Rowling, J.K.- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3); Informal Buddy Read: Starts November 21, 2014 --REVISIT-- May 2018

[Jen]

Oh, and I love the earlier scenes with the Boggart, too, though I wish Ron (view spoiler)[hadn't just taken away the spider's legs. The mental image I got of a six-foot legless spider rolling around... (hide spoiler)] I don't think that imagery is going to help my own nightmares very much.

[Jen]

The final chapter, Chapter Twenty-Two ("Owl Post Again "), had me in tears twice. First when Dumbledore talked with Harry about how the the dead we love never truly leave us: "Your father is alive in you, Harry..." (I miss my own Dad so very much.) And again at the closing lines. (Happy tears, this time.) I have so much love for this story. It's wonderful!

Next up, review-writing. Then, sleepy-time. And tomorrow, book four, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! :-)

[Jen]

My review is now done. :-)

One thing, though. Tea, we don't see spiders in roller skates in this book. Maybe in a future one? I can't remember, so I'll be not-so-pleasantly surprised when/if we do end up seeing spiders in roller skates. ;-)

[Jen]

Okay, I'm all through notifications here, on Facebook, in e-mail... Off to bed! Later today I'll start Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which I expect will definitely take me two days, since it's over 700 pages long. ;-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Sorry I'm on my phone (on the app) so can't see your spoiler. Will check soon ;)

The spider in skates is Ron's boggart
http://youtu.be/Ps3cJksVMXw

:D

[❀Tea❀]

ok I'm awake :)
Still have half book to read and if I manage to stay away from GR, should be done while you sleep :)


I think I'm going to wait for TT to start to continue reading. My heart was breaking every time I came to possible goal :p Oh and I read #4 earlier this year

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

That's true - these books work for heaps of goals!
I'm not starting book 7 until after TT begins ;)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Nice review Jen!
I also love the ending of this and how Dumbledore just gives enough of a hint for Hermoine (view spoiler)[ to work out how to save Buckbeak. Love it (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

P.S book 4 thread is here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[❀Tea❀]

All done. ☺

This is still my favorite HP book.

Think I'll switch now to HP library books and some fanfic I wanted to reread. That should kill few days before TT

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

This is my favourite too :)

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "Sorry I'm on my phone (on the app) so can't see your spoiler. Will check soon ;)

The spider in skates is Ron's boggart
http://youtu.be/Ps3cJksVMXw

:D"

Hmmm, so from the movie and not the books? Is that what you're saying? I'm asking, because I don't think I want to visit the link. It's one thing to put them in roller skates in my imagination, quite another to see them in roller skates (and the "before" shot). ;-)

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "Nice review Jen!
I also love the ending of this and how Dumbledore just gives enough of a hint for Hermoine [spoilers removed]"

Thanks! Yeah, I really love how Dumbledore is almost omniscient when it comes to things at Hogwarts. (Though I wish he truly was omniscient. Think of how much could be saved/avoided!)

Both of the Owl Post chapters (the first and the last) are especial favorites of mine. :-)

[Jen]

❀Tea❀ wrote: "All done. ☺

This is still my favorite HP book. ..."

Karen wrote: "This is my favourite too :)"

I don't know if it's THE favorite. I really just love the first three books as a unit. Book Four is when things start going darker. So while I still love the books (and will probably end up giving them all five stars), I kind of wish they hadn't gone so dark.

But Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is still pretty "light" even with its "darkness," so I'm excited to get started. :-)

[Jen]

❀Tea❀ wrote: "I think I'm going to wait for TT to start to continue reading. My heart was breaking every time I came to possible goal :p Oh and I read #4 earlier this year "

Karen wrote: "That's true - these books work for heaps of goals!
I'm not starting book 7 until after TT begins ;)"

I'm not going to intentionally wait until TT begins to continue the series. If I can, I'm actually hoping to get all seven books read inside two weeks. So I'd be finishing book seven a few days before TT begins, if I can keep up my current pace. And if I can survive the darkness to come and not get too depressed.

