The Questioning Librarian

There is something special about a fandom. It doesn't matter whether the fandom adores Game of Thrones , cherishes the work of John and Hank Green, or gets giddy at the thought of a new Downton Abbey episode, there's something about these particular shared interests that is unique. Sure, people are unified by other interests, whether political, religious, or even shared sporting interests, but these kinds of things don't have the same level of joy that a fandom has. I was thinking about this fact after I finished reading Rainbow Rowell's newest book Fangirl  this morning, a fantastic work whose protagonist is a freshman in college who enjoys writing fan fiction about Simon Snow, a Harry Potter-like figure. There are plenty of fandoms out there for different t.v. shows, movies, or books, whether it is composed of those who love Lord of the Rings (perhaps the original fandom!), Sherlock, or the inhabitants of Nerdfighteria who closely follow all the YouTube videos of...

I first read the Harry Potter series over a year ago--a little behind the ball, but still better late than never. After that I watched all the movies with friends, and recently I have been slowly re-reading the series as a present to myself for finishing my Master's program. I generally don't read a book again once I've read it with only the rarest of exceptions; I've revisited Tolkien's works several times along with the Redwall books by the late Brian Jacques, and I'm preparing to re-read the massive Wheel of Time epic now that the final volume is out. With so many books out there to read, and so little time in which to read them, I usually cannot justify re-reading a work unless it is of exceptionally high quality. The Harry Potter series definitely falls into that category for me, and I've enjoyed rereading the series in no small part because this time, since I know how it all ends, I can take my time and read them slowly, soaking up details that I miss...