Age range of HP books/Newbie introduction

[corrie71 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 32375

Hi all,
I am a newbie here on the HPFGU list and am so grateful to have found you 
all! I've been lurking and listening for a few weeks and am enjoying the 
list. My name is Courtney and I've been a HP fan for about 2 and 1/2 
years.Anyway, here's my first post:

Isabella wrote: 
[quote] Am I the only person who re-reads the entire series "to date" just 
before the next book is published (or more recently the movie 
release)?

I do this with every series of books that I particularly enjoy - and 
had always assumed that everyone else does it as well.  I find it 
impossible to read a new book in a series unless I have all the 
storylines and characters fresh in mind.  It also helps to pick up 
on nuances which might help in unravelling the storyline.[end quote]

No, I do that too--Since I read the HP fan fiction too, I need the canon 
refresher before I start a new book. 

Isabella wrote: 
[quote] To be honest, one of the best things about the HP series is that it 
IS very hard to guess what is around the corner.  I HATE books where 
you can guess the ending after a few chapters - you know those 
really obvious clues along the way.  An earlier post said that it 
was obvious that Harry would get the Philosopher's stone and that 
Ginny would be saved from the basilisk.  Fair enough - but I would 
never have guessed how.  As for PoA and GoF - I had no idea what 
would happen in the next chapter, much less the final outcome.

Isabelle [end quote]

For me, Harry's triumph in the end of each book was never really in question 
as I read them. What was interesting to me was the journey to get to his 
victory, the impact that the events have on Harry as a person (character 
growth), the relationships (romantic and non) between the main characters and 
the further insight into the magical world. 
Again, it's nice to meet you all and I'm looking forward to continued 
in-depth adult discussion of this wonderful series.
Courtney