Earlier this month I completed a journey I’ve been on for nearly a year.
I finished the Harry Potter books.
When the Harry Potter craze began, I wasn’t into it. At all.
But last year I had the opportunity to take a Children’s Literature class. I was asked to choose a popular children’s book and analyze it. As I perused the used bookstore near my house I stumbled across a seven dollar copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I decided to give it a try.
Over the last year I have eagerly anticipated the next part of story. Some of the books were read back to back. Others had months between them.
Why?
Because I set myself a limit.
Instead of heading out and buying the entire series, I promised myself I would only buy soft-cover editions for 7 dollars or less.
So I searched.
A few times I was lucky and found copies in excellent condition for even more excellent prices.
And then I finished the Half Blood Prince….. and I needed to know what happened next!
So I caved.
That’s right. I gave in to my adrenaline and I splurged and broke all the rules I had so enduringly kept for nearly a year.
I paid 12 dollars for a hardcover copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
That’s right – 12 dollars!
For a book that usually costs $24-30 new.
I felt guilty.
I really did.
But it was so exciting to read the end.
J.K. Rowling filled in some holes and even gave me a look at the adult lives of Harry and his friends. I laughed and I cried.
And now I’m at a loss.
The story was fun.
It was entertaining.
My journey lasted a year… and now what?
Are you like me? Do you feel a little bit bereft after finishing a series?
I miss the characters, the halls of Hogwarts, the school problems, the mysteries. As dark as the story became in the end, it was still innocent and childlike enough that I felt I could escape adult reality.
Now, I suppose, it’s time for a new journey.
Ivynettle says:
I recently learned the term “book hangover” for this feeling. After Harry Potter, my “hangover” lasted for several fanfiction-filled months… but then, I’d spent six years reading and waiting and guessing and reading some more – felt quite lost when Deathly Hallows was published and I knew there would be no more.
Jeyna Grace says:
How about The Hunger Games? Or, A song of Ice and Fire? HP is a good series, no doubt there 🙂
TrishaJenn says:
I recently read The Hunger Games! I’ll blog about them soon. I’ve never heard of A Song of Ice and Fire… I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!