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

[Samantha]

Silje wrote: "Samantha wrote: "Devann wrote: "well, finished this one in just about 3 hours as well. i can probably read the next one in one sitting at well but after that i'll have to break them up into pieces ..."

As I picked up the book again, I was thinking that too. It's gotta be mentioned somewhere...

[Sophie, The other one]

Samantha, I remember that about the dormitories as well. Not sure where it was from...

[Fandury]

Finished Chapter 8 yesterday, and I still love the idea of a Deathday party, even so it is probably not that great for living participans.

Also, I really love Lockhart. Yes, he is a big attention grabbing fame monster and annoying to everyone who comes near him. But I simply love his over the top narcissim and the fact that his pictures are as vain as he himself (and that Harry`s picture has the good sense to not to want to appear with him).

(view spoiler)[Also, we get our first contact with the Chamber of Secrets and the monster living within. There is only one thing I always found strange. It is clear that Harry can hear the monster because he understands Parseltongue. But, if he can hear this, should not Ron and Hermione hear the basilisk original tongue, so hear something hiss or however it sound in it original form? (hide spoiler)]

[Sophie, The other one]

That puzzled me too. If it's loud enough for 1person it should be loud enough for everyone. Would mean people had warning and could avoid it.

[Melissa]

I just finished the first book and am getting ready to start this one :)

Anyone else just starting the second book?

[Sophie, The other one]

I've just finished it, but I'm sure more people will be starting it soon!

[Jammin Jenny]

Getting ready to start this tomorrow!

[Imke]

Devann wrote: "@ ✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry

did dumbledore ever tell snape [spoilers removed]"

I think (view spoiler)[Dumbledore needed Slughorn's memory and therefore needed to protect him and he only teaches potions, Snape then filled the vacant DADA position. (hide spoiler)]

[Imke]

Kirsten wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "What edition of this book are people picking up this time around to read/reread/listen to..."

I received the wandbook in a Lootcrate (world of wizardy box) recently I have flipped through it a little. It is nice to have as a wand reference.

[Imke]

Devann wrote: "Chapters 3-4

I always find the scene at Borgin and Burkes really interesting. Although I am kind of confused as to why the guy buys stuff that is apparently illegal if there are so many raids goin..."

!!(view spoiler)[Peeves drops the Hogwarts vanishing cabinet (I think in the deathday chapter in this book) above Filch's office to get Harry out of detention (he does this on orders of Nearly Headless Nick). That is where the cabinet gets damaged. It makes an appearance in I think the Order of the Pheonix where a Slytherin gets shoved in by Fred and George and is lost in limbo for months, that is where Draco got the idea to use it to smuggle deatheaters into the castle in The halfblood prince) (hide spoiler)] !! Huge spoiler for book 6

[Shannon]

Silje wrote: "Soo, I couldn't wait till tomorrow, so started listening to the book today=) Finished chapter 1-5 and started on the 6th.

I truly love the Weasleys. They are a family built on love. They don't hav..."

Me too. I just finished Ch 5. The first part really is a lot of fun.

[Imke]

Chapters 5-13

I think all things that stood out for me have already been mentioned.

What I am having trouble with is Hermione's infatuation with Lockhard. How can she not see the way he is and gloss over blatant misuse of magic and even defend him when he makes Harry lose his bones in one of his arms.

[Dev]

yeah the whole 'all the girls have a huge crush on lockhart' thing is so annoying to me but also i had crushes on loads of dumb boys when i was younger before i knew better so i guess it's probably a pretty accurate representation. and i guess the boys do some pretty stupid things when they have crushes later on in the books as well lol hermione is just getting hers out of the way early ;)

[Shannon]

Imke wrote: "Chapters 5-13

I think all things that stood out for me have already been mentioned.

What I am having trouble with is Hermione's infatuation with Lockhard. How can she not see the way he is and g..."

I agree. It does seem completely out of character for Hermione.

