Reaction to Rereading the First Three Harry Potter Books!

This summer, one of my goals was to reread the Harry Potter series!  I've done this multiple times already but it's always a new and exciting experience diving into the world again.  And this time, I was diving back in with two friends!  We've been reading the books together and just finished the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and I have some thoughts on the first three books, friends.  

Fair warning, there will be spoilers for all three books throughout the post.  If you haven't read this series already, go do it!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling 

Okay, so I love this series and all the books in it, but I found I actually struggled a bit with this one.  I know, I know.  I was getting really distressed by how difficult I found it to get through this one!  I mean, it's not like it's boring; there's magic and awesome feasts and making new friends and scary villains.  But I realized that so much of the first book is just backstory and laying the foundation for the rest of the series.  As much as I love all that information, I wanted to get into the main story.  I forced myself to read all of it though; no skimming or anything.  I want the full experience this reread!

Another thing I noticed while reading this one is how mean Harry and Ron are to Hermione.  I always realized they were rude before but I was honestly a bit horrified while reading about it this time around.  It got to the point where they were just straight up bullying her and it made me really uncomfortable.  As much as I love the trio, I would have liked to see a little more love from the boys to Hermione during this book.  I mean, she obviously cares so much about them, and it especially shows in the end when they're going through the different obstacles; she's really concerned about both of them and it makes me sad that they don't always show that same concern.  

Overall, I enjoyed this was but grew a little tired of reading about the history and background of the world when I already know all about it.  It was worth it to read all the way through, though, especially because I was able to pick up foreshadowing in a couple of spots for later novels in the series.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

This one ALWAYS FREAKS ME OUT.  I just cannot handle the creepy snake hissing and talking all throughout the castle pipes.  I don't know how Harry was able to stand hearing that voice or WHY HE WENT LOOKING FOR IT.  But I guess that's why he's in Gryffindor and I'm in Ravenclaw.  But for real, am I the only one that is creeped the heck out by this book? 

There was definitely still some foundation laying going on it this one but the actual story began to pick up when we got more information about Voldemort and his past as Tom Riddle.  He has such an interesting back story; I find it really cool how J.K. Rowling drops hints and tidbits about it through the entire series before revealing it in its entirety in the last few.  

Also, I found Lockhart to be SO.  ANNOYING.  in this book.  He's always been irritating but I genuinely couldn't stand reading about him this book and I have no idea why Dumbledore would hire him?  He obviously has no real knowledge of the dark arts and has gotten by cheating and cursing other people; why would Dumbledore allow him to teach at Hogwarts, especially a subject that is so vital?  I don't understand it.  

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

I was so excited to finally get this this book.  In my mind, this is where the story really kicks off and I absolutely loved it.  This book used to be my favorite in the entire series, and while it's not anymore, it still it loads of fun to read.  One of my favorite parts of it are the Quiddich matches; Lee Jordan's commentary is amazing and so hilarious.  Reading it always makes me wish they would have been able to include it in the movies!  

I love Sirius so much but reading this book, particularly the end, is always so heart breaking.  Harry and Sirius were so close to being able to live together and rely on each other and be a family and I hate that it was ruined for them.  I don't know how Harry and Hermione could stand watching the events unfold a second time after using the Time Turner -- even rereading it and knowing what was going to happen, I was still hoping they'd somehow find a way to recapture Pettigrew.  

Lupin is easily one of my favorite aspects of this novel because of what an awesome person and professor he is.  He's definitely one of the best professors the school has ever seen and it's so sad to see how he's discriminated against for being a werewolf, despite the fact that he actually has the merits for the job. 

