Rowling, J.K.- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2); Informal Buddy Read: Starts November 12, 2014 REVISIT 15 May 2018

[Anita Reads]

Ok. Still working on this one. Am I the only one not done with The Chamber of Secrets?

Anyway I just read the part about halfway and just read about (view spoiler)[the Deathday party. It's super strange. I thoroughly enjoy Peeves, and I think it's so sad that he's not a part of the movies. Such a fun character.

Anyway the message has just been written about the Chamber of Secrets and Mrs. Norris has been frozen. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I think there are a few still reading Anita, and if not there are a few of us still hanging around who can discuss with you ;)
I'm on my phone atm so can't see your spoiler so I'll jump back later

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Anita wrote: "Ok. Still working on this one. Am I the only one not done with The Chamber of Secrets?

Anyway I just read the part about halfway and just read about ..."

Ah yes, that is very strange. (view spoiler)[ all the rotting food and so forth! I know they had to make some edits for the movies, but I agree it is a shame he wasn't included. (hide spoiler)]

[Anita Reads]

I'd fogotten about (view spoiler)[the Deathday Party. Anyway I read a little further on and the three are about to try and make the Polyjuice Potions, and Harry is in the infirmary after his first Quidditch game where he talks to Dobby. Hermione is the one wanting to break the rules for once. I think it's funny how that changes. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Well Anita I think that is probably (view spoiler)[ one of the limited number of times that Hermoine wants to break the rules! (hide spoiler)]

[Anita Reads]

I know. It's funny! :)

Just shows how she developed since the first book.

[Anita Reads]

I read a little further and fell over the part where Hermione (view spoiler)[has to steel the stuff for the polyjuice potion and Harry had to distract him. A pretty fun scene I think. (hide spoiler)]

[Anita Reads]

I finished the book now and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I do believe that it's still a 4 star read.

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 1 ~ (view spoiler)[Well, if someone in my family forgot my Birthday, I would definitely be a little pissy. However, I love it when HP just makes Dudley squirm over the "you forgot to say Please"...I can never get over how the Dursley's are so blind when it comes to their neanderthal son, Dudley...I love it. poor darling now he's singing happy birthday to himself. The taunting by Dudley over Harry's birthday but it brings back memories of when I would do the same thing when my brother would taunt me over GI Joe attacking Barbie.Mom he's doing it again...You would think we were twins but Im 5 years older lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Anita Reads]

Yeah you definitely understand why he acts as he does. (view spoiler)[I also liked how he'd grown a bit more confident around the Dursleys in this second book (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 2~ (view spoiler)[oh my, now we meet Dobbie. Just what is a Dobbie? When Harry first meets Dobbie he's not fairly sure what the rules are regarding a House Elf. Dobbie is completely enthralled with meeting Harry. Its the way I would be if I were to meet Jimmy Buffett. I would be all starry eyed too. But Im not going to be shutting my ears in the oven door, funny. JK has a way of creating these awesome dialogue exchanges with her characters. Now Dobbie is telling Harry that he must not return to Hogwarts for the fall term . Oh my, Dobbie has done now. Harry has figured out that Dobbie has intervened with mail delivery & now he's about to make things very bad for Harry now that the Dursley's have company for dinner. YEP. there went the cake/pudding. Company is now running from the house with their tails on fire & now things are going to get very bad for Harry. Ministry of Magic knows everything. After being under lock & key, Harry is rescued by his best friend, Ron. yeah for friends (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Sallie

Now I just see Dobbie as he was in the movie and I can't remember if that is any different to what was in my mind when I first read this!
I agree JKR makes great characters, with unexpected traits (like self punishment!) which are really amusing to kids and adults alike

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 3 ~ (view spoiler)[Rescued by his best mate, Ron & Ron's brothers, George & Fred, in a flying car. Awesome, what would your teenage years be without boosting a car. I know what my life would have been like if I boosted the car with my parents knowing. I would be dead easy as that because they would have killed me. But sneaking out of the house, that was a different story. I never got caught by my siblings did, more than once. I thought very hilarious that Mr Weasley thinks the boys did a great job busting Harry out of the Dursley's. But Mrs Weasley is not amused. Not in the least. But even though Ron is somewhat embarrassed about his home, Harry thinks it's the best. .. (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Karen wrote: "@Sallie

Now I just see Dobbie as he was in the movie and I can't remember if that is any different to what was in my mind when I first read this!
I agree JKR makes great characters, with unexpecte..."

