The End of the FIRST Experiences with Harry Potter

I'm sure someone out there will say I'm a Potterhead, I'm not sure it's true but I do know I've enjoyed the last twelve years or so in the world of Harry Potter. I didn't read the first book, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERERS' STONE as HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, the UK title) although I did become aware of the book after reading about it in Time or Newsweek when it first was being issued in the US after a phenomenal run in the UK. It sounded intriguing but not enough that I'd pay import prices for the book. I waited until it came out in trade paper at the my local Waldenbooks. (NOTE sad so many things mentioned no longer exist except in my memory: Newsweek, Time, Waldenbooks). And if I remember buying the first book followed closely by HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS. But I do remember I was hooked and quite excited because it seemed J.K. Rowling was a prolific and timely author, one book a year is a nice clip. I tried to get my children to read the books, they were both in the teens, one 19 the other 11, but neither seemed interested until the summer of 2001 when the movie trailers started appearing. Then they read the first three in rapid sequence.

The First Three Harry Potter Books

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

Ah the movies, how many kids do you think it converted into readers?: I know it turned on both my children to trying out this "kids books" and my husband consented to listen to the audio books. Beginning with Book Four, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, we not only went at midnight to a bookstore to buy a book but we also bought it in two versions: hardcover and audio. So I also blame HP for introducing me to audio books -- GOOD ones -- because Jim Dale is an amazing voice actor and reader.

The summer of 2001 the first movie appeared and it was beautiful, bringing to
the screen the train, Hogwarts, the owls, the magic. Of course being a movie it
didn't cover everything in the book but it did give a wonderful flavor of the
world of Harry Potter. I remember seeing it twice during the summer. And of
course, we bought the film (since I don't manage the film library I have no clue
if it was one of the last VHS or strictly DVD).

HARRY POTTER BOOKS Make Great Midnight Parties

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

Then we eagerly awaited book five, THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, which seemed to take FOREVER to come out. The books were getting bigger and heavier and Harry's angst was becoming annoying. Sorry, never one for too much teen angst, it makes me grit my teeth. I want to tell them to shut up and get over it. Ah, well.This was the first book signing when our whole book club went out for dinner and they queued up at the local Waldenbooks. It was fun and Gwen's very faded purple hat still adorns a cupboard in the kitchen. It was fun to share an experience with friends. More movies, the fandom was gaining speed with symposiums being created around the world, wizard rock bands forming and playing to smaller but increasingly bigger groups. Kids in college like Gwen forming societies around the HP world. Finally six was announced and we stood in line for it again at midnight. But by now I was no longer watching the movies either at the cinemaplex or at home. I was disappointed in book five it dragged too much for me and my life was busy. On my first reading I skimmed the boring middle actually only heard it on our audio play during a road trip. I wasn't so excited about HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE but felt I'd read most so far I needed to give her another chance. Fortunately THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE had great secondary characters to help alleviate the still pouting Harry. Then it was the final book, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, the last of the story according to J.K. Rowling. It was the summer of 2007 and it was hot in Texas. We were asked by the Borders to help with some of the activities and the DFW Tea was also excited to go out to dinner and then to the Big Event, even those who didn't intend to buy or read the books. We went as a large group to Ramon's Hole in the Wall (sadly now defunct) and trouped over to the main Dallas Borders (also defunct) to check out the Night Rider bus (a double decker London bus brought in for the occasion), visit with Doubie, witches, owls in cages, test our trivia knowledge and drink pumpkin juice. You know, just us and a thousand or so other people milling around a book store from 10pm to after midnight. A great memory.

To fill the gap between the final book and the final movie, I attended a Harry
Potter symposium, watched a documentary on Wizard Rock Bands, visited Universal
Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando (go in the OFF season, we did
and it was still crowded!) and listened to all seven books on audio during road
trips.

