On this day, exactly twenty years ago, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone hit the book shelves, setting up the foundation for a magical, literary phenomena spread over several books (you can’t forget the spinoffs!) and multi-million dollar movie franchise. It’s been twenty years since wizards, witches, and Muggles became mainstream!
It’s been twenty years (two decades!!!!) since the Harry Potter books were published. Twenty years since the Boy Who Lived stole hearts all over the world. I hope that this series continues to entertain several more generations. Twenty years! It’s so hard to believe. But twenty years or what, these books still haven’t lost their charm. I don’t think they ever will… because this is one such book series that will steal your hearts and hold them captive forever. And the best part is that you’ll love every bit of this captivity!
I was introduced to Hogwarts and this magical series when I was seven years old. Ever since I first read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Philosopher’s Stone, to some of you), I had been branded for life. And now at 22, I’ve spent most of my life (15 long years!) obsessing over this series. I’ve been a Potterhead for so long, that I can be safely classified as a Harry Potter nerd.
It made me realize that reading was fun and also that there were books that I could actually read and understand! Every year, during my summer vacations I used to re-read all the books in the series. (read: the ones that had been published till date) That should explain why I’m so obsessed with Harry Potter even today. 😀 It wasn’t the first book that I read but it was the first to occupy a place in my heart. As a child, this was one book series that I could connect to and the movie franchise further fuelled my obsession.
I had been totally obsessed with the books, the movie series it had spawned, and in short, anything and everything, that was even remotely related to Harry Potter. Needless to say, I own all seven books and they are the most battered books in my collection; made worse for wear, by the countless times I’ve read them, over and over again.
So obsessed had I been, that I had even gone to the trouble of making a scrapbook of sorts, and filled it completely with almost every “Harry Potter” newspaper cuttings, that I could lay my hands on. I would carefully cut-out any article that appeared in the newspaper that was even remotely connected to Harry Potter. As a 90’s kid, I didn’t have constant access to the internet those days and so I treasured (read hoarded) those newspaper cut-outs. 😀 My scrapbook contains all those meticulously sourced newspaper cut-outs, my own commentaries, and notes, a list of all the spells that have ever been cast at one point or other in the series, and much more. It is clearly one of my most treasured possessions. If I’d been living in London (or at the very least, had the means to get to London.) I’d have stood in line, waiting for hours on end, wearing a cloak, just to get a signed copy from J.K. Rowling.
So if you haven’t already read this amazing series, go ahead and pick up the first book. Please!
P.S: I love Pottermore. When I took the sorting test, I ended up in Hufflepuff. Any other fellow Hufflepuffs here?
P.P.S: Well… Okay then, I’m off to start a marathon God-knows-what-number-it-is-“re-reading”-session of Harry Potter. I just had to write a post to record this moment! (The things you tend to do when you’re a self-confessed Potterhead!) 😀
“After all this time?”
“Always”
© 2017 Shweta Suresh. All rights reserved.
You certainly did have a magical childhood. I really don’t remember the number of times we all cousins have seen each part and read each book atleast once.
When we all tried pottermore, I was the only one to get gryffindor. My cousins were all a lot Jealous.
By the way, have you read the new theory by JKR about Harry Potter Twin? and Facebook has been all HP since a week! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this post.. 🙂
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Hey, apologies for the very late reply. And Wow! I’ve never got Griffindor (and yes, I’ve tried many times but then I decided to be happy being a Hufflepuff. 😁😁😁) Harry Potter was such a huge influence! I have lost track of the number of times I’ve read the books and watched the movies. 😂
Oh yes, I heard that one of Harry’s ancestors was named Harry Potter too! It’s so fun when JKR drops a new detail or confirms a fan theory. 😁
Thank you so much for reading. Glad to know that you’re a fan of this series too. 😀
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He he.. No issues.. 🙂
Ha ha.. Hufflepuff is good as well! Better than other two remaining.
True. It feels good when a new theory gets added and when we can relate! 🙂
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Oh yes. Hufflepuff ain’t bad. 😀😀😀
Theories like those keeps the story going on, even after all these years. 😃
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yes the feelings are mutual ❤
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Glad to know that! Thank you so much for reading. 😊
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Now I know why I don’t get your posts in my reader 😂😛
I thought you didn’t write anything 😂😂
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gasps in surprise 😂😂😂😂 Ohh O, I’m glad you rectified the mistake. 😀 I have certainly written a lot. 😛 (Over 100 posts for your reading pleasure if you’re willing to go deep into the archived posts 😉😛😂)
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😂😂
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😀😀
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Wow, you are a good writer. I am not an article writer actually. I am a poet. Can you tell me how my writing is ?
