Even though the Harry Potter franchise spanned numerous platforms by 2024, it was initially the books that brought this enchantment to life. I began diving into these stories years ago when lining up at my neighborhood bookstore for the midnight launch of each new installment was necessary. Today, fans can experience the Harry Potter books through various formats such as illustrated versions and audio adaptations.
If you’re brand-new to the magical realm, it might feel somewhat overwhelming. Those of us who were raised with the books and films likely find the suggested reading sequence quite straightforward. However, if all you possess are a couple of pre-owned copies from the novel collection, determining your starting point could be confusing. Beyond the primary series, supplementary material has emerged as theatrical productions and spawned an entire fresh set of cinematic installments. To assist you in pinpointing how to kick things off, here’s a concise guideline for following the correct reading order of the Harry Potter book series listed beneath.
How many Harry Potter books are there?
If you focus solely on the main series, there are a
a total of seven Harry Potter books
composed by J.K. Rowling. These are the stories that motivated the initial creation.
Harry Potter movies
(There were actually eight films in total.) Apart from the primary series, Rowling has additionally released publications.
Three book volumes that comprise the Hogwarts Library collection.
And even though it doesn’t qualify as a book per se, there’s also
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
, which is a play that is currently on Broadway.
Harry Potter Book Sets
The Harry Potter Books Reading Order
Below, we’ve split the Harry Potter book series into two different sections: the Harry Potter novels and additional reading. The main series tells the story of Harry Potter and his friends through their seven years at Hogwarts, while the additional reading includes other texts written by J.K. Rowling outside of the main timeline.
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The initial installment in the Harry Potter saga is “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” Released in 1997, this narrative marks the beginning of Harry’s adventure into the realm of magic. Within these pages, readers encounter Harry during his early days as an orphan dwelling in a cramped space beneath the staircase at his aunt and uncle’s home among non-magical folk, commonly referred to as Muggles. Everything shifts dramatically for Harry once he begins receiving acceptance letters inviting him to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is within these walls where both Harry and the audience embark upon their inaugural exploration of enchantment and wonder. Additionally, through this story, we meet several pivotal characters who will play crucial roles throughout the entire series.
Harry Potter characters,
such as Dumbledore, Hagrid, Hermione, Ron, and numerous others.
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
In the sequel, we encounter a more introspective Harry Potter. Following his isolation at Privet Drive over the summer vacation without hearing from his peers, anxiety begins to set in for him. His situation grows even tenser when a house-elf called Dobby visits the Dursleys with intentions to prevent Harry’s return to Hogwarts. This leads to several enchanted accidents which culminate in Harry getting confined to his bedroom. Through assistance from his companions, he manages to reach the castle via an unorthodox and perilous route. Upon arrival, they uncover additional threats similar to those warned against by Dobby. An enigmatic diary surfaces as a possible key to understanding recent incidents involving students turning catatonic throughout the corridors of the institution. “The Chamber of Secrets” marks our initial deep dive into Lord Voldemort’s legacy and unveils significant hidden truths concerning the annals of Hogwarts’ past.
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
“The Prisoner of Azkaban” marks the third installment in the series, marking a shift towards darker themes. As Harry turns 13, he transitions from merely exploring magic to confronting harsh realities. On his way to Hogwarts, he encounters genuine malevolence for the first time through the oppressive presence of Azkaban’s Dementors, which strip away much of his joy. This volume introduces Sirius Black, whose ties to Harry introduce unforeseen complications. Through interactions with characters like Lupin, Sirius, and Wormtail—old acquaintances of his parents—the narrative delves deeper into Harry’s family history. Additionally, as Harry matures psychologically, so does his understanding of the gravity surrounding his circumstances, making this an increasingly complex chapter within the saga.
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
In “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” the narrative transcends from a typical young adult series to something deeper. Partly because this installment nearly doubles in size compared to “The Prisoner of Azkaban.” As the fourth novel unfolds, the main focus shifts towards the Triwizard Tournament—a contest among Europe’s leading magical institutions. Despite Harry not meeting the age requirement for participation, his name mysteriously appears in the goblet, thrusting him into an extremely perilous challenge. Introducing new figures such as Mad-Eye Moody, Cedric Digory, and Cho Chang, this volume delves into Harry’s clumsy romantic endeavors and marks the beginning of significantly grimmer occurrences within the storylines ahead. It notably features the series’ inaugural real fatality, setting the stage for future dark developments.
