I never read the books when everyone else did. In grade school, when all my friends were obsessed, but I was content with my Little House on The Prairie series. I always knew there would be a time when I would read it, but I just knew I was waiting for the "right time," even if I didn't know when that would be.
One of my best friends throughout middle and high school was obsessed with "Harry Potter." She knew every bit of the books and movies, and she has even been to the 9 3/4 platform in London. She always talked it up and finally, the summer after graduating, I decided to read the series. My die-hard friends were more excited than I was, and, frankly, I was only reading it because I was tired of not understanding references.
Once I started, I fell hard. At one point, I was going through a book every 24 hours. Was I sleeping? No. But I didn't care. I got lost in the world of the boy who lived. First of all, I'm a Slytherin. People had always said so, and I didn't get it when I started the book, I was offended, but, as I moved further through the series, I became proud of "my house."
Anyway, I read the whole thing with new eyes. I always made a point to avoid seemingly obvious spoilers in the event I ever got to the books, so I really didn't know what do expect. Unfortunately, two of the most notable deaths in the series were spoiled for me, and I'm still a bit salty, but it's fine.
All in all, the series was worth the hype. My favorite book remains Pride and Prejudice, but I totally understand the obsession. It was totally out of the ordinary for what I usually read, but I loved it nonetheless. Hermoine is the #girlpower idol we all need. Ron is the adorable goofball. And Harry is one lucky dude.
I found myself lost in the world of the boy who lived, and I'm so glad I waited because I feel like I got to appreciate it for the first time in a way that my friends didn't. I LOVE understanding references I didn't before and being able to talk to my friends about. All in all, I can't wait to re-binge read.