Happy 20th anniversary, Harry! The first book in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone, hit store shelves two decades ago, quickly evolving into a worldwide phenomenon!
The series is largely credited with introducing multiple generations to reading, sparking a passion for fantasy and science fiction young adult literature in a way that authors and publishers had never seen!
For many of us, Harry Potter is the reason we discovered Eragon. Christopher Paolini’s first book was released by Random House in 2003, not long after Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a period in which Rowling’s books were undergoing a massive popularity boom. Its successful film adaptations and increased awareness of the joy of reading spilled over, funneling hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of readers toward new adventures in stories like Eragon!
I personally have J.K. Rowling and her universe to thank for my love for reading and the career I’ve built as a result of being a fan of Harry and Eragon. I’ll forever be grateful!
