The Harry Potter books have have a profound impact on my life, along with many others. I first read them in the second grade and have reread them nearly every year since. I learn new things and gain a deeper understanding each time. The books have shaped my identity as a reader considerably. I find myself completely invested in the characters and the storyline of mythical creatures and magic - although I don't read any other fantasy books anymore.

My reading journey

Birth:
11/02/09

2010

Mom read Robert Munch books to me

Mom read Robert Munch books to me

Love you forever

Paperbag princess

Stephanie's ponytail

Thomas' snowsuit

I have to go!

We share everything

The sandcastle contest

David's father

Mortimer

Down the drain

Makeup mess

Since before I can talk, my
parents read a considerable amount
to me in order to help with my
development. Even from a young age,
I loved books. I would ask my mom to
read books to me every night
before bed. These are some of my
old favorites.

2011

My mom read Curious George books
to me every night before bed

My mom read Curious George books
to me every night before bed

2012

Loved reading the Berenstain Bears
Christmas Tree

2013

Enjoyed reading a yellow hardcover
book whose name I can't recall
with bedtime stories such as
the Emperors New Groove

2014

Started reading
on my own - my
favorite book was
Amelia Bedelia

Started reading
on my own - my
favorite book was
Amelia Bedelia

2015

Read my first
chapter books
from my school
library

Rainbow Magic series
I owned possibly over
100 of these books,
and read them all over
and over again. There
were a pivotal po

Rainbow Magic series
I owned possibly over
100 of these books,
and read them all over
and over again. There
were a pivotal point in my
reading journey. I remember
picking them out in the school
library and then buying as many
as I could find on Facebook
Marketplace or get piles at a
time from the public library.
No one could snap me out of it
when I started one of these books.
I had a pile in the car, my room, just
about anywhere in the house.

Bailey school kids

Bailey school kids

Puppy place

Puppy place

2016

Harry Potter books- Christmas 2016

Read the books within 3 months

Was encouraged to read
books with higher
educational content

Canadian flyer adventures

Canadian flyer adventures

2017

Began reading Anne of Green Gables

My first time reading classic literature
and being exposed to harder vocabulary

2018

Got the complete Nancy Drew
collection for my birthday and
was obsessed for the whole year

Got the complete Nancy Drew
collection for my birthday and
was obsessed for the whole year

Started the Artemis Fowl
series but quickly got bored
and abandoned them

2019

Discovered online reading on
my Kobo during a summer long
trip to Europe - no paper books
allowed

2020

Read Number the Stars virtually
with my class

I highly enjoyed the historical fiction

2021

Read The War That Saved
My Life - Great Britain during WW2

Read The War That Saved
My Life - Great Britain during WW2

Very similar to many novels
I read at the time - but has stayed
imprinted in my brain for a long time

Found a collection of
my dad and uncle's old
books. I read amazing
stories such as Goosebumps,
Choose your own adventure,
and Light a single candle.
I was exposed to books
they read as kids. Looking
through new books to read
was so exciting for me.

2022

Read a self help book
called A New Earth: 
Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

Read a self help book
called A New Earth:
Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

Changed my entire perspective on life

Read I know why the Caged Bird Sings and To Kill a Mockingbird, both presents from my aunt.
The first time I read more mature content and shifted my outlook on many situations, exposing me to the reality outside my own bubble. I remember reading the books while I was in Vancouver after my baby cousin was born.

2023

Reimmersed myself in
the world of literature
in the 8th grade

I chose to isolate
myself from my
classmates at my
small private school
and spent every recess
in the kindergarden yard
or in the library reading.
In a very hard time in my life,
I found peace in reading.
Some of the novels I enjoyed
during this time include
The Summer I Turned Pretty,
Little Women, and Hunger Games

Started annoting books
while reading a Good
Girl's Guide to Murder
in book club

My teacher gave me The World at Night,
a beautiful book about the Aurora Borealis
for my graduation. He told me that the
Northern Lights relate to my personality,
rare, amazing, and always dancing.
It's one of the most meaningful gifts I own.

2024

Read Michelle Obama's
book, it was life changing.
Shaped my political opinion and was the
first time I read such an impactful
autiobiography.

2025

Reread Harry Potter for
the 8th year in a row

Reread Harry Potter for
the 8th year in a row