Hollie’s Comments (group member since Dec 17, 2018)

Hollie’s comments from the Safety in numbers, never go into a book alone. #Group Reads group.

This is where you can find out what book has been chosen for the month ahead and also look back on the previous books we have read together throughout the year.

Just finished, I can see why this one is not many people’s favourite out of the series, for me I felt that it didn’t have as many quirky magical elements as the philosophers stone, e.g Bertie’s every flavour beans. However I did find the whole “maturing of the mandrakes” VERY funny and entertaining. It does have to be said how cleverly written this book is, and unlike some other books I have read, all the plots have added up perfectly and I have finished this book with no unanswered questions which to me is very important!

We will definitely set “The Forgotten Garden” as a group read after the Harry Potter series! I will save it especially to read with you Dana! : ) x

I got bought a Kate Morton book!: The forgotten garden. It looks so good x

Hi! I hope you had a lovely Christmas everyone! I did! Yes I got 3 books as gifts Dana, and also bought a few books for people as gifts. Unfortunately I only have time to read one book per month at the moment. Which books did you get? And more Kate Morton? X

Dana wrote: "So I am up to page 140, chapter 9 The Writing on the Wall
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yep I can not work out who I dislike most out of the Malfoys and the Dursleys right now, it’s interesting how they obviously have very clear differences, but I dislike them for the same reason which is that they are both sickeningly snobby! It would be interesting if the Dursley’s didn’t have such a problem with the wizarding world and they met the Malfoy’s I think they would probably get on like a house on fire. The main topic of conversation being Harry and not in a good way! Lockhart is VERY cringeworthy, but I do think it is very sad that he feels that he has to make up all these lies in order to be liked. (Possibly very insecure underneath it all) (hide spoiler)]

Hi Dana, so sorry to hear that you have been feeling poorly! I hope reading “Chamber of Secrets” has helped to pass the time and take your mind off it a bit, please keep us updated on how you are feeling. It’s lovely that your cat can obviously sense that you need to be looked after. I have just about half way through “chamber of secrets” grabbing reading time when I can, (frantically trying to get organised for Christmas lol) I am enjoying it so far but not as much as “The philosopher’s stone”. It has been so long since I read the books and have never actually read books 5,6 + 7 so I am going to decide on my favourite once I have read them all. Really hope you feel better soon Dana, I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but it’s soooo cold here, if it’s the same where you are make sure you stay snuggled up warm in bed with an extra blanket and some fluffy bed socks until you feel better xxx

There you are Kendra! Don’t work too hard, remember how important it is to make time for yourself (not always easy I know). Have a lovely Christmas and will look forward to reading with you in the new year x

I am so happy to say that today is the day that we set off on our second Harry Potter adventure, as I am definitely NOT ready to leave J.K Rowling’s wonderful world of witchcraft and Wizardry yet and can not wait to begin a second year at Hogwarts. Enjoy!

DECEMBER: (FANTASY)

That will be such lovely bonding time with your nephew! I bet you can’t wait x

Finished!! I would love to know how many people young and old this book commenced a love of reading for, I am sure there are so many! J.K Rowling has totally created a whole new world and brought it to life in such a way that I had to keep reminding myself that this book is unfortunately of the fiction genre. (Fortunate in the way that we don’t have an insanely evil Voldemort trying to take over the world but very unfortunate that there are sadly no such things as the ability travel by broomstick, invisibility cloaks, baby dragons... I could go on and on!)
I just can not wait until my little boy is old enough for him and I to read this book together. I know he will love it! Until that day this book will sit safely on my shelf waiting to welcome him into this wonderful world of magic. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this book, 5 stars all the way!

I just want to say that yes we are reading the Harry Potter series at the month but I understand that Harry Potter is not for everyone and that this is going to take a few months for us to get through. So if anyone has any other books of any genres they would like to read as a group rather than alone please let me know and I will make monthly discussion threads for these books.

I don’t know if it’s just in general that books tend to get a stronger message across than films but as I am reading the book, (view spoiler)[ the hatred Ron and Harry (not just Ron) both seem to feel for Hermione before their beautiful friendship formed seems so strong! In the film I got the impression that Ron disliked her somewhat, but nothing like the extreme intensity that I am getting from reading the book! Has anyone else found this? <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

Me too!!! Im so glad you are enjoying this group read!! Reading these books again has reminded me how much better they are than the films! And I love the films! X

That’s exactly where I am Dana! X

I hate it when someone really hypes up and recommends a book to me and no matter how hard I try, I can’t see why they loved it so much! Well done for making it to the end though, it’s not easy when you feel like you are wasting precious reading time by reading something that you are not enjoying. Don’t forget we are reading the philosopher’s stone on the other thread. Sounds like you could do with a proper story after the book you have just read xxx

Well, I am up to page 33 (view spoiler)[ and I just can not get over how vile the Dursleys are to Harry! He has already won my love! (hide spoiler)]

Have you never read the Harry Potter books or seen the films Sara? X

Wow I can’t imagine having two homes, sounds like a lot of traveling x