I know - I just recommended the audiobooks to the librarian at the local library...what? you mean you have never listened to them? OOOO you are so missing out. I love the books but I love the audiobooks I think more.

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 4~ (view spoiler)[It's sad that the Weasley family is so concerned about money affairs. Even the children worry about how their parents will be able to afford to buy the necessary book requirements. I know I get stressed when trying to cover multiple things at once. I don't know how they do it on a daily basis. I compare flue powder travel to travel by double decker bus in London. It was quite the experience the first time to London. Mrs Weasley is so sweet, she just loves Harry like one of her own. I love the humor in the HP books. You just knew that when Mr Malfoy shows up he's going to be sinister & Drago is just a spoiled brat. There is such jealousy from Drago towards Harry & Hermonie. Thank goodness that Hagrid find Harry. There is no telling what trouble Harry would have discovered in Nocturn Alley. Gildaroy Lockhart is a pompous ass. He grates on my nerves. I didnt care for him in the movie & I definitely disliked him in the book lol.. (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 5~(view spoiler)[Oh lord, here we go with the flying car again. What a way to get a new car, a whomping willow tree. lol Ron's lucky that the only that was broken in car/tree mishap is his wand & not his neck. These 2 are hilarious. Oops, Ron & Harry are in major trouble now that they have to come clean about missing the school train. The life lessons that are taught in these books are fantastic. ... (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 6~ (view spoiler)[The Howler, i think I had a few of these when I was away at college. How my Mother knew the things she knew always amazed me. She was in Atlanta, I went to school in Wisconsin. Im glad I didnt have to experience a bully in school. My brother always had a hard time until he got into jr high & then he shot up like a tree & kids didnt pick on him much after that. Definitely think that Lockhart is a pompous ass. ... (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 7~ (view spoiler)[If things could not have gotten worse, Malfoy has bought his way onto the Slytherin's quidditch team. That boy just needs to be slapped into the middle of next week. Mudblood, now Malfoy needs his mouth washed out with soap. Evil child. Ron & Harry do me proud as they try to defend Hermonie's honor. Mrs Weasley would be so proud, lol. Detention, Harry with Lockhart & Ron with Filch. This is ugly...poor Harry.. (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 8 ~ (view spoiler)[Oh sure.how many people do you know worry about being almost beheaded & not being invited to join a headless hunt..hilarious.Harry in trouble again ends up in Filch's office & now Harry has discovered Filch's secret. Ahhh, that explains the hatred he displays against the students, jealousy again. I would love to see Hogwarts decorated for Halloween. I certainly cant imagine what rotten fish would smell like nor could I imagine magot haggis...yuck...that's disgusting. (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 9 ~(view spoiler)[Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time...wow, how do 3 young people get into so much trouble & then to be blamed for a crime they did not commit. Hearing voices that no one else can hear is not a good sign even in the wizarding world, love this line. Im with Ron, I dont like spiders either. Scream bloody murder myself, lol ... (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 10~ (view spoiler)[Harry with no bones in his arm. See, told ya that Lockhart was a git. ... (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I'm doing this re-read by audio, I agree they are great!

[RachelvlehcaR]

I would love to hear this on audio.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Sallie

I think the Weasley's are a great family too. They decided to have a big family which means they don't have much in terms of material wealth, but they're all happy :)

lol love your comment abut the Howler

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Chapter 11 ~ (view spoiler)[wow, we have such stigmas attached to being different. Harry speaking parseltongue. That would be troublesome. Not sure how I feel if I found myself in the same situation as Harry.
... (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "I would love to hear this on audio."

they are excellent....

