Hello Melissa :)

I just finished your book last night and wanted to tell you how great the whole experience was. I got into the Harry Potter series kinda late and missed out on a lot of awesome stuff I wish I could have been apart of. Reading Harry, a History was very much like sticking my head into a pensieve filled with the best-of moments of the fandom.

Reading your book also sparked my own nostalgia and excitement for the series (I might have to re-read it). One of my favorite moments in life in general is when my sisters and I where holed up in our living room for 2-3 days reading our own copies of Deathly Hallows together, my mom reading at a slower pace in other room:) I'm my families library so I have all our books in my room; it's way rad to see four copies of the same book and think back.

So thanks for being so awesome and writing this book, it's going to sit proudly on my bookshelf for many years to come.

~SandraD.

Melissa,

I, like so many others who have left you comments, received Harry A History for Christmas and loved it. Although I have read the series countless times, upon finishing your book, all I want to do is start reading them again.

I started reading the books when I was in seventh grade and the Deathly Hallows came out my last year of college. I grew up with this series and these characters. I attended all of the midnight release for the books and movies. I was the type of fan that dressed up for the parties and would do nothing but read the most recent book from cover to cover upon its release in order to prevent someone spoiling the book. I have convinced countless people to read the books, who in turn have become almost as big of a fan as I am.

While I thought that I was a big fan of the Harry Potter phenomenon, I realize that I was unaware of so many things: Harry and the Potters and other bands and fan fiction. By reading your book, I feel as though I missed out on so much more.

I was so impressed that you met Jo Rowling a couple of times and actually had the opportunity to interview her. I was very jealous.

I loved how you and your friends would read the newest release and record your thoughts as you were reading. I could relate to how you defended Harry Potter as not being an anti-Christian series to Laura Mallory. I have had to defend these books to people who refuse to read them even when they know so little about the storyline.

The very last line of your book really struck me. There was a lady who was not reading the Deathly Hallows like everyone else, but was just starting the Sorcerer's Stone. I also would have envied her. Even today when I see someone with one of the books, I always feel a twinge of jealousy in thinking that this is the first time that they are reading it.

Thank you for sharing your story, experiences, and passion for the Harry Potter series with all of us.

Meghan

Hi Melissa,
After finishing your book, I got an urge to write you to express what a wonderful book " Harry, A History" is. I was extremely hesitant due to the fact that I also bring up the age of the average Harry fan as I am 58. However, after viewing your website, and seeing that you welcome contact, I thought I'd give it a shot.
The book certainly opened my eyes to the phenomenon the Harry Potter fandom has become. I did not begin to read the books until 2003. Prior to that,I was vaguely aware of the Harry Potter thing from the news. I was having lunch with an engineer I work with, and we got to discussing our reading habits. He got very enthusiastic about the Harry Potter series, and strongly encouraged me to read Sorcerer's Stone. If you know any engineers, you know that they are very intelligent, and no nonsense types. It really impressed me that he was so fired up about the books. Well, after taking his advice, my love affair with JKR and the series began.
I could not hope to be as eloquent about my thoughts as the other people who have written you on this site. I concur with all their statements about JKR, the series, and HAH. I would like to bring up one experience though. The weekend after Deathly Hallows came out, the pastor of my parish(I'm Catholic too), wove his sermon around the positive virtues described in the Harry Potter novels, and the relevance as to how we should live our lives. Just as you pointed out, not all religious people are as close-minded to the beauty of the human spirit as brought forth by JKR.
I could go on forever detailing my feelings about Harry Potter, JKR, and how Harry, A History enlightened me. JKR has been blessed with a God-given talent to enrich our lives. You, Melissa, have an enthusiasm and passion that will take you far in life. I want to wish you(and JKR for that matter), only continued success and happiness in all you do.
Bill
P.S. Thank you for explaining what "shipping" was; it was driving me nuts trying to figure the term out!

Melissa,

Job well done! As a fan who got into the books after the third movie, I feel as though I missed out on a lot of things, and your book connected me to thost things in a very real way. I have a few good friends who I could "geek out" with whenever I wanted to, and eventually partook in some fanfiction, yet at times still felt a little too isolated in my personal fandom. Your book opens people up to the many smaller fandoms that make up the whole Harry phenomenon; it proves that while the whole may be greater than the sum of its parts, it is because of those parts, and what each part means to every person, that makes that true. I hope the book is a huge success for you and that you continue succeed in all that you do. Take care!

Hey Melissa,
A few days before Christmas, I had seen your book on the shelves of a bookshop, and thought, hmmm, that would be an interesting read. When I recieved it on Christmas, the first thing I did after opening all the prezzies was to go to my bed and start reading. Your book revealed so many things about HP that I hadn't known about or understood. Actually, after reading your book (I finished 2 days after Xmas), I went back and read each book cover to cover again. Your book shed so much light on the stories, I was quite amazed at how much I'd missed. Thanks for writing the book. Top effort, 10 out of 10.

Oh, and happy birthday =).

