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

[Caroline]

Elen wrote: "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 ..."

I guess you're right ! I just finished HP and the prisoner of Azkaban, and yes he IS more involved than in the first books. Maybe it is to let Harry build his own personality and then Dumbledore can help him grow even more...

[maria helena]

Finished it, and it was just as good as all the previous times I've read it.

The main thing that I noticed (and that resonated with me more) this time around, more than previous times, is how fast everyone are to blame an easy target, especially when they are afraid of something. Rowling definitely managed to captured a lot of social problems that are still current, and maybe that is one contributing factor to that people of all ages can relate to the books.

[Elen]

Agree. Harry was the easiest target to blame all problems on. He is different than others for example(view spoiler)[ Parseltongue (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

I'm on Chapter 8 and I agree with you Caroline about Dumbledore. I forgot just how minor of a character he was in the first couple of books.

JKR definitely does a great job translating current social issues with the magical world. This particular book (view spoiler)[ when Draco calls Hermione a mudblood is one that I remember from later books but not this early on. At first Hermione isn't as troubled because she doesn't know what the word means but later on it becomes more important because of what the word implies. It shows how a word is just a word until someone gives it meaning to harm. (hide spoiler)]

I totally forgot how much of a twit Draco is in this book LOL

[Jackie]

I just started, listening to the Jim Dale audio.

(view spoiler)[Loved Harry's rescue by Ron from the Dursleys. I'm always amazed by how bad the Dursleys are. Mrs. Weasley and the rest of the Weasleys is just what Harry needs. (hide spoiler)]

[Caroline]

Melissa wrote: "I'm on Chapter 8 and I agree with you Caroline about Dumbledore. I forgot just how minor of a character he was in the first couple of books.

JKR definitely does a great job translating current soc..."

This is a really interesting thing! Social issues are the same as in the early 2000's as it is today! Blaming someone so fast and seeing only appearances, I didn't see it from that point before! I forget how deep it can go even for a "children/teen" book. I love how she can tell so many things without it being so obvious and how you can see the evolution from book to book!!

[Jammin Jenny]

Words do have such an impact on people - I love how this book deals with prejudice and puts someone that is considered "inferior" to others as one of the MCs of the book.

[Melissa]

Caroline wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I'm on Chapter 8 and I agree with you Caroline about Dumbledore. I forgot just how minor of a character he was in the first couple of books.

JKR definitely does a great job transla..."

Oh I love the evolution from book to book!! It's as if her writing matures with the characters and that is one of the most amazing things about this series to me.

[Melissa]

Chapter 13

i just love Ginny from the books :):)

i totally forgot about her (view spoiler)[love poem to Harry - how cute is she! (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Just started reading today. This is my first read of the HP series. I'm from Team Tom Riddle.


Chapters 1 - 5:

(view spoiler)[
Poor Harry! Life with the Dursleys just keeps getting worse and worse. Do they continue through all the books or do we ever see the last of them??

Dobby, while cute, sure did know how to make some noise, didn't he? I wonder who he belongs to and if he is indeed telling the truth. I'm not sure yet.

Ahhhh....The Burrow. I'm so glad the Weasley boys came and broke Harry out of that awful house and took him home with them! Mrs. Weasley is awesome and Mr. Weasley makes me giggle. And de-dnoming the garden...how fun!

Another trip to Diagon Alley, but this one wasn't as descriptive as the first. We see a run-down side street instead where Harry sees the Malfoys. They are still not likable in my book! And I wonder how the new teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart will be.

Leave it to Harry and Ron to get stranded at the train station and have to take the flying car. LOL! And get caught doing it. They can't get away with anything. There's Hermione still trying to put them in there place. What's up with Percy? Is he going to give them a hard time as well? (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Melissa wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I'm on Chapter 8 and I agree with you Caroline about Dumbledore. I forgot just how minor of a character he was in the first couple of books.

JKR definitely does a ..."

I completely agree. Especially when you re-read the books one after the other so that you can truly appreciate how Rowling's writing matures and the story just gets better and better. The world she creates never ceases to amaze me.

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Chapters 6 - 10:

(view spoiler)[
So we've met Lockhart and I don't care for him at all! He's arrogant, conceited, full of himself - you get the picture. I thought the Mandrake part was funny! I could really picture Harry trying to squeeze the fat one into the dirt. :)

Little Collin Creevey. He idolizes Harry enough to get up at the crack of dawn to see him. The slugs!!! Gross!

I find myself laughing at Nearly Headless Nick. Him and his Deathday Party were pretty funny, but I wanted to hear his speech. LOL!