[Shannon]

Just finished Ch 15

(view spoiler)[I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this book. From Mr Weasley fighting Malfoy, the car, to the Quidditich match with Malfoy, to Lockhart's buffoonery. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Devann wrote: "yeah the whole 'all the girls have a huge crush on lockhart' thing is so annoying to me but also i had crushes on loads of dumb boys when i was younger before i knew better so i guess it's probably..."

I think it is a way of making her more equal to girls her age, since she is way smarter than most of them:P She has to have one weak spot/embarrassing trait. All girls have a stupid crush that makes them blind a some point!

[Silje]

Chapter 6 - The End

Finished the rest of the book today.

Wow, I think book Lockhart is even more annyoing than the movie character!
(view spoiler)[It is no surprise the other teachers gang up on him when they discuss what to do after Ginny disappears. (hide spoiler)]

Moaning Myrtle is quite a character. (view spoiler)[She really deserves her nickname, I feel that the only thing she does is whine and feel sorry for herself. But I had to smile when she said Harry could share her bathroom if he had died in the Chamber:P (hide spoiler)]

I appreciated the longer explanation (view spoiler)[ Tom gave about how Ginny confided in the diary and got pretty much enslaved by the memory in it. I also noted that Ginny's reaction was described every time a new victim was found or when the diary came into Harry's possession, a clear hint that she could be involved. But not sure if I noticed this because I knew the story or because it was that noticeable... (hide spoiler)]

[Fandury]

Silje wrote: "Devann wrote: "yeah the whole 'all the girls have a huge crush on lockhart' thing is so annoying to me but also i had crushes on loads of dumb boys when i was younger before i knew better so i gues..."

Finished today.

And doesn't we all had a stupid crush somewhere in our youth... But it is really a little cliched that every girl (and woman) seems to be infatuated with him, except for the teachers who had to work alongside him.

(view spoiler)[Also, in the end it seems as if Dumbledore new about his little secret regarding his adventures. So I would really like to know why he hired him. But then perhaps he new he would get punished because of the jinx on the job... But honestly, with the reappearance of Voldemort, Defence Against the Dark Arts should be one of the most important subject at this school, and they find an untalented peacock teaching it... but at least I had fun reading about him.

Otherwise I think this book is a great example that a lot of problems would not exist when people would only talk to each other. Why didn't Ginny talk at least with her brothers about the diary? Why did Harry not tell at least Dumbledore about the voice he heard? Why did Dumbledore not talk about the first time the Chamber was opened, because with the rise of Voldemort it really should have been obvious that he could have something to do with it, and Dumbledore obviously knew at some point that Tom Riddle was Voldemort? So many questions...

But overall I liked the book more than I remembered it. We get a glimpse into Voldemort in his youth, there are some first breadcrumps laid for important developments in the future and Harry is really heroic in this, saving the girl and the day. (hide spoiler)]

[Dev]

@Fandury yeah like i don't mind so much that Hermione has a crush on him bc honestly it makes sense in a way but it's that EVERY girl seems to have a crush on him, like it would be great if there were a few that didn't. but also Hermione is really the only main girl character at this point in the series soooo ....

also i think that EVERY ONE OF THESE BOOKS is a great example of problems arising because people won't just talk to each other. it honestly infuriates me sometimes lol

[Shannon]

Fandury wrote: "Silje wrote: "Devann wrote: "yeah the whole 'all the girls have a huge crush on lockhart' thing is so annoying to me but also i had crushes on loads of dumb boys when i was younger before i knew be..."

I agree. I never quite understood why Dumbledore would hire Lockhart. And, you're right some communication would have gone a long way.

[Shannon]

Devann wrote: "@Fandury yeah like i don't mind so much that Hermione has a crush on him bc honestly it makes sense in a way but it's that EVERY girl seems to have a crush on him, like it would be great if there w..."

It's kind if annoying in that Hermione always seems to see right through most BS, but she doesn't in this case. But I guess you have to give her some fallibility. lol.

[Shannon]

Silje wrote: "Chapter 6 - The End

Finished the rest of the book today.

Wow, I think book Lockhart is even more annyoing than the movie character!
[spoilers removed]

Moaning Myrtle is quite a character. [spoil..."

