Rowling, J.K ; Harry Potter and the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone (Harry Potter #1) - Informal Buddy Read; Start date November 10, 2014 - REVISIT - July 5, 2017 - REVISIT - 12 May 2018 - REVISIT Sept 1, 2020

[Silje]

I managed to finish the rest of the book on the drive back home!

There was so much I had forgotten about, things that the movie doesn't include (and sadly I've seen the movie twenty more times than I've read the book).

(view spoiler)[ For instance, I had completely forgotten that there was a Hogwarts Song, that you sing in a tune of your own choosing, hilarious!=)
Wen Harry discovered the magic mirror (can't remember the name right now..), I was a bit disturbed at how taken he was with the image he saw, and I hadn't realized that he saw his grandparents as well. His longing for a real family is so strong!
This time around, since I know what happens, I also notice all the little clues Rowling has placed in order for us to figure out that it is Quirrell who is the person going after the stone.
There is also Harry's question about how Voldemort tried to kill him specifically and his mother was just in the way. Just one of many references to the revelations that will come... (hide spoiler)]
It was so much fun reading this again, I will simply go right ahead with the second one=)

[Emelie]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Emelie wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "In a way, the first chapters kind of remind me of Matilda - with the mean or at least clueless adults and the speci..."

I think it's because book!Ginny is a much more fully fleshed out character with her own agenda, life, personality. In the films, she just seemed to be there just because there happen's to be a Ginny in the books.

[ClaireB]

Emelie wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Emelie wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "In a way, the first chapters kind of remind me of Matilda - with the mean or ..."

That's probably it. I watched the movies before reading the books and I remember thinking that (book 6 (view spoiler)[Ginny's relationship with Harry made no sense, and it completely came out of the blue. (hide spoiler)]) I didn't really feel that whilst reading the books. It has to be because the character development is lacking in the movies.

[Cheryl]

Today, as I was listening to the book, while Hagrid was telling Harry more about the truth that had been held back from Harry by his Aunt and Uncle, I wondered if there could ever possibly be a prequel Harry Potter series (like they ended up doing with the Star Wars franchise) where they go back a generation and flesh out more of Harry's parents' youth and others mentioned in the books. I know that they have a lot of their stories revealed throughout the series, but I think there could be a whole fun series of books with James and Lily, the Weasleys, etc. Even more with younger Hagrid, etc.

[maria helena]

I’m loving the contrast between the Dursleys and Hagrid, and how they interact with Harry. They are all such great characters.

I think the first book might be my favourite. It is a joy to start the journey over again, and every time I read the books I think I discover something new, or interpret the dialogue slightly different.

[SandyL]

I know this was mentioned earlier by someone else, but it's cracking me up how ambivalent Harry and Ron feel about Hermione at the beginning of this book - (view spoiler)["Hermione was now refusing to speak to Harry and Ron, but she was such a bossy know-it-all that they saw this as an added bonus." (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

I've always identified with Hermione, ever since I read about her frizzy hair :) Haha but yeah I love the comment you cited Sandy. :)

[SandyL]

And now I've just read the part where they became friends.. so sweet!

[Deanna]

Just getting started today and read through chapter 5. The escalation in letter deliveries always makes me laugh. I often wonder how much amusement Dumbledore got from the Dursleys reactions to the letters. (view spoiler)[I can't decide which I like better: the letters in the eggs or the deluge from the fireplace. (hide spoiler)]

I'm not sure after the exchange at the robe shop that Harry and Draco ever had a chance at being friends. (view spoiler)[Once Draco insulted Hagrid, who was really the first person who was ever truly nice to Harry, it was impossible given how loyal Harry is to his friends in future books. (hide spoiler)]

[Emily]

I am here from Team Gilderoy Lockhart. Started today. On chapter 2.

[Kaley]

Devann wrote: "@Claire I just feel like SO MUCH of the trouble in this series could have been avoided if there wasn't a system set up that decided that 1/4th of all children are 'evil' when they are eleven years ..."

This is so true and so sad, because it really is the light that is painted on them because all the Dark wizards came from Slytherin ... but that doesn’t mean all Slytherins are bad! But they really do portray it that way

[Kaley]

Deanna wrote: "Just getting started today and read through chapter 5. The escalation in letter deliveries always makes me laugh. I often wonder how much amusement Dumbledore got from the Dursleys reactions to the..."

You are so right about that robes shop scene!

[Kaley]

Chapters 3-5

(view spoiler)[ I just think it is so precious that Hagrid buys Harry an owl. I don’t get the impression that Hagrid is well off (though I can’t remember ever being told one way or another through the series) and he just buys this owl, which I’m sure is probably expensive, for Harry because he already feels such a strong bond to him and wants to make sure he gets a present because he knows the Dursleys don’t give him any. Hagrid just has the biggest heart. (hide spoiler)]

[Alanna]

Hopping in for Team Luna, though I see some of my teammates are already here. I haven't done a reread since the 8th movie came out, so I'm also due for one!

