This is just another thing that the entire world knew about and fell in love with before I caught on.  It wasn’t until January of this year that I picked up my first Potter novel (blame Mr. D. and the fact that I was stranded in Queen Creek with my sister’s book collection).

So I finished reading the Potter books this week, and I wanted to blog a bit about them.  Don’t worry, I don’t give anything away.

The Magic - Wait…hear me out.  I enjoyed these books, and I know that they are primarily concerned with the lives of wizards and witches (and mudbloods like Hermione).  What kind of bothered me was how convenient it was for Rowling to use this magic background as a deus ex machina.

For 6 novels J.K had me believing that Hogwarts was the most secure place in the world…not even the strongest wizards out there could break in.  But then in the final novel it was convenient to the plot to have Potter break in, so it suddenly becomes possible.

Part of the excitement of adventure books like these is watching the novelist cleverly figure out solutions with the ingredients in the pantry…not to magically create solutions when you’re in a bind.

Didn’t Live Up To The Hype - I know that when the final book was published and people had read the final pages, there were maniacs crying in the streets.  “Pot Heads” dressed as Harry when they went to purchase their copies of these books.  Respectable adults called in sick to work so they could read the newest book on the day it was released.

I am not trying to say that these books weren’t entertaining, but they were only entertaining.  Nothing too meaningful or life-changing.

Supports Witchcraft - Just kidding.  That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.  It’s a fucking fantasy novel!!

Seven Books, seriously? - This series could have been done (less lucratively, of course) in three.

We kind of knew the inevitable by the beginning of book two.  Why drag this story out for so long?  Granted I read all of the books practically right after one another…so the suspense between the books didn’t exist for me.

Gave literature blockbuster movie status - News reports about leaked books, People camping outside of book stores, Potter tattoos.  It was kind of awesome to see a book receive the kind of attention that these Potter books were getting.

Supports Witchcraft - Hahaha…just kidding again.

I do find solace in the fact that the Christian right got so caught up in the “Potter is a witch” nonsense.  It’s just another attempt for the religious wackos to drain this world of everything entertaining.

At my old job one woman told me that “Harry Potter is Satan,” and then went on to explain that she only let her children watch wholesome Disney films.

“Like Cinderella?” I asked.  Ha!

Appeals to large age range - How cute to see parents and children sharing books, getting excited about the release of the next, and talking about literature over dinner.

Rowling was pretty smart to blur the line between children and adult’s fiction.  Not only do you open up your market–selling more books–but you’ve also created a product that parents don’t feel guilty buying for their children.

The message of equality - House elfs, goblins, muggle-born, or mudbloods.  This book is crowded with minorities.  And there’s a constant message that everyone in this fictional world deserves respect and equality.

So, you’ve read them…what do you think?

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