Hi Melissa.
Just finished your book. It was fantastic. But I find myself loving you and hating you all at the same time!(LOL). Loving you because of your love for everything Potter, I feel the same way! And hating you from insane jealousy!(LOL) I so wish I could have experienced all of your Potter experiences and think you have to be one of the luckiest people alive! My kids and hubby think I'm nuts and I was so glad to see there are 'others' out there! Great job on the book. Thanks for the great insight into your Potter life. Keep up the great work!

Hey Melissa, I got your book for Chrismas, and was glad to have got it. I thought it was going to be an entire book on how Rowling put up with some of the fan stuff and Rowling's comments on what people were thinking about the series. When I started reading it, and got to your travels with Harry and the Potters, I was stunned that people were actually making rockbands that were based on the Harry Potter series. It was really awesome reading how you actually got to sit down and talk to J. K. Rowling, and, while reading, was kind of jealous that I couldn't have experienced the whole thing myself. Awesome book in general. Thanks for writing it!

I just wanted to add my own thanks for providing such an awesome book for potter fans everywhere. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Harry, A History. From reading about your first discovery and being reminded of my own discovery and excitement in the very beginning, hearing your amazement at the many good friends it brought you and remembering all the good friends it has brought me as well, to your chronicle of the last day and having all those old feelings of joy, sadness, and love come rushing back, it was an amazing journey.

This is such an awesome and needed book. Anyone who has been swept up in everything that is Harry Potter can understand, and anyone who hasn't, I hope can find understanding through it. I can just picture myself one day sharing it with my own children when I try to explain to them what it was like to grow up when the books weren't yet complete.

Anyway, props for writing this book, and all the effort and sleep I'm sure you lost. I truly appreciate it. And I agree with your 'fan letters' that you sound like someone I could talk to. I'm infinitely jealous of your time with Jo, but I also thank you so much for taking us into that time, because it's beautiful to get a better peek at this wonderful woman.

Lastly, I think after reading this book, I am now prepared to reread The Deathly Hallows. I have been avoiding it, because I know that I need to reread it, but I feel like after I've reread and added my traditional notes in the margin, it will be truly over. But your book reminded me of how much I miss it. I miss my hours curled up with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the countless others who have become so dear to me. So I think I'll stop rambling now and go pick up an old friend.

Hey Melissa!

My friend got me your book Harry, a History, for my 16th birthday, which is November 4th! :P
Unfortunately I didn't get to reading it until half way through Christmas break and I can not believe I lasted that long! Once I started reading I thought 'How could I have left this sitting on my book shelf for so long?' I couldn't stop reading once I'd opened it up.
It's a work of art - heartfelt, creative, witty, rich with information Potter fans feed off, and magical ;)
I was amazed with your journey with Harry Potter and I'm so happy that you got to finally interview JK Rowling without your nerves eating away at you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you x a gazillion for sharing your experiences with me and countless others. I've always wanted to hear how Harry effected other peoples lives because most people I know don't really care for the guy (crazy, i know!). Soooo thanks (and thanks to JKR) :)
hope you had a spectacular Christmas/Holiday/Birthday!!!!!
God Bless!<3

P.S. I hope you get some more information to write another book - you've got the gift of writing.

Maryam

Hi Melissa-

Although I have already e-mailed I thought the other posters might like to read. I am a 27 year old preschool teacher, with a regular teaching credential, I bought Harry Potter at a book fair in 2000 to read to my Third grade students after recess, needless to say I was hooked. I just wanted to say thanks for not only for telling your story, but representing all of us as fans in such a wonderful way. I was very exicted for Melissa who I have listened to on Pottercast since it started, and have read on Leaky so much! I haven't met her, and yet was so exicted for her, there was her book, a Harry Potter fans book right there on the shelf in Target..squee... I bought it and read it cover to cover! When I was done I placed it right where it was ment to be on my shelf next to my Harry Potter books:)

Hi Melissa,

I enjoyed your book and am glad it's doing well. You certainly deserve some financial payback for all you have done for Harry Potter fandom. Getting to experience your experiences vicariously through the book was fun and helped me feel less left out (as a mom of two who started reading just before OotP came out, I didn't get to attend many events).

I grew up in GA and was especially interested in the Mallory interview, which I think you handled admirably. I know first-hand how hard it is to have that sort of non-logical debate about religion and morality.

I was also highly amused to hear that, even though I went through grade school earlier than you did (I'm currently 41), you were subjected to the same horrific bus safety video I was! Ah, the memories your description brought back. The awful "siren-esque" noise they played whenever someone was gravely injured for not following safety guidelines is what sticks with me the most...that and the image of the kid with his arm out the window as the bus is about to pass a telephone pole. Such fond childhood memories!

Thanks and best wishes for future projects!

Rebecca

I snagged the book the first time I was in Borders after it came out. I forget what school assignment I put off to read it that weekend. The best part was seeing what happened before I really entered the fandom, and then seeing the accounts of times I remembered. I bought another copy for my girlfriend as a Hanukkah present.

Hi Melissa! I just finished your book, and felt like I had to tell you how great it was. As I relived the Harry Potter phenomenon through your story, it was like feeling the excitement all over again. You and I both got into the series at the same time, which I think made your book even more real to me. Ever since the series ended, I joke that my mission now is to recruit new people to the world of Harry Potter.