So I hope someone will at least hang out in the threads with me when I get to book six, especially, as that's the one I'll have trouble with. Book six, and how I'll feel once I've finished it for the second time, are the reason why I wanted to buddy read this series. Last/first time I read book six, I couldn't bring myself to continue on to book seven. Ten years later, I still haven't read book seven.

I'm rereading the whole series in expectation/hope that this time I'll make it through to book seven. So I hope somebody will show up to provide encouragement! :-)

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "P.S book 4 thread is here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

Thanks, Karen! I'll head over there now. :-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Well if you haven't seen the movie then, yeah, don't follow the link. They put skates on a spider for Ron's boggart, but it is still a huge spider and it isn't pink!

I'll still discuss the books with you, I'm just saving my re-read of book 7 :)
I know book 6 is hard, but it really is worth reading to the end of the series to put everything together

See you over at book 4!

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "Well if you haven't seen the movie then, yeah, don't follow the link. They put skates on a spider for Ron's boggart, but it is still a huge spider and it isn't pink!

I'll still discuss the books w..."

Thanks, Karen! :-) And I've definitely seen the first two movies. I've possibly seen third one (since I knew of the spiders on roller skates). But I have not seen the later movies.

At the time I watched the early ones, they were the only ones out. I can't watch them without "supervision." (I need someone to tell me when it's safe to open my eyes after certain scenes.) I haven't seen the later ones as, by the time it came around that I would have watched them, I wanted to see them all in a marathon and I couldn't find anyone who'd watch them with me to help me with the spider scenes in movie #2.

[Jen]

Incidentally, I have similar problems when watching the first three Hobbit movies, only I can't remember which movie it was that had the spider scenes in it, so I probably won't be watching those again any time soon. :'(

[❀Tea❀]

Jen wrote: "Incidentally, I have similar problems when watching the first three Hobbit movies, only I can't remember which movie it was that had the spider scenes in it, so I probably won't be watching those a..."

The Return of the King (3rd one - LotR) :)
Oh, and The Desolation of Smaug (2nd one - Hobbit)

[Jen]

❀Tea❀ wrote: "The Return of the King (3rd one - LotR) :)
Oh, and The Desolation of Smaug (2nd one - Hobbit)"

Wow. Watch those rarely, do you? lol Thanks! :-)

[❀Tea❀]

Jen wrote: "Wow. Watch those rarely, do you? lol Thanks! :-)"

Never saw them :P Why do you ask?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Hahaha Tea

[Jen]

❀Tea❀ wrote: "Jen wrote: "Wow. Watch those rarely, do you? lol Thanks! :-)"

Never saw them :P Why do you ask?"

lol Tea. Laughed out loud when I read that. :-)

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

We're revisiting this buddy read for Tower Teams VI.
Join us anytime from May 12th to July 31st.
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Participating in a Harry Potter buddy read with a member from a different team, or with a member of NBRC who isn't on a Tower Team = 40 points
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[Cat]

Can we move this to the active BR thread? :D

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Team Sprout. Anyone else ready to start this one?

[Cat]

I'm gonna start at the weekend. Will read my beautiful illustrated ed, and shall be endeavouring to keep from completely spamming the thread with pictures! :)

[ClaireB]

Hey! Somebody told me to come to this thread ;)

Hi Diane ! I see you were desperate to find somebody to talk to about the Prisoner of Azkaban :) Well here I am!

I'm going to start it as soon as I finish writing this comment. :D I'm going to read from my illustrated edition, which I haven't even opened yet. I've been dying to see the illustrations in that one, but wanted to wait until I actually read it. To make the reread more interesting.
Which edition are you reading? book or audiobook?

Team Hermione.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

@Claire - I will start my PB copy (my only copy).

I am a bit jealous of all the illustrated copies I see mentioned, but I hate reading Hard Back books in general.

[ClaireB]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "@Claire - I will start my PB copy (my only copy).

I am a bit jealous of all the illustrated copies I see mentioned, but I hate reading Hard Back books in general."

Hardbacks are not my favorites, either. I usually avoid them as much as possible. But for a Harry Potter illustrated edition, I can make an exception ;)

[Samantha]

Hey everyone :) I'm planning on starting this book either today or tomorrow. Just popped in to see if anyone else was starting it yet!

