I was about 14 years old when the first Harry Potter book came out. I wasn't really a big reader back then, but I did read. I remember my little brother, who would have been 7 or 8 at the time The Philosopher's Stone came out, loving the first few books in the series. My mom would buy them for him and then I would get to read them once he was done. When the first big book in the series came out - The Goblet of Fire - my brother was visibly upset that it was such a big book. He was so overwhelmed by it and so angry with being overwhelmed, that he hid it somewhere and said no one could read it if he couldn't. I wasn't that invested in the series seeing as how when you wait over a year in between books being released, it's easy to lose momentum.I figured I'd get around to them one day.
But then the films started coming out. And I've had this thing, even back when I wasn't really a reader, where I tried my best to always read the book before the film. So I told myself that I would start the series over and read the book before seeing the first movie. Well, that never happened and then the second movie was coming out, and then the third, and you get the picture. By that point I kind of gave up trying to catch up.
I've always planned on reading Harry Potter. Heck, I even own FIVE books in the series and in hardcover to boot! The first one might even be the original that my brother owned.
And not only that, but I worked in a book store during the midnight release party for The Deathly Hallows and I even have the t-shirt to prove it. It's like a concert shirt but for book nerds and yes I still own it, even 5 years after the fact. It's like fate knew I would one day need a picture of said shirt for this blog post.
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| The Deathly Hallows Midnight Release Party |
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| Been there, done that, got the t-shirt |
So yay! I'm FINALLY going to read Harry Potter. My sister-in-law will be so proud. I also plan on watching each movie following the completion of each book. Because that was my original plan - way back before blogging - read one book, followed by it's movie until both book and film series was complete! I'm so happy to be reading the series in a group though. And since pretty much everyone on the planet has already read them, you should be able to read all my posts in all their glory and share in all the feelings because spoilers won't be an issue for you!
**Edit: So it's come to my attention from Alice's comment below and everyone's intro posts that spoilers for ALL the books are a given at any time. And THAT'S OK GUYS. Really, it's my own damn fault that I haven't read the books yet. And I'm pretty sure I've heard spoiler-ish stuff during my bookstore working years. So deep breath. Spoil away.
Oh shit, wait, so you don't know anything? Because we might be throwing spoilers around like a lot. Like a lot and a lot. DO YOU KNOW THINGS? I have no idea what is commonly known by the culture due to HP being so damn popular.
ReplyDeleteNext week's gonna be super-fun. ALSO, if you do the mini readathon tomorrow, you can read the first book! Or the first half of it. Whatevs.
No, I know nothing. BUT THAT'S OK. Working in a bookstore for years, I heard things spoken of, they just didn't really make sense at the time. And I just want to read it and have fun while reading it, and it's all good :) Seriously, I don't expect anyone to keep their posts spoiler-free!
DeleteI may or may not do the readathon - at this time, I am really looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow!
Readathon or no, the first book won't take you long!
DeleteFellow outcast! Our shame is great, but we shall overcome at the last.
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea to read a book, watch the movie, read a book, watch the movie, etc. I might do that myself.
Yes, shame overcometh!
DeleteWhat I love about this readalong is that I won't be inclined to get off track with the reading of the entire series as readalongs hold some accountability, ya know?
I am so glad you are here! And I will tell approximately NO ONE if you arrive late to the read-a-thon. It'll be 8am here, which is earlier than I get up on a regular basis (I get to work by 10am), so I may be a little late myself.
ReplyDeleteSHIT. I need to schedule an opening post, don't I? *checks watch* Nope. Gonna go drink tequila with friends instead.
I'm so glad your so glad I'm here! :) Ok, I will sleep in and then be late to the party haha. I usually get up and have coffee and read in the mornings anyway...so as long as hubby and dog leave me alone, I'll be there...
DeleteYAY! This looks like so much fun! I have already read the series (and some of them more than once), but I'm mildly envious that you'll be experiencing the whole series for the first time.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yet another similarity between the two of us, I worked the midnight launch of the sixth book -- it was such an awesome experience! I attended the midnight launch of the seventh book, but I think it was even more fun working than it was just picking up my book. The atmosphere was electric. That's so cool that you have a T-shirt to commemorate the experience too!
Haha, I almost donated my t-shirt a few months ago when I was going through my clothes and I wasn't sure why I had been carrying it around with me for years! But *something* made me change my mind ;p
DeleteThat is very cool that you also worked a midnight launch! So much in common, Melissa, SO much! :D
O.O
ReplyDeleteYou haven't read Harry Potter?!?!?!?
*kicks you out of the blogosphere*
Just kidding. :)
I hope you LOVE IT! I've only read the books once, and have seen the movies. I'm doing a slow reread of them through audiobooks and it's awesome! They're really great books!