So when the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was announced and some local theatres were offering a special package to see all eight movies in one week, I agreed to go. I knew I'd missed a movie or two, didn't realize it was four of them or half, so it would be an opportunity to see them all on the big screen for the last time. Four of us went Monday through Thursday this week to the NorthPark AMC to watch two films per night. It was absolutely amazing. And I encourage you to read Gwen's recap, published in the Pegasus News. Seeing the films sequentially shows how good they are as parts of a whole. They stand alone but together they tell a broader story. It was well worth the week of my life it seemed to consume. So, I'll put on my 3D Potter glasses, hang the commemorative lanyard around my neck one more time and write a short blog on my outing as a Potter Head! Get out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 11-13, 2011! with Gena Showalter, C.L. Wilson and more guests
See you on the Twitter (@FreshFiction)

PS comment and you could win signed books from the Fresh Fiction treasure trove
in this weekend's blog contest. Two WINNERS!!!

PS comment on Gwen's Pegasus article too and you GET Extra chance to win!

Comments

37 comments posted.

Re: The End of the FIRST Experiences with Harry Potter

I have to confess I never got in the Harry Potter frenzy and I am sure its popularity is well-deserved. I kept meaning to read the series but as the books kept its latest installment and I fell further behind, and never watched the movies, I just ended up a non Harry Potter-er. :)
(Na S 2:29pm July 17, 2011)

I am such a Harry Potter's fan. I didn't start out that way but as soon as I saw the first movie "the Sorcerer's Stone, I was hooked. I have watch all 8 of the movies and enjoyed them all. I even have read all seven books. It took me awhile (guess I was savoring the moment between movies) but it was worth reading them as well. It's sad that the series has came to the end but like all story, there is an ending.
(Kai Wong 2:41pm July 17, 2011)

I do think it got my youngest to read more than usual. She tends to be more hands on an is now an graphic designer/artist. But my oldest got completely hooked and just went on the day it opened. I did really enjoy them but I could stand seeing all 8 at once or at least the last few. I too think I missed one. I loved going with my children but somehow they grew up (just like the actors) - how did that happen lol.
(Jeanne Sheats 2:56pm July 17, 2011)

Harry Potter----hummmm. I drug my feet when a co-worker kept after me to read these books. He finally brought one in for me to read and I was captured immediately. Friday night at midnight was the first showing of the last movie. Yup, I was in line at six in the evening. There was anticipation the crowd and afterwards pure happiness. I will dearly miss the Harry Potter series!!
(Rosemary Simm 3:29pm July 17, 2011)

I started out by by buying the first book for my son through the little book brochures they get through school. He begged me since everyone was reading it. So of course, we HAD to have it. Never thought alot about it and obviously some time later they came out with the first 3 books in a set. We HAD to have them. At that point, I decided I was going to read them. I started the first and it was all I could do to put them down to go to work, etc. We now have the entire set of Harry Potter books but after the 5th, I just have not had the time to read the rest. My youngest son, not so much a reader, has had to have all the movies. So we have those too. One day I will finish the rest of the books.
(Vicki Hancock 3:32pm July 17, 2011)

Harry Potter is like a third arm. I will sorely miss this
group of characters!! The only other books to ever affect me
to this degree were the Dark Tower books. Also, it saddens
me that nothing else is available at the moment that will
create so many young readers but I have faith there will be
something soon! And I an going to add that HP has been a
huge part of why my 19 year old still is capable of being so
connected to her youth! That is a gift you can't put a price
on!!
(Michele Powell 3:42pm July 17, 2011)

the first time i read a Harry Potter book i lived in Las Vegas and i got it at the library. It was Harry Potter and the PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, i checked it out because i wanted to make sure that it was appropriate for my niece. i was hooked. the books were still a bit to old for her at the time but i could barely wait between them. when i bought my book it was titled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and i wish now that i could have gotten the one from the library as i have heard they are worth more.
since then i have taken my nephew to his 1st midnight movie of a Potter film and we have not missed one since. i also took both of my nieces to a drive-in to see Harry potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (their 1st drive-in movie). i bought all of them wands and we have all of the movies and frequently have a Potter night marathon. We are all a bit sad that it is over but also a bit glad that it has final reached THE END.
(Tammy Ramey 3:44pm July 17, 2011)

I read the first book when it came out in Trade in the US. I bought book 2 in HC and then played a dirty trick on my brother and gave him the first 2 books to read. He got hooked and then bought the rest. (g) I read them next. I've seen all of the movies too (went yesterday and bought the tickets in advance on Thursday evening).
(Robin Greene 3:46pm July 17, 2011)

