Books In The Harry Potter Series

Who Is Jk Rowling

J.K. Rowling was born in Yate, England, on July 31, 1965. After graduating from the University of Exeter, she traveled to Portugal in 1990 to teach English. While working, she met Portuguese journalist Jorge Arantes and got married later on.

Rowlings daughter, Jessica, was born in 1993. Her marriage turned sour and eventually ended in divorce, thats when she decided to go back to England in Edinburgh with her daughter to live close to her sister, Di.

After getting rejected dozens of times, Rowling found a literary agent, Bloombury, to publish her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone for $4,000. Her book hit the shelves in June 1997, which quickly became a best-seller.

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone became the start of a seven-book series about the life of wizard Harry Potter and all his adventures with his friends at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

All Harry Potter Books In Order

Harry Potter has been one of the biggest success stories in the childrens fantasy genre over the past two decades.

J.K. Rowlings 8-novel series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide, becoming a cultural phenomenon in the process.

All the screen adaptations of the books have also been huge hits, grossing over 7 billion collectively.

With all this much success, comes a lot of fake stories and books that use the Harry Potter trademark to make money illicitly. Because of that, a lot of people do not know the exact number and order of Harry Potter books.

That is until they land on this post. Among other J.K. Rowling-related stuff, this post has all eight books of the Harry Potter series.

Lets get started.

The Tales Of Beadle The Bard

The Tales of Beadle the Bard served as a gateway into the fictional stories of the Wizarding World. Once again this novel is available to muggles worldwide, but one story in particular stands out.

It was the Bard’s work that ultimately produced the Tale of the Three Brothers, which revealed the reality of the elder wand, the stone of resurrection and the cloak of invisibility.

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Harry Potter Book : Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Book

Image Courtesy harrypotter.bloomsbury.com

The last and the final one in the Harry Potter Book Series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is the darkest of Harry Potter books. Dumbledore is dead, Snape is now the headmaster of Hogwarts and more than ever, everyone is convinced that Snape killed Dumbledore on behalf of Voldemort.

But by the end of the book, we know just how wrong we were! Snape had always been in love with Lily, Harrys mother and, at great personal risk always sought to protect Harry. Meanwhile, left with strange objects bequeathed to them in Dumbledores will, Harry, Ron and Hermione seek to destroy the remaining horcruxes.

They dig into Dumbledores early life and the legend of the Deathly Hallows. They hunt down and destroy each of the horcruxes and, by the final face-off with Voldemort, only one horcrux is left Harry himself. Intriguingly, when Voldemort casts the Killing curse on Harry, he does not die.

With the curse, the horcrux part of Harry gets destroyed thus making it possible for Harry to survive and in the ultimate duel, kill Voldemort once and for all.

Harry Potter Universe Factoid: In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, we come face-to-face with just what kind of a personality Snape was. We have loved to hate him in all previous books and oscillated between hatred and dislike to admiration for him. But the ultimate symbol of his love for Harrys mother, Lily, is that his Patronus, a doe, is the same as hers.

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry and friends return to Hogwarts with a bang the bang of a flying Ford Anglia as it crashes into the Whomping Willow, that is. After being spotted by Muggles and narrowly avoiding expulsion, youd think that the rest of Harrys second year would be smooth sailing in comparison right?

Wrong. When the school caretakers cat is found petrified along with a bone-chilling message that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, fear and suspicions start to arise and of course, only worsen when students start getting petrified too. Nobody can figure out who the culprit is, only that he refers to himself as the Heir and seems to be on the warpath.

But as our young heroes know well by now, if you want a mystery solved right, you have to do it yourself. Which they do through a combination of Polyjuice potion brewing, mysterious flashbacks provided by a sentient journal, and a truly horrific excursion to see a giant spider called Aragog. The book culminates in a visit to the titular chamber, which lies underneath Hogwarts and contains yet another deadly threat that Harry must face.

But of course, this being an early Potter book, its not all din and danger. Comic relief comes in the form of moronic, egocentric professor Gilderoy Lockhart, and toilet ghost Moaning Myrtle who, in true Rowling fashion, ends up being key to the central plot twist of the story.

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Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

It all started in 1997. J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone about a young boy who learns that his parents were wizards, and he is invited to study at the wizarding school of Hogwarts, the same school that trained his parents.

The United States changed the name of the novel to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and introduced the world to Harry and his young friends, as well as the amazing world of wizards at the British school. The book won several awards and sat on top of the New York Times bestseller list for most of 1999 and 2000.

