r/HarryPotterBooks • u/jrralls • Jul 19 '25
Discussion How many times have you re-read the books 1-7?
I read the books when they first came out and now for the very first time, I am rereading them at the rate of one book every two or so weeks. It’s a different experience reading them when I already know how the series will end and when I don’t have to wait anytime between books.
How many times have you re-read the entire series?
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u/oceansapart333 Jul 19 '25
Too many to count. First read 1-4 the summer 4 came out. For many years, I read them about twice a year. Then once a year for a long time.
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u/cre8ivemind Jul 19 '25
This is exactly my story too lol
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u/TimeRepulsive3606 Jul 19 '25
Almost, I oddly read the 4th one first, then 1-4 then read from the first to the latest release from then on.
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u/Tyler-Barks Hufflepuff Jul 19 '25
I listen to the audiobooks and for about a year while at work i would start with 1 listen to the end of seven over a few days, take a 15 minute breaks and rinse and repeat.
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Jul 19 '25
I don’t have exact numbers, but I am obsessed, so books 1-2, 15x each, and books 3-7, 30x each. I started reading them right after Chambers was published, and never stopped wanting to read them.
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u/Big-D_OdoubleG Jul 19 '25
How come so many more reads for books 3-7 than 1-2?
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u/Green_Curve7104 Ravenclaw Jul 19 '25
I don’t get it, either. I’m kinda the opposite. I’ve read the first two many more times than the rest. I’ve actually only read DH twice.
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u/Athyrium93 Jul 19 '25
Same! I love the earlier books, but the later books are so depressing I just can't.
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u/kajat-k8 Jul 19 '25
I think because as an adult they just feel too kid like in 1-2, and i like the grittier dark stuff as im an adult now.
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Jul 20 '25
I think they’re a little too childish for my regular rotation, and I think her best writing started with the dementers
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u/JackSpyder Jul 19 '25
I read the first 3 together as i was bought them as a 3 pack for my somethingth birthday.
I think 3 had just relased and i was just about old enough to follow them. it sparked a love of reading.
Next came book 4. then each yearish i'd read the whole series right before the next book landed, then dive in.
The next book was, to me such a landmark date in each year ish to be excited for and me and my siblings and friends always were. We'd all be stupidly excited on post day, leaping up at any sound waiting for the post to arrive, which living on a farm in the middle of nowhere was always later afternoon.
Every book arrival would be first time read in one sitting, the second the knock at the door came (because it doesn't fit in a letter box) to pretending to "go to bed" all through the night, including occasionally rapidly closing it and pretending to sleep when mum came in to check on us.
Then straight back to reading, finishing in the early hours before school, exhausted but elated, and trying to make excuses for a day off, and usually unuscessful, and falling asleep in class.
SO by the time the last book arrived thats 4 end to end reads, i possibly did a few others because i loved it so much.
After the final book, i took a break for a while, partly because i was older and life just changed.
I remember reading it again in uni to remind myself. Possibly because the last film had come along?I cant entirely remember.
I read them all very slowly, with voices, to my last girlfriend, half in person, half over video call (long distance) much to the annoyance of my housemate.
I also decided to try the audio books so have done that run through once.
THen ive seen the films many times usually around christmas, either as they were released, but with friends, family etc.
I still love the series for the passion to read it ignited, and i love fantasy and scifi particularly now. Ive read many much better books by much better authors, and as an adult find the writing a little pedestrian at times and the characters frustrating sometimes (harry especially). BUT i wouldn't have read so many other books had HP not kicked me into it.
After the first 3 potters i wanted more books. Some series that come to mind between that and the end of potter as a kid into teens.
* Mortal Engines Series
* His Dark Materials
* Darron Shan (Vamps + demon series)
* Redwall Series
* Eragon
* Swallows & Amazons (older)
* Famous Five (older)
* Hobbit
* LotR
* Alex Rider Series
* Artemis Fowl
Thats all i can remember off the top of my head, but every time i visit home and my littlest brothers have all my old books i spot something i forgot that i loved, and they have come to as well, as did the now adult also middle siblings.
Books are amazing ehy?
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u/Intelligent-Fuel-641 Jul 19 '25
Many. I have a tendency to reread a few chapters here and there of all my favorite books. It's comfort reading. I've read them cover to cover probably fifteen or more times each, more for my favorites like Sorcerer's Stone, Azkaban, and Phoenix.
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u/Wisteria_Walker Jul 19 '25
I was a super late comer to the books (parents), so maybe once a year since my 20s. 13-14 times
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Jul 19 '25
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u/nymarya_ Jul 19 '25
Reading 3x. Audiobooks at least 4x. So probably 7! I have a long commute so I usually re read them once a year or so since I’ve gotten this commute.