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Sallie ; Chapter 11 ; It would be pretty scary I think. (view spoiler)[ especially because he doesn't realise he is doing it. He just hears and thinks he is speaking in English (hide spoiler)]

[Amanda A]

I am a little over halfway through.

(view spoiler)[I like Dobby. He is a courageous little elf, very concerned about keeping Harry from harm. Lockhart is a little annoying with how self-absorbed he is. I thought it was funny when Ron discovered Hermione drew hearts around Lockhart's lessons on her schedule. Ginny's crush on Harry is cute. I am not a fan of Malfoy, so I enjoyed it when Harry stole the Golden Snitch right from under his nose in the Quidditch game.

I like how the characters have realistically matured so far in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Styxx Anaxkolasiღ♥ღ wrote: "I've started reading this today and i'm on chapter 6

[spoilers removed]"

Yes, he is. Major time. He's the stereotypical spoiled rich boy.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Pigletto wrote: "Poor Dobby so many people don't like him. I think he was very brave. [spoilers removed]"

He is very annoying but at the same time he is brave. (view spoiler)[ It must be pure hell to me in the Malfoy household. Imagine the abuse he is under all the time. I'm sure it has warped him and made him feel trapped. It must have messed with his self-image, esteem, and self-worth. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

Karen wrote: "❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Styxx Anaxkolasiღ♥ღ wrote: "Just started chapter 6 and have to say Gilderoy Lockhart is so full of himself."

Chapter 6

Lockhart is just hilarious. I love his character in that l..."

I know he is so cowardly and vain. It's just kind of funny.

[RachelvlehcaR]

This time in re-reading the story I noticed the major stereotypes going on. I really hadn't picked up on it before but now I'm really aware of it. Isn't that funny when reading something how you might night pick it up. This is the third re-reading for me and I have to say for me this is the less favorite in the series.

[RachelvlehcaR]

I just finished reading the book. I forgot how magical this book is. It was fun to read it. I've always wondered why they kept Peeves out of the movie? Still Jenny. (view spoiler)[Oh Jenny, what's wrong with you. Why? Why? Why? Wouldn't you tell someone from the start? Dumb girl. (hide spoiler)]

[Amanda A]

I finished and enjoyed rereading it. It is probably my least favorite book in the series though. I also noticed how many times they were worried about being expelled, as someone else mentioned earlier in this thread. It is interesting how that is their biggest concern but they are only 12 years old. I also wish Peeves was in the movie.

(view spoiler)[I liked how Harry freed Dobby from the Malfoys in the end. (hide spoiler)]

[❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Daryl Dixonღ♥ღ]

Amanda A wrote: "I finished and enjoyed rereading it. It is probably my least favorite book in the series though. I also noticed how many times they were worried about being expelled, as someone else mentioned ea..."

Think a lot of people would say that it is their least favourite book in the series, I know that it is for me.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Amanda A wrote: "I finished and enjoyed rereading it. It is probably my least favorite book in the series though. I also noticed how many times they were worried about being expelled, as someone else mentioned ea..."

I liked that part at the ending too Amanda. :) (view spoiler)[ I also liked how Dobby used magic on Lucius too. That part always redeems Dobby for his annoying behaviors. :P (hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Styxx Anaxkolasiღ♥ღ wrote: Think a lot of people would say that it is their least favourite book in the series, I know that it is for me. "

I agree. It's for sure my least favorite but it's still good.

[Ari]

This one finally arrived at the library, so I just started. I don't know if anyone is still reading it, though.

