To celebrate the 7th and final Harry Potter book (which will be coming to a library near you on July 21st!) we here at the library are conducting a count-down discussion right smack here on this blog. So welcome and come join in the fun!

We're kicking things off with book number one: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!

When did you first read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone? Were you one of those people that discovered it right off the bat? Or did you only pick it up after every one of your friends and family had read it?

Personally I was working at a bookstore around the time that the first two books were starting to hit US bestseller lists. I was wary at first, being not normally a huge fan of fantasy titles, but after my co-workers started to rave on and on about them, I decided to give them a go. I picked up The Sorcerer's Stone and have been a Harry Potter addict ever since.

Looking back now, I think I'd have to say that the first book is my least favorite. I don't know about you, but I thought it started a bit slowly. All the good adventures don't seem to happen until they arrive at Hogwarts, plus I'd also have to say that reading about Harry's life with the Dursleys is pretty depressing and the whole first section of this books takes place with the Dursleys!

However, I'd have to say that I was really impressed with the ending. Getting though all those obstacles and then that trick with the mirror was very cool. It definitely left me very eager to start book number two.

Anyways, what do you think? Feel free to agree or disagree with anything I said or add your own thoughts or questions in the comment area.

Also, here's a poll to get us started - please add your answers below:

1. Which Harry Potter book is your favorite?
2. If you could be one of the characters in the 1st book, who would you be and why?
3. Do you think the Sorting Hat assigned Harry to the right house?
4. Pop quiz: at one point in book one Harry gets something on his wand that looked like "lumpy gray glue", do you remember what this really was?
5. If Diagon Alley did indeed exist, what would be the first place you would visit and why?
6. How many times have you read the first book?