Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Such a great audiobook. Loved it again.

I mean...is it even possible to go back to these and not go down the rabbit hole? Wheeeeeeee!

need to reread

Better than the movie. LOL

4.5 stars

It will always be a 5 star read! ⚡️

I have done it - I have finally done it.

After somehow avoiding anything associated with the wizarding world -avoiding the books, the movies, having my only exposure being the iconography and the retconning controversy - I decided to read the books for the very first time, and faster than I usually read a book: I laughed, I re-read passages because I was so impressed with the prose, I was amazed with the detail of the world, I loved the characters, and I am one of the few in the world that can honestly say that I cried at the end.

Suffice to say, I loved Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. From the very first chapter, where Rowling hones in her inner Dahl and writes in such a bizarre and playful way, introducing us to the world through the eyes of a bigoted muggle - she gives the story a sense of wonder. She leaves details out, and that is due to the hurrying way she wrote this chapter, but it is with the ellipses of detail that makes the reader so intrigued with what is happening; it works so much better than starting off with the second chapter. Knowing that somehow Harry's life will change and he is destined to get out of his miserable home life is an excellent use of dramatic irony - it continues to make the reader want to know “what's next?”

That makes the reveal and Harry's adventures at Hogwarts that much more satisfying. Hogwarts itself is such an amazing setting so full of vibrancy and life that it becomes a character in the story; I wanted to know every detail of the place. It makes the general lack of plot for the first half more excusable, because you are so invested in the world that Rowling builds - you WANT the general lack of plot to keep going, to see what else Hogwarts has in store. But Rowling doesn't skimp out on characters in service for worldbuilding; it is as if she doesn't know how to make a boring character. Even from the briefest of cameos, there is always a sense of charm for each of each and every one of them - each distinct in their role in the story. The main trio themselves are likable - but become amazing in their selfless acts in the second half of the book. Even in the giant cast of unique characters and magic, they manage to be distinct in spite of that and I cannot wait to continue along their adventure.

So, in the span of five days (could have even been less if I wasn't so lazy) I became a fan of Harry Potter. I want to get every book in the series, don the scarlet robes and declare myself a part of team Gryffindor and hop onto a broomstick and play Quidditch. The book is just so full of imagination and wonder that I can't possibly see how can she top this - but knowing the reputation of the subsequent books in the series, I can't wait to see her do just that.

It's my first time reading it as an adult. And it's still really good.

Centaurs got no chill. Also: the amor ex machina plot device would've been so much cooler if Harry could spout righteous fire from his wand made from hot, holy love.

Targeted at a juvenile audience. If you enjoyed watching the movie in a theater of pre-teens, then you might enjoy this book. While many books are better than their movie adaptations, this one is more like the script of the movie. I can't understand why this series became popular. In my opinion, anyone over the age of 12 would think the book was childish.

Pure Joy
The only way this audio book could be described!
Stephen Fry and his effortless narration, slipping in and out of characters just adds to the already brilliant story.
On a journey to rediscover childhood :')

And here is my first read of the year.
Harry Potter is one of these few books, that I'm never afraid to reread. Somehow, the Harry Potter world never stops to amaze me. And I'm very very grateful for that.

I read this to my son, who turned 7 just after we started. We did end up doing some epic bedtime reading sessions to complete whole chapters. And as with books I've read to him, I shall let his own words dictate this review :)

—

I liked the bit where Harry goes underground and in the house, because I wish I had a scary house under the whomping willow.

When Black came into the room, I thought it was scary, and I thought it was going to happen in my bedroom!

The sad bit was when Buckbeak died (but oh yeah, they rescued him).

It's good, and a little bit scary.

—

I can't believe this is listed on Goodreads as the Sorceror's Stone. I think it's safe to say it's a clearly inferior title to Philosopher's Stone.

Maybe it's because I am not in a good mood but this time I am not as excited as I used to be when reading Harry Potter. But it was still good and I enjoyed it a lot. Can't wait to read the next book.

Love. Always love.

No falla nunca. #Always

Es flog seit langem auf meinem Kindle herum und gestern, gerade eine Woche nachdem ich in einem Wochenend Film Marathon alle acht Verfilmungen gesehen habe, habe ich es aufgeschlagen und angefangen. Und einen Abend später gleich beendet.