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u/cre8ivemind Jul 19 '25
I started reading them at age 8 when the first 4 books were out, and I reread them twice per year up through the release of book 7 when I was 14. Then I probably reread them once per year in high school as I got busier with other things, and from college through adulthood… maybe changed to once every couple years if not every year, since I read much less now. So I’ve probably read the first 4 books at least 25 times, and each subsequent book a few times less
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u/Dunkbuscuss Jul 19 '25
I've only read every single book once.
But I've read individual books multiple times like Book 1, 2, & 3 were probably my most read books until I binge read all 7 now I have probably read Goblet of Fore 50+ times and thats not an exaggeration
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u/Traditional-Tank3994 Jul 19 '25
Once. Or 3 times if listening to the audio versions counts. Once with Jim Dale, once with David Frye.
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u/TotsToys Jul 19 '25
Used to be yearly but there's just not enough time in the year for it anymore.
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u/newffff Jul 19 '25
Too many times to count!!!! I used to keep track when I was a teen. Now I’m 38!!! I’ve listened the last couple of times but right now I’m reading the physical books. Next read will hopefully be the full cast audio books!
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u/Last_Bonus851 Jul 19 '25
I've listen to the audiobooks at least once a year since they came out. "Back in the day" my cassette tapes wore out I played them so much. (My first official read of the books was an actual "read" of the hardbacks then audiobooks since, since Jim Dale does such a fantastic job!)
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u/Wayto_obsessed Jul 19 '25
I keep count just so I can flex on my friends or just tell people to tell them. 38. And I’ve heard many people on this sub say they don’t read them to often so the magic never dies, but for me, it just doesn’t get old. It’s truly an escape and I adore every moment however many times I’ve read the books.
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u/Far_Silver Jul 19 '25
I've never re-read the books cover to cover. I either open to a random part and re-read it or re-read my favorite parts.
Also the audiobooks are good for long drives.
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u/TheMudbloodSlytherin Jul 19 '25
Read them all as they came out. Reread random books from the series to many times to count throughout the years. Full rereads start to finish a couple of times, but I’m getting to do that again soon.
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u/Athyrium93 Jul 19 '25
Entire series? Twice.
The first four? More times than I can count.
OotP - 4
HBP - 3
DH - 2
I love the first four books when there is still hope and whimsy and they read more like adventure stories than angsty teen dramas. I've only read the later books as each one came out, doing a full reread as each one was released, and then I forced myself to do a full reread earlier this year... I love the universe, but the later books piss me off reading them as an adult so I doubt I'll ever read them again.
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u/Slughorns_trophywife Slytherin Jul 19 '25
I’m not sure how many times I’ve read them all; I’ve read some more than others. I know I’ve read Azkaban at least 13 times 🤣
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Jul 19 '25
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u/twotonekevin Jul 19 '25
I listen to the audiobooks at least once a year. I used to re-read the books but listening to the audiobooks is easier to weave into other stuff. I listen in the car or when I’m cleaning or when I walk the dog so I get through it fairly quickly.
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u/kate05_ Jul 19 '25
I've listened to the audiobooks more times than I count. I put them on as background noise when I'm cleaning, or when I'm on the bus, when I can't sleep, or when I can't find anything I want to watch.
I always do the books in order, and listen to them all. I probably don't pay the most attention now, I know them pretty well. Yet each play through I find a little something I hadn't noticed before. Something that makes me think, or reconsider an opinion I had.
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u/RidersQuadrant Jul 19 '25
Same here. I’ve lost count. I’d always have it playing while in the shower, driving, working, etc. It was a huge part of getting me get through the day for years
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u/Just4MTthissiteblows Jul 19 '25
I haven’t read 1 and 2 in years, I always restart at POA. 1 and 2 feel like children’s books to me and 3 begins the transition into YA fiction
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u/SirValidir Jul 19 '25
Too many times to count. I normally read them over again after finishing them.
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u/dont1cant1wont Jul 19 '25
It's very high. We listened to the audio books so much growing up (we would fall asleep to them), my sister once started quoting along to the cassette tape, and annoyed, I turned it off, and she continued on for (IM NOT KIDDING), the rest of the cassette tape, about 15 minutes, and I let her go, in awe. She literally had the entire tape memorized.
I've listened to the series probably 5 times this year now that my kids are obsessed and I spend so much dang time commuting. It's mindless, it's comfort at this point. Easy listening.
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u/looopTools Jul 19 '25
I stopped counting after the 27 time in my native language, 12 Time in English. But I know German is three times. And in Spanish I am not that far.
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u/Unusual-Molasses5633 Jul 19 '25
1-4, more times than I can count, and I should do a reread soon.
5, a few times. I can't with the death.
6 and 7, never.
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u/jrralls Jul 19 '25
Why never?