I finished this morning too. I really had forgotten how fun this book is. Maybe its always been overshadowed in my mind by book 3, since I love all things Sirius. It was really nice to revisit though and I enjoyed it.

[Emelie]

Reporting in for Team Cedric Diggory! Just finished the reread of the first book and can't wait to get reading this one.

[Joanne]

Fandury wrote: "Also, I really love Lockhart. Yes, he is a big attention grabbing fame monster and annoying to everyone who comes near him. But I simply love his over the top narcissim and the fact that his pictures are as vain as he himself (and that Harry`s picture has the good sense to not to want to appear with him)."

I think it's so interesting how in the wizarding world, the way the pictures move seems to be determined by how the people feel as the pictures are being taken. It always makes me laugh how Colin's picture shows Harry clearly not wanting to be in the picture and Lockhart trying to hold onto him and eventually giving up. Such a great image.

[Joanne]

This is probably my least favourite of the series so it's been taking me a little longer to get through it.

All these references to the Vanishing cabinet is making me anxious to get further into the series. I've only read books 5, 6 and 7 maybe twice so there's a lot I don't remember.

[Emelie]

Oh boy; I had forgotten how annoying Lockheart really is. I can't stand him at all. His narcissism makes my skin crawl. It's super scary and (view spoiler)[ obviously a huge danger, as the scene with the pixies hints at.

Also loved Arthur jumping on Malfoy! So unmagically way of getting back at him, and it gets me so mad how Malfoy tells Ginny, a little girl, a child, that her tattered book is all her father could afford for her. It's one thing for Lucius to act like that against Arthur, but a little kid! (hide spoiler)]

I loved the chapters at the Weasleys. It's just so... magical to get a glimpse into ordinary wizarding life. Molly's cooking books, their clock, the whole house, the ghoul, and the de-gnoming part is always amusing! It sounds so fun, though I can imagine it being super tedious when you gotta do it all the time, hah.

I just love Molly and Arthur. I love how realistic Molly is written as a mother, her worrying, her bad tempers, her obvious love, how she wants to overfeed thin Harry, how worried and caring she is, how badass, and she feels super matronly and like a safe haven for her kids. Arthur is a sweet dad too, encouraging his kids, and I love the part when the twins and Ron got so excited when dad came home! Just like ordinary life in a safe, loving family. And Arthur being so obsessed with Muggle things and asking about it to Harry and the Grangers are always amusing too.

Edit: Book finished. Probably my least favorite in the series, but it certainly has its charms and interesting stuff happening. I like the little hints, getting deeper into the magical society and the plots of the future, getting to knowing the characters and the relationships even more.

[Jessica]

This was awesome. This is my favorite book so far. I love Molly and how motherly she is. I love how Ron and the Weasleys rescue Harry from the Dursleys. I hate how they crash the car. I hate how Ginny is the one who gets taken into the Chamber of Secrets. I was glad when Harry rescued Ginny. Lockhart was hilarious though.

[Jessica]

Emelie wrote: "Oh boy; I had forgotten how annoying Lockheart really is. I can't stand him at all. His narcissism makes my skin crawl. It's super scary and obviously a huge danger, as the scene with the pixies h..."

Molly is amazing. I have a friend whose mom is just like Molly.

[Emelie]

Jessica wrote: "This was awesome. This is my favorite book so far. I love Molly and how motherly she is. I love how Ron and the Weasleys rescue Harry from the Dursleys. I hate how they crash the car. I hate how Gi..."

He is hilarous in an irritating kind of way, isn't he?

And lucky your friend! I just love how Molly is so loving and welcoming - accepting Harry into the family like, no problems, knitting him sweaters, feeding him, being just the motherly support he needs and deserves.

[Emelie]

Joanne wrote: "Fandury wrote: "Also, I really love Lockhart. Yes, he is a big attention grabbing fame monster and annoying to everyone who comes near him. But I simply love his over the top narcissim and the fact..."

I liked that little detail too! I have always wondered how/what determines how the photos act, is it determined only by the personality of the actual person, but I've never noticed that Harry's photo image in that photo refuses to be in the photo, acting out what the actual Harry felt and wanted but couldn't do.

