A re-read for me, this time with my son (who is very reluctant to read anything). This took such a long time, but we finally finished it after months and months, and he's rated it 5 stars! Good grief, if Harry Potter doesn't get him into reading, what hope have I got

On my list of reasons why my daughters are the bestest thing to ever happen to me, Number 14,577 is that they gave me, at 41 years old, the perfect excuse to revisit the Harry Potter series.

When my oldest angel told me she wanted to start reading the Harry Potter books, I couldn’t have been happier. As I was collecting all seven volumes off the shelf to bring up to her room, I started feeling nostalgic for the whole Hogwarts gang, and I realized that I’d never done more than a perfunctory review of this first volume. I figured it was high time to rectify that oversight.

Harry deserves it.

However, with over a million ratings, and almost two reviews for every day I’ve been alive, I think I can dispense with any plot distillation or character profiles. It has all been eloquently said before. Therefore, I just want to briefly express what I see as the essential magic at the heart of the series, and why I think it has resonated so strongly with so many people.

Here goes...

Only rarely does a story come along that can so completely wrap you up in a warm blanket of contentment and good feelings. One that can hold at bay, even if only for precious moments, the nasty brutishness of what often passes for daily life. These stories do that.

It’s an escape into a world of optimism, honor, and hope, where things always look hopeful and anything is possible. Who wouldn't want to hang around in a place like that, especially when it is decorated with sorting hats, kindly giants, magic wands and Quidditch.

Granted...no aspect of the story is revolutionary, or even particularly noteworthy, from the standpoint of blazing new trails within the fantasy genre. It isn’t great literature, and nothing about its technical merits makes it befitting of even a fraction of its unprecedented success.

Fine...acknowledged. And? So what!

The virtue of this story is the postive feelings it conjures in its readers. Harry’s story is something that radiates acceptance, inclusion, and friendship. It invokes a sense of belonging. Inside these pages, you can find the impetus to see the better angels of humanity’s nature, and feel just a little better about the world around you.

How is that not worthy of praise?

As for Harry himself, he’s just a good kid. The quintessential everyman who makes good. A loving boy with a clear head on his shoulders and a caring heart that pumps affection for the world around him. He’s someone you can’t help but like.

He’s not perfect. He makes mistakes, he’s occasionally short sighted, and I know many of us wish he would stick up for himself a little more. Maybe reduce his aunt and uncle to a pair of fatty stains on the carpet, or give Dudley an atomic wedgie until his skivvies scrape against his pancreas.

But that’s not Harry. He’s a better person than that. That’s why we love him.

Maybe all of the above is a bit much. Like I said, I was feeling nostalgic and maybe the gush got a tad away from me. Let’s just say that these stories are perfect comfort food and reading them will make you happy.

I’ll certainly settle for that.

As for the rating, I Initially only gave this first volume 3 stars, and I’m not going to change that now. As much as I love the series as a whole, I don’t think it reaches stratospheric heights until Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Still, this is where it all began. As such, it should be read and savored knowing that it only gets better.

3.0 stars. Highly Recommended.

***Because I got hate in the comments for OMG swearing in a children's book review (which I get, I guess...), DON'T READ THIS IF YOU ARE UNDER 18. Happy now, everyone?***

Well, I did it. I FINALLY read my first Harry Potter book...and in the same year as its 20th anniversary no less.

But better late than never, no?

Annnnd I already ordered the illustrated hardback.
And asked for the full hardcover set for Christmas.
From my dad.
Because nothing says, “I’m a thirty-fucking-five-year-old adult” like asking Daddy for Harry Potter for Christmas.

#TeamDumbledore

XXXXXXXXXXX

I have a confession to make.

*
*
*

I have never read Harry Potter.



Yes, yes, I know...this is akin to reader sacrilege.

But I just had no interest in these books when they came out. I was too busy reading about men in kilts fucking the milkmaid.

Therefore, my only experience with "Hermione" is the SNL skit where Lindsey Lohan shows Harry and that other scarfed dude her ginormous tatas.

  

Well, what with everyone going ape shit over the newest installment, I figure I should probably find out what all this Hogwart's business is about.

And since my friend's 9 year old demanded that I read his copy, I now have the paperback in my possession.

Hoping to get starting this week...

Why oh why haven't I re-read this before? That was the best nostalgia train ride of my life.
________________________

This? This is everything.
I wouldn't even be on here if I hadn't decided to randomly buy "that book with the cool-looking cover" all those long, long years ago— and for that, I thank you deeply and eternally, Miss Rowling.

