The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs 179 pages

This was one of my favorite books when I was young.  It was also my first introduction to the artwork of Edward Gorey.  I can't tell you how much I loved experiencing this again, it was my first time reading it with my ears.  Read by George Guidall, it was as enjoyable as I remembered from my youth.  You've probably seen the trailers for the movie, or the movie itself, so you know it is a story about magic, good vs. evil, growing up, trying to fit in, loss and love.  It is told in such an accessible way for a young audience, I simply cannot recommend it highly enough! 

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris 253 pages

Okay, I admit that I read this simply because I love Neil Patrick Harris.  That being said, it was well worth it!  It was never too heavy, had lots of heart, celebrated diversity and threw in some magic trick how-to's just for fun!  The story follows a boy, Carter, who is excellent at sleight of hand, but has been raised by a less-than-honorable uncle who wants him to use his skills to relieve others of their belongings.  The whole experience has made Carter quite certain that there is no such thing as real magic.  When he runs away, he runs into a group of people who love magic tricks as much as he does.  He will have to decide whether he can trust anyone when it comes to magic, facing off with more bad guys in the process. Do not pass this one up, it's a great story with lots of heart and humor!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling 759 pages

Many people say that they just didn't like the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series at all.  I strongly disagree.  I do miss being at Hogwarts for the majority of the story, but in the same way that I loved learning about Tom Riddle's history, I really enjoyed learning about Dumbledore's past.  I also really liked seeing characters develop in unexpected and amazing ways...case in point - Neville Longbottom.  The epilogue wasn't entirely satisfying, I think because it was trying to be too satisfying, but the whole book is definitely worth the read.  It was also cool to get to travel through the wizarding world beyond the walls of Hogwarts, and many characters got to be heroes.  I confess that I did spend a good bit of this one crying, but it was still worth it.  I listened to this one read by Jim Dale.  Now I have to find a new book to listen to...always so hard after living in this world for all seven books.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling 652 pages

This installment in the Harry Potter series was one of the most fascinating to me.  I loved that they were learning so much about Tom Riddle (the man who became Lord Voldemort) and there was so much scary stuff going on.  It was thoroughly enjoyable...even with the ending it had.  Death is but another adventure to the curious mind.  When you get to the end of this (if you haven't before,) just remember that.  There are worse things to fear than death.  I think Harry understands this better than many and certainly better than Voldemort. Oh, and romance is in the air in this installment, too.  I would put this toward the top of my favorites.  Harry definitely grew as a character at 16.  Such a welcome development after book 5!  I listened to this one read by Jim Dale...still not crazy about the hard t on the end of Voldemort, but enjoyable nonetheless!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill 388 pages

Oh, my goodness!  This was a gorgeous book in every way.  It totally deserved to win the Newbery Award.  I loved that the world, though different from ours, was still accessible and believable... it was just born of magic.  Every year, a baby is left in a clearing for the witch.  The parents have no idea what happens to that baby, but one year, the witch accidentally enmagics the child by feeding her moonlight.  There's too much to tell, but I guarantee you will fall in love with Glerk, Xan, Fyrian and Luna.  This book had an extraordinary story to tell with a simply enormous amount of heart.  If you love fantasy, you will adore this one, no matter how old you are.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling 870 pages

Where Goblet of Fire was my favorite, this is easily my least favorite of the HP series.  Harry is riddled with so much teen angst, I just want to slap him most of the time.  Also, knowing what's coming makes it hard to get through.  On top of that, Delores Umbridge is such an overwhelmingly terrible person that the whole book feels like an attack on my psyche.  When I started listening to the series again, I was dreading getting to this book, and now that I'm on the other side of it, I can still say the overall effect is unpleasant enough to still call it my least favorite.  AND my biggest issue with the audiobook is that for some unfathomable reason, Jim Dale started pronouncing Voldemort with the t at the end.  The first four books, he pronounced it with the intended French pronunciation and this was an awkward and unwelcome change.  Sadly, it carries on through the last two books in the same way.  All that being said, my least favorite HP is still way up on my favorite books of all.  Totally worth the teen angst, torture and doom and gloom to experience the whole series. 

