Short Story Long did a 30 Day Harry Potter Challenge in August, and I couldn’t resist indulging my inner fangirl and doing it myself.

Day 1: Your favorite book?

If I had to read a book out of context, I would choose Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban every time.  It’s a great mystery novel on its own, but it also gives us fascinating details about Harry’s parents.  The Marauders have a special place in my heart, and our first glimpses of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs absolutely enthralled me.  In Azkaban we have the introduction to Hogsmeade, the Shrieking Shack, dementors, Lupin, and Sirius!  So many iconic people and places in the midst of a really awesome mystery that is not only interesting, but is personally relevant to our main character (and therefore, to us).

Runners up are Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Voldemort’s backstory!  Dumbledore and Harry’s relationship as they *sob* journey to find the locket) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (it’s the end of everything – all the emotions!)   Continue reading →