Harry Potter books provide a great escape

I was first introduced to the book series in 2001 by my colleague, Mary Reeves, at which time she was editor of the Manchester Times and I was lifestyles editor at the Tullahoma News. She told me how excellent the books were, and I decided to read them.

After reading "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," I was hooked. I voraciously gobbled up "Chamber of Secrets," "Prisoner of Azkaban," and "Goblets of Fire," but I had a three-year wait for "Order of the Phoenix."

During that time, I read and re-read the books, falling in love with the characters and the story line. I also found out J.K. Rowling's story, and she became my literary hero.

Every time I think of her writing in a coffee shop to save money on her heating bills, I realize maybe one of these days, I can write a novel someone will want to read. I've finished one, in the young adult genre, for which I am now trying to find a publisher. Rowling was rejected many times before Harry found his home.

Anyway, I bought "Order of the Phoenix" while I was out on maternity leave with Tessa, who had colic. Imagine me, juggling a screaming baby in one arm and a huge hardback book in the other hand. Even though I was already sleep deprived with a newborn, I stayed up all night to finish the book.

I cried at the end of "Half-Blood Prince," for which I had to wait another two years. I sobbed during "Deathly Hallows," more than once, too, when some of my favorite characters died. I won't spoil it for those of you who haven't read the book or are waiting for the movie.

Now that the last book is out, we Harry Potter fans only have a few new things to look forward to, including the movies and an encyclopedia Rowling has promised her fans.

The other night, I saw the trailer to "Half-Blood Prince," while watching the season finale of "Survivor." I squealed like a little fan girl and had goose bumps on my arms when it finished. My husband, Brian, and I are going to take Tessa to see it at IMAX in Nashville, and I can't wait.

I've tried to figure out what it is I love so much about the Harry Potter books.

Is it the magic, the mystery, the characters, the writing, the story?

Maybe it is all of that, but I know much of it comes from the fact that when I read those books I am transported back in time to when I was a child and could get lost in a book for hours.

Even though I've always loved to read and retained that love as an adult, I had lost the ability to immerse myself completely, to put myself into the character's world, to block out the world around me. Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling gave me all of that back.

I open one of the Harry Potter books and instantly I'm a student witch at Hogwarts, learning to cast spells, how to navigate the moving staircases and to stay away from Peeves the Poltergeist. All of my worries, fears and day-to-day drama disappear.

Some Harry Potter fans have turned to the Twilight series as a substitute. I've read both, and Twilight series will never measure up to the Harry Potter series. After all the hype about Bella and Edward and all the other vampires, I thought I would like it, but in the end, I just wanted to throw the final book across the room. Maybe Rowling spoiled me when it comes to fantasy.

So, if you haven't read the Harry Potter series, take a chance and do so. I think you will find yourself deep in a world where magical things are supposed to happen. Who doesn't need a little magic and mystery in their life?

-- Tamara Belinc is a staff writer at the Times-Gazette. She can be reached by e-mail at tambelinc@gmail.com.