Which Famous Authors Would HP Characters Read?

There are so many books mentioned in the Harry Potter series that I wish I could read. From Hogwarts, A History to The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle, I’d love to make a trip to Flourish & Blotts and buy everything on the shelves. Though, of course, there are a few books I’d want to avoid — I’d rather not have a copy of Tom Riddle’s diary, and Hagrid’s Monster Book of Monsters doesn’t sound like something I’d want on my bookshelf. And I’d rather not grab a book off the shelf, open it, and have a screaming face pop out at me (imagine grabbing a book like that, thinking it was your textbook, and opening it during class…).

But what if, instead of a Muggle wandering into a wizarding bookshop, the characters of Harry Potter found their way into a Muggle bookshop? Though the pictures in non-magical paperbacks might not move, books are enchanting in their own right, and with the vast selection, the whole Hogwarts crew would be sure to find something to their liking. So the question is this: if Harry, Ron, and Hermione had spent their years perusing the shelves of The Strand or Barnes & Noble instead of the restricted section of the Hogwarts library, which authors would have been their favorites?

Albus Dumbledore Would Read William Shakespeare

To purchase thick woolen socks, or to not purchase thick woolen socks... that is the question... Partly witty, partly serious, and always quotable, Albus Dumbledore would identify with the iconic William Shakespeare.

Minerva McGonagall Would Read Virginia Woolf

Sassy, strong-willed, and influential, Professor McGonagall would no doubt turn to the writings of Virginia Woolf. After all, a woman needs an office of her own if she's going to be one of the best Hogwarts professors ever, and Woolf would completely agree.

Viktor Krum Would Read Jane Austen

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Quidditch player in possession of a broken heart thanks (ahem Viktor Krum) would be a huge fan of Jane Austen's happily-ever-after novels.

Luna Lovegood Would Read Lewis Carroll

From falling down rabbit holes to oddball poetry to creatures you've never heard of before (mock turtle? Bandersnatch? Jabberwock??), Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland would be Luna Lovegood's go-to read.

Remus Lupin Would Read Kazuo Ishiguro

When he's not reading Twilight: New Moon and watching Teen Wolf, Remus Lupin would totally be into Kazuo Ishiguro. From the haunting Never Let Me Go to the beautifully written The Remains of the Day, these novels would appeal to Lupin's sense of love, loss, and complex internal life.

Lavender Brown Would Read John Green

Emotional and sweet Lavender Brown would most likely be a fan of John Green's novels. Since her relationship with Ron didn't exactly end on a high note, she would find solace in love stories where the ending might not be perfect, but the protagonist has a coming-of-age moment along the way.

Sirius Black Would Read Jack London

Nature! Short stories! Dogs! Sirius Black, who probably wouldn't sit through many long-winded classics, would definitely enjoy a Jack London story now and then.

Ginny Weasley Would Read J.R.R. Tolkien

Tolkien says in The Fellowship of the Ring that, "even the smallest person can change the course of the future," and can't you just see that as little but powerful Ginny Weasley's mantra? Ginny would definitely be a LOTR fan — her sense of adventure and sassy attitude would fit right in in Middle Earth.

Draco Malfoy Would Read Rainbow Rowell

Imagine Draco reading Fangirl. "My father will hear about this!"

Ron Weasley Would Read Bill Waterson

We already know that Ron likes comics (he owns a stack of Martin Miggs, after all), so it's safe to say that Ron would definitely be a fan of Calvin and Hobbes. He's all about friendship — he's basically the ultimate best friend — and he would totally be into all the crazy adventures that Calvin and Hobbes go on.

Fred And George Weasley Would Read Douglas Adams

When they weren't reading banned books (because obviously that would be their #1 priority), Fred and George would definitely be into Douglas Adams' humor in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Quirky, adventurous, and rebellious, Adams' voice would certainly speak to the Weasley twins.

Severus Snape Would Read Gabriel García Márquez

Though Snape would probably also enjoy The Remains of the Day, his go-to author would be Gabriel García Márquez. The passionate love stories would always speak to his tortured soul.

Harry Potter Would Read J.K. Rowling

When he's not reading Alexandre Dumas' exciting tales of adventure, or maybe skimming over The Hunger Games, Harry would obviously be a JKR fan. Duh.

Hermione Granger Would Read Everything

Naturally.

Images: Giphy (14), Warner Bros. (1)