UP!—SO Glad I Didn’t Miss THIS Train!

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platform 9 and 3 quarters(NOTE: while this post is current, scroll on the sidebar —in a separate tab or window—to click to listen to Hedwig’s Theme while reading 😀)

We can miss a lot of things in life, including the proverbial “boat.” After all, there are so many things to do, people to meet and places to see, and it’s impossible to be aware of or actually do it all when it’s timely, right? Well, one big train I happened to catch when the timing was right, having walked through the barrier onto Platform 9 3/4, was none other than the Hogwarts Express, and OH, it’s taken me on the most unforgettable ride!

When Sheila of Book Journey announced her hosting a Harry Potter ReRead-a-long, I couldn’t resist, regardless of how little time I had to add “pressure” reading to my life. The thing is, though the page count is sometimes hard for me to achieve in my time frame, there’s nothing about the actual reading of this series that is a burden. For me it is a joy 🙂

Cover-SorcererIn revisiting the first book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone this time around, having read the series 3 times already I hadn’t expected to have a couple things become even more clear. It reminds me of how it is when I put a manuscript aside for a long while, then go back to it with fresh eyes and pick up on things I hadn’t noticed before. There’s this feeling of elation that comes from such discovery!

Along with the magical world J. K. Rowling created, the thing I enjoy the most about reading the first book in the series is that it’s when we first “meet” Harry and the main characters we ultimately come to know and love—and even despise. The books were written so well that now, even knowing everything that’s to come, the scenes still conjure the intended emotions, from happiness to sadness (even more so, knowing what’s coming!), and even tension. I find this more than impressive, as is everything about what this brilliant author created.

ReReadathon Bookmarks

 

In honor of the ReRead-a-long and the 54 participants (as of this posting), I am contributing the first of many WONderful prizes being awarded. Now, upon the completion of “Sorcerer’s Stone,” some lucky winner will receive 7 “Harry Potter” bookmarks; four feature the ReRead-a-long’s Hogwarts “House” logos, and the other three don my Harry Potter artwork.

 

Registration’s open ’til the end of December, so if you want to join us on this magical ride, just hop on this Nimbus 2000 and fill out the form!

Nimbus 2000

I am now well into reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, finding myself glad to once again be on the Hogwarts Express 🙂

Cover-Chamber

Have any of you read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? I know most people fall in love with the books, but there are some readers who didn’t quite “click” with the first one so put the series aside, and plenty of people who’ve never attempted the books. I’d love to hear where you stand and why 🙂

 

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43 thoughts on “UP!—SO Glad I Didn’t Miss THIS Train!”

  2. Pingback: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling (HP Readalong w/giveaways!) | Book Journey

  3. Donna, I love rereading books and the idea of a Reread-a-long, but my new books are growing like mushrooms in my study so will have to pass this time. As you suggested the music was a lovely background to your words!

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      • Yes, it’s the many NEW books, plus some classics I haven’t read since I was a child that keep tugging at me, so deciding to reread HP, having already read them 3+ times took some doing lol I’m so glad you popped in and that you enjoyed the music (it’s still my ringtone!) and the bookmarks 😀 You know I have a “thing” for boomarks! 😉

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    • Robin, the thought of being able to share these books with a child is wonderful! I’m sure it’s something my daughter-in-law will want to do with my future grandchildren, and I’m thinking her mom and I will be in on part of that! 😀 😀 😀 All three of us attended a midnight release party for “Deathly Hallows” together and had a blast! What excitement getting that last book in our hands. Such fond memories!

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  5. I never attempted reading them and I don’t think that I ever will 🙂
    I’m not sure why but I don’t find witchcraft interesting… And now I can’t concentrate in anything longer than one page 🙂

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    • Oh, my, well, the concentration thing I totally get, though I’m not quite at that point just yet. And honestly, though I know it’s difficult for someone to understand who hasn’t read the series, though the whole backdrop is magic and witchcraft, it’s really about the characters and the story line, which are fantastic! If these books were about witchcraft in a “real” way instead of J.K.’s fantastical way, I couldn’t read them at all.

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    • It wasn’t long ago (maybe just a month or so) that I felt the same way you did – I’m not all that interested in magic and these are just kids. Today I can’t believe I waited so long to read the books. I’m not saying this to pressure you. I just want to let you know as someone who has been there that you might find yourself surprised one day. Be open to it and you’ll be glad,

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    • Hey, Michelle 🙂 I always feel like we’re lucky in this way—being Harry Potter fans of the books. Such a richness that stands alone, in my opinion 🙂 Yay! And the bookmarks are my pleasure!

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  11. I cannot tell you how happy I am to know what you mean. I don’t have the rereads under my belt yet, but I’m glad that for once I didn’t miss the train. 🙂 I am glad to know what it means to see 9 3/4 and all that goes along with it. I have needed something like this in my reading life for a long, long time. I’ve gotten so caught up in the new release cycle that it’s worn me out. I’ve not wanted to blog at all for a long time and then came Harry Potter. Who would have thought how much more fulfilling it would be to write when you know there are others out there who can relate?

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    • Jennifer, I’m so glad you took on the ReRead, too! You are a FIRST TIME READER of the series which I think is SO exciting! 🙂 With each book you’ll get deeper and deeper into the whole thing, especially after you finish “Phoenix” 🙂 SO much for you to look forward to! 🙂

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  13. I listened to “Sorcerer’s Stone” in 2007, and again in January of this year, and I really didn’t click with it either time. Basically, I thought perhaps it was because I was too old and more apt to see the world through a professor’s viewpoint than a child’s; but now, having read it in print this time around, I think it was the narrator (Jim Dale) of the audio that put me off. This is quite an admission since not only am I a hardcore audiobook listener, but the HP audiobooks are generally revered almost as much as the print books. That said, I would still love to get my hands on the Stephen Fry editions and see if that does anything towards the HP experience!

    I’m now “all in” and plan on reading the whole series (in print!) I think having the more experienced Potterheards on this read-along has also enhanced the books for me. Not quite a discussion group that might kick a dead horse; but excited “cheerleaders” who have so far been illuminating 🙂

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  14. When the book was first mentioned to me, i read it without expecting much, it seemed the usual kids save the day from obvious baddie story, yes it was well written but I wasn’t overly blown away. Until I got to the end that is, the clues in the book that I had missed with my lax reading really impressed me and made me excited to read the rest of the books.

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        • Oh, my, Ste J, I’m sorry to hear that 😦 For me, it was when I finished “Phoenix” that I no longer waited for the paperbacks to be released. I wanted the next books IN my hands A.S.A.P.! lol The last two books are amazing. Maybe someday you’ll be tempted to finish 🙂

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          • I did finish the series but I craved the feeling of the earlier books, where there were clever points in the text that were clues to the ending, the fifth book felt like a straight action book and the last two books never recaptured that early feeling. It makes sense why it was like that but I did enjoy that close reading of the text and seeing what bits I had missed.

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            • Ah, OK, I get it. See, I analyzed the series so much, I’m more aware of the many clues, etc. in all the books. Maybe they were more apparent to you in the beginning, or as the series went on, since you were deeper into the world and characters, you weren’t picking up on stuff like that. Until I really analyzed the books, I didn’t grasp so much of the foreshadowing and red herrings. Now, as I reread it in this way, knowing how it all ends, I’m seeing even more! lol

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  15. catching up on all that is happening in Potter world by reading posts and adding up house points for year one today. Donna, did you want to choose a winner for your book marks and let me know by email who won? As soon as I have the points added I will be putting together a post today yet and would love to announce winners! 🙂

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