This was so much fun reading this in French! I was a bit anxious from at first if I would be able to understand everything, but it turned out fine.




And the funny thing is that after all these years I find it extremely stupid how Gryffindor (or Gryffondor) won in the end.

I loved how some things were called differently in French, very interesting!
Here are few to mention.
Poudlard
Madame Guipure
Drago Malefoy
Neville Londubat
Severus Rogue
Gryffondor
Poufsouffle
Serdaigle
Serpentard

5 Golden Stars

98%

this book is the Magical gate to the Wizarding World.
introducing this amazing unique world to us.

(all my HP reviews were written after many times read, not first, first was back in early 2000s)

This book,
All these books,
This world,
Always has a special place in my heart.❤


this review is mostly about my memories/feelings, I just wanted to have them somewhere.
"Swish & Flick!"

Many of us dreamed of receiving our letter, going to Hogwarts, learning magic. we bought our wands. we were ready to experience magic.

but you know...
We actually received our letter
We found platform 9¾
We attended Hogwarts
We were sorted into Houses
We were there together
all along
with Harry Potter

because...

★ We
Are
★ Potterheads

as Stephen King said:
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”

& Martin said:

“A reader lives a thousand of lives.”


so don't be sad potterheads, we were there!




actually HP1 was the first 'novel' of my life. the one that made me a Fantasy lover & a BookDragon! the one that introduced the world of bigger books & magic. I was 9, summer 2001 & it was my (very) belated birthday gift (& I'm grateful for that); long ago, before there was a hype, 1st movie was about to come out. so I just read this one book I had again & again & again... (I guess I bought 2nd soon after, & re-read them together :D)
I remember my feelings at the first read; like I was thrilled because I thought that 'H' on the seal was because of Harry's initial.


Take me back to my childhood, when everything seemed simpler...
I've grown up with this series & loved every minutes of it.
this book & this series never gets old. still as excellent as my first read, even though I know all the details & even many of the sentences.


fun great beginning
Cute story, magical, brilliant, unique with many lovable characters in a magnificent castle & wonderful world.

n  "Hogwarts will always be there to Welcome you Home"n

every chapters; amazing. interesting. intriguing!
Wonderful!
Epic!
Wow!!!
Quidditch!
Friendship!

"There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”

I love this quote!

I enjoy these stories happening in this world, the real world.
also the ones you can be sorted in the story & feel you are really there.

cute courageous & (yeah I'm gonna say it, because he is in the great matters of life) wise Harry
loyal daring Ron
& smart book lover Hermione
hilarious twins!
Lee Jordan's commentating!
Professor McGonagall!
Wood!
oh Hagrid! XD

the learning magic was lovely & the plot twists kept me open-mouthed!

After this many times re-read (which is not accurate, but I know I read them a lot! so I estimated each year that I read, before new books coming out, every summer at least for the first couple of years, & here I am, 20 re-read for the first book.) I actually knew most of the sentences & of course I know what would happen next, but it is still as interesting & cute as the first time, even if the element of surprise is long gone for me; but I can completely remember which parts I stare at the book with an open mouth. :D
Every time I missed them & start to re-read them, nostalgic & delighted, I am that 9 yo little girl who loved this world, which crafted my childhood & teenage years, majority of my life & memory, teaching me many things.

14th re-read: June 2018 was my first time that I tried HP in English (after so many times reading; 11 times for book 1 & 2 to 5-6 times for book 6 & 7) & I can say it was even more AMAZING. <3
Audiobook is like reading in the dark, isn't it?; you don't need light to stay up all night reading. XD
-
World building: ★★★★★/5
Plot: ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★★/5
/ Characters development: ★★★★★/5
Written style: ★★★★(★)/5
/ Fun: ★★★★/5
/ Feelz (mostly Joy, like when "yer a wizard Harry" but first chapter made me cry too (I loved James & he was dead from the beginning of story (I loved him since my first read, before knowing him as a marauder. & I know that's kind of weird... also... James & Lily were only 21)

Why the heck did I not read Harry Potter before now...its flipping magical (literally)!

