Harry Potter Series - J.K. Rowling

Don't worry - no spoilers!

I know most people who will look at this have already read the series, but I just have to say that these books are so worth reading. I don't care that they're written for children (the end of the 6th book was scary enough for me to sleep with a teddy bear the night I read it), and I don't care that they are a "fad." I have read popular children's literature that was not good. We have all read "The DaVinci Code" - a fad, worth reading, but not well-written. These books, though the writing improves immensely as the series goes on, are all good books. I would read them even without the hype, and I encourage those who have been putting it off to read them despite the hype.

Having finally finished the final book after re-reading all but The Philosopher's Stone, I realize what an interwoven story it is, and I became so attached to the characters that I had a favourite Weasley twin (Fred). I love how Rowling always kept the surprises coming, and how she humanized all her characters, even Vol- uh, You-Know-Who!

My favourite book, on re-reading, was the sixth, The Half-Blood Prince. It's the creepiest, reveals a lot, and is also the one where the kids start falling in love! The whole series is worth reading just for that moment when someone kisses someone at the Gryffindor porthole after a very important Quidditch match! So cute!