Probably my favorite part of your book was when you met Jo for the first time. I had tears in my eyes! I'm so jealous of you! It's great that you and her became friends.

I will be recommending your book to all my friends who are uber Harry Potter fans like I am. I'd like to thank you, as well, for letting me relive the excitement that I fear I will never feel for another book again.

Hello Melissa.

Congratulations on a wonderful book. I'm 55 so I bring the average age up a bit in the Potter world. My biggest interest in reading was the chapter in which you talked with Laura Mallory. I'm sorry to say that I have run into a number of people with the LM attitude. They are all sincere in their belief that they are doing the right thing. However, all but one said they would pray for me. So I was wondering: Did Ms. Mallory say that to you?

I am in the US Army and just last week I was stationed in Vilseck, Germany- the end of the world comparitively to anyplace I have ever lived before. Barren trees, snow-covered ground, desolate, shrill wind- picture the grounds of Hogwarts without...um... Hogwarts. not much to do. and yet, in our little store, in our little corner of the world- there was Harry, A History. Thank you Melissa. I was one almost dreading the release of the 7th and final book because... what then? Two of my favorite writers of JK Rowling (loud "duh!" yes) and Bob Woodward and you have the same easy journalistic style of Bob Woodward and your ability to be both devoted and professionally impartial to the Harry Potter world is commendable. It is fun, to look back, to remember "the day before". I knew, when Book Six came out and we all waited and theorized for Book Seven, I knew, life would rarely get better than this kind of anticipation and mysterty. I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the various theories, I loved most of all the mystery of Snape- one of the most brilliantly complicated and executed fictional characters ever. I did most of my internet back-and-forth on the message boards of imdb.com (I remember they actually had to create a site for HBP even though technically they had no idea when the movie was coming out and who was even yet connected with- somebody told IMDB- we need a place to rumble) I remember we would even have threads where we swore there would be no arguing, simply a polite passing back and forth of ideas and thoughts- eventually, inevitably, every single thread always channeled into one singular question- is Snape good or evil? because the answer to that question changed the way a person read and interpreted, and it changed the way you had to talk to that person. it was fun. it was passionate. and when Book Seven came, I feared it was gone. I am glad Harry lives on in a proper way (I completely agree with all your sentiments regarding fanfic- what did you call it? for the most part "literary karoke" I liked that). Thank you for your wonderful book. Thanks for bringing some light and laughter to my snowy little globe of a world. :-) PFC Ryan Pruitt.

Hey Melissa

I have just finished your book about 5 minutes ago. I really enjoyed it so much so that I have been neglecting my university work a touch.
I've read all of the Harry Potter books but the geekiest I got was going to a midnight party for the last book. However since I moved to Edinburgh for university my interest in all things Potter has deepened.
I hinted heavily to my boyfriend that I wanted your book for christmas by heavily I mean "If you didn't buy me that book I will be very VERY upset with you". I got around to reading right away on christmas day, I had to keep waving away anyone who tried to disturb me. One thing I have to definitely thank you for was explaining what the shipping wars were. Now when I see it referred to on websites or interviews I won't have to think 'Do they mean actual ships....' and then sit for about 5 minutes trying to figure out what it is.
The personal journey you went on throughout the Harry Potter phenomenon really inspired me. You were always determined and wanted do something with your life, something you love. At a time in my life where I am quite unhappy with where I am, your story gives me hope that I will get out of this stage in my life and really do something I love.
One of my favourite parts of the book was : "Kind of. I read a fake epilogue where, get this, Harry and Ginny name their kids James, Lily and Albus Severus."
I snorted with laughter.
"Albus Severus, yeah, right".'
I actually did a snort laugh and garnered some weird looks.
So just to say loved, loved, LOVED your book and will read any other book on any other topic you bring out, you are definitely a talented writer.
Thank you for this book.

Rebecca
19
Edinburgh, UK

Just finished your book today and thoroughly enjoyed it! At age 50, I don't often talk openly about my love for all things Potter, and it's great to know that there are others like me! Anyway, you are a fabulous writer -- the only thing that didn't make sense was the part about Jo holed up in a hotel writing Book 7 with no makeup and surrounded by lipstick-stained coffee cups. So who was in there with her? :) BTW, looking forward to listening to Pottercast on my iPod helps to get me out for my 5:30 am runs in the morning. I can laugh out loud while listening to it, and there are few, if any, others out there to hear.
Thanks!

Ms. Anelli,
I received your book for Christmas, from my mom - an "impulse buy", she called it - and I knew upon reading the first few chapters that I HAD to write to you about it. I loved it from the start and when I began nearing the end, I regretted reading it so quickly.