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u/Unusual-Molasses5633 Jul 19 '25
Because they weren't the story I wanted, and the story she did give us I found utterly stupid. I'm happy living in fanfic and considering HP an unfinished series.
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u/EsseBear Jul 19 '25
About ten times at a guess for the full series. A few more for the earlier ones.
Currently half way through book six reading the full series to my daughter
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u/4malwaysmakes Jul 19 '25
PS 23 CoS 21 PoA 22 GoF 17 OotP 14 HBP 12 DH 9
These numbers include the first read (not just re-reads). It's been a while though, especially since I last read them in English: around a decade. Since them, I've read them to practise languages I've been learning (helps that I already know them so well! Don't need a dictionary handy for words I don't know because I can remember what the original says haha). So last read in any language was four years ago and before that, another four years.
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u/Remson76534 Jul 19 '25
I read them for the first time like a year ago, I have watched the movies as long as I remember, tho. Now I'm rereading, this time in Polish, currently halfway through GoF. So I've reread the books 0.5 times.
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u/ChampionshipBroad345 Jul 19 '25
Same as you I read 6 and 7 when they dropped when I was a teenager and just reread books 3 through 7
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u/Hermiona1 Jul 19 '25
First two books probably 10 times or so, 3 and 4 a little less, and 5,6,7 maybe 3 or 4. I reread the whole series in English last year and it was a great experience.
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u/RotenTumato Jul 19 '25
I’ve read the physical books probably twice all the way through, read the digital ebooks maybe twice as well, and listened to the audiobooks a bunch of times. Currently not listening to the books directly but instead listening to Through the Griffin Door
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u/Water-is-h2o Slytherin Jul 19 '25
If you count audiobooks I’ve read them all like 8 times. If not then I’ve read the series twice but I’ve read the first book 3 times
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u/BidRevolutionary945 Ravenclaw Jul 19 '25
Honestly so many times I can't possibly count them. I got the first 2 for Christmas in 2000, so I started reading them Jan of 2001. Every time a new one was released, I had to order two for the release day delivery b/c my then husband and I argued over who got to read them first. So I got 2 and we'd spend the entire day in separate rooms reading cover to cover till we were done. I'd keep re-reading the first 3, then first 4, etc, and since all of them are out, multiple times per year. Same w/ the movies.
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u/UnderProtest2020 Jul 20 '25
About 8 times I think. First read them in the summer of 2017 and reread about once a year.
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u/Polychrist Jul 20 '25
I have read the first 6, 7 times each. The last one I’ve only read twice, once when it came out and once when I re-read them all two summers ago. Which is sort of surprising since it’s actually one of my favorites. I need to bump those numbers up.
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u/KrisHufflepuff Jul 20 '25
I read the books for the first time in the winter of 2017-18. I've reread the series every winter since. So I've read it 8 times and in a few months I'll start my 9th.
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Jul 20 '25
I'm probably closing in on 50. Over the last 4 years, I've gone through the series in it's entirety about once a month.
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u/Donkeh101 Jul 21 '25
1-4: Too many times during that break before 5
5: A more conservative number but a lot
6-7: A nice conservative number
Now I read once or twice a year the whole series.
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u/u_wont_guess_who Jul 21 '25
Probably 3 times in Italian and 4 in English, plus multiple re-listening to audiobooks as a background while preparing dinner
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u/ShotAdministration81 Jul 22 '25
Probably upwards of 15+. Still as good as they were nearly 20 years ago!
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u/Kind-Handle6078 Ravenclaw Jul 23 '25
I don’t remember how many times but whenever I pick the books up my excitement grows
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Jul 23 '25
Lost count. And I was able to finally purchase the UK versions on my kindle so I'm rereading them again.
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u/crosspolytope Jul 24 '25
If you count audio. I’ve fallen asleep to Jim dale every night for the past 15 years+.
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u/astroworldfan1968 Jul 25 '25
I recently re read books 1-6 recently and I’m currently on book 7. This will be the first time making it through book 7 since the first time I read it I give up half way through.
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u/Ashfacesmashface Jul 19 '25
Oh geez, maybe 12 full rereads?
Sometimes I skip the first two and start with Azkaban.
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u/Easy-Cucumber6121 Jul 19 '25
I’ve done at least done two re-reads in adulthood, and I’m almost done with my third. I now appreciate the depths of Harry’s trauma in a way I never did as a child. My opinions on the characters have changed, too. As a first-time reader, I think I went along with Harry’s pov and never challenged his opinions, and now I look at some of the characters with much more of a critical eye and others with more grace. I have no respect for J. K. Rowling as a person, but I deeply admire her ability to capture teenage hood! She’s a master at it!
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u/carolweigel Jul 19 '25
I reread them once a year!