I became hooked on HP when my friend borrowed me her book. Then when each book we became more enthalled. So when the movies started to come out we went to each of them. I took my Granddaugter to one and she became hooked also. So we bought her the books. We all mourn an era gone. Thank you JK Rowling for a wonderful trip into her world.
(Cindy Olp 3:48pm July 17, 2011)

I have not, up to now, gotten into Harry Potter but after all the radio,tv,newspaper, etc press lately I have decided to go see the last movie. I think it will make me feel 'young' again!
(Shirley Younger 4:07pm July 17, 2011)

I have not gotten into the Harry Potter mania except for a book that detailed instructions on making the striped scarf and other projects. My son grew up with this series and had fun explaining the characters to me. We took turns reading a page at a time to each other.
(Alyson Widen 4:11pm July 17, 2011)

I have two sons and they both read Harry Potter. They were both already readers, but I think it helped keep them reading. My youngest will still re-read Harry Potter upon occassion. I think this popular series probably did entice non-readers, young and old alike to become a reader.
(Lisa Kendall 4:15pm July 17, 2011)

I just not Harry Potterish.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 4:19pm July 17, 2011)

I loved the last movie and cried as well! It would have been great to go see all the movies over 4 nights, wish more places would have done something like that. Though at home we have been watching the previous movies to (re)prepare for the last one!
(Jessica Badeaux 5:04pm July 17, 2011)

I have never read a Harry Potter book. But your review really brought home that adults read these books and love them too. I only saw one film also, gasp! I wish I could see them all on the big screen now.
(Kathleen Bianchi 6:48pm July 17, 2011)

It was my daughter who insisted I read Harry Potter. I was hooked. I could not read them fast enough. We had the full set by then & I just devoured them all.
(Mary Preston 6:50pm July 17, 2011)

I purchased the first book in advance of publication based on a review--was a school librarian at the time, and absolutely loved the book. I talked it a bit for a while and then forgot about it for the rest of the school year. When I finally escaped from behind my book stacks I discovered that sometime in the previous 9 months, it had become a raging success, and was sharing best seller status with v. 2 (which I also had ordered as soon as the prepub notice was issued).
(Janet Martin 7:06pm July 17, 2011)

My son just read all the books for the second time. He keeps telling me I need to read them but I have just never took the time to do so. I am more a romance reader but I have seen most of the Harry Potter movies.
(Gail Hurt 8:04pm July 17, 2011)

Despite their international popularity, I personally never cared for the books.....yes, I did read several. However, the attendant films are a thing altogether different. I absolutely ADORE all the films! I even own Harry and Hermione dolls!

Excellent Pegasus article!
(Carla Schuller 8:25pm July 17, 2011)

Whenever the media blows something out of proportion such as Harry Potter or Twilight, and turns it into a cult status, I tend to run in the other direction. To me I have the thought process this way - if you were asked by the media to jump off a bridge, and thousands did so, would you be one of them to stand in line to have that chance? It sounds stupid, and to me that's my point. I wouldn't wait in line for hours, just because a book is going to be released. I'm sure they're good, but after all the hype, I have no interest in reading them. The authors are laughing all the way to the bank, and that's good for them. I know you would love to be that author, because that's your profession, but in today's society, the media makes or breaks athletes, recording stars, authors, and ordinary people into stars. It's just my opinion. I have my favorite authors, and wait for their books to come out, but I wouldn't stand in line for their books to come out. Best of luck with your endeavors.
(Peggy Roberson 8:33pm July 17, 2011)

Not a Harry Potter fan but my kids are. They all stood in line thursday night for hours to see the new movie!
(Dawn Staniszeski 8:57pm July 17, 2011)

The first Harry Potter I read I felt a little wicked for doing it. There was a huge buzz that they wanted to ban the books from the schools. I thought "it's a children's book people. How bad can it be? So I snuck out with my grandmother of all people and went to a near by town so I wouldn't get caught with this horrible to society book. In my bedroom with a lamp on and the kids in bed I read the first book. Imagine my surprise when I finished it. I then sat down with my children and spent our family movie night reading to them instead of watching disney. As the years rolled by my neices asked me to read them the books. It was sad going to the last movie this weekend and seeing the end of it all. The worst was the woman sitting next to me that kept digging out her tissues and all I wanted to say was "Pick up the books and you would know what would happen. It would then be more bittersweet than sad." Now I wait for the next generation of books that I can sit with my granddaughter and say let's read this book. Who needs Disney TV.

