Prepare yourselves for the nerdiest post OF ALL TIME. Although, reading the title, you should have already prepared yourself for the onslaught. You've been given two heads up so don't be surprised by the nerd-fest that is about to happen!
I've always loved reading. It started off as a competition with my older sister (not that she knew it was a competition of course. It was a stealth competition!) who is some sort of brainy prodigy type that could read from the womb. I remember sneaking into her room when she was 10 years old to see what she was reading and knowing then that I was just playing catch-up with her. I mean, what kind of 10 year old gets an autobiography about the last Tsar of Russia from the library for light reading?! After that I settled myself into reading what I wanted, which was on occasion books I'd seen her read and enjoy, but was mostly Sweet Valley High (no shame, amazing books!). When I would go shopping with my Mum, which was always a long-winded affair that involved trying on clothes that she thought were 'just lovely', but that I thought made me look RIDICULOUS, as a treat I could go to the bookshop. I love bookshops. I love reading the backs of all the books and deliberating over what special book I would spend my hard-earned pocket-money on. It nearly always ended up a Point Break/Horror book (so good) or a Sweet Valley High (or University, if I was feeling sassy) because I don't like to branch out. Or, I didn't. This fateful day my Mother actively banned me from buying either and begged me to pick something else. Never have I been so glad for her interference, which is probably the only time I've ever said that. After stropping for about 10 minutes, I finally began the search for the book that would change everything. I couldn't tell you why I picked it up, my copy doesn't even have the distinguished looking Dumbledore on it. It's one of the first prints though, which makes it even more special to me. After reading the first page (in the middle of the bookshop, obviously. Along with the entire first chapter) I was hooked.
More than all that, more than loving the story, I loved what it taught me; that I should stand by my convictions, even when others don't, to value family and friends above all, and that if I ever own a House Elf, I should be really kind to it because they can do all sorts of awesome shit.
Loving Harry Potter didn't just give me an escape though; it gave me a dream. I'd always loved imaging my own fantastical world, but seeing a magical world written down and glorious tales spun in word gave me an outlet that I'd never thought of. And from then on I wrote. I wrote fairytales about the life I wanted, the life I dreamt I had and the people I wanted to know, and that dream kept me going.
My copies of Harry Potter are beyond well-loved, they are adored. There is something amazing about having a phenomena like these books to join a generation. We can be defined by something fantastic and otherworldly, which is more than others can say. I can't wait to be able to pass along the copies of something that defined my life to my children and tell them how much it means to me.
Be nice and be kind, much love.
Becca xo.
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