My Favourite Books: Harry Potter

Copyright: JK Rowling

I have always been a big reader. Even at a young age, you were more likely to find me reading than watching TV (the only rival to my reading would have been colouring books.)

I have loved going on different adventures, falling in love with characters and loving to hate the villains. I’ve been thinking back to the books that have stayed with me even years after I’ve stopped reading the last page and in this new feature, I wanted to share some of my favourites with you.

One of the books that has stayed with me, is Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling.

I was late coming to the Harry Potter series. I think the books came to my attention when browsing in a book shop one day around the same time that the first film had appeared in cinemas. As the film had just been released, I’d been hearing a lot about the series (or the books that had been released up to that point,) and I was intrigued so I picked up the first book in the series. Let’s just say, within three days, I had to buy the rest. One of the things I love about this book series in particular is that it appeals to all ages and covers a variety of themes. I am fascinated by how these seven books all interconnect – how a small piece of information in the first book, like the fact that the wands are brothers is the thing that ends up saving his life later on.

I loved The Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets, don’t get my wrong but there was something about The Prisoner of Azkaban that I just adored and this is why it’s one, if not my favourite of the series (very closely followed by Goblet of Fire despite the fact that the end scared the hell out of me.)

This book has a great plot. It is a lot darker than the two books which preceded it. In my opinion, the series and plot begin to evolve in this book. It feels a little more realistic (well, as realistic as a story about a magical world can get.) There are resolutions. Questions are answered but it also creates questions too. The ending isn’t as tied up as it was with previous books. There is a proper cliffhanger which pulled me toward the next book.

Everything starts to get a little bit more complicated for Harry. You gain more information about what happened the night his parents died and I just remember not being able to wait to be able to sit and get engrossed in this book.

This book is so atmospheric, heartbreaking and bittersweet all at the same time (the film captures this book really well.) It covers friendship, betrayal and love – a wide range of emotions and I admit that I did cry a little.

I did always love school but I would have adored it if I got to go to Hogwarts and be a witch and learn how to fly and study magic. I want to go to school in this book (minus all the danger, obviously.)

Are you a fan of the Harry Potter series? Which one is your favourite?

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.