How many Harry Potter books are there and what is the order?

There are seven main books in the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling: "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (published as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the United States), followed by "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", then "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", after that comes "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", followed by "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", next is "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and finally "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". There are also several companion books to the series, including "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "The Tales of Beedle the Bard", as well as a screenplay for the first film and several spin-off books written by J.K. Rowling herself, but these seven novels are generally considered the core of the series.

The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, consists of seven fantasy novels published between 1997 and 2007. Here are the books in the series listed in chronological order by publication date: 1. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (published as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the United States) - June 26, 1997 2. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” - July 2, 1998 3. “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” - July 8, 1999 4. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” - July 8, 2000 5. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” - June 21, 2003 6. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” - July 16, 2005 7. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” - July 21, 2007

While reading the Harry Potter series out of chronological order might not reveal major plot points or character developments, there are some intriguing Easter eggs and hidden references waiting to be discovered. For instance, 'Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists' features a mysterious book titled 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' which contains spells and stories from the wizarding world. However, in the original publication of the series, this book was only mentioned in passing, and its contents weren't revealed until the companion volume 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' was published in 2008. Another example can be found in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', where a mysterious, ancient-looking tome is referenced as a possible lost book by Newt Scamander. This book has since been included in the companion guide of the same name. These hidden references demonstrate that J.K. Rowling cleverly wove subtle connections throughout her series, even when reading out of chronological order. As for the number of books in the series, to answer your question directly: there are seven main books, three companion volumes, and five spin-off books written by J.K. Rowling and other authors set within the Harry Potter universe.

Reading the Harry Potter series is a highly personal and often debated topic, with many fans swearing by specific orderings to fully immerse themselves in the magical world of J.K. Rowling. However, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, as each book can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a larger narrative arc. The seven-book series consists of: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. While some readers recommend reading the books in publication order (1-7), others prefer to group them chronologically or focus on a specific storyline. Ultimately, the best way to read the series is the way that resonates with you personally, allowing you to experience the magic of Hogwarts without distraction or interruption.

If you're new to the wizarding world, it's generally recommended to start with 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' (published as 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' in the United States). This book introduces readers to the main character, Harry Potter, and sets the stage for the rest of the series. From there, you can easily follow along with the subsequent books, which chronicle Harry's journey through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.