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

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Shilpa wrote: "In the penultimate chapter!

I love how Hagrid keeps telling what he shouldn't and then tells them I shouldn't have told you that, Forget I said that..etc :P"

I love that part too :)

[Shilpa]

I finally finished it and as usual totally loved loved loved it! ^_^

The end: "They don't know we aren't allowed to do magic at home.."
Oh Harry!!! :D ;)

[Karla]

Kelsi wrote: "Chapter 7
[spoilers removed]"

I know, (view spoiler)[I always thought Peeves was a jerk, but I missed him in the movies. He was mentioned once, I think, but he should have had a bigger part. (hide spoiler)]

[Karla]

Greta wrote: "Through Ch. 13

I agree, (view spoiler)[I liked the scene with the Mountain Troll too. I'd forgotten how bossy Hermione seemed up 'til that point. She's a great character. (hide spoiler)]

[Karla]

The Quidditch games frustrated me the first time I read the book. Before the movies, I had no idea what to picture when I read those scenes in the book. I was glad when the movies came out.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Rebooting this thread to start a new buddy read of the series in October 2015

[Logan]

Ooooh! Ooh! Yes!!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Will you be joining or lurking Logan? ;)

[Jen]

I'm here! Sorry I'm late. It's always been my plan to start this series in late October, though, so I hope it's okay...

I haven't yet started reading it. I hope to get going next week, maybe on Monday? It depends on how quickly I can get through another scheduled buddy read and an ILL (Interlibrary Loan) book my library found for me.

But I'm excited to start! This will be a reread for me of books one through six. I've never read book seven; I'm super nervous! That's why I wanted to buddy read the series. :-)

Oh! And the last time I read ANY of the books was before book seven was released, so I'm SUPER excited to get reacquainted with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. :-)

[Jen]

A question, though: Is this thread for all seven books or just for book one?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

:D
It's certainly worth re-reading the series before getting to the last book! Even though book 6 may be hard to read again

This is just for book 1. We have a thread for each book - I'll post the links here later when I'm on my computer :)

[Logan]

I'll join! I didn't see my notification when you first replied Karen. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Great Logan!
No problems, those notifications are very unreliable ;)

[Jen]

Karen wrote: ":D
It's certainly worth re-reading the series before getting to the last book! Even though book 6 may be hard to read again

This is just for book 1. We have a thread for each book - I'll post the ..."

That's why I want a buddy to read these with. I know book six will be hard to finish. And book seven will seem even more insurmountable. But with buddies, I'll get through all seven for the first time! :-)

And thanks for the info on the threads. :-)

[Jen]

I'm now starting book one! :-)

[Jen]

So progress is slow. I keep allowing myself to get distracted. (Though I did have to eat something, so I hope I can be forgiven for pausing to fix lunch.)

I'm now starting Chapter Three. I have to say that I don't know why I rated this book only four stars when I joined Goodreads. I'll leave it for now, but I have a feeling I'll feel a need to add one star (and more and more) by the time I've finished it.

The first two chapters were just such fun! Sooo wonderful. :-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Nice!
I loved the re-read of this one. I think as I started it was just so refreshing to go back in time before the books got much darker and they are just so magical. Maybe that is why you are thinking your star rating is a bit off ;)

There are just the small things in those first few cvhapters that make it so special ; the cupboard under the stairs, the cat that turns into McGonagall, and let's not forget the awful Dudley! So spoilt!

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "There are just the small things in those first few cvhapters that make it so special ; the cupboard under the stairs, the cat that turns into McGonagall, and let's not forget the awful Dudley!..."

That's it exactly. The way the words flow is beautiful. Chapter One almost had me in tears. :-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Yes, even the title of the first chapter "The Boy Who Lived" kind of gives me the shivers :)

[Jen]

I made a status update earlier that I forgot to share in here. I was reading Chapter Eight, "The Potions Master." ...

Every time Snape has a bit of dialogue, I hear Alan Rickman's voice in my head. "I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death -- " gave me chills. :-)

That was then... I'm now reading Chapter Twelve, "The Mirror of Erised." :-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Alan Rickman "is" Snape! Can't imagine anyone else in that role. Although Stephen Fry's narration actually does his voice quite well :)

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "Alan Rickman "is" Snape! Can't imagine anyone else in that role. Although Stephen Fry's narration actually does his voice quite well :)"

I love Alan Rickman. :-) I might have to give the Stephen Fry narration a try, though. I'm a fan of his work, too. :-)

[Jen]

Finished. *sigh* This is such a wonderful story. I cried when Harry (view spoiler)[received the album of wizard photographs of his parents from Hagrid (hide spoiler)]. And there were a couple of places in the last few chapters that made me chuckle in delight. I will definitely be updating my rating to five stars. :-)

Now to write my review, then to sleep. Tomorrow I'll start book two, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. :-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Yes that was a beautiful moment.
I just looked back at my notes for this re-read ; my favourite parts were Daigon Alley, meeting Malfoy, Fred and George, the whole Weasley family actually, when Hermoine lies for Harry & Ron, getting the invisibility cloak... and the sorting hat I need to add in as well. Although actually there are so many great moments in these first books setting up the over arching storyline. Love it

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Book 2 discussion thread is here

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "Yes that was a beautiful moment.
I just looked back at my notes for this re-read ; my favourite parts were Daigon Alley, meeting Malfoy, Fred and George, the whole Weasley family actually, when Her..."