I'm starting the fourth book tomorrow and I'm so excited for this one -- it's my favorite as of the last time I reread the series so I'm looking forward to seeing if that opinion holds true.  What do you think of the first three books in this series?  Have you ever read them (or reread them)?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

How Things Changed After Rereading Harry Potter

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I adore Harry Potter and nothing can ever change that.  These are the books that changed everything for me and cemented my love of reading.  I remember making my way through all the books as a kid, totally unable to tear myself away.  Even now, I find myself frequently getting urges to read them all over again.  So, I did just that.  Well, mostly that.  Recently, I picked up the fourth book, The Goblet of Fire, and began reading the series again from that point on.  I didn't expect much to happen other than me just enjoying rereading my favorite series but as I continued on, I found my opinions of the books shifting rather dramatically.  A bit of a warning: minor spoilers are sprinkled throughout this post!

Before this rereading, I always said that The Goblet of Fire, while still an amazing book, was my least favorite in the series and that The Order of the Pheonix was my favorite.  Well, after reading those opinion completely switched.  I loved reading The Goblet of Fire again.  I found myself appreciating the things I didn't appreciate as a kid and just thoroughly enjoying the different tasks and tribulations that Harry had to go through in this book.  

Similarly, my opinion of The Order of the Phoenix changed with this rereading.  While I still enjoyed seeing all the characters and the order, as well as seeing the D.A., I found Harry incredibly frustrating this time around.  I understood that he was angry and frustrated with the situation but I felt like he was being completely unfair taking his anger out on his friends.  I found for the first time, I was also so upset with Dumbledore.  Before this reading, I had never felt anything except admiration toward him but this time around, I couldn't help but see the mistakes he was making, especially since I knew what was coming.  His secrecy was just so ... UGH, so frustrating.  So many things could have been avoided if he just took the time to explain things and talk to Harry!

My opinions of the other two books stayed about the same, though this time around, I had a really hard time getting through the last one.  I knew that it would be worth it to trudge on because I wanted to get to that final, wonderful scene.  But still, it was so difficult to read through all of the middle scenes where they were just wandering around in the forest.  I really just wanted to get to the climax.  

Overall, my love of Harry Potter is still strong and absolute, I've just become more aware and accepting of some of its flaws.  While nothing can ever replace the wonder this series brought me, I'm now able to appreciate both the good and the bad in it and I think I love it all the more for that.  

Tea Party Talk: Rereading and How it Sometimes Changes Everything

As I'm sure you all have gathered, I am a super fan of reading.  What you may not have gathered is, I am an even bigger super fan of rereading!  I know, I know, you're all probably sitting there, staring at your computer screens thinking "Wha?  How does anyone have the time to even consider rereading when there's so many other fantastic new books out?!"  I'll admit, its hard, especially as a blog runner who wants to be able to put out up-to-date reviews weekly for my really cool and totally spectacular readers.  But when I do get a chance to pick up a book that I've already read, I find that a lot has changed since the time.

While obviously I'm reading the same story as before, I find that it feels and seems to have turned into a stranger to me.  This is especially true when it has been years since I've had the chance to read it.  It's not that the story or the characters or the writing style has changed at all but more that I've changed a whole bunch.  My reading experience has expanded in that time and I've been introduced to many other stories that have made an impact on who I am and how I think.  That's because every single book I pick up and decide to read changes me, whether in a big or small way.  It opens my eyes to things I wouldn't have seen myself and allows me to connect with hundreds - if not thousands - of people just through reading the same words.  

Sometimes, rereading a book doesn't change my opinion of it but instead makes me more aware of the little details sprinkled throughout that I didn't notice before because I was too wrapped up in the actual story. This is true for all of the Harry Potter books.  I will forever and always adore this series. Almost nothing can change my opinion of it and rereading it only brings me enjoyment and a sense of nostalgia.  

However, there are other books like Graceling by Kristin Cashore that make all my feelings for them change.  When I first read that book, I didn't really like it.  I was likely a bit too young to have been reading it and I wasn't understanding everything that was happening.  When I picked it up about a year ago to reread it though, I found myself completely wrapped up and in love with the plot, the premise, and the characters.  In fact, I went out and bought the other two books in the series immediately after finishing it.  It times like that when rereading becomes something magical, maybe even more magical than just reading, because it shows you just how much you've grown.  

So, how often do you reread?  What is your favorite story to reread?  Do you find that rereading often changes your opinions of those books?