1 [caption]: 1997
1 Me: {reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}
2 [caption]: 1998
2 Me: {reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}
3 [caption]: 1999
3 Me: {reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}
4 [caption]: 2000
4 Me: {reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}
5 [caption]: 2001
5 Me: {screaming}
6 [caption]: 2002
6 Me: Damn you, J. K. Rowling!

2012-02-28 Rerun commentary: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix eventually appeared in 2003, creating the longest gap between publication of successive books in the series. (The final two books would be released in 2005 and 2007.)

Thinking back to 2003, it was a magical (ha) time. Being in the middle of an ongoing fictional saga as it appears in publication for the first time is an amazing thing. Nothing had swept the world quite like Harry Potter ever since Star Wars twenty years earlier, which I was privileged enough to live through as a child.

Say what you like about Harry Potter, but I'm envious of the kids who grew up with the books as they were published. And a bit sad for the kids who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s, too late for Star Wars and too early for Harry Potter. I honestly can't think of anything in the world of fiction anywhere near that exciting during that era.

And I look forward to the next fictional phenomenon, whatever it may turn out to be.