Melissa's Friend Comments

Hi Melissa. I read Harry, a History a few years ago and I've always wondered about what you do? Are you a professional blogger? It was very interesting to read about your writing process throughout the writing of the HP series? How did you make blogging a career? Anything you could tell me would be great!

Hey Melissa, I was just thinking about that moment in Harry, A History in which you see the girl reading SS, and think "oh, I envy you. You are just beginning..." (not your exact words, I know). There are a few young children in my life who are reading the series through for the 1st time, and they are about the age I was when I started the series, too. Except, they have all 7 books and all 8 movies at their fingertips. No waiting, no anticipation, no theorizing. The 9 year old has devoured all 7 books within the this year, whereas I and so many like me grew up over a decade with them. She's so into it, and she's being Hermione for Halloween, and I love to see all that. But I have to wonder...is she missing the true magic that was experiencing those books because she has them all at once? Was the lived experience of that era so much a part of why the books were so special to us, that for a new generation, it is just less magical? This is my question to you, because I know you get it, and yes, she loves the books, but she and every other child and adult I have encountered who have first encountered the series after the HP hayday was over just aren't catching the fever the way we did. Is anyone's experience with the series ever going to be quite like ours? I don't want that to be true, but it just seems like to new readers, it is a cool story, a fairy tale, but not something to study and think about critically. This makes me sad.

you totally don't use this site enough. you should! i wanna see what you're reading! unless you actually keep this page up to date but have only read 1 book in your life...i'd be surprised though :S

I know you really liked the "Lightning Thief" (I think you posted a vlog about it or something). I read it, I loved it, and now I'm wondering if you read the other 4 books and if you enjoyed those as much?

Thanks for accepting my friend request (: I've listened to Pottercast religiously for about two years now, and I loved Harry A History.

hi! i think it's really cool that you got to meet J.K. Rowling. she's my favorite author ever!

I've been meaning to tell you how much I loved your book. Honestly, I owned it for a few months before I actually started to read it. I thought the book was going to be dry but I've listened to pottercast for a while and I enjoy the fandom so I thought I should read it. I began reading it and found myself totally relating to your story: Your arguments with your mother, your hatred of a meaningless job where you are treated like dirt. I loved learning inside details of the life in the middle of the fandom. I loved your interview with Jo and your interview with Laura Malory. I feel like I relived September 11, 2001 with you.

Thank you for writing a great book. Maybe someday I'll use it as inspiration to pursue what I love and get out of my rut.

I've listened to your Podcasts for a while now and I'm really enjoying your book. Thanks for accepting my friend request!