Nightmares and Dreamscapes discussion

This a buddy read for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone which is scheduled for November 1, 2022. This buddy read is for members that have either not read the series or want to do a reread of the series. Please use spoiler tags when needed. I made the date for November 1st but you can start anytime in November. Have a magical and fun time! :)

Awesome.

Ooof! If only this was for next year, I would join. I am overdue for a reread. I read book 7 a day or two after it came out. I tried to read the play (book #8) but hated it.

I've avoided the play.

I read the paperback in 2011 & the rest of the series. I did a re-read of the magically animated illustrated ebook a couple years ago. I wish I could get the UK version of the audiobook, but it's very difficult without getting a UK credit card. ha

I am looking forward to finally reading the series - it's a bit strange because I feel like I already know it so well but, I look forward to it anyhow. :)

I’m getting the series for my son for Christmas then we’re going to read it together. I’ve read the series through many times. It’s my favorite. I’ll jump in once we start them in January.

I would like to take this moment to defend the Dursleys.

(view spoiler)[Other than a few comments from questionable sources, the earliest introduction we get to them is after they have spent a decade with one of the Dark Lord's horcruxes in their home. These poor people had no defense against the influence of what was imposed upon them. It speaks highly of Vernon and Petunia's character that they hadn't devolved into Satan worshipping cannibals by the time that Dumbledore and company FINALLY decided to get involved.

I hope that the Ministry of Magic will at least have the decency to look after Mr. and Mrs. Dursley in their autumn years, and that they will make available to them whatever resources are available to heal the psychic wounds dealt to them by being the custodians of a fragment of pure evil for almost two decades. (hide spoiler)]

I'm in for November 1st :)

J. wrote: "I would like to take this moment to defend the Dursleys."

No. (view spoiler)[They were cruel of their own volition and even admitted as much. Petunia HATED her sister and everything having to do w/ her - including her nephew. (hide spoiler)]

I'm in! Harry Potter for the holidays sounds lovely :)

Is the plan for the whole series?

hope so

Narilka wrote: "I'm in! Harry Potter for the holidays sounds lovely :)

Is the plan for the whole series?"

Yes. I will be creating threads for each individual book in the series. Sometime in November I will create the thread for December for book #2.

I am actually in the middle of the series for the first time myself but I have already read books 1-4 so I won't be joining the reads till we all get to book #5. :)

They should be fresh enough you can still join the discussion Marie :)

Narilka wrote: "They should be fresh enough you can still join the discussion Marie :)"

Yep, we'll just bring back the memories.

I should be able to get started on this mid-month. Fingers crossed!

I was just about to start this but I need to take a break / I have real-life stuff to deal with. I hope to be back soon.

I'm going to jump in on this.

I have no idea how I’ll fit it in but I’m here for this! I’m doing a HP Christmas tree this year so I’ll be able to pick up on small details to add to it. Im making most of the stuff myself. My favorite of the series is Goblet of Fire.

I started this today and finished it. I wasn’t planning on doing that but sometimes that’s how it goes. I loved it as I knew I would. I don’t know how many times I’ve read this series through but it has been a while. I kinda wished I’d forgotten things but I was a hard core Potter head once upon a time and there were a few years there where I didn’t really think of much else. So, sadly, nothing new for me but reading these books is like coming home. It’s so nostalgic and while it’s not like reading it for the first time I remember everything I felt when I did read it for the first time and that’s something I guess.

And I have to laugh at myself cause I have a little boy and whenever I read about how the Dursleys treat Harry it makes me tear up. I would be so happy to take little Harry into my home. I obviously get why they had to leave him with the Dursleys (book 7 spoiler!) but it still hurts my heart and makes me sad for Lily.

Felina wrote: "I started this today and finished it. I wasn’t planning on doing that but sometimes that’s how it goes. I loved it as I knew I would. I don’t know how many times I’ve read this series through but i..."

That's awesome, Felina.

(I have the same problem with chocolate...)

I have that same problem with chocolate as well. Should have combined these two problems.

Snort! 😁

I'm starting tonight :)

I can't believe this book is 25 years old and the last time I read it was for the 20th anniversary in 2017.

I read through Ch 4 and am enjoying myself immensely. I had forgotten (view spoiler)[the great lengths Mr. Dursley went to in an attempt to avoid the Hogwarts letters lol (hide spoiler)]

Narilka wrote: "I had forgotten"

Yes, (Chuckle). 😃

I finished. That was a great read and perfect for a holiday. This first book is a nice comfort read.

