User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4141052-20110712231249

It may sound corny or stereotypical, but Harry Potter is pretty literally my entire life. I'm not going to say that it was the reason I read or write, though I will say that it is what I read most often by far. I had always been heavy into reading and writing from a young age. No, for me, it's much more than that. Harry Potter helped me forge ahead in the one aspect of life I had always failed- social confidence. One of my (very few) close friends badgered me into reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in my freshman year of high school, and from the first few pages I read, a new door in my life had been burst wide open. Through serious discussions about the books and their future (The series was only up to Goblet of Fire at the time), or ventures into the fandom via fanfiction or roleplaying, I found myself with a common ground that I could relate to with other people. I would talk more. I would socialize more. I found myself with more friends, and yes, we all had a love for Harry Potter in common. These weren't just silly schooltime friendships, either. Every single person that shared this bond with me in school still has a tight bond in my heart, to this day, almost ten years later. All the book premieres, the movie premieres, and any special event we can get to, the old group gets back together from all corners of the country, and they become our own Harry Potter reunions. Most importantly, the person that has the biggest hold in my heart was brought to me through Harry Potter as well. I'll soon be getting married to my "Severus", you see. So yes. Harry Potter is a piece of literary and cinematic genius. It's quite easily my favorite series ever, bar none. And I owe it everything. Without Harry Potter, I wouldn't have the amazing relationships I have today. So I have to say.... Thank you, Harry Potter!!!