[Emelie]

Shannon wrote: "Devann wrote: "@Fandury yeah like i don't mind so much that Hermione has a crush on him bc honestly it makes sense in a way but it's that EVERY girl seems to have a crush on him, like it would be g..."

She's just a young girl though. I personally liked that she was shown to be just a normal kid and not just a wonder genius child and thought it was believable and cute with her being so smitten with Lockhart - despite that she in any other circumstance would have seen through his BS act!

[Emelie]

Silje wrote: "Chapter 6 - The End

Finished the rest of the book today.

Wow, I think book Lockhart is even more annyoing than the movie character!
[spoilers removed]

Moaning Myrtle is quite a character. [spoil..."

When I first read the books I never noticed (view spoiler)[that Ginny was described in every scene surrounding the victims but during this reread it definitely stood out - I love those kinds of small details. It just feels like J.K. has put down so much thought into every little thing she writes. It was interesting to reread how the diary works, and how it literally took the soul out of Ginny and gave it to give life to Voldemort.

Moaning Myrtle is so annoying, but charming in her way too. I also loved her comment about Harry being allowed to share her toilet if he died, haha!

(hide spoiler)]

[Caroline]

I am on chapter 6! And the part where Neville faints in the botanic class is not in the book!!!

I think this one is the movie I saw the most times so it is just impregnated in my head 🤣

[Joanne]

Emelie wrote: "(view spoiler)[ it gets me so mad how Malfoy tells Ginny, a little girl, a child, that her tattered book is all her father could afford for her. It's one thing for Lucius to act like that against Arthur, but a little kid! (hide spoiler)]"

(view spoiler)[I KNOW! Like he's obviously a horrible person and this really illustrates it here. If two adults or two children of a similar age/size get into an argument or fight, it's completely different to a grown man spitefully insulting a little girl in public. What a complete waste of space he is. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

Finished the book last night

(view spoiler)[I re-read these a ton as a kid but as an adult Dumbledore's reactions puzzle me more. Why is he giving Harry such free rein when he knows something is going on? He gives him a few hints about loyalty and Fawkes, but it seems like he is kind of letting Harry become a better wizard in these earlier books by letting him try himself against these difficult situations. I would love to get into that man's mind and see what goes on in there. (hide spoiler)]

[Emelie]

Joanne wrote: "Emelie wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah! And not only insulting her, but using her father to do it. As a little girl, Ginny's dad is surely her hero, and inutiating that Arthur can't ("wont" / "Don't care enough to") get her better things just.. ugh, my heart. Lucius is like, going after a kid's love and admiration for their parent, and trying to muddle that. (hide spoiler)]

[Elen]

Hey, I am joining too from Team Hermione Granger.

Chapter 1-6

(view spoiler)[I totally understand why Harry does not enjoy living with the Dursleys, I wouldn’t want either to live there. I like how Rowling makes Harry like “real” person – he is vulnerable, bullied by his cousin and he wonders why his good friends from school seem to have forgotten about him.
My favorite quote from Chapter 1 was 'I'll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I'm not there,' said Harry dully. – Me while reading a book at home
I didn’t really like the reason why Dobby appeared for the first time in the book (I love Dobby), causing problems with Dursley and Ministry of Magic.
Flying car, yes, please. I would love to live at the Burrow. I really don’t care how it looks like, the most important aspect of the home is people with who you share it. Mrs. Weasley is the most caring mother to have and her love for Harry is something that Harry has been missing all his years while living with Dursleys. Mr. Weasley love to Muggle artifacts is so cute.
Every time I reread HP books again Gilderoy Lockhart gets more and more annoying than last time. This time I even had to stop reading, bc I couldn’t take him anymore. Ughhhh, man – worst Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher so far (But not as bad and hated as Dolores Umbridge)
(hide spoiler)]

[Caroline]

Elen wrote: "Hey, I am joining too from Team Hermione Granger.

Chapter 1-6

I totally understand why Harry does not enjoy living with the Dursleys, I wouldn’t want either to live there. I like how Rowling make..."