Und wurde bestens unterhalten... Auch wenn ich die Story noch ziemlich genau im Kopf habe und Teil 1 fast nahezu den Film spiegelt. Es gibt kleine Aspekte und Charaktere die ich noch nicht kannte (Peeves).
Schade bloss dass ich wohl nie die Erfahrung haben werde, unvoreingenommen an Harrys Geschichten heranzugehen.

Vielleicht fange ich gleich die Kammer des Schreckens an.

Audio read by: Jim Dale

____

1st Read: eBook (2018)Re-read: eBook (2020)2nd Re-read: Audio (2023)

Even better than I remembered it to be! Wow, this book is a masterpiece!

Reread 2020: I still love this book to pieces. ;-;

removing my ratings for the harry potter books due to recent events. i also gave away the books i owned.
as a trans person i can't allow this shit.
i wish i was one of those people who could separate the art from the artist but in this case it's just too much.
also i put them in my dark academia shelf as a joke.

EDIT: PLEASE read another motherfucking book ur 35 martha

edit 2022: just watch little witch academia ffs

read this one in high school, didn't realize I'd never rated.

Confession time. This is the first time I've read a Harry Potter book and I've never watched any of the films. Somehow, I've gone this long without spoilers. I never felt compelled to read these books. In part because I saw them as kids books that came out when in was an adult, so there was no nostalgia factor. Also in part because it's not the sort of fantasy and magic I typically go for. However, when the boy says he wants to see the movie some time, I decided research was required.

At first I wasn't sure about the book. I found myself wondering how long until the story really starts. I wasn't sure I cared about Harry Potter and I certainly didn't care for his aunt, uncle, and cousin. However, once at Hogwarts, things pick up pace for me. By the end, I didn't want to out it down until I'd finished.

The story is well told. Even the slow start doesn't seem so slow in hind sight. I liked that the characters were imperfect and that not everything went their way. I care greatly about the message(s) a book sends, and in the end, this book has some good ones.

Among Christian friends, I know this is a controversial book. Some are uncomfortable with witchcraft and the way they present witches and wizards on the book. I personally didn't find this book to be at odds with my faith. It doesn't teach people to practice things God calls out in the Bible, like talking to the dead or worshiping false gods or sacrificing children.

At the end of the day, the boy will be waiting a few years to be ready for this book or movie, much like he will be waiting for Star Wars. When the time comes, I'll enjoy talking with him about what he gets out of the story.

Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter “H”.
Harry Potter has never heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The book opens to the most boring, perfectly normal family in all of Great Britain. Quickly their world is turned upside down when Petunia Dursley's baby nephew shows up on their doorstep after the murder of his parents in what Harry is lead to believe a car crash. After multiple attempts to deliver letters to Harry which are destroyed by Uncle Vernon, Hagrid personally comes to inform Harry about his acceptance into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He tells Harry that he is really a wizard and takes him off to Diagon Alley where Harry is introduced to the wizarding world. Over dinner Hargid tells Harry about Lord Voldemort, what really happened to his parents, and the origin of his scar. The rest of the holiday passes and Harry boards the Hogwarts Express and eventually makes his way to Hogwarts where he is sorted into Gryffindor House and embarks on the first year of his Hogwarts journey. Through all his classes and making the quidditch team, Harry finds himself working to uncover the plot behind a mysterious stone that someone seems to be after. With the help of his friends Harry uncovers the plan to steal the stone and confronts one the teachers who is trying to steal it in order to bring Lord Voldemort back to life. Harry barely defeats the Dark Lord again and keeps the stone from falling into his hands. At the end of term because of their bravery Gryffindor is awarded extra points to win the house cup. Harry heads off with his uncle back to the plain house on Privet Drive.

I love Harry Potter! Now that it's out of the bag I can get on with this review. This is probably my 9th or 10th time reading the book and each time reminds me of my first. Barely 6 years old I remember trying to read this completely struggling and it taking me forever to get through it. Each page more captivating than the last allowing you to put yourself right along Harry each step of the way. What I find most enthralling about this book is the the level of depth each character possess, even the ones with less impact on the story. 

If you are a fan of traveling to other worlds, adventure, magic, and wonderfully described feasts this is your book. 

This book is literally one of the best selling books of all time. There is a link to the author's bio account at the top of the page. I humbly thank J.K. for gifting me with the world of Harry Potter and hope that everyone takes the time to read this at least once.