[ClaireB]

Samantha wrote: "Hey everyone :) I'm planning on starting this book either today or tomorrow. Just popped in to see if anyone else was starting it yet!"

Hey Samantha ! Welcome to The Prisoner of Azkaban buddy read !

Chapter 1-2

(view spoiler)[ Right now I'm really envious of Hermione's super essay writing powers. 2 scrolls more thant what was asked! lol. I could really use that ability for my master thesis right now!


The way Harry got Dursley to promise to sign the hogmead's form is proof that Harry wouldn't have done so bad in Slytherin. I wonder, however, if Dursley would have kept his word had it not gone so horribly wrong (on the last day too, poor Harry)...
Maybe Harry is not such a Slytherin after all. He should have insisted on getting the form right away.

Also, can we discuss aunt Marge? Isn't she the worst? What kind of woman would encourage school beating like that? And how she verbally abuses Harry all the time! I can't stand it! She's almost as bad as Umbridge! (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 1-2
(view spoiler)[Man Aunt Marge is the WORST! Saying such horrible things about Harry's parents without even knowing them.

It was nice to see Harry get some cards and presents for his birthday for a change. (hide spoiler)]

Spoiler for entire book
(view spoiler)[We have the foreshadowing of why Black broke out of prison with the photo in the paper. (hide spoiler)]

[ClaireB]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 1-2
Man Aunt Marge is the WORST! Saying such horrible things about Harry's parents without even knowing them.

It was nice to see Harry get some cards and presents for his birthday for a change...."

Yep, JK Rowling did a lot of foreshadowing. Some of the things happening in the first book only have repercussion or become relevant in the last books. Like in the very first chapter of the first book, Hagrid says that he borrowed his motorcycle from Sirius Black. :)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 3-5

(view spoiler)[You start to see some inconsistencies we've been chatting about in the previous books' threads. Harry isn't punished for what he did to his "aunt" or any other magic he uses.

Then we head to school and meet Prof Lupin and the dementors (SCARY). (hide spoiler)]

spoiler for series
(view spoiler)[Lupin is one of my favorite characters. I was so sad he didn't get to come back to Hogwart's in the next book. I think he was a better guardian than Sirius was. (hide spoiler)]

[ClaireB]

Chapter 3

(view spoiler)[ Am I the only one to think that drinking hot chocolate on the Knight bus is a hazardous thing to do? lol


Also, does anubody else think it's strange the minister of magic doesn't even find it curious that Harry is so against going back to his muggle family? That Harry was in such a state their that he performed accidental magic, even though he's been at Hogwarts for 2 years and should be able to control it better? Isn't he even a bit curious why?
Don't they have a Childe Protection Servivice or whatever in the Wizarding World? Shouldn't Fudge at least send someone to investigate the case of this child which is considered a national hero?
They are doing everything they can to protect Harry from Sirius, not that they are doing a great job at that (view spoiler)[not that it's really necessary in the end (hide spoiler)], whilst letting him be abused by his family. You'd think they wanted Harry to be safe and happy. They just don't care as long as it's not their own fault. (hide spoiler)]

[ClaireB]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 3-5"

As a child I was absolutely terrified of the Dementors in the movies. But I still couldn't take my eyes off the screen. lol

[ClaireB]

Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[One of the most hilarious scenes for me, the moment in which the librarian puts on his gloves and takes his stick, ready to fight the montruous books. The image it creates in my mind just cracks me up. I love it !

Also, this is the chapter in which Hermione gets her Crookshanks. I just love that cat/kneazle. I wish I had one like that. And the banter between Hermione and Ron about their pets has always been one of my favorite part of this book. Well, at least in the beginning.

Also, have you heard this theory that Crookshanks originally belonged to the Potter?
youtube : Harry Potter Theory: Who Was Crookshanks Original Owner?
It's a bit far fetched in my opinion, but I like the idea. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 3-5"

As a child I was absolutely terrified of the Dementors in the movies. But I still couldn't take my eyes off the screen. lol"

They are scary, and I saw them as an adult.

[ClaireB]

Chapter 5-7

(view spoiler)[Arthur warning Harry not to look after Sirius seems to me counterproductive. He only sparked Harry's curiosity... He shouldn't have said anything if he really wanted Harry to stay away.