I totally feel like you on these points !! and Dolores Umbridge is the worst !!!

When I first read Harry Potter I really hate Snape (view spoiler)[ but when you get to the final books and you understand where he's coming from, I cannot hate him (hide spoiler)]

Is anyone else annoyed that Dumbledore is not so important in this book? I mean he's not as involved as I thought. In the movies, I feel he is more like a mentor for Harry, but in the books, I feel he is very distant.

[maria helena]

Started a reread this morning. I had forgotten how annoying Lockhart is!

[maria helena]

Caroline wrote: "Elen wrote: "Hey, I am joining too from Team Hermione Granger.

Chapter 1-6

I totally understand why Harry does not enjoy living with the Dursleys, I wouldn’t want either to live there. I like how..."

I completely agree with you about Snape.

[Elen]

Caroline

That's what makes Snape different from other characters. (view spoiler)[First you don't like him, even hate, but in the end (last book) you start understanding his actions and after that, you just can't hate him anymore. (hide spoiler)]

[ClaireB]

Elen wrote: "Caroline

That's what makes Snape different from other characters. [spoilers removed]"

I agree. (view spoiler)[ As a child I hated him. He was just too mean. And when the series of movies were completed (I watched the movies before reading them), my opinion changed completely. Now he's one of my favorite fictional characters, ever. And I'm not just talking about the Harry Potter books. (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

The ebook finally came in so I'm starting this one today :)

[maria helena]

Claire, he is definitely one of my all-time favourite fictional characters too!

[maria helena]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[
I got very frustrated that it took so long for Harry to realize what is going on with Tom Riddle. I found myself keep yelling at him to not be so blind and trusting.
(hide spoiler)]

I don't remember being so annoyed by this previous times I read the book but maybe my memory has become selective and I only remember all the things I love about this series...

[Leslie Ann]

Chapter 1 - just started listening to the audible version. What fun!

[Jammin Jenny]

maria helena wrote: "Started a reread this morning. I had forgotten how annoying Lockhart is!"

I know! I had totally forgotten (view spoiler)[ how many times he approached Harry after he arrived at Hogwarts talking about how he shouldn't try so hard to be in the spotlight. What a narcissist. (hide spoiler)]

I totally forgot also all the chores Harry had to do that day when the company was coming, and Dudley walked around eating ice cream and watching tv.

After watching the movies so many times and only reading the books once I am also surprised by how different Mr. Weasley is described in the book vs. his appearance in the movie. And I don't remember him actually fighting with Lucius Malfoy and Hagrid breaking it up in the movie. I'm waiting until I finish the book to watch the movie again to see what else they took out of the movie.

I like the foreshadowing (view spoiler)[ of the house elves filling the bowls and plates at Hogwarts. Does that come out in book 6? I think so. (hide spoiler)]

[Elen]

I finished yesterday HP book 2, but didn't have time to update my thoughts.

(view spoiler)[This book is my least favorite, but I still like it. Just it's not as good as others or action pact. Even some parts like a diary - why it took him so long to understand what's going on.
Favorite part of the book was, of course, freeing Dobby.
“Dobby has got a sock,” said Dobby in disbelief. “Master threw it, and Dobby caught it, and Dobby — Dobby is free.” Mr. Malfoy gets what he deserves, no house elf anymore... muhahah

Quote from the movie: “Ron: Why spiders? Why couldn't it be "follow the butterflies?”
Ron, I know, I know... I would choose butterflies over spiders always!!!

(hide spoiler)]

[Elen]

Caroline wrote: "Is anyone else annoyed that Dumbledore is not so important in this book? I mean he's not as involved as I thought. In the movies, I feel he is more like a mentor for Harry, but in the books, I feel he is very distant."

I wouldn't say that bc (view spoiler)[I feel that Dumbledore is building his character in first books and will be more important in future books.. Some mystery :) (hide spoiler)]

[Elen]

Joanne wrote: "Finished the book last night

[spoilers removed]"

Yes, Yes. We need a book about Dumbledore. He can offer to us so much - his mind is a big mystery.