Enjoy the readalong!
Haha *hangs head in shame* It's not something I loudly bragged about! ;)
DeleteI just *know* I will love them - I'm not worried about that at all! I'm more nervous about keeping up the momentum to read them ALL back to back!
Great shirt! Man, CoS and PoA came out really close together! Crazypants.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you to read these for the first time! I really hope you like them. Hopefully it'll be like watching a comedy with people who think it's really funny, and everyone's frantic Harry love will help with the enjoyment.
You're right - I never really noticed that before! I wonder if JKR actually wrote them as one and publishers split it into two to make more money?? Or maybe just to keep the first few books small...
DeleteDude, the book then movie idea sounds amaze-balls! I've been wanting an excuse to buy the series on bluray, and I think this is exactly what I need to take the plunge.
ReplyDeleteI'm also so excited to see how you go with the series, I hope you like it! I think i'll cry if you don't - it makes me so sad when someone doesn't get on board the Hogwarts Express (like my boyfriend - it's a serious issue). But I'm sure you'll love it!
Yes - DO IT! Hubby is on board for watching the movies (apparently he's seen a few), but he is not game for reading the books (He's not really a *reader* haha).
DeleteI just *know* that I will love these books - something I'm not worried about at all :)
That's all the encouragement I needed *runs and grabs wallet and keys and then realised it's 7am and no shops will be open*
DeleteI LOVE that you haven't read the series despite owning a bunch of the books in hardback AND working a midnight release for the last book AND having that book nerd/concert tee (which is the best thing ever and I'm jealous even though I didn't really read HP till the last book).
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be the best!!
It's kind of weird actually, don't you think? I'm just a BIG POSER ALLEY!
DeleteAnd yes, this will be the BEST!
I have to say, I am rather excited to be reading along with two HP newbies. This is DEFINITELY one of those series I wish I could read again for the first time, but since I can't, I'll just live vicariously through your adventures!
ReplyDeleteAlso, pictures of dogs in sweaters? We're pretty much Instagram soulmates.
Yes, it will be interesting to see me and Meg's thoughts compared to more seasoned readers of HP thoughts!
Delete*runs off to find your instagram account*
You're finally reading it! YAY! I HOPE YOU LIKE IT :D They're my favourites! :)
ReplyDeleteI know, FINALLY. Looks like I'll get the whole series in before my 30th birthday lol!
DeleteHi there! I'm on the Readalong list and thought I'd drop by :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you are picking these books up again! It's never too late, and I now actually appreciate the subtle dialogue and jokes that J.K. Rowling pulled over my head as an 11-year old. I'll be careful about the spoilers anyway ;)
Hi! I'm so glad to finally be picking these books up too! I'll be 30 this May, so it's "about time" I read them lol. No worries on the spoilers! ;) It's my own fault for taking so long to read HP!
DeleteHey, I've never read/seen ANY Harry Potter. And it's on my list to read this year. I would love to do this, but, I don't know if I can read that fast... and I don't know if I want to commit to the whole series. Plus I'm in the middle of The Night Circus right now and I sort of want to finish it...
ReplyDeleteHow do you find out about all these readalongs, anyway? This always happens, I find out about something like this like the day it starts and it's too late. *cries*
Laura, you can totally do this! Alice at Reading Rambo (click on the Harry readalong photo on this post of on the side of my blog and it will take you to her page), posted the readalong schedule today. You could even just post every 2 weeks instead of every week. Whatever works for you! This is the same group I did the Grapes of Wrath readalong with, so there's was talks right after that one for this one. It's a really fun group, you should really think about joining us! Or you could even just read along and not post...or post just when you have time! The first few books are really short... :)
DeleteI haven't read the HP books either, and I'm so glad to see others that haven't on the list. It's going to be awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh yay! This makes me feel a lot better! :) Where's your intro post? I can't find it... :(
DeleteI started these in the fall of 2011 and finished them up in the first week of 2012. I kept kicking myself that I hadn't already read them. They were SOOOO good! And I'm seriously so excited for you to experience them for the first time. I knew a lot of the plot before I started (again, because I waited so long to read them) but they were still delightful and magical even if you aren't coming into them completely blind. I really look forward to reading your thoughts as you go along and re-living my own first read of them :)
ReplyDeleteI've tried my best over the years to not listen to anyone who I would overhear talking about Harry Potter, but I'd lie if I said I hadn't *heard* some things. But nonetheless, it will not diminish this experience for me! I keep thinking how after this, that's it - I will never get to be in this moment again, where I get to experience the world of Harry Potter for the very first time :( It's exciting that I will finally BE IN THE KNOW, but kind of sad too.
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