Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K Rowling, discussion (November)

[Hollie]

Today is the day we set off for our biggest adventure yet of making our way through the Harry Potter series! I read books 1-5 a few years ago but have not read the ones after that. If there is anyone here who is new to Harry Potter and the wizardry world and would like to join in with this group read, I think that all us Harry Potter fans would strongly advise you to be prepared for a rollercoaster of many emotions such as laughter, crying, excitement, love, wonder, loss and so much more. Let’s go! X

[Dana]

I definitely am going to join this one! I JS it cant start until the 9th because my books are up in Vermont and I won’t be going back up there until that weekend.

[Hollie]

Ok I am sure you will easily catch up Dana, where are you on holiday anywhere nice? X

[Dana]

We went to Cape Cod, it was so nice to just get away and relax. And the best part was because of the time of year there was like no one else on the beach at all. We are now back at our apartment in Massachusetts and we own a house in Vermont so that’s where a ton of my books are, on bedroom has been turned into my library. But we work in Massachusetts so right now we don’t get to go up to Vermont until weekends.

[Hollie]

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

[Knight]

oh i definitely wanna try this one. especially considering it's almost to 2020. just gotta finish some other books and i'll be trailing along behind yall.

[Hollie]

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

[Knight]

i have, so it'll be nice to start rereading them.

[Hollie]

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)]

[Dana]

I am reading this now! I’m on chapter 3 and I just have to say all the feelings of reading it now are the same from when I read this the first time. I just love this series so much. And I still hate the Dursley’s with a passion.

[Dana]

I am up to page 113 the start of Chapter 7. I am so excited to re-read this book. It really takes me back in every time and I feel like I am right there. Also, chapter 7 is one of my favorite chapters just because we are finally at Hogwarts!

[Hollie]

That’s exactly where I am Dana! X

[Dana]

Honestly I just love how every time I read this book and the others things pop out to me that I forgot all about. And then there are parts that I know are coming and I just get so excited for them even though I know what is going to happen. This really is such a fun read, I'm so glad you suggested it!

[Hollie]

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

[Hollie]

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)]

[Dana]

I have to agree with you completely (view spoiler)[ I strongly dislike Hermione in the books up until Halloween. She is just extremely over the top at times and it's annoying. I have to admit I am definitely like Ron and Harry in the books when it comes to her. But in the movie it seems as though she is just a sweet girl and Ron is the one who has the problem. (hide spoiler)]

[Hollie]

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!

[Dana]

I’m only 40 pages away from finishing! I plan to finish today! I know what you mean though I love these books and her style of writing in them and how so easily I am pulled in and feel like I am right there surrounded by everything going on. My nephew Nik who is 10 loves the books also so we talk about them and when I am living up there next year I am planning to read them with him and then watch the movie after each book we finish.

[Dana]

Finished the book!! 5 stars as always. Looking forward to starting the second book tomorrow!

[Hollie]

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