Then there was the poor cat. At least she's not dead though. I kind of feel sorry for Argus Filch. He's probably been made fun of his entire life due to being a Squib.

Still don't like Lockhart! And Dobby is getting on my nerves as well. He's always messing something up! Now it's poor little Collin. Hopefully the Mandrakes will fix him, too! And we find out that there is, in fact, a Chamber of Secrets!! (hide spoiler)]

[Leslie Ann]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I just finished the book and I loved it. It has been quite awhile since I read it last. I laughed out loud so many times.
Lockhart is very arrogant. My favorite quote is when Harry and Ron confront him as he is trying to leave
"Books can be deceiving." I am so happy Dobby is free , he is probably one of my favorite characters.
(hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Just about to start this and can't wait even though the basilisk gives me the heebie jeebies.

[Melissa]

~Michelle~ wrote: "Chapters 6 - 10:


So we've met Lockhart and I don't care for him at all! He's arrogant, conceited, full of himself - you get the picture. I thought the Mandrake part was funny! I could really pict..."

I loved the slugs parts. I was cracking up! Lockhart is a real twit! Always involving himself and making things worse LOL

[Melissa]

I've finished and I have to say I am so glad I am re-reading these books. I forgot just how much I love them.

This one has one of my favorite parts in the whole series in it (view spoiler)[ when Harry is in the Chamber of Secrets and Fawkes and the Hat come to help and save him. There is always help at Hogwarts to any who ask. I just love that line and part!!

It always makes me shake my head at the responsibility that Dumbledore puts on Harry throughout the series and the trust he has in him to be successful in fighting off Voldemort. I can't help but wonder if Dumbledore knew just what was going to happen in every situation.

And Dobby being freed - what a funny and perfectly fitting end to the book. Lucius is a troll and I'm so glad he got what he deserved! (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

~Michelle~ wrote: "Just started reading today. This is my first read of the HP series. I'm from Team Tom Riddle.


Chapters 1 - 5:


Poor Harry! Life with the Dursleys just keeps getting worse and worse. Do they cont..."

Oh this is your first time reading! i'm jealous - there is nothing like experiences HP for the first time.

The Dursley's will continue on I'm afraid but it's worth it in the end. Dobby was annoying me in the beginning I think he meant to do good and help HP but he just didn't seem to actually help!

I loved seeing the Weasley house for the first time. That family is so funny and great. I love they became Harry's real family right from the beginning!

[Ashlee]

I feel like every post I make starts with, "Oh, how much I have forgotten."

(view spoiler)[From the start, I laughed at meeting Dobby again. However, his antics became a bit annoying.
I love how the reader gets to meet the Weasley family early on, as they have become Harry's true family. I had to laugh at the fact that I COMPLETELY forgot about the flying car and the fact that Harry and Ron had to use it as their means to get to Hogwarts. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Chapters 11 - 14:


(view spoiler)[
I thought the whole dueling scene was rather funny! I wanted Snape to blast Lockhart on his rear end. ;-) Who knew saving someone from a snake bite would get you talked about behind your back? Could nobody see that what Harry did was good in the end?

The Polyjuice Potion and the cat hair! Poor Hermione. I sure hope Mr. Weasley doesn't end up losing his job! How will they ever support all those children??

So Hermione ends up in the hospital for weeks!! Moaning Myrtle makes me laugh. I also have this voice I hear in my head when she speaks and it's pretty funny as well. The diary! What cool imagery! But could Hagrid have really been involved? I'm shocked!! And then there was the sweet Valentine's Day poem for Harry. I wonder if Ginny really sent it to him?

I'm seeing where all the class names for TT VI are coming from! I think most of them have been mentioned between both books at this point. So fun!! I don't think I want to see any more of Cornelius Fudge. Do he show up in future books?

Sidenote -- I love all the mandrake jokes woven into the story! When they want to start moving into each other's pots..... (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Melissa wrote: "~Michelle~ wrote: "Just started reading today. This is my first read of the HP series. I'm from Team Tom Riddle.


Chapters 1 - 5:


Poor Harry! Life with the Dursleys just keeps getting worse and ..."

It figures they would hang around! But now you've got my interest up to see what happens. LOL!

[Ashlee]

I'd like to talk characters for a moment...

Lockhart - I didn't remember from my first read how "into himself" he was. It's actually rather annoying as he goes around signing his books and creating photo opportunities.

Draco Malfoy - (This makes me sad, since this is my team) - I can't stand this little brat. He's given anything he wants from his Daddy, which makes him a bit "too big for his britches".

In making some real world connections, I think some of the quirks of these characters are what makes this series so relatable to people and children of all ages. Although it is obnoxious, I know in the American society, bullying is huge topic of conversation. This series has so much of it!

