Blog Response #1

When I first started to read the novels, I'll admit, I really didn't have high expectations when I picked it off of the bookshelves in middle school . I was just looking for something to read. I needed something new to read. Something to occupy my time when I was at recess. I remember that when I first bought this book, I really didn't know what to make of it. Even the title itself leaved some sort of predictability to it. All I knew of it was that it was a fantasy novel, a genre that always peaked my interest. When I started to read it however, it was way more than I thought. I read the first two pages and it did make me want to keep reading. But then once I got past the first chapter, it fueled my fire. I kept reading. And I never wanted to stop. It was like addiction. And once I got to the end, I turned it back over, and I read it again. I was fully engulfed into the story. My mind would picture everything that was happening, like I was truly there with Harry, Ron and Hermione. And when the second book was released, it only made the experience more enjoyable. Years later, my bond with them has only grown stronger. For someone who is reading them for the first time as an adult, when their adventure has already begun, I think that the feelings I have for it after such a long time could still manifest themselves. But those feelings wouldn't be as great. Also, for someone whose interests are on the opposite side of the spectrum, I feel that even if they're not a fan of fantasy fiction, they would still enjoy it. There is so much more to the books than meets the eye. As I learned before.

Being so enveloped into the plot, I felt some sort of connection between me and the characters, especially Hermione. Yes, I know that it might be cliche to say that because all girls wanted to be like her. But I truly liked her characteristics. She was smart and reliable. She would never give up. Everything she did, I wanted to do. I wanted to be like her because she had everything I lacked. Sure I was smart, but everything else, i didn't possess. I also identified with Neville in the story, even though he hardly had a plot in the first two books. He was afraid to do anything, something I really did have in my real life. But he also had to gather up the courage to tell someone when they were doing something wrong. Something that they shouldn't be doing. And I've had to do that from time to time in my life. Something that possesses great difficulty. But when it has to be done, it makes the person stronger and more confident.