From the Bookshelf of 2015 Reading Challenge [Closed]…

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

J.K. Rowling

Discussion: . Week 1: More Than 500 Pages

Why we're reading this: Great for weeks 1, 3, 9, 40, and more!
[close] Great for weeks 1, 3, 9, 40, and more!

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. Week 1: More Than 500 Pages

* Week 1: Introduction
By Jessica · 102 posts · 1093 views

last updated Aug 11, 2015 02:06PM

* Week 1: Progress Post
By Jessica · 100 posts · 421 views

last updated Nov 06, 2015 06:29AM

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What Members Thought

Jun 01, 2009 Kat rated it liked it · review of another edition

I can still remember the first time I was introduced to Harry Potter. I was in year 4 at primary school (around 1999 / 2000) and my teacher Mr B told us about this fantastic book that he’d read to his class the year before and that he wanted to read to us. There was something special about reading the book (and the Chamber of Secrets) with Mr B that year. I’ll never forget our class debates on the pronunciation of Hermione – we couldn’t decide between the correct (Her-My-Oh-Nee) and our version I can still remember the first time I was introduced to Harry Potter. I was in year 4 at primary school (around 1999 / 2000) and my teacher Mr B told us about this fantastic book that he’d read to his class the year before and that he wanted to read to us. There was something special about reading the book (and the Chamber of Secrets) with Mr B that year. I’ll never forget our class debates on the pronunciation of Hermione – we couldn’t decide between the correct (Her-My-Oh-Nee) and our version (Her-Me-Oh-Nee) which now sounds totally wrong to my years but which sounded logical back then.

Despite this I’ve never been an ultra fan of the Harry Potter series. I’ve always wanted to experience the magic that many fans describe but I’ve never had that. I have read all seven books (and seen the first 5 movies) though so they aren’t terrible. I just haven’t found them as shocking or surprising or intriguing as I could have.

Regardless I’ve decided to read them again. I’m older now. I don’t think I’ve read the first book for at least 4 years and prior to that it was probably with Mr B so it’s been a while. So I thought maybe now I’m older I may be able to appreciate them a bit more – I never liked Northern Lights when I was younger either but quite enjoyed it when read later on.

Honestly though I still don’t love the first book even though it holds such good memories for me. But as the first book in the series I think it serves its purpose well. It sets up the future books and it gives a good introduction to characters you know you will be spending a lot of time with.

The story and the characters are fairly good. I’ve always loved books involving magic, witchcraft and wizardry so that sort of stuff always appeals to me. Perhaps some of the Harry Potter world isn’t overly original – I’ve read some interesting comparisons between Harry Potter and The Worst Witch (which I absolutely adored). Magic seems to be far easier in the Harry Potter world though than I’ve always imagined it too be.

Of the books characters I think Hermione is my favourite. She’s the character I can identify the most with although there’s probably more than a little bit (and more than I’d care to admit) of Neville there too. Actually some of the time I care more about Neville than I do about Harry.

I also have a great fondness for the teachers (probably more so than the students a lot of the time). I especially like McGonagall and Snape of the adult cast and wish there was more about them in there.

I’m still hoping I’ll discover the magic of Harry Potter somewhere between books 2 – 7. Somewhere between the pages of books marked with my name so that I could take them to school and people would know which was mine and which was there’s. I’d love to find that magic.
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May 22, 2009 Christina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, audible, classics-modern, rory-gilmore, pbsthegreatamericanread, obama, 1000_book_challenge, book-depository

I remember reading this for the first time. I was transported, mesmerized by a magical world that could be along side my own. Over 15 years later it is still magical! For this re-read I actually listened to the audiobook read by Jim Dale. This is one I will re-read and enjoy over and over.

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