I finished my review. :-)

Some of the scenes I count among my favorites are Harry's time in the reptile house during the trip to the zoo for Dudley's birthday, Harry's first trip to Diagon Alley, the Sorting Hat's song and sorting of Harry, learning that Hagrid (view spoiler)[named his giant three-headed dog Fluffy, (hide spoiler)] and the whole of the "Through the Trapdoor" chapter...and more. Of course, more. But as this story was beautifully written, every scene was wonderful.

I also really like that Uncle Vernon approaches apoplexy when the Letters from No One keep arriving, no matter where he puts/takes Harry. :-)

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "Book 2 discussion thread is here"

Thank you! I'll head over there tomorrow, errr, later today. ;-)

[Debbie (Doc)]

I would love to join this BR.

[❀Tea❀]

Hey Debbie, looks like they already finished this one (we are just starting #3), but feel free to read it and comment here. We'll be back to chat with you.

[Jen]

Debbie (Doc) wrote: "I would love to join this BR."

Please do! Comment as you're able and I'll pop back in to reply, even though I finished the book a day or two ago. :-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Hey Debbie.
Please go ahead and start when you are ready, we will happily chat with you :)

[Jen]

I'm bad at reading over comments made months before I started the book, but once I've commented and started/read it myself, then I'll forever after be ready to pop on and participate in discussions. :-)

[Forrest]

*casts a protection spell on my home* I've never read Harry Potter. I just recently bought the first three books and I want to read them in the next couple weeks, along with many other books. Haha I might be up for a buddy read but I don't want spoilers! I've already gotten plenty from BookTube but I'd rather not have anymore.... Haha I'm super excited!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Oh how wonderful Katherine to read for the first time.
Just ignore the posts above and you can avoid spoilers here :)

[Vikki]

I would love to join this too. I actually started reading the series again when the Enhanced EBook Edition came out last month so I read Book 1 and Book 2 and am going to start Book 3 shortly.

[Jen]

Katherine wrote: "*casts a protection spell on my home* I've never read Harry Potter. I just recently bought the first three books and I want to read them in the next couple weeks, along with many other books. Haha ..."

How wonderful! I've been fondly remembering my first time with these books, especially the first three books. I'm very envious that you've never read them, Katherine. To learn once more how some things were done! *sigh* :-)

[Jen]

Victoria wrote: "I would love to join this too. I actually started reading the series again when the Enhanced EBook Edition came out last month so I read Book 1 and Book 2 and am going to start Book 3 shortly."

Fun! We have individual threads for all seven books, I think. Karen and I are on book five (at least, I'm on book five, Karen is keeping me company and on track; I think she's further along).

If you click the link for Authors Q-T at the top left of this page, you should find all of the threads for books one through five right up at the top. :-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Thanks Jen!

I'm up to a re-read of book 7, but happy to discuss any of the books :)

Victoria, The link for where we started discussing book 3 this week is from this comment

[Ellie]

The books are great, but I don't know what you mean by bad acting.

[Debbie (Doc)]

Sorry, I didn't receive notifications regarding book 1. I completed book 1 on Wednesday. Book 1 is a reread for me. I had actually forgotten several key points and remember fondly when I read HP for the first time. I was hooked then and now from chapter 1! I loved seeing Harry grow in book 1 and meeting all of his friends for the first time. Off to read book 2!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

:)
No probs Debbie

[Jen]

Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Sorry, I didn't receive notifications regarding book 1. I completed book 1 on Wednesday. Book 1 is a reread for me. I had actually forgotten several key points and remember fondly when I read HP fo..."

I agree that Book One is key for meeting everyone, getting our introduction to Harry's world, buying the first year's books and things in Diagon Alley, taking that first train trip to Hogwarts...

So much to love! :-)

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

******BUDDY READ REVISIT********

[Christine]

I'm excited to start this. It's a book I should've read long ago.

[Katherine]

I'm re-reading the series again because why not. I love this series so much! :D

[Jen]

I hope you all enjoy it! I wish I could join you, but I am overwhelmed by all the other books I *have* to read.

But since I last read the whole series less than two years ago, I'll hope to jump in and discuss it with you! :-)

Enjoy! Happy Reading!!!

[Katherine]

Am I too late to join this buddy read? How do buddy reads work?

[MJ]

Oh heck yes!

[Minnie]

Katherine wrote: "Am I too late to join this buddy read? How do buddy reads work?"

It's fine you can join us!
I'm pretty sure an intro to buddy reads in the discussion board if that helps?

[Christine]

So I've just finished the first chapter and my thoughts so far:

It's a lot more light-hearted than I expected it to be. There is a lot of light humour that kind of softens the content of the chapter.
I love the little details about the characters, just their descriptions really bring them to life (although the films might've influenced my reading of that a little).
I think it's written a little simply - it's not particular difficult to read for any age. Not necessarily a negative thing.

Overall - chapter 1 is a good one and makes me definitely want to read on.