Leeny (eileen) wrote, @ 2008-12-31 10:09:00

Harry: A History
You should all go out and buy the book Harry: A History by Melissa Anelli. It's a book recounting the experiences of Melissa, the webmistress of the Harry Potter website The Leaky Cauldron, within the Harry Potter fandom, as well as study on the Harry Potter phenomenon as a whole. I got it for Christmas (after asking for it specifically), and haven't been able to put it down.

Admittedly, it's most interesting to people involved or interested in the Harry Potter fandom, but a lot of the book resonated with me due to my experiences on the WD. The book talks about specific flame wars on HP forums (I'm sure we can all identify similar arguments on the WD!), how real life friends and family can't understand what you do on the internet all day, making good online friends, even meeting up with them, keeping online journals, etc.

But it's also an interesting book about everything Harry Potter, from the day JK Rowling first thought of the story to the release parties and reactions to Deathly Hallows, with exlcusive interviews with JK Rowling and many people who play pivotal roles in the Harry Potter book and movie world. There's also an interesting chapter which talks about the time Melissa interviewed Laura Mallory, the most prominent anti-HP campaigner in the States, which just made me go WTF!

Go buy it now! Especially Amy, Caz and Crystal! :P

cosmicavatar 2008-12-31 05:31 (link)

Hee. I saw this entry on the front page of blurty and thought, "Hey, someone with the name Leeny, just like Eileen uses!" (As "Eileen" is the only bit I see on my Friends page, I didn't make any further connection). Then I started reading my friends list entries and thought, "Hey, this is familia- D'oh!" I forget that the Leeny bit comes up if I click on an actual entry to comment on it. Anyway, yes. Sounds like an interesting book, and I may well get a copy if I see it... (Reply to this) (Thread)

	drummergirl 2008-12-31 11:27 (link)
	I don't buy books with my own money anymore, I buy them "for the library". ;) I am on page 85 and I'm LOVING it so far! Looking forward to the Mallory interview, she is nuttier than a bag of squirrels. (Reply to this) (Thread)