In my family, all of my siblings read Harry Potter, and as the second youngest, I came upon it later than most Harry readers, as I was very young. I loved it, and so did my siblings, but they did not have near enough an obsession as I did. A few years later, I came across the site Harry Potter Fan Fiction and loved it,as I believe I was waiting impatiently for the sixth or seventh book. I was a reader for a year, and I have been a writer for over that time. My parents know I write, but other than that, I don't express this, albeit extreme, area of my life. They support me, as your mother, more pronounced in your book than your father, did when you came on that flight home. But I understood how, for a while, you kept your working on TLC on the down-low at MTV

I wished I could've had the experiences you had - and not just the fact that you've met Ms. Rowling (I don't feel like I can call her Jo, after you've met her so many times) and you've been to the set of Harry Potter movies. I wanted tour with the Potters, I wanted to invite 13 people to my parents vacation home for the reading of Harry Potter, and I, most of all, wanted to go to the conventions you went to, wanted to witness the Great Ship Debate firsthand. As a fan, I wanted to be there; because of your book, in a way, I was.

It's funny how I got Tales of Beetle the Bard the same day as your book and I have yet to read it. I have a place on my book shelf for all the Harry Potter books: 1-7, Tales of Beetle, Quidditch Teams Through the Ages, and Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them. Along side those books is yours. I will probably read it again, as I have the other Potter books, not only because it was a wonderful read. As you mentioned in your book while reading the more recent Harry Potter books, you tended to skip over details in the rush to finish the book. This was common for me to do while reading them too, but I also did while reading your book. I was so antsy to read what you had to say on the next page, what the next chapter was about, that I skipped over details, then backtracked.

Well, I think I written too much, as I tend to do while writing about something that excites me, and your book did just that. I'll say my last few things and then wrap this up:

I particularly liked your chapter, Banned and Burned. I never really looked into the controversy over the Harry Potter books; I just knew it was there. A look into the...eccentricities - for lack of a better word (I considered madness, but I don't mean to offend) - of Laura Mallory and the things she planned to use (the Columbine shooting? Seriously?) was eye opening to a life I would never live. If only she could read the books...

I hoped that you would mention something about my favorite part (chapter, really), but I didn't come across it. Of course, I could've missed it while I was reading, and if I have, forgive me for wasting your precious time. I must ask you, in hope that you will actually reply, even though you're SO busy, I'd be happy if you just read this: What do you think of Snape, after reading Deathly Hallows? I, personally, love him for it, however horrible he treated Harry. If I was Snape, and I had been bullied by James, I would've probably done the same thing.

I could write about your book for hours, but I think I got my point across. In short: I loved your book! It brought me to places I will never be and I experienced things I'll never do. If I was only to say one thing to you, if by chance I ever got a fleeting glance of you I would tell you this- Thank you. Thank you so much. Your book made me smile, laugh, and look at things from a different perspective. (I am not, however, referring to the Great Ship Debate - I support Ron and Hermione.)

The best to you, your family, and all your friends, Harry Potter fans or not.

(Please forgive any grammatical, punctuational, or anything else of that sort mistakes.)

I just bought the book yesterday with Christmas money and I'm os gad that i did. I've been reading it almost every spare second and I'm almost halfway done right now. Your book was nice to understand a bit more about just how BIG the Harry Potter fandom is.

Thanks Melissa!

Hey, melissa i know that u probably read this because of your involvment with leaky, but i have been a long time listener to the podcast and that is where i heard about the book. I went to my parents on my hands and knees to take me to chapters to pick up a copy ( i also found a uk edtion of beedle ) Im a slow reader so im around the picture portion of the book but ill just sum up my experience with saying that I LOVE YOUR BOOK. As a matter of fact im listening to pottercast 179 right now. I felt so moved when i read your chapter of your experiences on 9/11. The book is wonderful its giving me alot of dirt...i mean info on the pottercasters that ive always been itching to know.

P.S. I would have never thought that Mr. Spartz is so young, and john a smoker...go figure....Thanks for the book.

Austin Gooder

Hi Melissa

I just wanted to let you know that I bought your book today here in Australia!

Can't wait to get started!

A Happy and Prosperous New Year to one and all!

My promised campaign to ask for your book in bookstores here in Oslo did not yield a result before christmas, Melissa. The major stores said they would be getting it, but I was done waiting.
When my niece (who lives in Washington DC) asked what I wanted for christmas I told her that 'Harry, a history' was at the top of my list - so as the wonderful person she is she had Amazon send it to me. It did not get here for Christmas Eve, but I picked it up today and have been buried in it all day. And I love it - like I strongly suspected I would!!!
What I admire about you on Leaky and Pottercast is also in this book: Your style, your thoughtfulness and your sense of humour. I am learning a lot, and remembering a lot too.
THANK YOU for writing it!

Hi, is there a date for the audio book? I really want to listen to this book! I'm blind so I can't read the book.

Melissa, congratulations on your book! I also received it for Christmas. It was a unique experience to read about a phenomenon *that I was a part of*! I donated to Get A Clue, I bought the TLC window clings and the Mischief Managed t-shirt. I went to the midnight release of Order of the Phoenix. I participated in HP for Grownups. I remember being excited for you when you met Jo. Thanks to Leaky, I was the best-informed person I knew on all things HP. You all did a great job and deserve all the good things coming your way. Happy New Year!