About The Harry Potter Book Series

Title: Harry Potter

Type: Series

No. of books: 07

Books in the series: #1 Philosophers Stone, #2 Chamber of Secrets, #3 Prisoner of Azkaban, #4 Goblet of Fire, #5 Order of the Phoenix, #6 Half-Blood Prince, #7 The Deathly Hallows

Goodreads rating: 4.7/5

Harry Potter book series

Harry Potter was given a scar by Voldemort the night his parents sacrificed themselves. And from that night onwards, he was no longer an ordinary boy but the Boy who lived. When Harry turns 11, he receives a letter from Hogwarts, a school for witchcraft and magic. He is very excited to go there and escape his cruel aunt and uncle. And soon, Hogwarts becomes his home, a place where he could be himself, explore his capabilities, make new friends, and find happiness. But this happiness is short-lived, as Voldemort wants to finish what he had started eleven years ago-to kill Harry. However, his friends will not let this happen. They are there to support him and protect him. And so begins the journey of Harry, from learning wizardry to excelling in Quidditch, making friends, finding love, and even flying cars!

If you liked Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Mortal Instruments, or The Folk of Air, you will enjoy this series too.

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The Life And Lies Of Albus Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore turned out to be a controversial figure due to the many troubled choices he made throughout his life. Many of his decisions harmed those around him, with his sister, brother and Harry himself feeling the consequences.

While Dumbledore may have been a competent Headmaster, there was still so much to learn about the mighty wizard. Rita Skeeter’s work certainly shed a lot of light on his complicated life.

Harry Potter Book : Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets Book

Image Courtesy harrypotter.bloomsbury.com

Living at Privet Drive should have become bearable for Harry because he just has to spend the vacations there, right? Wrong. Someone performed magic at Privet Drive and its not Harry! But he has been issued a warning because he is underage and not permitted to do magic outside Hogwarts.

So Harry is now under lock and key. But not for long! Ron, along with his overage twin brothers, Fred and George, comes to rescue Harry in a flying car! Harry lives with the Weasleys for the rest of the summer at The Burrow. But the trouble is just around the corner when Ron and Harry are unable to enter platform nine and three quarters to board the Hogwarts Express.

They decide to break a hundred rules and fly to the school in the car! The cheery beginning of this book in the Harry Potter book series turns dark when Muggle-born wizards start getting petrified i.e. turned to stone.

The school discovers that Harry can speak Parseltongue, the language of snakes and everyone is suspicious of him. Hermione gets petrified and it is now up to Ron and Harry to discover who is behind all this.

Who has opened the Chamber of Secrets? What unfolds is a tale of adventure involving the flying car, a flesh-eating spider called Aragog and a duel with the Basilisk to save Ginny Weasley, Rons sister.

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Awards Honours And Recognition

The Harry Potter series has been recognised by a host of awards since the initial publication of Philosopher’s Stone including a platinum award from the Whitaker Gold and Platinum Book Awards , three Nestlé Smarties Book Prizes , two Scottish Arts Council Book Awards , the inaugural Whitbread children’s book of the year award , the WHSmith book of the year , among others. In 2000, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novel, and in 2001, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire won said award. Honours include a commendation for the Carnegie Medal , a short listing for the Guardian Children’s Award , and numerous listings on the notable books, editors’ Choices, and best books lists of the American Library Association, The New York Times, Chicago Public Library, and Publishers Weekly.

Book : Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

Something of a controversial choice for this high on the list I would argue, however, that the Order of the Phoenix deserves the bronze medal for best Harry Potter book. It is by far the darkest book, with Harry dealing with some very not child-book aimed demons.

Although it is the longest book in terms of pages, its isnt brimming with action, instead focusing more of its time on developing the characters into grown, individually minded young people.

It also has one of the most epic moments out of all the books that being the duel between Voldemort and Dumbledore. Its really the only time we ever see a high level, top tier Wizard duel in the entire series, so thats pretty cool. We couldve probably done without Harrys highly awkward relationship with Cho, but who hasnt had a cringeworthy relationship or two?

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Book : Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

This book is not only the middle series in the book, but also a great middle point on this list. Book four is when stuff gets real. Although we are led to believe that nothing more than a simple Triwizard Tournament is going on, really, the tournament is the impetus for the events that will drive the narrative for the second half of the series.

It is a transitional book we go from the carefree early days at Hogwarts where you-know-who is nothing more than a vague threat to him being very much alive. The transition itself is felt powerfully in the change of chapters between one moment being in the maze with Harry and Cedric, to the next being in the graveyard where Harry must fight for his life against impossible odds.