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling 734 pages

People argue with me on this a lot, but this is my favorite of the HP series.  I really loved the overall mystery of who had gotten Harry into the Tri-Wizard Tournament, the hints at the return of Voldemort and I thought that Harry was possibly at his most vulnerable in this one.  There was enough realistic friction between characters to be believable that this was a bunch of teenagers we were dealing with.  The end makes me cry like a baby every time, but I still think the ride is worth it. 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling 435 pages

This is the first book in the series that really starts hinting at just how dark things can get.  Harry is the focus of everyone's concern, because a dangerous criminal has broken out of the wizard prison of Azkaban.  It is assumed that he is coming to finish off Harry, since Voldemort was unable to before.  Of course, things are never quite what they seem.  It's a rough year for Harry, but surprises are in store.  This is one of my favorites of the series, partly because you get to meet Sirius, who is seriously cool and because I love Remus Lupin, also introduced in this book. 

I listened to this read by Jim Dale. 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling 259 pages

This, the second book in the series, begins to let the reader in on some of Lord Voldemort's history.  Harry returns to Hogwarts in spite of warnings from a mysterious visitor, who claims that danger awaits him.  The alternative is staying with his horrible aunt and uncle, so Harry ignores the warnings.  New professors, new students and new dangers do indeed await the students at Hogwarts.  The Chamber of Secrets, rumored to hold an unspeakable monster, is opened by an unknown person and attacks begin occurring in the halls of Hogwarts.  Harry is suspected of being in league with the monster or responsible for the attacks and he will have to rely on his friends and his wits to solve the mystery, clear his name and hopefully (ha) survive to be the hero once again.  Read by Jim Dale.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling 309 pages

It was time to revisit the Potter-verse.  I always have so much fun going back and listening to these books.  I get new connections to the later books every time.

Harry discovers he's a wizard after living with his non-magical aunt and uncle who treated him quite unkindly for about 10 years.  He's accepted at Hogwarts, a school that educates and trains young witches and wizards, but he begins to suspect all is not well.  This is the first book in the Harry Potter series and is a very fun and engaging start to one of my most beloved series of all time.  I am listening to the whole series on audio read by Jim Dale, who is one of my favorite readers.

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley 292 pages

Micah has grown up listening to his grandpa Ephraim's stories about Circus Mirandus.  That's why even though his grandfather is seriously ill, he has lots of hope.  Circus Mirandus wasn't just an ordinary circus, it was magic.  In fact, one of its performers is the most magical person Micah can imagine.  The Light Bender was the highlight of all of Grandpa Ephraim's stories.  The best part, the part that gives Micah hope is that the Light Bender owes his grandpa a miracle.  They just have to find him before it's too late for the miracle to matter.  This story is so beautiful.  It was unexpected and heartbreaking, but also so much fun.  You will love Micah and his grandfather, you will hope right along with them that the Light Bender comes in time.  More than anything, you will strain to hear the music composed of pipes and drums calling you to magic.

I listened to this on audio read by Bronson Pinchot.  It was wonderful.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, 522 pages

"Carry On" is based on the fan fiction that a character was writing in Rainbow Rowell's book "Fangirl".  That said, this is a stand-alone book that doesn't require the reading of "Fangirl" to appreciate.  Don't let that stop you though.

"Carry On" features a magical world and school, similar, yet different, from the world of Harry Potter.  

Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy pretty much hated each other all through the Harry Potter series.  Our hero here, Simon Snow, and his nemesis, Tyrannus Basilton Grimm Pitch "Baz," end up in a totally different dynamic.  Witty, funny, exciting, magical, thrilling. . . a great read, or in my case, listen.