I had always intended to buy your book but then hubby decided to buy it for me for Xmas .. then I had some bad news about a friend and hubby gave it to me early to cheer me up.

I couldn't put the book down! It took me just over 24 hours to read and was a roller coaster of emotions. I laughed aloud in some places and cried in others.

I came into the Potter world through my son who I bought the books for for Xmas in 2000 . I didn't get any books myself that year so my son lent me Philosopher's stone when he had finished reading it. I struggled to get past the first page .. but when I finally got past it I couldn't put it down. I resented my 11 year old son's slow reading pace but refused to read his new ooks before him! He gave me Goblet at 9 at night and I started reading straight away .. 12 hours later I finally finished it and went straight out to W H Smith's to put a deposit down on the new book. Little did I know I would have to wait for so long for it. I went down to Smith's monthly to see if they had heard anything about book 5 coming out but the answer was always no.

Then I finally found the courage to seperate from my abusive husband. The first thing I did was buy myself a computer and sign up to the internet. The first thing I googles was Harry Potter .. I joined about 10 sites trying to find out information about book 5 . a few days later the announcement was made for the 5th book's release . I went to the midnight release and made some new friends. and for books 6 & 7 they were all there ... the smae people in the front of the queue all talking and laughing and speculating.

When I finally got my hands on book 7 I cried . I read that book so slowly to drag out the experience .. My hubby took the kids out for the day so I would get some quality reading time.

Melissa, I just want to say a huge thank you for bringing it all back with your book. It was amazing.

Oh .. and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you as well.

Dear Melissa,
I hope that you read my post there are so many people here who would love for you to have read their words and thoughts. I have never actually been a part of the Harry fandom and do regret it. I feel like there may be a part of the Harry experience that I have missed. When I saw the ads for your book before christmas I put it on my list and have been pretty absorbed since I recieved it from my sister.
I think what has drawn me to your book and to JK's story and Harry's phenomenon is how it is a story that reminds us that no matter how hard it gets, Jo found the magic in Harry and we can find our own magic inside of us that makes us special brings us happiness and success in our lives.
Your book has really been great giving me another perspective instead of rereading the books for the umpteenth time. Needless to say that prolly wont stop LOL. Congratulations

Melissa,

OMG Melissa! Happy New Year!
I JUST finished reading your book- and I'm in love!!!! Seriously.
I couldn't put it down, and that usually only happens with fiction books.
Thanks sooooo much. You made me wish I had delved deeper into fandom- I'm even rewriting some of my old fan fics!!

♥Harry's my hero♥

I also received my copy of Harry, A History for Christmas. (what a great gift!!) I just finished reading it today and I have to say...WOW! What a great book. So insightful and informative.

I discovered Harry while working for a book distribution company (Anderson Merchendisers, the company that provides all of the books for Wal-Mart). It was 2000/2001 (GoF had just come out) and I've been totally hooked since reading the first chapter.

I am about to start Beedle now that I've finished your book...I did a coin toss to decide which to read first!! LOL

Thank you for all of the hard work, blood, sweat and tears that went into this book.

Hello Melissa!

Just finished your book (which I got for Christmas) and I thought it was really wonderful. Just wanted to share some of my thoughts! I was the screening of We Are Wizards in Cambridge last year when you talked about your book and since then I couldn't wait to read it.

I really loved the interactions you had with JKR. It made me happy and a bit jealous (sorry!) at the same time! You have had so many wonderful Potter experiences, but you have contributed so much to the fandom, and you truly deserve them.

I was eight years old when I started reading Harry Potter, and since then Potter has been a huge part of my life. I was always hesitant to create Potter friendships online, and never attended any of the conventions/conferences. You book made me regret that, as I truly missed out on a much deeper Potter experience. Nevertheless, I am so thankful for my ten years (and counting) of Potter. I've gone to book releases for Goblet of Fire and on, went to see Harry, Carrie and Garp in NYC and traveled to London to see "Platform 9 and 3/4". Potter has given me some magical experiences, and it was amazing to hear your experiences, as someone who has LIVED Harry Potter.

The Leaky Cauldron is a website I have been frequenting for many years, and although I'm not a regular commentor or contributor, I read every news story and enjoy exploring the site. So thank you for that.

I think we love Harry Potter for the same reason. Harry brings people together, and most importantly, makes kids love to read.

Harry Potter teaches us something about ourselves. We can be strong and brave and ultimately successful (with the love of friends and family) even if we have great pain or problems in our lives. Potter speaks to kids intelligently and treats them as equals, something I think few children's books do.

Your story is an inspiring one, Melissa. Thank you for sharing it with us all, and thank you for helping to create the online fandom. It has made many, many people very happy.

Melissa,
I want to start by thanking you for your book. In a strange way, it allowed me to relive my time with Harry. I got to feel a tiny part of the excitement I felt while waiting for the next book.
It was beautifully written, and I have to admit, when I read the part about the 7th book release, I cried (reading that others did too makes me feel way less geeky, haha), because I couldn't help but remember the feeling I had that night holding my copy of a new HP book, for the last time.
It really was a fantastic book, and it seems that everyone else posting here agrees you have done the world of HP a huge favor by letting us into your world.