The ending of this book is by far the darkest ending of all the books. However, the story suffers from too much repetition and explaining of concepts we already know if weve been reading previous books. Also, some aspects of the plot have holes in them. Overall, however, this book is probably the most action packed and exhilarating.

Harry Potter And The Half

Things take a turn for the expository in this penultimate installment, which sees Harry learn all about Voldemorts family and origin story, so to speak. Dumbledore gives Harry these lessons to prepare him for a grand future battle with Voldemort, presumably in the vein of keeping his enemies closer. What Harry doesnt know is that Dumbledore is planning something even bigger a plan that he, Harry, becomes more inexorably entangled in with each passing day.

At the same time, Harry suspects Malfoy to be colluding with Voldemort, and begins obsessively tracking him on the Marauders Map. But each new lead just seems to be a wrong turn, and Harry grows increasingly frustrated with the lack of evidence when he knows that Malfoy is guilty. His only good luck, funnily enough, is in potions class. After receiving a secondhand textbook filled with tips and tricks from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince, Harry shines under the tutelage of their new potions professor Slughorn. Hermione, meanwhile, is jealous of Harrys newfound academic success, and attempts to uncover the Princes identity to prove hes crooked.

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So What’s The Recommended Reading Order

Fortunately, Harry Potter isn’t one of those series like Star Wars has a sprawling number of canon novels, film novelizations, reference books, and comics to read. Instead, it’s a finite universe which makes catching up on it much easier. We recommend reading the main series chronologically so that you can see Harry and his friends grow up. Then if you’re still thirsting for more of the Wizarding World you can see where your interests most strongly lie , and start again there.

If you still havent read Harry Potter, just know that its never too late to start and even for those who have, youre never too old to go back and relive the magic.

Can’t get enough? Check out our list of the 20 best books like Harry Potter, or 60 best fantasy books for kids!

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Book #: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone introduces the reader to the young 11-year-old orphan Harry Potter, as he is whisked away from his unloving aunt’s and uncle’s home to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The large and loveable giant Hagrid explains that Harry’s a wizard, who dispelled the evil Lord Voldemort when he was just a baby.

Aboard the magical train to Hogwarts, Harry meets new friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and, luckily, they are all sorted into the same house at Hogwarts — Gryffindor.

However, not everyone is a friend to Harry, and it’s clear he has enemies in the Slytherin house, including student Draco Malfoy and the potions Professor Snape.

Harry’s first year at Hogwarts is marked by both fun and fighting, from playing the sport Quidditch to battling Voldemort once again, as Voldemort attempts to gain the power of everlasting life and re-gaining a body from the Sorcerer’s Stone.

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry and Ron return to Hogwarts in a flying car. At Hogwarts, word spreads that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened to release a deadly monster, petrifying both the caretaker’s pet cat and the students as well.

Harry and his friends take on the challenge themselves and, by way of Polyjuice potion and a visit to a giant spider called Aragog, Harry ultimately enters the Chamber of Secrets to try to save Ron’s sister, Ginny. There, Voldemort sets a giant serpent on Harry, and another battle with evil ensues.

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Diagon Alley Mini Backpack

$75.00

Get ready for your next year at Hogwarts with this stylish teal colored miniature backpack from Loungefly. Everything you could expect to see on your shopping journey to Diagon Alley can be found here! Potions, robes and other magical supplies adorn the all-over print of the main body of the bag, while stunning die cut artwork of textbooks, an owl and the Sorting Hat feature prominently on the front pocket. From the exquisite stitching to the Hogwarts crest charm zipper tab, no detail of this backpack has been left untouched!

All Harry Potter Books In Order To Read Them

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Get all the Harry Potter books in order to read them, plus brief summaries of each book in the Harry Potter series about the bestselling, beloved wizarding world.

The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling are the best-selling book series of all time, having been translated into over 80 languages, won countless awards, and sold more than 500 million copies worldwide.

This post includes all the seven Harry Potter books in the original book series in chronological order plus the stage play that continues the story of Harry Potter decades later. It does not include any of J.K. Rowling’s related short stories or the Fantastic Beasts series.

If you’re going to read Harry Potter, you should do so in the order below. Both the storyline and the publication dates follow the same chronological order. First, I share a quick list of all Harry Potter books in order, followed by quick summaries of each Harry Potter book.

NOTE: THERE ARE SOME CONTENT SPOILERS BELOW HOWEVER, I TRIED MY BEST TO CONVEY THE PLOTS GENERALLY, WITHOUT GIVING AWAY TOO MUCH.

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