In 2006, I read The Lost Colony, the fifth book in Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series. Fast forward nine years to Today: I have finally completed the series as an adult.

I found Books 6, 7, and 8 thanks to Goodreads. I marked them as “to-read” without any plans to make them a priority since I’ve spent the majority of my adult life reading adult YA books. However, friends of ours asked Anthony for a list of books I would like for my birthday – series books specifically. Artemis Fowl was at the top of that list.

Last night after reading the last page and closing the book, I had the familiar “It’s over” feeling that accompanies every book series I finish. It’s a mix of sadness, relief, and joy.

After sleeping on it, however, I am thankful for the chance I had to finish the series. I was given a chance to read and own any book series and Artemis Fowl was the one I chose. That chance gave me the opportunity to live out and return to a piece of my childhood. Holly, Artemis, Commander Root, Foaly, and Butler flooded back to the forefront of my imagination for two short months. I will never know for sure, but I am almost certain these characters introduced me to my love for fantasy and magic. They helped prepare the way for the stories of Harry Potter, Kvothe, Eragon, Tavi, and others.

I will miss them and their adventures, but they sit on the book shelf in the officey-writing corner of our small house where their lesson will not soon be forgotten:

Books I started reading in middle school do not have to stay unfinished because of my age. They are welcome in my grown-up home.

I am excited to take a closer look at other series my younger self has started.

What about you? What books from your childhood do you wish to finish?