[Suzanne]

Kaley wrote: "Devann wrote: "@Claire I just feel like SO MUCH of the trouble in this series could have been avoided if there wasn't a system set up that decided that 1/4th of all children are 'evil' when they ar..."

That's a good point. And I think that it kind of reflects a child-like view - because kids really compartmentalize - it takes quite awhile for them to discern that a person (or a house) isn't all bad or good.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Yeah, you would think with 4 houses, it wouldn't always be the 3 against 1 that it seems to be in these books.

[Joanne]

Just finished

Reading this book really is like coming home. I can't help but have a smile on my face.

Spoiler for book 5 or 6 (can't remember exactly)
(view spoiler)[Loved the little throwaway reference Harry makes to feeling like Snape can read minds. (hide spoiler)]

[Erika]

@Cheryl Have you ever checked out the Pottermore website? There are lots of interesting additions to the characters stories there.

[Emelie]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[The attempt of letter delivery was amusing, and it was interesting to see that the Dursley's has the ability to tell Dudley no. (hide spoiler)]

[Emelie]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry: Yes, same, that always annoyed me in the movies too.

--

It has always bothered me how badly the Slytherin's are considered, in general. The characteristics of Slytherin isn't bad in itself, either, and it seems kind of pointless to have a house full of people no one would ever trust or like. Even the adults in the universe seem to not like that house at all, though, obviously, the majority of the people coming out of that house is normal, good people - which kinda moots the thought that the hate we get to see is because of how children compartmentalize. Because children are also those that easier would see past labels and adult society opinions.

[Emelie]

Chapter 4.

(view spoiler)[Ah, so now the magic starts! I don't remember Hagrid being so angry and violent, and it's fun to re-read and get re-introduced to Harry's backstory, lots of details I've forgotten. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5.

(view spoiler)[I used to love this chapter as a kid. It's where we really get to be introduced to the magical world and it's just magical. The world building starts to get into shape, what with Harry talking with Draco and Draco presenting pureblooded elitist views.

And it always gets to me, scenes like where Hagrid is standing outside the shop, smiling and be happy, oblivious to what Draco is saying to me.

It was also super sweet, Harry's and Hagrid's day together, establishing that close connection they will have, the father figure Harry will find in Hagrid. (hide spoiler)]

[Caroline]

Hi guys, jumping in from team Filius Flitwick !

I just started the first book yesterday and it's like going back to childhood !! I am at the part where Mrs Dursley takes Harry to the zoo ! In my head it's a mix of movie and what I imagined as a teenager.

I didn't remembered that at the beginning the wizards were celebrating the departure of You-Know-Who, I was thinking they were hiding in fear he was coming back.

[Dev]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Yeah, you would think with 4 houses, it wouldn't always be the 3 against 1 that it seems to be in these books."

exactly, and at least for the first couple of books i don't really feel like hufflepuff or ravenclaw have that much of a presence so it's always like ...idk like hufflepuff and ravenclaw are just hiding behind gryffindor and thank god gryffindor is here to make sure those nasty slytherins don't win anything anymore! it does of course get better later in the series but at the beginning i'm just like #yikes lol

ALSO like even if the majority of people to come out of slytherin ARE bad [and i'm not saying that's true] then it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy bc like if you say 'this hosue is full of bad people' then obviously the more asshole-ish kids are gonna go 'i wanna be in slytherin' and kids who might have some slytherin traits like harry but don't see themselves as 'bad' are going to ask the hat not to put them there, so it's not like it all just happens organically or anything.

[Kaley]

Devann wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Yeah, you would think with 4 houses, it wouldn't always be the 3 against 1 that it seems to be in these books."

exactly, and at least for the first couple of books i don't ..."

Seriously! Gryffindor used to be my favorite House as a child but now as an adult I think it's probably my least favorite because of that haha

[Dev]

@Kaley haha yeah i feel like when the books first came out 90% of people identified as gryffindor and then we all calmed down a bit and realized that we don't have to be in the same house as the protagonist

[April]

So every time I read these books I hear/find something new.
I listened to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the 2nd time (Jim Dale is the best) and this is the first time I noticed how few students are accepted into Hogwarts each year.
10 per house, 5 boys and 5 girls. And JK only names 3 of the Griffindor girls the first year and all 5 boys.
Just thought u should know

[Sonia]

I'm not picking up my book till the end of the week, probably, but I am dying to revisit it. I used to re-read it a lot... but then the movie came out and I never did it again.

It will be a nice revisit. Specially with the nice house edition, because it is so pretty it helps to dive in the story already with a smile :D

[Sonia]

April wrote: "10 per house, 5 boys and 5 girls. And JK only names 3 of the Griffindor girls the first year and all 5 boys."

That isn't much. Sure there are at least another 3 schools that we know of, but if numbers are the same, that means 200ish students per year all around the globe? That makes sense when Hagrid said if not for the mix with muggles, wizard would be extinct.

[Sonia]

It also explains how easy for one dark wizard to dominate all around the planet so easily, because they are so few.

