I was a relatively latecomer to the series as well. I didn't actually get into the series until I was in high school. I mean, I know that sounds kind of odd, but it was in year 7 or 8, so I was 11/12/13. I knew of the series in primary school, but I never read any, to the best of my knowledge. I think I might've picked one or two of the books up and skimmed over them, but never took much notice. (Looking back, I would definitely have read them then if I felt the way I do about them now.) Then, when I was in year 7 or 8 (I'm really unsure which it was), my sister started buying the books from our local bookstore, as they were clearing them out (this was 2004/5), in one of those book bins, like 5 for $10, then they discounted them, so it was 5 for $5. My sister got some of the books I didn't because by the time I took an interest in the series after reading her copy of #2, (she didn't have #1; I have it now, but I had to buy it through eBay as nowhere had it) when we went to the store, she was just looking for the ones she didn't have, and I was looking to start (and expand) my collection. Then, after I had read all the ones me and my sister bought, I checked out our local libraries, and my school library, and they had a few of the ones I hadn't read yet, so I read those, then bought some off eBay.