Books

7 Things Every Potterhead Needs On Their Shelves

by Julia Seales

Harry Potter fans are often pretty opinionated. We think a lot about what Hogwarts house we’d be in (and which Ilvermorny house we’d be in), and we’d get into an argument about everything from which villain is the worst to whether or not we’ll read Cursed Child . We argue because we love it, though, and there's one thing we can all agree on: the things every Harry Potter fan needs on their bookshelf.

That's the one thing Potter fans really care about, right? The contents of their bookshelf. The placement of their favorite books. The condition of their first edition copies of Harry Potter. As someone who’s always arranging and rearranging her shelf, I understand the importance of having everything just so. Sadly, there’s no spell to automatically make your shelf look exactly as you want it to look, but there are still ways to add some magic. And Potter fans should be known for the clever ways they add magic to every situation — including organizing bookshelves.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. If you love Harry Potter, you need (or already have) the following things on your shelf.

1. Your Original Harry Potter Books

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Nothing beats your original copies of Harry Potter. These days, they're a little torn and weather-beaten from being read so much, but you wouldn't trade those dog-eared pages for anything. After all, they were your first introduction to the magic of Hogwarts and the wizarding world — so they'll be with you, always.

2. At Least One Harry Potter Collector's Edition Series

Even though you'd never get rid of your original Harry Potter copies, you can't resist getting some pretty copies, too. Those Harry Potter collector's editions just call your name. Personally, I have four copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone — my original version, a pretty copy, a British edition, and a French edition. All necessary, all adored.

3. Harry Potter Audiobooks

Whether you prefer the Jim Dale or the Stephen Fry version, you have to agree that the Hary Potter audiobooks are amazing and a must-listen to any true Potter fan. I still have all my books on cassette tape — long live the '90s!

4. J.K. Rowling's Other Novels

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From Cursed Child to the Cormoran Strike series, you're a faithful Rowling fan — which means you have every book she's ever written. You even read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them when it was just a novella with notes scribbled inside in Harry and Ron's handwriting.

5. Harry Potter Pop Bobbleheads

If you don't have any Harry Potter Pop bobbleheads, you've at least considered purchasing some. These days, I hardly see a picture of an Harry Potter fan's bookshelf without seeing a few bobbleheads displayed as well. And it's hardly surprising — they're irresistibly adorable.

6. Other Harry Potter-Inspired Decor

From Hogwarts-inspired candles to wand displays, Harry Potter fans can't help showing off their love by decking out their shelves with Potter-themed decor. Pop Bobbleheads just aren't enough — we can't stop until our shelves look as magical as the inside of a Harry Potter book.

7. Books Recommended For Fans Of Harry Potter

Harry Potter fans love the original series, but they also recognize that sometimes you need to expand your horizons and read other books, too — of course, most of these books probably come from lists of books you'll enjoy if you're obsessed with Harry Potter. Who can blame us? We know what we love.

Images: Juniper Books (1), Instagram/booksenchanted (2), Etsy/LaurensLeakyCauldron (1), Instagram/fictiontea (1)