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Enjoy the read.
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😀😀😀
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Can’t believe it’s been 20 years already! I’m a Gryffindor!
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And I’m a Hufflepuff. 😀 It’s so hard to believe that it’s been twenty years but I’m so glad that my childhood was blessed by the presence of Harry Potter. Sorry for the very late reply! 😅
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Hahaha it’s okay! Yeah I’m so glad I’ve had Harry Potter to read through my childhood and teens (and probably adulthood!)
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Ohh me too. I’ll be eternally grateful to J.K. Rowling! 😁
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😁😉
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Nominate your blog for the One Lovely Blog Award..
https://buddingpoets.wordpress.com/2017/07/09/one-lovely-blog-award/
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That’s so kind of you. Thank you so much! 😊
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I still read Potter whenever I am low! What a book! – Fellow Potter Maniac 🙂
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That’s one of the best things around to lift up our moods. Glad to meet someone who’s just as crazy about this series as I am! Thank you so much for stopping by and reading. 😊
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Glad to find a like minded virtual friend too!
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Right back at you! 😃
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I am a true Harry Potter nerd as well, haha 😀 I am also a nineties kid and grew up with Harry and everyone, so I can totally understand you. Loved reading this post, Marina x
P.S. I am a Gryffindor
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Hi5, Marina! I’m a 90s kid too and it was such fun to grow up with such amazing characters! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed reading this post. Thank you so much. Glad to have meet a fellow Potterhead. 😀
P.S: I’m a Hufflepuff 😀
Thanks a lot for stopping by and reading and apologies for the late reply! 😊
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Potterhead for life!!! I just had a Harry Potter-themed brunch!
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Potterhead for life indeed! Wow, that must have been an awesome brunch!
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Great post!! Can’t beleive its been 20 years!
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I know! It’s amazing how quickly time flies. Thank you so much for stopping by.
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Great post Shweta! Here’s a link to something you may find interesting! Do let me know your thoughts on this. Cheers!
https://rommanne.wordpress.com/2017/07/31/happy-birthday-potter/
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Thank you so much, rommanne. I’ll definitely check it out. ☺
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I love Harry Potter so much! It’s crazy to think how long the books have been around for!
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I know, right! Me too. Hard to believe that it’s been around for so long. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading! 😊
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Literally the best books ever!! Another Harry Potter nerd over here ✌🏻
I’m now in the process of getting my 5 year old into it!
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Hey! I’m so glad to meet another Harry Potter nerd. 😁😁😁 It must be so exciting for you to introduce it to your kid. I hope that they will come to love this series as much as we do.
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Me too! It is! Although right now she defiantly prefers the films & collectables! But she now has Harry Potter bedding so I feel as if I’m winning at this motherhood stuff 😂👍🏻
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Wow! That’s awesome. I’m sure she’ll gradually take a liking to the books too. Well done! 😀😍😊
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Oh I was sorted to Hufflepuff too!
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Hi5! 😁
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Hufflepuff and proud! 😀 🚩🎉
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Right back at you! 😁
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wow!
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Thanks!
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Twenty years, wow…the tenth anniversary of the seventh novel was a few months ago…Come to think of it, this comment is really late, I’m commenting on October 23, 2017! Ah, well, at least I celebrated the anniversary with my family.
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It’s hard to imagine that it’s been twenty years, right? Time flies by so quickly. As they say, it’s better to be late than never. I’m glad that being late didn’t stop you from sharing your thoughts. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Happy to know that you celebrated the anniversary with your family! 😊 And I’m glad to meet another Potterhead. ❤
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I just couldn’t ignore this post, being a Potternerd myself. I have been a Gryffindor all along but recently I took the test again and was sorted into Slytherin which ain’t so bad considering Draco Malfoy is one as well.
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Haha, that test ended up sorting most Gryffindor-obsessed Potterheads into any house but Gryffindor! 😂 Thank you so much for stopping by. 😄
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