[Melissa]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Emelie wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Emelie wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "In a way, the first chapters kind of remind me of Matilda - wi..."

I agree that Harry and Ginny's relationship in the book is much more developed and makes much more sense. In the movies it does seem a little strange. I like the Ginny in the movies though. I think she is shown with a purpose but not as developed as in the books.

[Melissa]

Deanna wrote: "Just getting started today and read through chapter 5. The escalation in letter deliveries always makes me laugh. I often wonder how much amusement Dumbledore got from the Dursleys reactions to the..."

I read that part yesterday! It does crack me up the escalation of the letters. I love the fireplace part so much more. Just imaging a letter flying into the back of Dursley's head HAHA :D

[Melissa]

Caroline wrote: "Hi guys, jumping in from team Filius Flitwick !

I just started the first book yesterday and it's like going back to childhood !! I am at the part where Mrs Dursley takes Harry to the zoo ! In my h..."

Hey Caroline! I do the same - when I read the books I try to push out the images from the movies but I never can. Ever since I watched them I picture the Dursley's exactly as they are in the movies!

[Dev]

@April, yeah at one point I think someone asked JKR how many students were at Hogwarts and she said some really big number and people were like ??? how ??? since Harry's year seems to have like maybe 40 total and I know every class isn't going to be the same size but probably close i would think Hogwarts would only have around 300 students at any time

[Kirsten]

Devann wrote: "@Kaley haha yeah i feel like when the books first came out 90% of people identified as gryffindor and then we all calmed down a bit and realized that we don't have to be in the same house as the pr..."

Hah, I was pretty much Ravenclaw right out of the gate. :P I used to play a lot of RP forum type games online and my character was always a Ravenclaw (or many Hufflepuff once but never Gryffindor) lol.

[Dev]

Yeah I was always a Slytherin but I think for different reasons now than when I was a kid. When I was a kid it was just because I always had to be contrary but now it's because I can look at the world through a nuanced viewpoint. But I remember like you would go in stores and Gryffindor merch would be wiped out but all the other houses still had tons of stuff there lol

[Melissa]

Just getting to the part with the train. I always forget just how funny Fred and George really are in the books, especially with their mom. :)

[Eldarwen]

Melissa wrote: "Just getting to the part with the train. I always forget just how funny Fred and George really are in the books, especially with their mom. :)"

They are awesome! I love the twins :-D

[ClaireB]

Melissa wrote: "Just getting to the part with the train. I always forget just how funny Fred and George really are in the books, especially with their mom. :)"

Fred and George are the best. I love how they tease their mother in that chapter. Poor Molly, it must be tiresome to raise them. LOL

[Jessica]

My thoughts on the book:
(view spoiler)[ Fred and George are hilarious. Hermione is bossy and not the best in the first book. I love Harry and I hate how he feels like he doesn't deserve much. I hate the Dursleys, and am glad that Harry is going to Hogwarts. (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

April wrote: "So every time I read these books I hear/find something new.
I listened to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the 2nd time (Jim Dale is the best) and this is the first time I noticed..."

That can't be right though - There were at least 6 boys the first year: Harry, Ron, Neville, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle. Did the narrator say only 5 new boys?

[SandyL]

I finished the book last night - I loved how Harry, Ron and Hermione worked together to solve the problem. And how happy Neville was to be rewarded. Such a fun story!!!

[SandyL]

I just realized the first time I read it was last year during TT-V!!

[M]

I finished the book this morning. I always feel bad for Harry at the end. He discovered this amazing world and made real friends, now he needs to go back to the Dursley's. I really dislike his aunt and uncle.

[Dev]

@Melissa I think they meant 5 boys in Gryffindor

[Kaley]

Melissa wrote: "Just getting to the part with the train. I always forget just how funny Fred and George really are in the books, especially with their mom. :)"

They're the BEST.

[Melissa]

Devann wrote: "@Melissa I think they meant 5 boys in Gryffindor"

Gotcha - thanks for explaining! I was reading that part like ummm...? lol

[Jen]

Regarding Hogwarts's population, remember that if Harry's year "only" added 40 new students, that Hogwarts's is a school for SEVEN years. So 4 houses x 40 students per year x 7 years = 1,120 total students.

Even if only 30 students per year, you'd still have at least 840 students at the school. What was the really high number JKR said?

[Dev]

well i meant 40 students for harry's WHOLE year, as there are only about 10 in each house. so 40 x 7 = 280 and i feel like jkr said something like 1000 and we were all like ??? but i don't have the actual link handy and it was ages ago

[Kaley]

She did say 1,000. I just looked it up and apparently later she corrected it to 600, but still. I thought I read somewhere before that there weren't as many children when it came to people around Harry's age because people were too scared to have kids during Voldemort's heyday so there was a population dip at Hogwarts at that time, but I can't find it now so I'm not totally convinced I didn't just make that up haha

[Dev]

haha i'm starting to think that the reason there isn't really 'math' in the wizarding world is because JKR isn't very good at it ;) between the how many students thing and the weird conversion rate on their money