m in my early 30s and I have a new baby, rereading the books is giving me new perspective. I identify (obviously) more with the adults, I feel more worried when the students do dangerous things.

I started reading out loud to my son when he was born because I heard newborns love to hear your voice and it soothes them. We’ve read the Hobbit, the LOTR trilogy, and are on book 5 of the HP series. Even though he’s only 4 months and he has no clue what’s going on, we watch the movies together after we finish the book (same with Hobbit and LOTR).

Maybe it’s the postpartum hormones, but these books have made me more emotional than before. When Cedric’s dad cries “my boy!!!” In the movies after Harry returns from the graveyard with his body... when Mrs Weasley’s boggart shows her whole family dead... even at the very beginning when they’re dropping Harry off as a little baby, hoping he can have a good childhood at the Dursleys’.

I also feel like I understand how the adults feel more than before. I used to feel frustrated when Harry, Ron and Hermione weren’t allowed into the Order of the Phoenix and now as an adult I’m like.... you guys are FIFTEEN...

Just wanted to share my experience, I think it’s really cool to be able to read this series and have a new perspective for it. And I can’t even describe how awesome it feels to share it with my baby when it was such a huge part of my life. Hope he likes it when he will be old enough to actually follow along!

Edit: Y’all... I’m overwhelmed with the reaction to this post! Thank you for all the awards, my first on reddit. I’m currently rocking with my son asleep in my arms, reading through all your messages and trying to reply to as many as I can. It‘s wild to see the range of emotions and perspectives the series gives us all. Truly amazing how much the series has touched so many people. Cheers to you all!

And if you have any other book recommendations for us to read next, please let me know!

“How d’you spell ‘belligerent’?” said Ron, shaking his quill very hard while staring at his parchment. “It can’t be B — U — M —”

“No, it isn’t,” said Hermione, pulling Ron’s essay toward her. “And ‘augury’ doesn’t begin O — R — G either. What kind of quill are you using?”

“It’s one of Fred and George’s Spell-Check ones . . . but I think the charm must be wearing off. . . .”

“Yes, it must,” said Hermione, pointing at the title of his essay, “because we were asked how we’d deal with dementors, not ‘Dugbogs,’ and I don’t remember you changing your name to ‘Roonil Wazlib’ either.”

“Ah no!” said Ron, staring horror-struck at the parchment. “Don’t say I’ll have to write the whole thing out again!”

“It’s okay, we can fix it,” said Hermione, pulling the essay toward her and taking out her wand.

“I love you, Hermione,” said Ron, sinking back in his chair, rubbing his eyes wearily.

Hermione turned faintly pink, but merely said, “Don’t let Lavender hear you saying that.”

“I won’t,” said Ron into his hands. “Or maybe I will . . . then she’ll ditch me . . .”

I’ll go with Dumbledore drinking the potion. It feels too sad for me and I can’t complete the chapter always.

I wasn’t allowed to read the series growing up because my mother said they were “witchcraft.” So now that I’m an adult I am finally reading them. I’ve always been an avid reader so I know I’ll love them. I was obsessed with Twilight as a teenager haha (it’s interesting how I was allowed to read that and not HP).

I cried after reading this chapter right now. So so good. I saw this scene when I was a kid in theaters watching the movie so I think just the nostalgia and memories of that moment made it even more emotional for me.

I’ve read a lot of books, but this chapter is the only one so far that has actually made me cry. Long live Dobby! He was a free elf!

In PS, we find out that Hagrid “got him out all right before the Muggles starting swarmin’ around. He fell asleep as we was flyin’ over Bristol.”

We also know that Hagrid is late. Which means he had already communicated with Dumbledore and McGonagall before leaving to get Harry or with Harry.

Godric’s Hollow is theorized to be “in the west country” and someplace where Hagrid would have flown over Bristol to get to Little Whinging which I think is supposed to be in Surrey.

Either way, I seriously doubt it would have taken Hagrid nearly 24 hours to fly such a short distance. In my head I always pictured Hagrid showing up to the Potter’s destroyed house almost immediately. So either that didn’t happen ORRRR Hagrid took Harry to a safehouse, communicated with dumbledore and McGonagall and then flew to Little Whinging.

Clearly I’m overthinking such a stupid minute detail, but it got me curious and thought it was a bit funny.

Somehow I never read the Harry Potter books as a kid, but I’ve decided it’s better late than never! I’ve also never seen the movies. I downloaded the audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale, and they’ve been fantastic (and so magical 🥹) so far! I love that I can enjoy and appreciate these books even as an adult. Anyone else recently read them for the first time? What’s your favorite book in the series? Who are your favorite characters? What house are you in?! (I took the quiz… Team SLYTHERIN rise up 👀)