User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4137152-20110711211439

I was 8 years old when the first book came out, and I didn't even know it existed. Then, when I was 11, my teacher read the first book to us as we followed along. Not only was the story magical but the words themselves seemed to have a power over me. I ended up buying my own copy of the first book, and read it in 3 days. I was hooked. I went out and bought the second, third and forth books. I read them all in a week. I continued the series, watching the characters grow as I was growing too. It was very easy to place myself in Harry's shoes, and often did. I connected with Harry and his world more then I ever have with any other series. Each time a new book would come out, I would re read all the previous ones the week before. And now I have the honor of doing so before each movie. The world of Harry Potter means a lot to me. Not only is it my childhood, but it's my a staple in my adult life as well. I read a lot of books, but I always come back and read Harry Potter. Without Harry Potter, I would never have understood the magic of books, the excitement of reading. Hogworts became my second home, and just like for Harry, I felt safest there.