Why did we start reading the books?

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 22438

Angela said:

<<So, I'm just curious as to how/why/how long other people read the 
series.  Does anyone have any really cool story?>>

This isn't *so* cool, but here goes:

I was given the first book as a 39th birthday present by a work 
colleage, who happens to deal in rare and collectible books in his 
spare time.  Sadly, he didn't give me a signed first edition, but he 
did change my life with a paperback, so I guess I owe him one!

How did this gift come about?  I was reading CS Lewis' "The Voyage of 
the Dawn Treader" one lunch hour and David spotted it on my 
desk.  "That's funny: I'm reading that too," he said.  We discovered 
that we were both working our way through the Narnia books. 

A few months later, my birthday came along, and David gave me a copy 
of Philosopher's Stone.  He'd obviously remembered my interest in the 
Narnia books and assumed that I would enjoy something of the same 
ilk.  In fact, I recall being surprised that he'd given me "a kids' 
book," but I gathered that it was extraordinary in some way.  

After a few days of ignoring the book, I began reading it, expecting 
a pleasant read and nothing more.  But - like so many of us -  I 
found it to be engaging, gripping and inspiring by turns.  The 
following Monday, I bought CoS and PoA and devoured them like a man 
possessed.  Not long after that, I was so bursting to share my 
enthusiasm, I began searching the internet for a discussion group, 
and before you could say "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot & Prongs"  I had 
transfigured into the mechanimagus 'Flying Ford Anglia'. 

I think it was fate...

Neil
FFA