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
“The Order of the Phoenix,” being the fifth installment in the saga, unveils an entirely new facet of Harry’s persona. Having endured Voldemort’s plots over four consecutive school terms and having seen someone killed right before his eyes, Harry enters his fifteenth year more determined than ever to stand alongside grown-ups battling Voldemort and the Death Eaters during his fifth term at Hogwarts. Post “The Goblet of Fire,” transformations sweep through Hogwarts with the arrival of Dolores Umbridge, possibly one of the vilest characters throughout the series. Accused by the Ministry of Magic of disseminating falsehoods, Harry feels increasingly isolated as suspicions around him rise, coinciding with his deepening bond with Voldemort. This novel marks a pivotal juncture where occurrences within Hogwarts begin significantly impacting the broader magical community. Additionally, this period ushers in another profound personal loss for Harry, permanently altering his path forward.
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
“The Half-Blood Prince” stands as the sixth installment in the series, with Harry now turning 16 and entering his later teen years. Following nearly a whole year under Dumbledore’s guidance, he starts this new phase by assisting the headmaster in reinstating an ancient Potions teacher. Now that Dolores Umbridge is no longer posing a danger to the school, Professor Snape assumes the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, while former Potions Master Professor Slughorn takes over Snape’s previous duties. Naturally, Dumbledore harbors hidden intentions, leading Harry to delve deeply into numerous historical memories throughout much of the narrative—uncovering crucial details about Severus Snape along the way. In “The Half-Blood Prince,” readers discover how Voldemort managed to return after seeming defeat. Continuing the trend seen in the preceding couple of novels, Harry faces yet another profound loss which leaves him questioning whether recovery is possible.
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The Deathly Hallows” marks the end of the Harry Potter book series, although it was divided into two parts for the film adaptation. By this point, characters like Harry, Ron, and Hermione have reached adulthood at seventeen years old, granting them permission to use magic beyond the confines of Hogwarts without fear of reprisal from the Ministry of Magic. Realizing the full extent of Voldemort’s threat, these young heroes opt out of completing their last year at school so as not to be distracted from fulfilling Dumbledore’s mission assigned specifically to Harry. Venturing independently across different places, they evade pursuit by both Death Eaters and governmental forces. In wrapping up the narrative arc, readers gain deeper insights into Voldemort’s character and his enigmatic link with Harry, along with an explanation of its significance. Additionally, “The Deathly Hallows,” introduces us formally to magical artifacts mentioned sporadically earlier in the saga. It concludes the Harry Potter literary journey satisfactorily, tying together every remaining plot thread left open by preceding volumes.
Bonus: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Even though it isn’t traditionally considered a book, The Cursed Child deserves mention in this reading sequence because of where it fits chronologically. Co-authored by Jack Thorne, J.K. Rowling, and John Tiffany, the narrative unfolds exactly nineteen years following the conclusion of The Deathly Hallows. In this installment, we follow Albus Potter, Harry’s offspring, whose journey at Hogwarts diverges from his father’s as he ends up in Slytherin House and forges a strong bond with Scorpius Malfoy, Draco’s child. Additionally, the script offers readers an intriguing glimpse into grown-up versions of familiar characters like Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny, which adds another layer of enjoyment.
Additional Reading
Apart from the primary series, there are three key texts that deserve inclusion. Known as the “Hogwarts Library” collection, these works do not have any direct connection to the main Harry Potter book chronology.
Amazing Monsters and Their Hidden Locations
This supplementary book serves as more of a compendium rather than a traditional novel. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” provides comprehensive information about all the magical beasts within the Harry Potter universe. Essentially, it acts like a textbook penned by the fictitious author Newt Scamander, detailing the environments and traits of every creature mentioned. The only connection this guide has with the “Fantastic Beasts” film series is through its title; they do not share a narrative storyline directly.
The Stories of Beedle the Bard
A supplementary volume, titled *The Tales of Beedle the Bard*, made its debut in *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*. It serves as an anthology of fairytales popular within the magical community. Among these narratives is “*The Tale of Three Brothers*”. Additionally, this compilation offers readers several other brief stories which provide fresh insights into the universe of Harry Potter.
Quidditch Through the Ages
The third and concluding volume in the Hogwarts Library series, “Quidditch Through the Ages,” lives up to its title as it offers an extensive account of the sport of Quidditch. This book delves into the origins of the game, providing insights into the evolution of key elements such as the Golden Snitch and the Bludgers.
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