Harry Potter it ain't!

Now, let's be honest. If you saw this sitting on a bookshelf with a screaming "New Release!" banner overhead, would you actually bother to even pick it up? I actually don't know if I would...except for the author's name glaringly obvious at the top of the page. Perhaps this is deliberate, as to the natural eye, that's usually where we start - top to bottom.
Rather bland, gaudy colours, no picture...again perhaps these are all to demonstrate the differences between this book and the Harry Potter series, a stark contrast in JK Rowling's literary shift from childrens to adult fiction. A massive turnaroud from magic to politics (albeit in a sleepy village, somethings don't change).
I will of course be buying a copy. As a devoted HP fan, how could I not? But here's hoping it lives up to expectations, while perhaps unfairly heaped upon JK's shoulders, as her avid followers, do we really deserve anything less that awesome?

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets

As I said on my review of the first Harry Potter book - The Philosopher's Stone - this is the book that made me fall mad, head over heels, in love with the HP series. As I wasn't that bothered about the first book, I only read the second one as my friend lent it to me and I had little else to do. Good job I never turn down a book!

The book starts the same way as all of them. Harry is at home with the Dursleys. It's become one of my favourite parts of the book as its often the only glimpse into the Dursley household that we get but yet they are such an integral part of the story. It's also become a great way to link the muggles with the wizards, providing hilarious insights into the muggle world courtesy of the Weasley family who often find their actions mystifying and amusing.
This book also introduces us to a new character who, while extremely annoying, becomes one of my favourite characters of the series - Dobby the house elf. Rowling, yet again opens up a whole new world, introducing us to the weird and wonderful world of house elves in wizarding households. Dobby appears initially to try and stop Harry from going back to school but fails to succeed when Ron comes and rescues Harry with the help of his flying car (I won't spoil the story, it's definitely one to read for yourself!
It all to soon becomes clear why Dobby was so reluctant to let Harry return to school - Voldemort is definitely back in the wizarding world, although there are mixed reactions to his return, with many doubting it, most likely due to the fear and horrors his return represents.
So, the Chamber of Secrets...again I won't spoil the surprise except to say this: Ginny, Ron's younger sister is in her first year at Hogwarts and like many first years, is often lonely and nervous but finds comfort in a diary that she can write in, only for it to write back. Harry hears voices in the walls of the school corridors. Students, including Mrs Norris, the janitor's cat, are attacked by  being petrified randomly in the school. Hagrid's past is opened up to us and we learn more about the boy who became Lord Voldemort.
Super exciting and fascinating to read as the story and secrets unfold! I loved it!! It's no longer my favourite book in the series but will always hold a special place in my heart as the book that made me love the books.


Rating: 5 out of  5
Why: JK Rowling completely captivated me with this book. While the first was jammed pack with characters, this one introduces even more and their paths are all linked. This is shown throughout all 7 books, and frankly, I don't know how she remembers it all! She opens up the background to the characters and the ways in which she makes the muggle world seem "weird" over the wizarding world is brilliant, completely sucking you in and making you almost believe you too are part of the wizarding world and community. Simply brilliant.

Harry Potter in the bathtub!

I am very particular about my books. I know people that love their books to looked dog-eared and therefore read while others would die if they even so much as slightly cracked the spine (how do they manage that by the way??). I am happy to bend the spine. But it ends there. I hate curled pages, fraying edges, no, I like my books to look neat and tidy. Well loved and well preserved. So how did Harry end up in the bath you ask?
My 2nd cousin (who is half my age!) was of course reading Harry Potter at the same time as I was. Wasn't everyone?! One of the new books had come out and she'd failed to get her copy so her mother asked me would I mind lending her it. Thankfully before I had time to respond she said, no, I remember what you're like with books, don't worry, I'll get her a copy. Cue, major sigh of relief from me.
And two nights later she was reading Harry Potter in the bathtub when she dropped the book. Yep! Into the tub! 
My Harry Potter book remains as it should. Her's is twice the size with mega wrinkly pages. Having said that, she hasn't done it again since!

Fabulous Post!

My friend Crystal of Cheyne Reactions pointed out this post to me and I have to say it is totally awesome! You can view the original post here. I imagine all Harry Potter fans will read this and nod their heads in agreement and wish that they'd had the ability to put these thoughts into words!


1997 - 2011

Harry Potter taught me that some things are worth dying for.

Ron Weasley taught me that believing in yourself is a hundred times more powerful than luck.

Hermione Granger taught me that an education is a girl’s best asset, even if it doesn’t make you many friends.

Severus Snape taught me to never, ever, ever judge someone.

Rubeus Hagrid taught me that anything can be cute with the right perspective.

Ginny Weasley taught me that bold is beautiful.

Lily Potter taught me that a mother’s love is the strongest force on earth.

Remus Lupin taught me that fear is the only thing I should be afraid of.

Dolores Umbridge taught me that education with a political agenda is a terrible, terrible thing.

Sirius Black taught me that the ones we love never truly leave us.

Albus Dumbledore taught me that good people are not always good.

Draco Malfoy taught me that bad people are not always bad.