On this occasion of having now read the first book of this mega bestselling and loved series for a third time; I feel that as time passes this book and series lean towards being generally deemed as 'modern classics'. Despite all the hype and adulation, it really is a wonderful book and a wonderful read, but not really my cup of tea. This might simply be because I never read it as a child; it might be because that Hermione is so well written, that I wished it was her series; it might be because Harry and Ron are so well written as young boys, that I can't stand them, and have no empathy for their characters. I'm a much bigger fan of The Weasley twins, Luna, Snape and Neville! 6 out of 12, Three Star read :)

2013 read; 2007 read; 2005 read

قضیه از این قراره که مطمئن نیستم چه قضیه‌ای وجود داره ولی من هـــــــــــیچ برنامه‌ای برای خوندن هری پاتر نداشتم. یعنی کلاً سبک جادویی که توی این دنیا وجود داره و شکلی که ازش استفاده می‌شه برام جالب نبود. فیلم‌ها رو هم حدود ده سال قبل دیده بودم به جز فیلم سوم، بقیه چندان جذبم نکرده بودن و این‌ها همه باعث شدن رغبتی به خوندنش نداشته باشم
چیز زیادی هم از داستان‌ها و شخصیت‌ها یادم نمونده بود
ولی خب فکر می‌کنم خوندن آوای فاخته و لذت بردن از شخصیت‌پردازیِ رولینگ توی اون کتاب کمی این دید منفی رو از بین برد
و در نهایت چند روز پیش که حوصله نداشتم سراغ هیچ کارِ جدی و بزرگسالی برم، می‌خواستم بشینم با یه کتاب کودک و ساده خودمو سرگرم کنم و گفتم من که می‌خوام کودک بخونم، چرا که نه؟ بیام و خودمو کمی سورپرایز کنم و هری پاتر بخونم که حداقل یه جلد خونده باشم. نهایتاً خوشم نمیاد و در نهایت شروع کردم
و باید بهتون بگم فکر نمی‌کنم تا حالا کتابی خونده باشم که نویسنده بتونه اینقدر سریع و در عین حال، عالی شخصیت‌هاش رو بهم بشناسونه
خوندن چند خط کافی بود که حس کنی یک شخصیت رو فارغ از اینکه دوستش داری یا ازش متنفری، یه عمره می‌شناسی و رفتارها و اخلاقش رو می‌دونی و واقعاً از این موضوع لذت بردم
همین دیگه. فکر نکنم پاترهد بشم :)) ولی خوشم اومد و تصمیم درستی گرفتم که بخونمش. راضی‌ام و خانم رولینگ رو دوست می‌دارم

Yes, I've been living under a rock.

¡La de veces que yo he releído Harry Potter y me sigue gustando tanto como la primera vez! Ahora, el haber releído el libro en inglés, cosa que nunca había hecho, y en su versión ilustrada me tiene alucinando, de verdad. Cosas tan pequeñas como los acentos de los personajes y algunas palabras escritas en su versión británica y no americana me enamoraron <3.

Sigo pensando que nunca es tarde para leer Harry Potter, o incluso para releerlo. Esta historia me trajo muchísimos recuerdos de la época en la que me sabía el nombre de cada capítulo, de cada personaje y de cada punto y cada coma que aparecía en sus páginas... Recordé cómo esperábamos súper impacientes cada nuevo libro, cada película, porque queríamos saber más de las aventuras de Harry, queríamos volver a ese mundo mágico lejos de los Muggles, queríamos volver a Hogwarts.

Releyendo este libro entiendo por qué Harry logró crearse un espacio en mi corazón y por qué nunca se va a ir de allí tenga la edad que tenga.

Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home

Do I even need to list all the reasons why this book was a joy to read?
The writing style was easy to read, but wasn't simple or standard. It still had its unique twist to it, which lead to me finally reading one of those books, where you just can't decide what age group it was written for. I genuinely believe that the story would be enjoyed by everyone; whether it's my 10-year-old brother or my grandma (who is about to turn 80) - they all would have a pleasant and joyful reading experience. I also totally did not expect to laugh so much while reading - there's some really dry and wonderful humor in here.

Despite this being my first time reading Harry Potter, the story wasn't new to me. I was a huge fan of the first five movies when they were released (but for some reason never bothered to watch the rest?? I don't understand my younger self...). My obsession was quite big for a while, but after the initial enthusiasm had ceased, I never watched any of them again. In retrospect I've got to say that this was a good thing, because I now got more and more excited every time I recognized a name or remembered a scene that came up.

If I had to criticize anything, it would be about the length of some of the more intense scenes. I guess they could have done with a bit more build-up. However, that's really just nitpicking, and the main reason for that complaint is my wish for the book to have more pages so I could be staying in this world for a longer duration and finding out more about the (lovely) characters.
It also needs to be taken into consideration that this is just the first installment of a series with seven parts. Looking at the length of some of the later books, I'm sure I will get my wish fulfilled in the near future.