[Jackie]

I was thinking about the comments about bullying and how both of the spoiled brats of the series, Draco Malfoy and Harry's cousin Dudley, are obnoxious and bullying. So it doesn't matter if you come from a Muggles family or a Wizarding family, the results are the same.

[Nicole]

I've read up until chapter 4 and the Dursley's continue to be the absolute pits. Totally agree with Melissa about Dobby trying to help Harry but actually didn't help at all.

And things at the Burrow was great. I like how Harry is able to experience a real, loving home. From parents who are polar opposites but loving and caring. To crazy siblings. The coming together for meals. I like that Harry has that after living with the Dursley's.

As for Draco...it's amazing how parents have such a great influence on their children. Draco is definitely like that because of his father. He projects and imitates what he sees and believes he is superior. Argh!

[Nicole]

Ashlee wrote: "I'd like to talk characters for a moment...

Lockhart - I didn't remember from my first read how "into himself" he was. It's actually rather annoying as he goes around signing his books and creatin..."

Couldn't agree more Ashlee. And I think bullying is a problem worldwide. And with the advent of social media, it's even worse these days. I think JKR did a good job showing that even in the wizarding world, bullying is a factor.

[Dev]

i also am liking draco less this time around. i mean i always knew he was awful [even though i did spend the majority of my childhood with a huge crush on him] but i think the older i get the more annoying he is, at least in the earlier books

[Nicole]

I'm up to chapter 8 and so much going on...

(view spoiler)[Draco basically bribes his way into the quidditch team because he is a dweeb who wants what Harry has. That kid won't learn anything about hard work. He and Dudley would be the best of friends.

Poor Colin. He is one overzealous fan. But his enthusiasm is endearing and annoying at the same time.

Lockhart. Shoot me know. That conceited, lying, fool. More concerned with himself than anything else. What Dumbledore was thinking when he hired him, heaven alone knows. He must have been desperate.

I feel so bad for Ron...and not just because of the slugs. I just want Harry to buy him a new wand. A broom. But that's not how it works and it would most certainly offend Molly and Arthur. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

~Michelle~ wrote: "Chapters 6 - 10:"

Spot on with all observations. I'm in agreement. Lockhart....argh! Makes me crazy.

[Jackie]

Lockhart - awful, and a coward too!

(view spoiler)[I didn't understand why one of the teachers couldn't fix Ron's wand. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlee]

"It's our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Going back to a previous comment of mine, this quote continues to make me think of the world we live in. This is a great piece of advice to give to anyone second guessing themselves.

[Jackie]

I finished listening to the Jim Dale audio. It was fantastic! I'm enjoying re-reading these with the audio this time.

[Jammin Jenny]

I'm up to Chapter 11, and there are a lot of things in this book that didn't make it into the movie. I like that Hermione is now seemingly unafraid of breaking the rules.

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

I finished my book today!


Chapters 15 - 18


(view spoiler)[
Thank goodness that old flying car was in the forest to rescue Harry and Ron! Those spiders creeped me out, big time!!

We find out how to get into the Chamber of Secrets and that Moaning Myrtle is the girl who died 50 years ago. And Lockhart's true colors finally show through!

Poor, sweet Ginny! It's awful that she got mixed up in Tom Riddle's mess!! JKR was pretty clever with the names. So many well thought out aspects in the story. Harry, of course, defeats Voldemort again with the help of Fawkes and the Sorting Hat.

I was so glad that Ginny was OK and that her parents were there to see her! Lockhart got what was coming to him in the end. Dobby sort of redeemed himself in my opinion since I was not liking him too much in the rest of the book. I laughed when Mr. Malfoy lost his position! (hide spoiler)]

I gave this one a 5! I really enjoyed reading it and I liked it even better than the first book!! I will continue with the series.

[Karen ♐]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Judy wrote: "Chapter 3"

I love the Weasley family as a whole! They are just so warm and welcoming people. And so generous, too."

I love the Weasley family too. And I felt so sorry for Ron with his sandwiches on the train...

[Karen ♐]

Judy wrote: "Whoops, I guess I finished this today after all - that was not the plan!

Before reading Chamber of Secrets, I always wonder why I only give it four stars... but I just loathe Lockhart so much, th..."

I gave it four stars too. Maybe because I know there are so many more to come!

[Nicole]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 11, and there are a lot of things in this book that didn't make it into the movie. I like that Hermione is now seemingly unafraid of breaking the rules."

I just got to the end of chapter 10 and was thinking the same thing about things that were not included in the movie.

