Flashback to 2001. That was the year the first movie came out. I was 21 at the time, I had only barely heard of the Harry Potter books but I enjoy watching movies. So when I saw that the first film was being released and that it was packed full of actors I've heard of and directed by Chris Columbus I knew I'd go give it a try. Once I saw that film I was hooked. I immediately went out and bought the first 3 books in paperback and devoured them.
As I read through the first story I realized because of its relative short length that the film adaptation was pretty much spot on, and just very little was left out. Even so, the book was just as enjoyable, even though I knew it wasn't exactly aimed at my age group, it kept me interested, it fleshed out this world really well, and made me want to read those other 2 I bought.
Young Harry Potter has been living with his mean Aunt and Uncle for 11 years, having not remembered the fateful night in which the darkest wizard ever known killed his family and attempted to kill him. Once he learns the truth he is introduced, along with us, to a magical world beyond the normal world of muggles (non-magic folk). He is accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry finding out that his name is well known throughout the magic community as "the boy who lived".
Making new friends, and a few enemies Harry ends up being someone who naturally wants to do the right thing even if that means breaking a few rules to figure out who is trying to steal the so-called sorcerer's stone (philosopher's stone outside the US). We as readers are along for the ride trying to figure out a mystery while learning about this wondrous world of magic. Since a lot of what we know is being told from Harry's point of view it makes you feel like you are there learning and experiencing all these things with him.
This series was so much fun to read it had become the one series I have read the most; I am currently starting yet another re-read. It helped make lots of people old and young read more which is a good thing and the books got longer and more adult themed so you can grow up with the series even if you are already grown. If you have never read the series you should start right here at the beginning. If you are not hooked by the time you finish this book then you needn't bother with the rest.
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