Hey Melissa!

Since your (finally) opening up a discussion thread for your book, I'd just like to say how AWESOME it was! It really brought back memories and revealed your true life outside the Internet. ;) My aunt bought it for me, and I finished it within one week, a record for my current reading speed. :P

Thanks for writing it!! :)

Congratulations Melissa on a wonderful book. I bought your book to learn more about the Harry Potter phenomenom but to my amazement I couldn't put it down. You are a fantastic writer. I love the way you brought all the people and conversations to life. You must write more books!

Hi Melissa. I came across your book at amazon while purchasing Beedle the Bard for myself for Christmas. I am so glad I came across it too, I haven't finished reading yet, but am over half way through and I love it. [Yes I read your book before Beedle the Bard:)]
Thank you for this extended look into the world of Harry Potter. When the potter books gained popularity my daughter was in the perfect age range and she was a huge fan of the books, I didn't pick up the books until after the 1st movie came out. My daughter talked me into reading the books before we seen the movie, which I thank her for now. She is now 19 years old and I have by far surpassed her into the Harry Potter fandom even though I am 40 years old.
The way you describe the waiting between books and movies are so relateable for me and my family, as we did [are still doing the same thing].
I also design websites and have made my own mini Harry Potter fan site, so I felt a real connection to you and the way you became to be the head webmistress for the Leaky Cauldron, and in fact you are my new hero.
Thank you for this book & Keep up the great work!

I really can't add anything to what people have already said, but I got your book for Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed it. One thing that surprised me was how autobiographical it was. I loved how you weaved your story with the phenomenon as a whole. It was wonderfully researched and written and I'm happy to have it on my booksheld, alphabetically organized by last names, which puts you between "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott and "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen.

I'm interested to know what is next for you now that your book is completed.

A lot of my experiences mirrored yours, and so I kept forgetting that I was thirteen when I first read books 1-3 and so that makes me several years younger than you!

Melissa

I wanted to thank you for your book. I haven't finished reading yet, but I should wrap it up soon.

You should appreciate the fact that I am writing this thank you note at work when I should be doing work. I'm sure you wished you had your own office at MTV!

The one thing that your book helped me understand is why I actually like Harry Potter. I could never put my finger on it until now and I want to thank you for that.

I am a sports nut, always have been and always will be. Sports, in fact, is a large part of my job since I cover it on the radio. Sometimes, I found it somewhat embarassing that I became a fan of a children's series. Its not really the manly, sports thing to do.

I wasn't a fan early on. In fact, I didn't read the books until just last year. I saw the previews of the Sorcerer's Stone and it seemed like a good movie. I have always been a fan of a good movie so I went. As soon as it was done I couldn't wait to see the 2nd one. Then I went to that one. Then I couldn't wait to see the third one. And so on.

Last summer, my then girlfriend gave me the first and second books for my birthday. Normally, you're supposed to read the books before you watch the movie. I ended up doing the reverse; at least for the first 4. Even though I knew what was going to happen, the books caught my attention like no other before them. I enjoy to read and I found that I could not put any of the Harry Potter books down. I finished all 7 books in about 3 months, which is record reading for me with my schedule. Weekends were spent exclusively reading Harry Potter. The only other book that I couldn't put down was the Da Vinci Code.

And yet, still, I did not understand my attraction to this series. After reading your book, I now do.

Harry Potter is not just a tale for kids; its a tale for everyone!

When you watch the Super Bowl, if neither of the teams that are playing are your favorite, who do you root for? I'm guessing the underdog, right? Harry is the ultimate underdog. An inexperienced boy fighting the darkest most evil lord in the history of mankind. We all sympathisize and root for the underdog. The biger the underdog, the more we root for them. From the pictures that J.K. Rowling paints, Harry is everybody's ultimate underdog.

The other thing is that I relate well with Harry Potter. Before he realized he is a wizard, Harry was a reject. Kind of a nerd, a geek, all the cliche terms. He was shy, introverted, and pretty much uncertain where he fit in his life. Then, suddenly, he's told that he's a powerful wizard and very famous. He's the boy that lived! Now, he's thrust into a role that he was completely unprepared for. A deseperate fight against a desperate foe. Not many people could survive such a battle in real life. No wonder he started to pout in Book 5. We all would.

Basically, Harry was 2 different people all rolled into 1. He was the boy who lived and just a simple boy, all in 1 person.

I broadcast sports on the radio and I found that I am sometimes 2 different people. I am that personality on the air, doing my job. Then, I am that shy, introverted kid off the air trying to figure out how the on air guy ever existed. I don't have to fight any evil lord but I do have to fight to just be me. Just like Harry. Ultimately, he gets his wish to live a normal, peaceful life. I wish we all got our wish.

Maybe that sounds weird and maybe I am revealing some of my inner self in this long rant. But understanding Harry Potter has helped me understand myself a little bit more. And your book, Melissa, opened my eyes to that understanding.

Keep up the good work and help people understand that Harry Potter is a good thing. Especially for a sports geek like me.

