Harry, a History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon

I really, really enjoyed Melissa's book. As a long time (adult) Harry Potter fan, it's great to read this anthology of all things Harry that allows us to really think about the impact of J.k. Rowling's Harry Potter. Anelli is a Co-Host of the popular Podcast Pottercast and surely knows her stuff. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who seeks to understand what all the hype is about!

When I first saw this book, I was completely unintersted in it. I love Harry Potter, but I didn't much feel like reading about the culture surrounding it. However, when B & N put up their HP displays for the release of the 6th movie, I picked it up for some in-store reading. Immediately, there is a connection between you, the author, and anyone who has anticipated a Harry Potter release or even a page turn. Melissa Anelli is easily identified with in her book, and describes an adult's obsession with Harry Potter in a very relatable way. This book has fascinating insight, that really helps you appreciate the opportunity fans have had to read this wonderful series.

Everybody has a story about how they came to read the Harry Potter series. Everybody has a story about how they celebrated the series once they realized how powerful it was. And everybody has a story about how they felt about its eventual end. Each story is unique, in its way - but, they all share the same threads. The more we say them out loud, the more they sound the same...in a good way. The fans that Harry gained before the release of "Deathly Hallows" knew that they were a part of something huge. And now, those fans who will never have to wait years between release dates - who will never know how much anticipation of a thing can influence the scope and greatness of the thing itself - can read all about it. Melissa Anelli is the spokesperson for those of us who spent countless hours discussing, theorizing, converting...online, offline, in living rooms or at the bus stop. Even though she was "there" in contexts that many of us never got to be - she does a remarkable job at making the story she tells in "Harry: A History" OUR story: everyone's story all at once. "Harry: A History" is the work of both an indispensable participant and an extremely talented narrator. I am impressed by Melissa's writing, and happy to add this book to its rightful place - on my 'Harry Potter' shelf at home.

This is the perfect book for any Harry Potter fanatic; it provides a lovely stroll down memory lane. For the casual reader, it provides an insight into a world they may not have the patience or fanaticism to enter full time. As a Harry Potter fanatic, even I learned new things, especially about the fandom before I entered it. Melissa also narrates her own personal story and how entwined it became with the world of Harry Potter. It's the perfect illustration about how a little imagination (and a lot of magic) can change your life.