The only thing about this reread that I didn't like was that I have forgotten nothing. I truly wish I could read these again for the first time. I've never been as enchanted with any other books as I have been with these.

@Felina same here

Just hooking into this now. Geez ... the Dursley's are all pieces of work.

Felina wrote: "The only thing about this reread that I didn't like was that I have forgotten nothing. I truly wish I could read these again for the first time. I've never been as enchanted with any other books as..."

This is my 3rd re-read. I had a big gap between my first and second reads and the books felt really fresh.

Finished ch 6 and Harry has just reached Hogwarts and the Sorting Hat awaits.

I'm really noticing how frequent foreshadowings are in the book. They're everywhere.

For example, Hagrid has dog biscuits in his coat pockets at Gringotts - and of course - we know who they would be for.

Plus the good guys and bad guys are primarily distinct by kindness and meanness respectively.

Its so easy to get captured by this book.

You're right about the foreshadowing. It's so easy to skim right past them.

Ch 7. The Sorting Hat.

One of the characters who, for no special reason, seemed to have missed out on a much bigger role.

The Sorting Hat: "And why wasn't I considered for the post of Professor? I could teach Defense against the Dark Arts, or Potions. I'd certainly be an improvement on the ghost that teaches the History of Magic. It's discrimination - pure and simple. No one wants a teaching Hat!"

I could see the Sorting Hat in their own spin-off series. Let's face it, the Sorting Hat is literally deep into the mind, soul, and motivations of every single wizard that passes through Hogwarts. It is the entity that could well know every deep dark secret and desire of every wizard (at least a age 11...).

Imagine if the Sorting Hat was willing to do a deal with The Daily Prophet for all the inside gossip ... or became a master detective, using its inside knowledge to profile criminals to crimes... the mind boggles with the possibilities.... 😉😎😁

Peeves is on scene and he refers to the new students as 'Ickle firsties!' which sounds like a demented version of Aunt Petunia laying it on thick for Dudders...

I would read a series of novels where the sorting hat is solving crimes. Happily.

I’m not sure if HP did better in America than the UK but the ‘ickle’ thing just reminds me that part of the fun of these books is how immersive they are in another culture. I’m American and even an American school of witch craft and wizardry would be so much different. America isn’t as steeped in tradition and nothing state side is really ‘old’. Something about the deep history of Europe is prevalent in these stories and that is something that America does not have and I think it captures American minds. I’m sure the HP theme park was here. I’m not sure if there even are any outside of the US.

Hi Felina, agreed. There's a lot of the UK, (can't say England, given the Scottish elements in the story) in the series and it does showcase the local culture.

I watched the first series of 'Magicians,' on Netflix and that struck me as the US version of Harry Potter, but at a University level.

I thought The Magicians was in the UK too?

I thought it was 'Cambridge, Massachusettes...' - now I'll go check.

Apparently in 'upstate New York.'

https://themagicians.fandom.com/wiki/...

Graeme wrote: "Imagine if the Sorting Hat was willing to do a deal with The Daily Prophet for all the inside gossip ... or became a master detective, using its inside knowledge to profile criminals to crimes... the mind boggles with the possibilities.... 😉😎😁"

When I read that part of your post, I imagined that the other PI in Diagon Alley would be an enchanted fedora named Gittes.

Graeme wrote: "Ch 7. The Sorting Hat.

One of the characters who, for no special reason, seemed to have missed out on a much bigger role.

The Sorting Hat: "And why wasn't I considered for the post of Professor? ..."

heheheh Maybe this will make it into your review :)

Narilka wrote: "heheheh Maybe this will make it into your review :)t..."

(Chuckle) It already has ... (for the last book in this series).

J. wrote: "When I read that part of your post, I imagined that the other PI in Diagon Alley would be an enchanted fedora named Gittes...."

An enchanted fedora could go a long way. Imagine a secret council of magic talking hats... opposed by an equal council of umbrellas, supported by slithering belts...

A homburg named Hercule which waxes its brim edge?

J. wrote: "A homburg named Hercule which waxes its brim edge?"

😁

That could be an interesting idea to add to a future book series Graeme ;)

Narilka wrote: "That could be an interesting idea to add to a future book series Graeme ;)"

At most a satirical short, I would imagine.

All that said. Just over half way through and loving the story. It's so easy to get into.