Do Harry Potter Books Have to Be Read in Order?

A common question many Harry Potter fans get asked is: do I need to read the series in order? It’s a valid question because many book series don’t tell the plot chronologically but go back and forth between past and present. But in what order should you read Harry Potter?

You should read Harry Potter books in order because J.K. Rowling tells the story in a linear trajectory. The story follows Harry Potter chronologically when he’s an 11-year-old to a 17-year-old. Not reading the series in order would reveal many spoilers and leave you confused about the plot.

In this article, I’ll give you the best reading order for the Harry Potter series. I’ll also include some reasons why that reading order is the best. Since Rowling published additional books related to the Harry Potter universe, I’ll include those in the reading order.

The Best Reading Order for Harry Potter Books

Many book series love to tell the story using different narrative modes. The most popular of these is following a plot through retrospective narration. It means the plot returns to the past and leaves the present action for later. However, Harry Potter books aren’t like that.

Harry Potter uses linear narration. The plot follows the protagonist (Harry) chronologically. Sure, there are some moments where characters have flashbacks, but the main action always moves chronologically.

That’s why the best reading order for Harry Potter books is the original publication order, which is:

Another common question from people who want to start reading the series is: can I skip some books? The short answer is: no. Each book reveals some important clue or character that is relevant for later books.

For instance, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Firedoesn’t necessarily revolve around the main action of the series. The plot is about a tournament at Hogwarts. However, there are some crucial episodes in this part you can’t miss. Otherwise, you wouldn’t understand the action of the subsequent book.

Before you even ask the third common question, let me stop you and invite you to read my article, How Long Does It Take To Read All Harry Potter Books? You’ll find the detailed answer for individual books in the series.

The Reading Order With Additional Books From Harry Potter Universe

If you want to expand your Harry Potter universe, you can do so with additional books and screenplays Rowling wrote after the Harry Potter series. These books don’t discuss the action of Harry Potter directly. They tackle plots before and after Harry Potter’s six years at Hogwarts.

You should start with these books:

The action of these books happened long before Harry was even born, so chronologically, you should read them first. After that, read the seven Harry Potter books in order and switch to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This book is a screenplay that follows Harry’s son years after Harry defeated Voldemort.

Why You Should Read Harry Potter Books In Order

Of course, you can pick any Harry Potter book and start reading it regardless of the order. However, Harry Potter fans are strict about the reading order because the series is a sacred object that must be read chronologically. There are some practical reasons for reading the series in order:

Final Thoughts

You should read Harry Potter books as they were published because the plot follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione chronologically (most of the time). That’s why the best reading order for Harry Potter is:

That way, you won’t spoil any important names or details from subsequent books.

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