My Generation Hates Harry Potter

I read a fair bit of the Harry Potter series in my breaks during school (and every other possible moment). So during my brief half-an-hour visits to Hogwarts in the hallways of my own Muggle school, I noticed two things: 1. Some of my teachers seems like the Muggle versions of the Hogwarts teachers. 2. My generation does not like this important piece of modern-day literature.

The Post-Potter Generation: a Discussion

I greatly appreciate my friends. I have three good friends whom I've known since I was eleven. Friend 1 (no real names here) actually introduced me to my first YA book. Friend 1 and 2 liked it first, friend 3 and me hated it. I ended up picking it up and the rest is history. Friend 1 still reads YA books, friend 2 only watches the movies (I know), and friend 3 doesn't like them at all. So I trust friend 1 to fangirl along with me at all times (even though her TBR consists of about twenty books and she still dares to complain). When I told her I was planning to read Harry Potter, though, she did not react very positive. After I'd watched the first movie, I got into a conversation with friend 3. She asked me if I were 'one of those people' now.

I also have a really nice little brother. He wasn't really enthusiastic either.

Let's rant.

Now, I'm not saying I didn't join in late. But it isn't about 'when,' it's about 'if.' Is it the pages? The fact that it is labeled 'a children's book?' The magic? Wizards? There's only one gif that can do my frustration justice...

And if they'd read it and didn't like it, it'd be okay. Tragic, but acceptable. But NEVER EVER JUDGE IF YOU HAVEN'T READ!

This is not entirely fair of me to say, because I have three book series I use as 'the bad example':

1. Fifty Shades of Grey (which I have not read AND WILL NEVER READ!)

2. Twilight (which I have not read yet, but might one day.)

3. the Selection (which I read)

But if I use the first two as bad examples, this is not a well-informed opinion, and I know that. I just need them as my precious little helpers that are known for their terribleness.

Why they should read Harry Potter?

Hello? It's basically the foundation of YA! Yes, they began as children's books, but that doesn't mean they haven't dragged hundreds into reading. I believe that, in a way, Harry Potter opened a door to Twilight, Twilight to THG and TMI and many others.

And if not that, how about movies, huh? HP-Twilight-HG-Divergent+City of Bones+Percy Jackson+other-TMR-The 5th Wave... As many of my generation, who didn't feel anything for Twilight and had missed out on Harry Potter, we got onto the first trains in 2012: The first Hunger Games movie. If it wasn't for Harry Potter, I might not have been in YA at all. YA might not have existed at all.

It's iconic. Almost everyone in our culture has heard of Harry Potter. I bet nearly 10% of the fandom related GIFs on the internet have either a Mean Girls reference or a Harry Potter reference.

It's a banned series. Support the freedom! It's not even in our school library. You know what book IS in our library? Translation: Harry Potter and the Bible. The Threat behind the Magic. Oh, please. I might read it just to have a good laugh. Also, this is why people think we're judgmental and crazy. Just saying.

(By the way, the small sentence at the bottom says, "Not recommended by J.K. Rowling" What?!)

It's awesome. The characters, the world, the school, themes and morals, and plot are evidence of good writing if I've ever seen it. Be a little more open-minded, guys!