Westerly Sun Column | It's a Good Time to Catch Up on the World of Harry Potter

Like many (MANY) millennials, the Harry Potter franchise played a major role in my adolescence. I read the first book when I was the same age as Harry, and – as the books were published between 1997 and 2007 – I grew up right alongside him and the other characters. I was a hardcore fan, attending the midnight release party of more than one of the books. This year, I enjoyed a new Potter-related milestone: my daughter began reading the books, and became just as obsessed as I was/am. What perfect timing, too, given that the new TV series will be released this Christmas, with plans for a seven season arc! Between the original books and films, companion texts written by the author, and innumerable themed cooking and craft books, there’s plenty to revisit or delve into for the first time before the new series debuts.

If you have young ones that you want to introduce to the series, I can’t recommend the illustrated editions enough. These high-quality hardcovers are beautifully designed, and include illustrations by Jim Kay every few pages that capture children’s interest. Another option for reluctant readers are the audiobooks, which are available with a library card on CD, Playaway, or online through Libby.

As with the original series, the film adaption has remained incredibly popular over the years. There are eight films total (the final book was split into two movies), which follow Harry and the others through their school years. Each of the films are available on DVD at the library, as well as a Harry Potter Binge Box that includes the entire collection. The total runtime is only 20 hours, so, technically, you can do it all in one day! In addition to the original films, a reunion special titled “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” was released in 2022 featuring interviews with the cast and crew.

For those who can’t get enough of the world of Harry Potter, there are a number of companion books that delve deeper into the characters, creatures, and magic of the original series. “The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac” (2023) is the official companion book to the series, and full of facts, fun, and colorful illustrations. If you are entering a Harry Potter trivia contest, this is the book you need!

If you’re still with me, I’d guess that you are either a huge Harry Potter nerd yourself, OR you have a loved one who is. Either way, this is your cue to check out the cookbooks and crafting guides related to the series. Perhaps you can host a screening of the new series with recipes from the “From the Films of Harry Potter: Official Christmas Cookbook” by Jody Revenson, or create an adorable keepsake with help from “Harry Potter Crochet Wizardry” by Lee Sartori. These and others are available through the library consortium!

by Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian