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

[Sarah]

But the Ministry didn't know he didn't know he was a wizard. Hagrid was shocked that Harry knew nothing of magic. As far as the Ministry knew, he was well aware.

Maybe it's something like before they turn 11 and go to school, it's the parents responsibility to be sure their children don't purposfully do magic. Once they turn 11, any underage magic they do will then be the childrens' responsibility.

I've always been interested in the specifics of Rowling's world. I would love to know how everything works!

[Erika]

I never thought of that! I wonder if it’s regulated if something nutty happens prior to them turning 11 if they’d intervene?

[Sarah]

Thats what I always figured! Otherwise, why didn't Harry get knocked for re-growing his hair or the snake at the zoo incident? Forget about Harry, others such as Neville used magic before they were 11 as well. For example, Neville's family kept trying to scare magic out of him and when he was 8, his uncle did that by dropping him out of the window. Hmmmm I wonder what kind of laws the Ministry has on child endangerment? : )

[Dev]

i think that the underage wizardry thing starts after they attend school because the thinking is that before that they haven't had any training and don't have a wand so it's like 'involuntary magic' but once they go to school and have the wand to channel their magic then they should know better.

as for vernon knowing harry is a wizard - i can't remember if it's ever covered in later books but i assume that petunia finally had to break down and tell him when harry was left on their doorstep with the letter from dumbledore.

[Sarah]

Those are my thoughts on underage magic. But who knows?

Obviously some kind of conversation had to happen between Vernon and Petunia, but it was before Harry was left on the doorstep. The first chapter is all about Vernon reflecting on the weird things he sees that day as well as hearing the Potters' name. That night Harry is left on the doorstep.

Whatever happened between him and Petunia, we'll never know, but I would love to have been a fly on the wall in that conversation. Hmmm that reminds me....Tehehe!

[Paula]

Just finished the book, and as always it was amazing and beautiful!
It was my firts time reading it in english and I was happy to see that the spanish translation is great, theyr'e practically the same =)

As for Petunia telling Vernon about her sister being a wicth, it happened before they got married, JK wrote about it in pottermore, you can read their story here: https://www.pottermore.com/writing-by...

it's pretty romantic, beacuse Vernon accepted Petunia either way, he told Petunia solemnly that he would never hold it against her that she had a freak for a sister
They even met with Lily and James one time, it didn't turn out well though.

[Ashley]

Sarah wrote: "Obviously some kind of conversation had to happen between Vernon and Petunia,."

I just can't imagine even how this conversation would start! Veron is going on about people and then Petunia just adds in a...well if you think their weird get a load of my sister...!?

[Erika]

Oh how i love pottermore <3

[Erika]

Haha I don’t think the continuing events in the series would even happen if the ministry was thinking of child endangerment

[Sarah]

I am a complete nerd and have kept myself from reading Pottermore as well as Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts until I reread the series first. So I am definitely looking forward to finishing book 7!

So I hope Cursed Child isn't ruined for me! : o

[Erika]

I loved Cursed Child!

[Sarah]

I know there's some big reveal but other than that, I'm clueless. So shhhhhhh! : p

[Erika]

My lips are sealed!

[JanEyre9]

I think I would have an anxiety attack when taking part in The Sorting ceremony. Talk about stressful!

I have lost track of my chapters, harder to pay attention to with the audio but here a few recent HP thoughts.

(view spoiler)[ I love how Rowling seals the friendship between the main 3. That they start out not really liking each other much but go through a significant experience together and are bonded forever is really relatable and sweet.

Quidditch sounds like the scariest and most awesome sport ever. I love that Harry has a chance to be known for something besides being The Boy Who Lived.

Ron Weasly is one of my favorite characters. He's so funny and loyal and unpolished. I love him. Also huge fan of Neville. When Neville tells Malfoy he's worth twelve of him my heart soars. Such he gets beat up after but that doesn't take away his bravery! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@JanEyre9

(view spoiler)[ I agree; taking part in the Sorting Ceremony would be very stressful ;especially for people who want no part of the limelight. (hide spoiler)]

[JanEyre9]

Laura wrote: "@JanEyre9

[spoilers removed]"

Yes! I would be so excited but would inevitably cry.

[JanEyre9]

Last few chapters -

I just finished the first audiobook and was definitely NOT crying in the car on my way to work. Definitely not. Maybe a little. Sobs. Hard sobs. Mostly happy, mostly aimed at (view spoiler)[ Neville who just so deserved to be the hero for a minute!

The scenes where the main 3 are conquering the challenges set up to protect the stone will forever be some of my favorites. It's where their personalities and strengths become more solidified and we realize that they will be going great things in the books to come. I've never loved our first true meeting with Voldemort, it always seemed a bit silly rather than scary, but Harry's defeat, with the help of Lily's love-magic, is awesome.

I love Dumbledore's heart to heart with Harry after Harry wakes up. It's frustrating that he can't explain everything to Harry right away but it shows how much he wants to protect him and let him try to be a regular child, even though he is undoubtedly irregular. Oh man, and Hagrid with the photo album! I can't talk either Harry, you're not alone there. (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait to listen to the 2nd book!

[Colleen]

JanEyre9 wrote: "Last few chapters -

I just finished the first audiobook and was definitely NOT crying in the car on my way to work. Definitely not. Maybe a little. Sobs. Hard sobs. Mostly happy, mostly aimed at ..."

Totally agree with your feelings JE9.

[megan]

I totally forgot about “No post on Sundays!” Hahahaha

[Jen]

Hello all! I started this book on the 6th at around 8p and finished it at around 2:30a on the 7th. This was at least my 8th time through this book. I really love it. I laugh and cry while reading it.

I wrote about my favorite scenes in my review, if you'd care to read it (spoilers are hidden). I'm afraid I'm too sleepy to write much more (it's after 3a here now).

But I will share that I LOL (and rather hysterically) at the scene involving the Devil's Snare in Chapter Sixteen, Through the Trapdoor (page 278). And I cried my way through the scene in Chapter Seventeen, The Man with Two Faces (page 304), when Hagrid gives Harry that gift. :-)

The page number references are from this edition: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. :-)

I also listened to the audio edition performed by Jim Dale. It was wonderful. :-)

Oh! And I'm on Team Tom Riddle.

[megan]

Jen wrote: "Hello all! I started this book on the 6th at around 8p and finished it at around 2:30a on the 7th. This was at least my 8th time through this book. I really love it. I laugh and cry while reading i..."

I am always more emotional with audiobooks. Especially if they are read well. Sometimes being told the story gives it a level of intensity that you don't get when it's you're mind telling it to you. A different emphasis or dramatic pause can change everything.

[JanEyre9]

megan wrote: "Jen wrote: "Hello all! I started this book on the 6th at around 8p and finished it at around 2:30a on the 7th. This was at least my 8th time through this book. I really love it. I laugh and cry whi..."

I agree Jen. I've read this multiple times but this was my first experience with audio and I was moved much more than I expected.

[Jen]

@ megan and JanEyre9: I was really impressed with the audio. And you're right, listening to it being performed did enhance it for me. Although, I was disappointed that his voice for Snape overrode Alan Rickman's in my mind. But hopefully I will never forget AR's performance of this scene in Chapter Eight, The Potions Master: (view spoiler)["I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death --" (hide spoiler)] It gives me chills, that scene does. :-)

I'm usually more emotional with print books. Audiobooks are harder for me to get emotionally involved in, because I play them at 2x speed minimum. (That's a leisurely reading pace for me, but it doesn't give me much time to recognize humor or tear-jerker scenes.) Thankfully, though, this reread lost none of its oomph for me thanks to my reading along. :-)

I think I might watch the movie next, before moving on to another book. (If I can. I'm playing Quidditch.) :-)

[Jen]

Hi all, I just finished watching the first movie. :-)

It was fun. Made me cry, but I don't remember laughing at anything.

It was also slightly different from the book, mostly because of things omitted or things happening at different times. Like how in The Man with Two Faces, the final chapter, (view spoiler)[Hagrid gives Harry his family photo album when Harry's in the infirmary. (hide spoiler)]. And in the movie, this scene happens when (view spoiler)[Harry says goodbye to Hagrid at Hogwarts' train depot. (hide spoiler)].

The only thing I did NOT like about the movie was how it was mentioned that (view spoiler)[Snape helped to protect the Sorcerer's Stone, but then we did NOT get to see the potions scene that was in the book! We didn't get to see anything that might have been Snape's contribution. Instead, Hermione stayed behind with Ron on the chessboard while Harry went on to immediately finding Quirrel in front of the Mirror of Erised. (hide spoiler)]. :-(

But apart from that issue, I thought the movie was well done. :-)

[megan]

This makes me want to watch the movie. I haven’t seen it since it was part of ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas, back when the movies we’re still coming out and they would play all of them over a weekend in December.

[Donna]

Sassafrass wrote: "I'm so glad you are enjoying the books, Donna. They seem to get better with each one!"

I can't wait to finish it. I got a bit distracted by the Quidditch match but now that it is over, I am back to reading this.

[JanEyre9]

Jen wrote: "@ megan and JanEyre9: I was really impressed with the audio. And you're right, listening to it being performed did enhance it for me. Although, I was disappointed that his voice for Snape overrode ..."

I felt the same way about the Snape voice. For me, Snape is Alan Rickman. Forever, Any other voice sounds weird. I also didn't love the narrator's voice for Hermione. A bit too whiny for my taste.

[Donna]

Chapters 4-6
(view spoiler)[
Rubeau Hagrid: I love that he is, at the same time, a huge, intimating man and a big soft teddy bear. He is so kind to Harry but really lets his uncle have it.

Platform scene: I was pleased to find that the movie depicted the platform scene perfectly. While reading this, I could picture the scene from the movie.

Weasley family: This family seems like a lot of fun. With so many kids, there is probably never a dull moment. The twins seem to be a load of fun all on their own. Poor Ron seems a bit insecure but I think he is the perfect friend for Harry.

Harry Potter: I wish I hadn't watched the movie first because I do have some preconceived notions of these characters. I do like how the author portrays him as insecure despite his notoriety. It will be nice to see him grow more confident throughout the story.

Dragons: Now all this talk of dragons only makes me want one. It would make a nice addition to my mini zoo. LOL!!

Draco Malfoy: The movie seems spot on with this rude and snotty character. He is so different than Hermione despite the fact that they both seem to be snotty. He seems to be a bit darker, less sincere. I guess what I am trying to say is that he is the perfect bully.

Hermione Granger: She gives off a bit of a snobby air but is still kind of helpful. It is a curious but interesting twist to her personality. You almost want to dislike her for her air of superiority but you can't because she is helpful in her own way. She is the opposite of Draco in that respect. She has a good heart whereas he doesn't. She doesn't try to bully but she does speak her mind. I think I can kind of relate to her in a way.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ashley]

JanEyre9 wrote: "I felt the same way about the Snape voice. For me, Snape is Alan Rickman. Forever, Any other voice sounds weird. I also didn't love the narrator's voice for Hermione. A bit too whiny for my taste."

Who was the narrator?

[Sarah]

Donna wrote: "Chapters 4-6

Rubeau Hagrid: I love that he is, at the same time, a huge, intimating man and a big soft teddy bear. He is so kind to Harry but really lets his uncle have it.

Platform scene: I was..."

I've never thought about comparing Draco and Hermione before. You're right in saying they're both snobby but as one person is good overall while the other isn't, it definitely comes off differently.

I'll be looking for all of your updates as you read the books. I'm very interested to see your thoughts as a first time reader!

[megan]

So true. Hermione’s snobbiness is a know it all attitude, with a “duh, how do you not know that” twist. There’s a confidence and smugness about it that’s not malevolent at all. She’s smart. She knows it.
Malfoy’s snobbiness is rooted in the fact that he thinks her deserves to be snobby because of who he is and where he comes from - very much on purpose and meant to keep other’s in their place. Aristocratic.

[Jen]

I think Hermione's snobbish tendencies are a front for insecurity. Her parents (view spoiler)[are Muggles; she's a first-generation witch (hide spoiler)]. So I think of it as protective coloration.

But I can't remember where we learn that about her. Was it in this first book?

[Sarah]

Even though Harry is not a muggleborn, he essentially grew up as one. He knew nothing of magic at all. This put Harry on the same level as Hermione, knowledge wise. I always found it interesting to see how Harry reacted to the new magic around him, basically with wide-open awe, versus Hermione who almost seemed nonchalant with the new things around her.

[Donna]

Chapters 7-9
(view spoiler)[
the sorting hat - I loved this scene in the movie and the books doesn't disappoint. It is such an odd thing but yet such and interesting and integral part of the story. I mean, the author could have just had the teachers number the kids off and then that is what house they were in. Instead, he was very creative and came up with something unique. I love it!!

Albus Dumbledore - I really enjoyed his speech before the banquet. Such awe-inspiring gibberish! LOL! It was definitely odd but adds an a touch of mystique to his personality.

Ghosts - There are so many interesting aspects to the book. One of those many things are the ghosts. They all have such interesting personalities and stories of their own. Nearly Headless Nick is helpful to the kids while Peeves the Poltergeist is a bit of a prankster. Even more interesting is that a ghost is teaching the History of Magic class.

Professor McGonagall - You really don't get much of an introduction to this teacher but you get the idea that she is strict and straight to the point. Definitely a no-nonsense type of person.

Professor Quirrell - I have to ask... why so much garlic? LOL! This teacher seems to be a bit of an oddball.

Professor Snape - I m trying to figure this teacher out. Why does he seem to have an instant hatred for Harry. So much so, that he singles Harry out the first day in class. He seems to be a bit of a nasty individual. I hope that the reader learns a bit more about this character. I would like to know why he acts the way that he acts.

1st flying lesson - I absolutely love that Malfoy inadvertently leads to Harry being invited to the Quidditch team. He was just trying to be cruel and it backfired. Especially since most 1st year students are not invited to be on the team.

Thoughts about the author- One thing that I have noticed about this author in general is the creativity. Owls delivering mail, a talking sorting hat, the unique way to get to the train platform and the 3 headed guard dog. I'm sure this is only the tip of the iceberg. I can't wait to see what else is in store for the readers. As for the monstrous 3-headed guard dog... he just needs some love, right??
(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Donna wrote: "Chapters 7-9

the sorting hat - I loved this scene in the movie and the books doesn't disappoint. It is such an odd thing but yet such and interesting and integral part of the story. I mean, the au..."

Oh, Donna. I am so jealous of you right now and also so happy for you! I would do anything to be reading Harry Potter for the first time. I just absolutely cannot wait for you to get farther, not just into the book, but also into the series!

Have you seen all of the movies?

[Donna]

Sarah wrote: "Donna wrote: "Chapters 7-9

the sorting hat - I loved this scene in the movie and the books doesn't disappoint. It is such an odd thing but yet such and interesting and integral part of the story. ..."

Only the 1st 2 and then I stopped because I wanted to read the books before I went any further.

[Sarah]

Donna wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Donna wrote: "Chapters 7-9

the sorting hat - I loved this scene in the movie and the books doesn't disappoint. It is such an odd thing but yet such and interesting and integral part ..."

Oh, wow. This is going to be a fun ride! : )

[Donna]

Chapters 10-12
(view spoiler)[
Halloween decorations - obviously, I have been doing this all wrong. The trick is to use live creatures. Live bats is the way to go ... LOL!!

Harry - Up to this point, Harry and Ron have thought of Hermione as a royal pain. However, when the troll showed up, she was their first thought. They didn't hesitate to try to help her. Of course, that leads up to the "eww" moment when his wand went up the troll's nose. I love that this moment brings these two together with Hermione as friends.

Hermione - I think that the person who posted that Hermione's attitude was a front for insecurities is right. It seems like she may be getting past those insecurities, finally. She seems to have mellowed out after the troll attack.

Professor Snape - Again, his behavior is odd. Again, I find my self wondering what his story is. What makes him act the way he does?

The Mirror of Erised - I love this part. The mirror shows the person their deepest desires. For poor Harry, what he wants the most is his family. Not knowing his parents has been hard for him and he becomes a bit obsessed with the mirror. Who can blame the poor kid?
(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Donna wrote: "Chapters 10-12

Halloween decorations - obviously, I have been doing this all wrong. The trick is to use live creatures. Live bats is the way to go ... LOL!!

Harry - Up to this point, Harry and Ro..."

The inscription at the top of the Mirror of Erised...read it backwards : )

[Donna]

Sarah wrote: "Donna wrote: "Chapters 10-12

Halloween decorations - obviously, I have been doing this all wrong. The trick is to use live creatures. Live bats is the way to go ... LOL!!

Harry - Up to this point..."

LOL makes sense. I didn't catch that while reading it.

[Donna]

Chapter 13-15
(view spoiler)[
Hagrid - He just cracks me up. He is this big burly man and he is really just a big softy. He is always letting some little piece of his secrets slip out. The kids know they can always get something out of him and they exploit that. I also love that despite it being illegal, he has every intention of hatching and raising a dragon. He seems to stumble upon the most interesting creatures. He doesn't care how odd they are, they become his pets.

Malfoy - For as much of a bully he is, he sure is a chicken about going into the woods at night.

Unicorns - It has been a very long time since I saw the movie. I may have to watch it again. For the life of me, I can't remember unicorns being in the movie. I will have to watch it and see.

Centaurs - Ronan, Firenze and Bane are definitely interesting creatures. They know a lot but don't reveal much at all. In fact, they seem to talk in circles and never really answer the question.

(hide spoiler)]

[Donna]

Chapters 16-17
(view spoiler)[
The sorcerer's stone - I love the trials they had to go thru to get to where the stone was
1. Fluff - who doesn't love music, right?
2. The devil's snare - I don't blame Hermione for losing it a bit. I probably would have as well.
3. The Flying keys - Harry's seeker skills are shining brightly here
4. The Chessboard - I love that poor Ron finally gets his moment to shine. I remember this scene from the movie and this is the most confident he is throughout the book.
5. The bottle puzzle - this is where Hermione shines because she has a brilliant mind.
6. The Mirror of Erised - Harry already knows the secret to this mirror but Valdemort and Quirrell do not.

Quirrell - I like that the movie played out pretty much like the book. He seems like the least likely person to be into the dark arts but he is also weak and susceptible to Voldemort's persuasions. I do find it very creepy for one man to have two faces or even two souls inside one body. CREEPY CREEPY CREEPY

Snape - Now I understand. Snape was Harry's dad's Malfoy growing up. They were bitter rivals. Then he saved Snape and Snape couldn't handle being beholden to his rival. He didn't like owing anything. This is harder for me to relate to because I don't think I ever hated anyone like that.

Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans - can you imagine eating candy that tastes like vomit or ear wax? Eww!! If I was told there were flavors like that in a bag of candy, I don't think I would eat any of them!! LOL

I will be reading book 2 in the very near future.
(hide spoiler)]

[megan]

Shamefully admitting that the first time I tried to read HP1 was after I got it from my grandmother for Christmas 1998, and I didn’t read past the first chapter. I didn’t like it at all. Don’t know if it was my mood, but 11 year old me was so annoyed by the Dursley’s and owls. I don’t even know why I went back and tried to read it again.
So every time I’ve reread it since, I’ve skipped that first chapter. I don’t want to jinx it. Anyone else have to take some time to get into the story or does no one remember that far back? Lol

[Kate S]

megan wrote: "Shamefully admitting that the first time I tried to read HP1 was after I got it from my grandmother for Christmas 1998, and I didn’t read past the first chapter. I didn’t like it at all. Don’t know..."

I put off reading this series until all 7 books had been published. I was an adult by the time they were introduced, and did not care for the idea of waiting for a new children's book to be released. So, in 2007, shortly after book 7 was released, I borrowed all 7 from a friend and read them in short order. I do not care for the beginning of this book (nor any of the Dursley chapters particularly), but I was grateful to my buddy for lending me his entire set.

[Kate S]

I am breaking up some harder reads, to re-visit this fun read. I read the first one last year or the year before, but have not read any of the others in at least a decade.

Chapters 1-3

(view spoiler)[
I had forgotten about the scene with the snake at the zoo. I thought it was a fun way to begin Harry's magical experience. (hide spoiler)]

[Kate S]

Paula wrote: "Just finished the book, and as always it was amazing and beautiful!
It was my firts time reading it in english and I was happy to see that the spanish translation is great, theyr'e practically the ..."

Thank you for sharing this snippet of a story from Petunia and Vernon's early days.

[Kate S]

Donna wrote: "Chapters 4-6

Rubeau Hagrid: I love that he is, at the same time, a huge, intimating man and a big soft teddy bear. He is so kind to Harry but really lets his uncle have it.

Platform scene: I was..."

Chapter 4-6

(view spoiler)[I can understand the similarities between Malfoy and Hermione. But I think they come from very different places. Malfoy is a spoiled, wealthy blue blood; while Hermione is a witch who knows she is smart. I think Malfoy feels entitled while Hermione wears her intelligence in a way she doesn't always realize is snottty. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Finally joining in! This is a re-read for me - Harry Potter is one of the series that actually got me reading again. (This & Twilight at its height in popularity) Because of that, HP will always hold a special place in my heart :)

Thru Chpt 5 - (view spoiler)[These chpts/part of the story just make me so mad. Regardless of what they thought about his parents, he has nothing but an innocent child yet they treated him so horribly! Love when Hagrid comes in and chastises them. And then Diagon Alley! Could just feel the awe and fascination with this new exciting world.

No matter how many times I read this (I've read it 2x before), and it's been about 3 years since the last, I still got those same feelings of wonder and anticipation. Hope that never changes! (hide spoiler)]

[Kate S]

Cathy M. wrote: "Harry Potter is one of the series that actually got me reading again."

I am so glad you said this! I have used this argument so many times. Harry Potter may not be *great literature*, but it introduced so many young people to the love of reading. And it re-introduced that passion in many other readers as well. I dragged my feet about this series, because I was always a reader and slow to jump on bandwagons. I have since changed my tune a bit and am grateful to books like these that remind us all of the joy of reading. :)

[Kate S]

Through chapter 7

(view spoiler)[I had also forgotten that this book made the Slytherian house sound evil from the get-go. I like that later in the series, the books seem more even. But book 1 certainly makes it a questionable place to be... (hide spoiler)]