Thirteen years ago today Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was released. It was the first book that I pre ordered and excitedly went into the bookshop on release day to pick up my copy and marvel at the stickers, the book mark and have it in my little 8 year old hands before heading home to devour it. This was the start of something completely new in my life, never before had I loved a book so much I had it on order. I was only 8 at the time and my sister was just about to turn three so midnight release wasn't something we did as a family (I will, however, be doing midnight release with my Mum for The Cursed Child).
I've always loved OOTP, it's always been possibly my favourite book although that's really like picking a favourite child. I just loved the cover, the plot, the fact that Harry and Sirius had each other. That said, this is also one of the first books that broke my heart. I can't explain the joy that kicked off my countdowns for various book. Now, for me pre ordering is something that I just do, I love having countdowns to books and knowing that I can either go pick it up or that it's going to be delivered.
OOTP was the point where I knew that I was really into Harry Potter, that this obsession wasn't going to go away and this played out again for the next two books and then the movies. Harry Potter is more than just a book to me, like many others, it's been something so comforting and just something I love to read and read again. There are quotes that I live by and will cherish. Hell, I'll be getting a Harry Potter tattoo sooner rather than later because it was a huge part of what made me, me.
This was the book that made me realise I'd fallen in love, hard, and for that I will always be grateful.