Chris

Happy happy (belated!!!) Birthday, Melissa!

I got Harry, a History for Christmas from my Grandpa and my step-Grandma. Minutes after I finished opening my gifts, I was reading it, admist my cousins play the Wii, my sister playing Pokemon on her gameboy, and my parents and grandparents talking about politics. I was reading a book.

The last time I read a book this fast was when I read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and everyone knows why I did that. But Harry a History was, to say the VERY least, brilliant and extremely well-written. You are quite the talented writer. I loved reading about your personal experiences in the Harry Potter fandom.

When I began the book, I honestly was not planning on crying. But somehow I cried at the end (perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I was up at 2 a.m. finishing the book). It was overwhelming and something just broke as I remembered reading the book and how it had affected me my whole life (7 years, so far, since I was 9). Realising that it was over was just... I don't know. It just didn't seem like it was over until I completed your book and read your experiences.

Maybe that's a little bit odd, but it's the truth for me.

You should definately write more books. I'll buy them immediately and NOT wait until Christmas to read them.

Much love and many kisses,
Natalie

Melissa,

I read your book & enjoyed it thoroughly. Aside from actually meeting JKR (which sounded as cool as can be) my experience reading Harry Potter reflected your own... When Book 4 can out is when I joined the Potter club. I read all the books and then, trapped in time waiting for an author, watched and read (in a day or two every time) each new book as it was released. I skipped the frenzy of "pub day purchase" and tended to get the book the exact next day when the hoopla subsided. I never knew quit so much about the web mania and "Wizard Rock" that you described in your story but I was not at all surprised. The last really cool element in your book (which I enjoy re-reading) is the interaction between you & JKR. It is clear you are now comfortable friends as the forward to your book makes evident but I was reminded of advice I recieved once upon a time (so I avoid nervousness when meeting the notable or famous) and when I was working as a waiter/bartender: "treat famous people as though they are normal & treat normal people as though they are famous" always seems to earn better tips... ;>) Congrats on your success from your obsession.

Dear Melissa,

My family is a little tired of seeing me reading the same seven books over and over, so I was delighted to see your "History" on the shelf when I visited a small bookstore near Lowell, Mass., just before Christmas. Being a bit of an isolate, I was never involved in any of the internet community, and was quite unaware of groups such as "Harry and the Potters." Your reminiscences actually left me feeling a sense of loss, that my tendency to keep the books to myself and not search outside my family circle for other fanatics may have resulted in losing the opportunity for new friendships. I find myself reading your account of these old arguments and wondering how anyone could have doubted the R/H trend of the storyline. I think of how much I would have enjoyed having online chums with which to develop new and cutting ways of heaping scorn upon the dull and blinkered masses. I think you showed great spirit and character, to follow your bliss, as Joseph Cambell would say, and I cheer for your success.
Best wishes,
rusty

Happy Birthday and many more. Have been reading your book and find it very interesting. Had it on order as soon as I found out it was coming out. Congratulations on your book. Hope you had a great day for your birthday.

Happy B-Day M.
Yep, another fan (listened to Pottercast from the beginning) who recently bought your book - used Christmas $ to get it and it has been well worth it. I am enjoying your writing style - feels like I am right there with you driving down the slick NY highway juggling calls to John, Sue, and everyone else while attempting to fight back the flutters of excitement....
Thanks for writing such a wonderful book that touches so many of us in the fandom.

Breithlá Shona Duit Melissa!

Happy Birthday Melissa!

I still regretfully havent been able to acquire your book over here. It is sad how so many irish fans of you and pottercast have been let down by the irish bookstores! Must rely on amazon now after I get back home after the holidays.

To mark your book, the HP group The Time Turning Weatherby's (of which I am proud member #111) are in talks about purchasing a HaH and sending it all over the world to get the members to all sign it and then have it as a list like Dumbledore's Army - we might get you to take Hermione's place in hexing the list for any future traitors lol!

Melissa:

I am one of those who got a copy of HaH for Christmas and I absolutely loved it.

Because we had family over for Christmas dinner I didn't have time to sit down and read until the next day (Boxing Day here in Canada). I finally found a moment about 4pm on Dec 26th, curled up with a hot cup of tea and started reading, and I couldn't put it down until I finished at 1:30am Dec 27th! I was sucked in so thoroughly that the first time I remembered I'd poured myself some tea it was already cold.

Your narrative is so well crafted - a wonderful blend of well researched information combined with both touching and humourous personal perspective. Your tale brought out every emotion - I smiled with fond memories, I frowned in concern, I laughed, I cried.

My .. well, not "favourite" exactly... but the part of the book that really resonated with me was in chapter three, "Near Misses." Reading about that summer after you graduated college wrenched my heart in more ways than you can imagine.

I'm, unfortunately, very familiar with both acute and chronic depression (several members of my family - my father, my mother, myself, both brothers, my husband and his sister have all suffered from one form or another over the years. I've actually been diagnosed as bi-polar type II, so I regularly have to deal, alternately, with depressive episodes and hypo-manic episodes.) Whether you were ever "officially" diagnosed or not, your description of that time shows almost all the classic markers of depression - especially that sense of "inertia" you describe.