Books will always be commercial free. The authors that write them whether they become cult classics or huge moneymakers or just a small run, give us a chance to imagine with them and I will always be thankful for the Memories that Harry Potter gave me of curling up on the couch with the sweaty, smelly bodies of my children cuddled close. Especially since now they are the dreaded teenagers moving on and out.
(Kaya Primrose 9:25pm July 17, 2011)

I did read the first couple of books, but after that I got the stories from the movies. We're probably going to the last movie tomorrow night. They got so much darker as the series went on that it's probably ending at the right point, but new versions will be missed.
(Diane Sallans 9:37pm July 17, 2011)

My youngest son talked me into reading the first book and I was hooked on Harry Potter as much as he was. Haven't got to see the last movie yet but am looking forward to it for next weekend. Thanks for the contest!
(Teresa Ward 9:55pm July 17, 2011)

Not a fan of Harry Potter. Have never read any of the books nor have I seen any of the movies. Enjoyed reading you blog.
(Sheila True 9:56pm July 17, 2011)

I'am really not a Harry Potter fan. Watched the 1 first movie
it was ok
(Lynn Lanzon 10:11pm July 17, 2011)

I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II today. I loved it. I am really going to miss this series. I loved the books. I loved the movies. Now, I have to wait for the first Hunger Games movie to come out!
(Jennifer Beyer 10:13pm July 17, 2011)

yes i am a harry potter fan!!!!!!!!!
(Jennifer Beck 10:23pm July 17, 2011)

Harry Potter is the best.I enjopy the place at univeraca is great
(Patricia Kasner 10:39pm July 17, 2011)

well the end of harry potter kinda happens as my kids are about grown ., and my grandaughter isnt pass the princess stage. so lol i have no excuse to watch harry now



i comment at PS comment on Gwen's Pegasus article too and you GET Extra chance to win!
(Tami Bates 11:25pm July 17, 2011)

I am currently not at home but once I get there I am going with my son to see Harry Potter. We've read the books together and see the movies together.
He and I share many books and movies and as he gets older it feels more special that he doesn't shut me out or outgrow me. :)
(Patti Paonessa 2:25am July 18, 2011)

Love HP. :) I cried so much at the end of third book.. Cried at the end of the last book... Just couldn't really enjoyed the movies though....
(May Pau 10:09am July 18, 2011)

I cried reading several of the HP's...esp. the last 3. I've seen most of the movies but am waiting for the last one to come out on DVs...then I'll get both & watch them...I've got to see how they compare to the book.
(Ivy Truitt 6:27pm July 18, 2011)

My son enjoyed HP whenhe was young. Then got out of it. But always watched the movies when they came out. So many wonderful memories for him with HP. So we all decided to end it all right. Him, my hubby and I have spent the last few weeks watching all the movies. Discussing them. Making sure we all understood things. Then we watched HP7 part 1 and then next day went to see part 2. We all enjoyed every single bit of the whole thing. We agreed that it was ended just right. They did a fantastic job. Well done dividing it up. Enjoyed it all so much.
(Lisa Hutson 7:41pm July 18, 2011)

I never read the books. I was reading too many textbooks when the books were coming out so I didn't have much tine for pleasure reading. I saw most of the movies though and I love the world of magic and flying brooms. Maybe now I will go back and start at book one and relive it all again.
(Kathleen Yohanna 5:07am July 19, 2011)

Big Potter fan from the beginning. What an imagination Rowling has. These will become a classic.
(Shirley Nienkark 1:13pm July 19, 2011)

I've read all the books, own all the audio books and have listened to them in
the double digit numbers. It's my guilty pleasure. I've gotten each of my
children a set of the books, and bought myself the adult UK box set.

I have really enjoyed the books, and have been, at times very frustrated by the
movies, but am happy to say that the ending was very good. Not as good as
book 7, mind you, but good. JK Rowling is an amazing writer! So I am
definitely a Potterphile :)
(Jennifer Haag 5:41pm July 19, 2011)

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