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley 304 pages

While growing up, Micah Tuttle would hear stories of Circus Mirandus from Grandpa Ephraim. Circus Mirandus is a magical place with an invisible tiger that guards the gates, a beautiful flying birdwoman, and the Man Who Bends Light. As Grandpa Ephraim’s health worsens, Micah is hoping that the Man Who Bends Light (Lightbender) will grant Grandpa Ephraim his miracle. 

Micah and fellow classmate, Jenny Mendoza, search for Circus Mirandus. They meet the Lightbender and they see his powers first-hand. During the meetings with the Lightbender, Micah learns some truths about his family. He also learns what miracle Grandpa Ephraim really asked for. 

This was read by Bronson Pinchot.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling, 734 pages

Things are heating up for Harry Potter.  He's in his 4th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and though he is only 14, is mysteriously entered and chosen to be a participant in the Triwizard Tournament.  Who could have entered his name?  Who indeed?

Another rousing adventure brought to us by J.K. Rowling.  These books never get old.  Come fall, I feel the urge to pull them out again.  Maybe one of these years I will outgrow them, but not yet!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, 435 pages

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is book 3 in the 7-book series by J.K. Rowling.

Harry, Hermione and Ron are now 13 and in their 3rd year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  In this volume, crazed murderer Sirius Black has escaped from the wizard prison, Azkaban - a feat that no one has ever pulled off before.  He seems to be after Harry . . . and maybe Hogwarts isn't even safe.

Another great installment in the series.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, 352 pages

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is book two of the wildly popular seven book series by J.K. Rowling.

I've read and listened to the books before, but just don't seem to get tired of the story.  I'm especially drawn to them in the fall.  It's been a long time since I've read, instead of listened to them but so far I'm reading this time.

Harry is back for his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  With the help of his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, he is able to thwart the evil wizard Lord Voldemort (He Who Must Not Be Named, for you squeamish folks.)

On to the Prisoner of Azkaban . . .

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen, 269 pages

This is one of those books I re-listen to periodically just because I enjoy it. 
I recently had a solo road trip and this little gem was the perfect companion.

Set in Mullaby, North Carolina, there are two main characters.  Emily is a 17 year old whose mother recently died and who just moved in with the grandfather she never knew she had.   Julia is a 36 year old who has reluctantly returned to Mullaby.  She left when she was 16 and never planned to live there again.

It's a magical little tale I never get tired of revisiting.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling, 223 pages

Harry Potter is one of those series I just don't get tired of.  I picked up this book, the first in the series, at a library book sale a few years ago.  It is the British version of the first book in the seven book series and is the only book with a different title from its American version.

It's getting close to Fall, and I always associate that with Harry Potter for some reason.  In this first book Harry discovers he is a wizard and the scar on his forehead was given to him when he survived a death curse from a powerful and dark wizard.

It is a lovely introduction back into the world of magic and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany, Jack Thorne & J.K. Rowling, 330 pages

I was quite surprised that I was compelled to buy this book.  I knew I was a Harry Potter nerd, but I thought maybe I was over it.  Nope.  Had. To. Buy. It.  And that rarely happens to me.

The book begins at the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Geeze Louise, even that brought a tear to my eye.  The story focuses on Albus Potter, youngest son of Harry and Ginny Potter.  Let's just say his experience at Hogwarts is different from his parents.

This is not a novel.  It is a play.  That's how desperate we HP fans are for anything Potter.  Whatever.  I'll happily and thankfully take what I can get.

The Unfortunate Importance of Beauty by Amanda Filipacchi, 332 pages

My sister, who often tells me what to read, highly recommended this book.  She found it funny and quirky.

I did find it quirky, but not very funny.  The main characters are a group of creative friends, one of whom is extremely beautiful and another extremely ugly.  Barb, the beautiful one, works hard to hide her beauty.  Lily, the ugly one, tries to transform herself into beautiful.

I typically like books with a little magic, and this book has that, but it just wasn't for me.  I read it, I finished it, but I didn't think it was funny, instead it made me sad.  Funny how two people can read the same book and have a different experience.  Sounds a little like life!