Also, appointing Hagrid as Care for Magical Creature's professor must be one of Dumbledore's worst ideas. it's just bound to be a desaster. The book he selected for his class is already a danger for his students. Shouldn't Dumbledore moniter Hagrid's classes, at least the first year. Doesn't Dumbledore have anything to say about the program?

We meet Sir Cadogan. He's so funny! haha. I love that portrait. Did you know he was originally added to the movie? if you are curious you can find the deleted scenes on youtube. he's so funny. Too bad they cut him off.

Another character I find extremely funny is Mrs Trelawney. When I was younger I could not stand her, but not I just find her hilarious !

Lastly, I once read a fanfiction in which the Weasley's aren't such a great family and Molly had actually fed a love potion to Arthur in order to marry him. I never really understood where the writer got this idea. But I finally understand! I don't know why it escaped me all the previous times I read the book, but Molly, at the beginning of the fifth chapter, is telling Hermione and Ginny stories of when she was younger and brewing a love potion. Do you think it's possible she used it ? Personally, I find it a bit hard to imagine. But what if? (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

I just started listening to this book today, finished about three chapters. So far I am a bit annoyed that I have seen the movies so many times, I can't help but compare scenes or picture the movie version when reading...not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing yet.

(view spoiler)[Dear God, if I had to manage a whole week with a person like Aunt Marge, I would have resorted to violence long before the last day, no matter what I was promised as a prize! I loathe people who give strong negative opinions about people or stuff they have no knowledge of, just because they want to feel superior or important.

Speaking of comparing book and movie, I did sort of miss the voodoo head hanging in the front of the night bus from the movie, it had some funny lines!

When the Minister of Magic comes to meet you after you run away from home and uses magic, but doesn't punish you, you know something fishy is going on.... (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Chapter 5-7."


(view spoiler)[I had forgotten about Sir Cadogan - he is funny.

That is strange fanfic. I don't think Molly used any potions on Arthur (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 6-8

(view spoiler)[Ah, the first divination class. Poor Harry and his "grim".

Then Hagrid's class doesn't go well either. Dumbledore should have known better. While Hagrid knows tons about magical creatures, he doesn't have the temperament for teaching unruly students.

And it is great to see a year where DADA is actually a useful class. Love me some Prof Lupin and "grandmother" Snape Boggart!

Then we end with Harry not going to Hogsmeade and a Sirius sighting on campus.

(hide spoiler)]

[SandyL]

I'm getting ready to start this one later this afternoon.

[SandyL]

Ok, this afternoon is now XD. So, I just started reading and Harry is doing his homework under his covers using a quill and ink - why is the wizard community is the dark ages, so to speak, when the muggle world has computers and conveniences?

[Diane ~Firefly~]

SandyL wrote: "Ok, this afternoon is now XD. So, I just started reading and Harry is doing his homework under his covers using a quill and ink - why is the wizard community is the dark ages, so to speak, when the..."

I think the wizard community is much more into tradition, plus they don't seem "to get" most Muggle inventions.

[SandyL]

Yep - I guess when you can communicate by sending an owl, who needs a telephone, right? :-)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 9-12

(view spoiler)[I don't understand how Slytherin manages to get away with so much. Nor do I understand the Quidditch schedule. Only playing each team once isn't much and it doesn't seem fair to re-adjust schedules - and why are there no backup players?

Ah, the Marauder's Map - that is extremely cool. And Harry finds out the truth about Black.

Hermione is starting to crack under the pressure of all the classes she is taking. Spoiler for book(view spoiler)[Taking extra classes is near the bottom of the list of things I'd do if I could turn back time (hide spoiler)]

Snape is so jealous of Lupin and trying his best to undermine him (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

finished

(view spoiler)[I've always thought Lupin would be a much better godfather/guardian to Harry than Black, as Sirius really never grew up (although being in Azkaban all those years couldn't have helped).

Yay for saving Buckbeak as well as Black. I really wonder about The Ministry, if they can be so easily threatened/influenced it is not wonder Voldemort was able to gain power.
(hide spoiler)]