Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #1
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 309
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating: Also in this series: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
My Thoughts
This is my fourth time reading HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE. When I first read this story, I was transported to a wondrous, magical world. I was awed by Rowling’s ability to capture my attention and evoke a desire stronger than anything I had ever experienced to be a part of a world other than my own. Now, 5 years later, I still feel that same magic, captivation, and desire as I reread this book.
Rowling’s ability to foreshadow the events to come is amazing. Even with this read, I found foretelling of things that I hadn’t noticed before. Even if I didn’t know what happened in the other five books, her foreshadowing within the same novel is amazing. But, I think it’s a true testament of her ability to see the overarching foreshadowing she does throughout the series. I’m sure there are things that allude to HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHY HALLOWS as well, but I won’t know that until later.
I love the little bit of humor Rowling brings into the story because, otherwise, it’s very intense. Many of the topics are not easy to discuss or even think about. The humor interwoven throughout helps lighten the way, making it easier to deal with the darker topics.
The characters are complex and endearing, even the ones I hate or can’t make up my mind about. I loved getting to know the main characters in Sorcerer’s Stone. Even though, as a reader, I barely touched the surface of who they are, I learn to love them. Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s friendship is one to be jealous of, one to wish I were a part of. I so wish I could share in their adventures with them.
Out of all the characters, Dumbledore is my favorite. We don’t often get to see him. He waits along the sidelines, allowing Harry and his friends to figure things out on their own. When he is around, I can be sure that Harry (and I) leave as better people. His wisdom is astounding. I’m always amazed at how profound these stories are because of him.
Update: When I’ve reread this series, I’ve sometimes listened to the audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale. I love how much Dale brings the stories to life.
I’ve also been able to read a U.K. edition of each of the novels. The first four novels have the most differences, especially the first book. I loved getting to read Rowling’s original words, the words she wrote, not the words “translated” for U.S. readers.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #1
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 309
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
Also in this series: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
My Thoughts
This is my fourth time reading HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE. When I first read this story, I was transported to a wondrous, magical world. I was awed by Rowling’s ability to capture my attention and evoke a desire stronger than anything I had ever experienced to be a part of a world other than my own. Now, 5 years later, I still feel that same magic, captivation, and desire as I reread this book.
Rowling’s ability to foreshadow the events to come is amazing. Even with this read, I found foretelling of things that I hadn’t noticed before. Even if I didn’t know what happened in the other five books, her foreshadowing within the same novel is amazing. But, I think it’s a true testament of her ability to see the overarching foreshadowing she does throughout the series. I’m sure there are things that allude to HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHY HALLOWS as well, but I won’t know that until later.
I love the little bit of humor Rowling brings into the story because, otherwise, it’s very intense. Many of the topics are not easy to discuss or even think about. The humor interwoven throughout helps lighten the way, making it easier to deal with the darker topics.
The characters are complex and endearing, even the ones I hate or can’t make up my mind about. I loved getting to know the main characters in Sorcerer’s Stone. Even though, as a reader, I barely touched the surface of who they are, I learn to love them. Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s friendship is one to be jealous of, one to wish I were a part of. I so wish I could share in their adventures with them.
Out of all the characters, Dumbledore is my favorite. We don’t often get to see him. He waits along the sidelines, allowing Harry and his friends to figure things out on their own. When he is around, I can be sure that Harry (and I) leave as better people. His wisdom is astounding. I’m always amazed at how profound these stories are because of him.
Update: When I’ve reread this series, I’ve sometimes listened to the audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale. I love how much Dale brings the stories to life.
I’ve also been able to read a U.K. edition of each of the novels. The first four novels have the most differences, especially the first book. I loved getting to read Rowling’s original words, the words she wrote, not the words “translated” for U.S. readers.
New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Series: Twilight Saga #2
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 0.5 / 5
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 497
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
Also in this series: Twilight, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, Life and Death, Midnight Sun
My Thoughts
NEW MOON was the most excruciating book I’ve ever read, even more excruciating than how I felt after Dumbledore died in Half-Blood Prince. I felt those blank pages after Edward left in my very core. I felt the depression and despair. I couldn’t put the book down because I had know if and when Edward came back.
At this point, I’m not sure how I feel about Jacob. I didn’t like that fact that his relationship with Bella will cause conflict in the upcoming sequel, ECLIPSE. I did loved meeting all the Quileute characters and I loved that the Quileutes being descended from wolves that we learned in TWILIGHT actually manifested in NEW MOON.
My favorite part of this story was the end. I loved the whole dynamic of Alice having a vision of what she thought was Bella killing herself and how it sent Edward into a spiral. I loved meeting the Volturi and being in Volterra. I’m very excited to see how the danger from the Volturi of Bella being human and knowing about the vampire world comes to play in ECLIPSE.
I wish I didn’t have to wait until August to read ECLIPSE. I’m almost more anxious about this release than HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS in July. Almost.
Update: When I read this for a third time, I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. I thought both Ilyana Kadushin did an amazing job.
Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Series: Twilight Saga #1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 0.5 / 5
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 498
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:
Also in this series: New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, Life and Death, Midnight Sun
My Thoughts
I’m not that much of a reader. Harry Potter has changed that a little bit. I like to read occasionally, especially when a new Harry Potter book is coming out. (I usually reread the whole series before the next release.) Otherwise, I only read if someone recommends something to me and I’m in the mood.
Two of my coworkers recommended TWILIGHT to me and they made it sound like something I’d enjoy so I decided to read it. They told me not to read the back cover or synopsis. I followed their advice and went into the story completely blind, other than the little things they told me to get me to read it.
I couldn’t put the book down. I was so drawn into the world Meyer created that I almost wish it were real. Not knowing Edward was a vampire made the story very intriguing and suspenseful. I knew he was different in some way, but I discovered his secret along with Bella. Because of this, I related to her almost as if I were in the story myself.
My favorite thing was the way Meyer described the relationship between Bella and Edward. I loved the draw they had to one another. I loved the conflict in wanting to know more about each other, but not knowing if that was the right thing to want. I loved Meyer’s description of an almost electric charge that they both felt when they were close to each other.
This is my first time reading a romance and I loved it. I now need to read more books with romance in them. Meyer is such a fantastic storyteller. I have never felt this kind of draw to reading before.
I can’t stop thinking about this story or the characters. I need to read NEW MOON now.
Update: When I read this for a third time, I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. I thought both Ilyana Kadushin did an amazing job.