Just a few thoughts:

(view spoiler)[Professor Binn is a perfect example of why students don't like History at all and find it boring 😂

Lockhart is the most egotistical character I've ever encountered. Surely greater wizards and witches could have verified what he has done. Poor Harry and his bones! 33 😱 I do love that Harry persevered in the match knowing someone was out to get him.

Dobby is trying his best to help but is just making things worse. And I feel bad for him whenever he beats himself up for stuff. Poor guy. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

I just got to the end of chapter 15 and no doubt, Harry, Ron and Hermione are the bravest and most idiotic people ever!

(view spoiler)[To brew Polyjuice potion when it's expressly forbidden, was sheer genius but also dangerous. Poor Hermione :( The one who came up with the idea but got the worst end of the deal.

And then for Harry and Ron to go into the Forbidden Forest to follow spiders! And on that note, how many freakin' spiders are in Hogwarts?!

I also like how Harry and Ron are solving this on their own. Usually Hermione has all the answers or suggestions on what to do, but this time they're on their own and showing that they have the capabilities to figure things out by themselves.

I didn't realize Neville thought of himself so lowly. In chapter 11 he likened himself to being almost a squib. Imagine if JKR wrote a book about Neville from his POV while he was a student at Hogwarts. Would see a different side to things and what other students went through. (hide spoiler)]

[Dev]

Nicole wrote: "I just got to the end of chapter 15 and no doubt, Harry, Ron and Hermione are the bravest and most idiotic people ever!

lol basically gryffindor in a nutshell

[Nicole]

(view spoiler)[I spoke to soon about Ron and Harry doing it completely on their own 🙈 Hermione to the rescue again in chapter 16. Gotta love that girl and her smarts 🤓 (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

All done and what a lovely little trip down memory lane :) Second time round showed me themes I missed when I was younger such as trying to find your identity and the blatant prejudice in the wizarding world.

[Louise]

This is my 2nd reread of this book and it remains as enjoyable today as first time round. I like Dobby and his antics at trying to stop Harry going back to Hogwarts. I quite forgot how self-absorbed Lockhart actually is

[Laura]

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[
Awww...poor 12 year old Harry; no one remembered his birthday. Sad.
His aunt and uncle are still as horrible as they were in book 1! (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 1

"

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ Yeah - and birthdays are SO important to kids! They really think about them all year long - poor Harry! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 2 & 3
(view spoiler)[
Locking Harry in his room.. that 's awful. It makes me see red!

LOL at Dobby! He's quite the interesting little character.

I really wish these books had been out when I was a pre teen. I would have loved the magical world. The flying car was cool.
Yeah to Ron and the twins for breaking out Harry. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Suzanne wrote: "Laura wrote: "Chapter 1

"

Chapter 1 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yup, exactly. I've got one who plans all year round for hers. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

beginning of chapter 4
(view spoiler)[
OMG... the talking mirror... " tuck your shirt in, scruffy!"
Love it! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

~Michelle~ wrote: "Just started reading today. This is my first read of the HP series. I'm from Team Tom Riddle.


Chapters 1 - 5:

(view spoiler)[
Its also my first time reading the series, Michelle.
Using a flying car is one sure way to make a grand entrance into Hogwarts! (hide spoiler)]

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon]

Starting this today - Team Luna Lovegood :-)

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon]

Laura wrote: "~Michelle~ wrote: "Just started reading today. This is my first read of the HP series. I'm from Team Tom Riddle.


Chapters 1 - 5:


.."

It’s a reread for me also and I am up to chapter 6 already. (view spoiler)[ it is a shame Ron didn’t get to see his sister sorted. Also I wonder if Snape would have been so keen to expel them if they had been in Slytherin. Do you think he would have acted the same if it was Malfoy and Goyle for example? (hide spoiler)]

[Elize]

This was my first time reading through the series and I agree with people when they say that Hermione is a little out of character - at least from what I know of her from the first book.

I didn't enjoy this one as much unfortunately. The first I gave 5 stars for the amazing ending but this one I did not feel as invested in. I found myself able to put it down a lot as well.

Keep in mind I have never read any of these before or seen the movies so I am coming at this from a very different angle :P

[Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon]

Elize wrote: "This was my first time reading through the series and I agree with people when they say that Hermione is a little out of character - at least from what I know of her from the first book.

I didn't..."

Elize, I know what you mean. this is probably my least favourite of the whole series but I am looking forward to getting to Prisoner of Azkaban next which is probably my favourite.

Currently up to Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ I don't think I want to know what it would be like to grow the bones of your arm back UGH!

Love the quidditch games though. It sounds like such a fun ( but dangerous) sport (hide spoiler)]