The Dursleys continue to be horrible. I'm always surprised from one book to the other at just how horrible they are. (view spoiler)[ I enjoyed their dramatic reaction to Harry asking Dudley to say the 'magic word'! It was so tragic when Harry was wondering around singing happy birthday to himself :( (hide spoiler)]

[Shan ~A~]

Trying to read 4 books at once and devote time to each.
I haven't made much progress with this one but I do have a few thoughts and the one's I have stem around Dobby. Harry is already experiencing a terrible Birthday, when this House Elf comes along and makes it even worse. I remember later in the series(of movies) liking Dobby, but as of right now he is on my hit list. (view spoiler)[along with Draco (hide spoiler)] (view spoiler)[The worst offense was him (around the way) revealing to the Dursleys that Harry was not supposed to use his magic away from Hogwarts. (hide spoiler)] He needed that little bit of leverage so that they would treat him somewhat civilized. Love that Ron and the gang came along when they did.

[Ari]

Shan wrote: "Trying to read 4 books at once and devote time to each.
I haven't made much progress with this one but I do have a few thoughts and the one's I have stem around Dobby. Harry is already experiencin..."

I think I have lot of affection for Dobby left over from the later books. The first time I read this book I was like, "Grr, who is this jerk? I hate him." and now I'm thinking "Oh god no, Dobby, bad plan, don't do it!", which is a little different.

I love the Weasleys! (view spoiler)[ Their daring rescue, and then Mr. and Mrs. Weasley back at their house, with Mrs. Weasley chewing everyone out, and Mr. Weasley wanting to know how the car ran. (hide spoiler)]And the description of the house.

[Ari]

Just finished Chapter 7, and I hate, hate, HATE Lockhart. I enjoyed the (view spoiler)[ Howler Mrs. Weasley sent. I think she has an excellent yelling at people in a funny but terrifying way style. (hide spoiler)]

[Ari]

Read chapter 8-14. I enjoyed reading about the deathday party. I had completely forgotten that happpens. In chapter 14, I thought it was really funny when (view spoiler)[ Hagrid and Dumbledore were both apparently advising empty air, and Fudge and Malfoy were ... confused? Or thought they were nuts. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Jex]

So unfortunately I don't really have time to re-read these right now. However, I'm totally loving all the discussion about the books. I'm glad to see people hate Lockhart as much as I do!

[Ari]

Jex wrote: "So unfortunately I don't really have time to re-read these right now. However, I'm totally loving all the discussion about the books. I'm glad to see people hate Lockhart as much as I do!"

I just finished, and while Lockhart is totally and completely awful for almost all of the book (view spoiler)[ I kind of like him with no memory. Plus, poetic justice! :) (hide spoiler)]

It was deeply satisfying when (view spoiler)[ Dobby was freed and Lucius Malfoy was made to look like an idiot. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Anita wrote: "I'd fogotten about [spoilers removed]"

Just finishing my re-read. Anita and Ari, (view spoiler)[ I wish they had found a way to include the death day party in the movie. The visuals could have been amazing. But I understand that it wasn't necessary to the overall story and was easily left out to keep the story short enough for movie form.

Lockhart is such a two-dimensional character. It's part of the reason this is my least favorite book in the series. Blech. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "This time in re-reading the story I noticed the major stereotypes going on. I really hadn't picked up on it before but now I'm really aware of it. Isn't that funny when reading something how you ..."

It's my least favorite in the series as well. I mean, I enjoy it, and it's a solid three stars, but the series just grows from the first two books so much.

[Michelle]

Ari wrote: "Shan wrote: "Trying to read 4 books at once and devote time to each.
I haven't made much progress with this one but I do have a few thoughts and the one's I have stem around Dobby. Harry is alread..."
My views about Dobby changed after finishing the series, too! It's funny. (view spoiler)[I hated him during the first reading, but I grew to love him by Deathly Hallows and he is far less annoying now that I read it with the perspective of what is to come. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Great, Kristin! I'll check back in to chat with you about it.

[Michelle]

This whole series is great on audio, too. I might do the next book on my commute.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I have been doing this re-read on audio. I love it