In addition to that, I've been unemployed since February (the software development company I worked for ran into financial trouble) of this year and I understand how hard it is to keep going when the search doesn't seem to be going anywhere. And whether that is the cause of or only exacerbated by depression, it doesn't matter, it all rolls down to a sense of useless futility.

To read about your troubles and then see how stumbling back across the first story about "The Boy Who Lived" was the first step in the journey that would bring you to the place where you could break through the inertia and begin moving forward again... And then how the online community you found because of that first step would eventually help you through 9/11...

Melissa... I had tears streaming down my face. And, when I was finished reading, I could only think, what a wonderful, wonderful thing, that these books, these incredible, timeless, books gave you that narrow ledge you needed to begin pulling yourself up and that ledge would eventually widen until it became the expansive plateau, filled with friends, family, and fans, where you find yourself today.

Thank you SO much for sharing your personal story with the world and making it the backbone of your exploration into "The Harry Potter Phenomenon". Especially for letting us into the tough and troubling parts which, I'm sure were very difficult to write about objectively.

If you ever do write another book, I will be sure to pick it up, regardless of the topic. Of that, you have my word.

Jenni Merrifield
Age: 40
Location: Vancouver, BC, CANADA

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much for writing this book. The guy I like gave me your book for Christmas! Not only is it Harry Potter, by you, but it's from the guy I like. Now I have a copy I can read instead of the o-so-sacred signed copy. (I consider anything signed by you sacred.)
I also want you to know on your birthday that I couldn't sit through the forward of your book because I had to get to YOUR book. I read the forward after I finished your part of the book.

You are to cool Melissa. Air five!

Happy Birthday, Melissa!

Truthfully, I found your book in an Amazon "People who liked this book also bought..." Immediately I wanted it and put it on my wish list. When my family asked what I wanted for the holidays, it was my first answer. I got it from my sister-in-law and didn't put it down until I was finished. (long car rides helped :-).

It made me laugh; it made me cry; it made me want to pick up my life and do something different with it. Although the Potter series are finished, I can't wait to get back into all of it all over again. I never got onto the message boards until after Book Seven, never heard of Wizard Rock and was so inspired by your book. I'm 24 and wish I could say I've done half of the things you've done. Time to make some changes. Thank you, for sharing your story with all of us. Keep it up!

Happy Birthday!!! I hope you had a great day and a wonderful holiday. I got your book for Christmas and read it on the long drive to Delaware with my paretns. I finished last night.

I wrote a little review of it on the Facebook books application and I thought I would share it with you: This was indeed a trip down memory lane but I learned a lot about teh HP fandom I didn't know, too; specifically about the fanfiction aspect, which I try to stay away from on purpose. There were parts where I laughed out loud and parts where I cried. It reminded why I love the books so much and why they will always have a speical place on my book shelf. Now Melissa's book has a place next to them.

Thank you again for your book!

Happy Birthday, Melissa!

Truthfully, I found your book in an Amazon "People who liked this book also bought..." Immediately I wanted it and put it on my wish list. When my family asked what I wanted for the holidays, it was my first answer. I got it from my sister-in-law and didn't put it down until I was finished. (long car rides helped :-).

It made me laugh; it made me cry; it made me want to pick up my life and do something different with it. Although the Potter series are finished, I can't wait to get back into all of it all over again. I never got onto the message boards until after Book Seven, never heard of Wizard Rock and was so inspired by your book. I'm 24 and wish I could say I've done half of the things you've done. Time to make some changes. Thank you, for sharing your story with all of us. Keep it up!

Happy Birthday, Melissa!
...just curious, did JKR ever mention who the two missing Gryffindor girls are? xD
Thank you so much again for your book. It brought back all of my old memories of where I was when the title and date came out for the seventh book, and why I love the Harry Potter fandom in the first place.

That's me again! More specifically, is there any deleted scene from past, present or future or an interesting fact about Albus Severus that JKR is dying to share?

Anyway, I will start reading the books again, though I wish someone could Obliviate me for the occasion...

Happy birthday, Melissa!

I had an awesome time reading your book - I've done so twice now. It took me back in time and I just wish I was a more active participant in the fandom.

But I kept away from message boards and discussion groups for several reason: 1) my best friend was by my side reading the books as soon as I finished them until the third one - after that she got totally hooked and bought her own; 2)I had no idea where to look for other Harry Potter fans in Ukraine and 3)I am so protective of everything Harry and JKR that I can't stand it when people find anything to criticise or disagree with or not to like about either him or the books.

Once again,thank you for your book - it is very entertaining, informative, inspirational and just great - I can hardly imagine the amount of work and research you've done to make it. I'm sure I'll be reading it again... On the side note, do you know if JKR is going to update her website? :))

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Happy Birthday Melissa!
I actually bought your book when it came out and waited until Christmas to read "Beedle"
I've said it before, but reading your book was like reading a journal of my own life. I will keep it to remember the excitement and thrill of living during a time where we had to wait for each installment of Harry Potter. I can't wait to start reading them all to my kids!
Thanks!