Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix

     The other day I finished reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This one took awhile as it is around 870 pages-ish but it's also the longest book I've ever read. Coming from a long background of not reading, I'm pretty proud of myself for reading such a long book. Not to mention I was in a bit of a reading slump in the middle of this one. I had SUCH a fun time reading this book. I've seen all the Harry Potter movies and love them of course but this is my first time making my way through the books. Thanks to my boyfriend for buying them all for my birthday last year<3 I've loved all of the books so far but this one has definitely been the most different from the movie - I love discovering all of the hidden details that I didn't notice in the movie. There were many times while reading that I stopped and thought, "Wow, I had no idea that that's why they did that thing". Reading it felt like tying a nice little bow - it filled all the holes that I was unsure about and gave even more! There's so much amazing stuff in the book that wasn't included in the movie - the way my boyfriend talks about it, he wishes it was included in the movie. However, I kinda like just having some stuff only in the book. It feels like a bit of a V.I.P. club, makes it a little more special. I think I would never have gotten to know these characters in the same way if I hadn't read it, I feel way more connected to them somehow.

      My favorite part may have been the debrief and explanation by Dumbledore to Harry in his office after Sirius's death. I had this idea that because I've seen all the movies, I know what happens and there wouldn't be any surprises. But reading the prophecy and the reveal that Neville could have just as likely been he chosen one! I was literally kicking my feet. 

     In one of the theater classes I took in college, I had a professor say that all villains are sympathetic characters. I can understand how Voldemort is a sympathetic character with him being abused as a child. But I need to know Dolores Umbridges back story. She is probably the #1 most hate-able villains for me and I have no idea what about her could make her a sympathetic character. At least she gets her comeuppance in the end. I smell a research topic coming on!

     Anyway, great read. I've already started the Half-Blood Prince so I'm sure I'll be back with a note on that.