And just like that, summer is over and so is our epic Harry Potter reread. Friends, this summer was a little heavy for both Jen and I. I lost my mom at the end of July and Jen's mom ran into some health issues of her own. Parental health issues are so scary and so heavy. I'm forever grateful I have a friend like Jen in my life who can help me through the rough things. All this to say that this reread came at a perfect time. I enjoyed getting lost in the Harry Potter universe and discussing it with Jen as we went along. I read Harry Potter in the hospital while I sat with my mom and after she died I found solace in the books once again. It was truly a magical summer, even if it was filled with loss, it was also filled with love and friendship.
The last time I read Harry Potter was probably 8-9 years ago. It was so cool reading it again as an adult and then getting to discuss everything with my best friend. I hope you joined us, or that you will consider rereading the books! We might make this reread a bi-yearly tradition. Let's jump into it and discuss all things Harry Potter together!
Discussion Time!
Heather
Hey
bestie!
Jen
HEYYYYYY!
Heather
I'm so excited
to discuss our summer Harry Potter reread, which was basically amazing and I
never wanted it to end. It kind of made me fall in love with the whole Harry
Potter universe all over again.
Jen
Yeeeesssssss! I was basically heart eye emogis
all summer! I absolutely loved living and breathing Potter for the last couple
of months. And I'm seriously already feeling withdrawals from it. I'm
lost without Potter!
Heather
Same! As soon as
I finished I wanted to start reading it all over again. It's definitely
cemented as my favorite series of all time. I did kind of find it interesting
reading it again as an adult. Did you notice any kind of changes in your
reading experience this time around?
Jen
Yes, favorite all time ever series! And yea,
reading it through the eyes of a 30 year old opposed to a teenager was a bit
different. I found myself getting annoyed with Harry way more for his
temper and his attitude, especially in The Half Blood Prince. It didn't
really take away from the magical-ness and I'm sure it was strictly a teenage
thing! You know how teenagers can be. What about you?
Heather
I had a similar
experience. I found him most annoying in Order of the Phoenix actually. He kept
getting detention from Umbridge, which could have easily been avoided if he
just kept his mouth shut! It definitely didn't take away from the magicalness
of the series, but it was harder to relate to a teenager as an almost 30 year
old. What was your favorite book during the reread? Did it change from what you
thought it was before?
Jen
Oh man, I think I misspoke, it was definitely
The Order of the Phoenix where I felt super annoyed about his
stubbornness. Gah. When I was younger I would have definitely said The
Prisoner of Azkaban. That is the last book before shit really gets real
for the kids. They have to grow up and deal with so much more tragedy as
the books progress. But this time through, I really enjoyed The Goblet of
Fire, which would have probably been my least favorite as a teen. I sobbed at
the end because you could just see what a great support group Harry had around
him. Between Molly's mothering & Sirius's guidance and
understanding, I lost it and sobbed through the last few chapters. How about
you?
Heather
It's honestly so
hard to choose, I love so many things about each book, and I love that JK
Rowling did an amazing job at having them gradually grow up and deal with more
shit. I think when I was younger Goblet of Fire was my favorite, because I
loved the Triwizard Tournament but I also loved that the end of it shifted to
Voldemort actually being back. It was the shift from childhood to adulthood for
me. This time around I really enjoyed Half Blood Prince the best. I loved that
Dumbledore was such a huge part of it and the fact that we got to see memories
of Voldemort from before he came to power. I think the whole thing was
mysterious and also I think I related a little more with him dealing with grief
over Siruis since my mom died right before I started reading it. This reread,
especially at the end, was a really cathartic experience for me.
What about
favorite characters?
Jen
Man, I agree with your summary so hard. It was
so hard to choose because each book really is amazing on its own. And I really
did love learning more about Voldy's past and Dumbedore and really getting to
the nitty gritty of how to possibly destroy Voldy. And I agree, this
series has super healing powers.
Gahhhhh! So hard! All the characters are seriously so well developed and each of the purposes is so meaningful to the story, even those background characters! Butttttt, if I have to narrow it down, my favorites would be: Hermione, Luna, Hagrid & Dobby. Hermione is just such a bad ass witch, always. I really feel like I can relate to Luna with her quirkiness and the different way she views the world. Hagrid is such a gentle giant and I just love how affinity towards dangerous creatures. And Dobby has the biggest heart of them all and I loved his knack of helping Harry in dire situations without wanting anything in return. AAAANNNDDDD I almost forgot about Neville! I love how hard he tries, no matter what! Who are your faves?
Heather
It is totally
hard to choose a favorite character, like you said they are all so well
developed and are vital to the story.I think I would say my favorites are Luna,
Sirius, Mrs. Weasley and Neville. I love how Luna is so weird and quirky but
never feels ashamed for being who she is. I love how Neville isn't the best
wizard in some subjects but he's so brave and willing to be there for Harry
when he needs friends the most. Sirius is just so cool and I love that Harry
got family, even for a short time, who loved him and supported him, even if he
was sometimes reckless. I think I relate to Mrs. Weasley the most as a badass
momma witch who would do anything for her children. I also would say that Snape
has maybe one of the best character arcs and his memories that we get to see in
the last book and see how he was in love with Lily and dedicated to protecting
Harry the whole time was so perfect and gut wrenching. See, too many characters
to choose from!
Anything else we
didn't cover about the reread? Or just last minute thoughts that you wanted to
throw out?
Jen
Gahhh! I agree! So hard to choose! The story
wouldn't be the same without ALL the characters. Even Malfoy! But I totes agree
with your assessment of Snape. He definitely had the best character arc, of
probably any character ever. You go from hating him, to starting to trust
him, to REALLY hating him, then to totally understanding him and really
appreciating his sacrifices. Such a complex guy you really grow to love
or at least, appreciate like hell.
Um, obviously Harry Potter is the best series ever and if you haven't read it you are seriously missing out on one of the best universes EVER created. I could fangirl over Harry forever, and I probably will if we are being honest. #HarryPotterforLife
Um, obviously Harry Potter is the best series ever and if you haven't read it you are seriously missing out on one of the best universes EVER created. I could fangirl over Harry forever, and I probably will if we are being honest. #HarryPotterforLife
Heather
Just talking
about it makes me want to read it all over again! It's just so perfect and even
rereading is as an adult I still found it just as magical! Maybe we should
start planning a trip to one of the Harry Potter theme parks for 2017?
I think I'm also really excited to share the books with my kids soon! We already watch the movies together but reading the books is just so special, I can't wait to do that together.
I think I'm also really excited to share the books with my kids soon! We already watch the movies together but reading the books is just so special, I can't wait to do that together.
Fangirls for
life!
Jen
Me too! I think it should be read every other
summer at least, since it is such a huge commitment. This summer,
even with our mutual heartaches, has been such a magical summer! Yes to HP
Theme Park road trip! Of course we need to plan that! And I can't wait to hear
how your girls fall in love with it. Such a great mutual bonding experience!
And I might have read a few chapters to my cats over the summer.....
Heather
I totes agree about an every other summer reread. It was one
of my favorite things we did this summer! Listen, kids or cats, Harry Potter is
enjoyable for all! Next up we need to talk about Harry Potter and the Cursed
Child, but let's take a break before we dive into that one!
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