Neville Longbottom taught me that courage is standing up for what’s right, even when you’re scared out of your mind.

Luna Lovegood taught me that weird is wonderful.

Dobby taught me that freedom is a gift.

Lucius Malfoy taught me that no amount of money, pomp, or circumstance will buy you true friends.

Fred & George Weasley taught me that sometimes all you need is a good laugh.

The Dursleys taught me that a world without imagination is a dull and dreary place.

Arthur Weasley taught me that an good sense of curiosity and a bit of obsession can be healthy.

Fleur Delacour taught me that true love is not based on appearance.

Molly Weasley taught me that a happy family is not measured in gold.

Bellatrix Lestrange taught me that hatred and prejudice rot your mind and can turn even the most beautiful person into a monster.

Kreacher taught me that if you want to get to know a man, look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.

Cho Chang taught me that rebound relationships almost never work.

Nymphadora Tonks taught me to love myself, no matter what I look like.

Percy Weasley taught me that, in the end, no career is worth sacrificing your family.

Sybill Trelawney taught me that you cannot change the past, only the future.

Lavender Brown taught me that physical relationships only last for so long.

Peter Pettigrew taught me that rats do not make good friends.

Nicholas Flamel taught me that to the well-prepared mind, death is but the next great adventure.

Minerva McGonagall taught me that a good cause is worth fighting for at any age.

Hedwig taught me that the love we have for our pets is very real.

Lord Voldemort taught me that a life without love is barely living.

J. K. Rowling taught me that the stories we love will always be with us.

Until the very end.

Harry Potter and the Philopsopher's Stone

I first read this in 2001. The film was literally days away from release and I thought I should really try and read the book first. Also, I thought it was probably time I had gotten on the bandwagon as people everywhere were talking non-stop about Harry Potter and about how amazing the book was.
I didn't finish the book before I saw the film. In fact (and I can barely believe this now but...) I wasn't really all that enamoured with the book. I didn't get the hype. I didn't rush to absorb every page, it was only because I always finish a book that I made the effort to do so. 
I've now re-read this book at least 10 times and I suspect will continue to do so for the rest of my life. So what changed you ask? Well, book 2 changed it all for me. But more on that when I review book 2!
As most of you probably already know, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the story of an orphaned boy taken in by his horrid aunt and uncle. On his 11th birthday he discovers that he is a wizard and not only that, he is famous throughout the entire wizarding world as the boy who lived - an evil wizard killed his parents and tried to kill Harry, but for some reason, Harry is the only person ever to have survived. And so it begins, an adventure that lasts 7 books and that will no doubt last our own lifetimes as we relive it over and over again.
Harry starts school and soon begins to learn the story relating to his parents death and all that goes with the evil wizard Voldemort. Meanwhile, Voldemort, who has never been seen or heard of since the night he killed Harry's parents, is scheming his return, a plan that ultimately sees Harry and his new friends enter battle with the darkest of forces.
While this is a book aimed at children, I confess I absolutely loved it (although as mentioned already, the love took a while to appear)! I think children appreciate the amazing wizarding world while adults appreciate JK Rowling's masterful writing. The book is a literary delight, a treat for the imagination and the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Harry and his friends and teachers and the wizarding world. I still don't think its the best book of the bunch, but as a whole series, it plays its part perfectly.


Rating: 5 out of 5
Why: JK Rowling leads us on a rollercoaster of a journey filled with lots of details and pictures which truly open up the magical world she has envisaged. The way she has linked all the books together in my mind is mindboggling! There are so many details in each book that fit together in the end, but along the way you don't appreciate them - definitely a smart way to pull the reader in and ensure you re-read her books. I liked that I read these alongside the films, because although the films are nowhere near as good, they help a lot with the imagery and the formation of the characters and in the end you feel a part of it all. A writer's dream surely.

Coming Soon! Entire Harry Potter Series Rreview!

It is actually with some sadness that I will be writing these reviews. From reading my first Harry Potter book, The Philosopher's Stone, back in 2001, I have amassed a wealth of wonderful memories surrounding these books and enjoyed the frantic rush to read and absorb each new book on its release. It is strange to think that a collection of books, and essentially a children's selection no less(!), could have had such an impact on my life, but then, I think anyone who has read the books, will have happy memories linked to them. 
Truly something that will go down in modern history, its been such a long time that something like this has had such an effect on the world and I'm only too glad to have been part of it. Maybe being an adult has helped as I can appreciate it more and will be more able to recall the events around each book and film. It is hard to believe that it has now come to an end (although Pottermore might change that!) but I have no doubt that HP fans will be only too happy to revisit the books, and maybe, if there are actually people out there who haven't read them, then they'll want to join in too!
So please, join in the fun with me in the coming months before Pottermore hits the web in October! I'll be reviewing each book and sharing my memories linked to them and I would love it if you would share yours too! 

Are you Harry Potter mad?

JK Rowling has created a new website to help satisfy our Potter lust now that the final film of the book series has been made. It isn't released until October, but I'm pretty sure it will be worth the wait!! I'm excited already just looking at it - Pottermore: Register your interest