| Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling, 870 pages Julie Gephart 29 June 2003 I knew I would read it eventually, so I figured I might as well dive in before the spoilers caught up to me. I think what Harry really needed in this book was for Tim McGraw to follow along crooning to him, “I don’t know why you’ve got to be angry all the time.” | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling, 309 pages Steve Gadd 24 July 2007 Not bad I suppose for a kid's book but I expected more after hearing about 300 million copies sold. There was a bit of leading by the nose (at the halfway point: "Had Hagrid collected that package just in time? Where was it now? And did Hagrid know something about Snape that he didn't want to tell Harry?") and a classic villain speech at the end. You're never too young for a literary cliché. |
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997) by J. K. Rowling, 309 pages Jennifer Dear 24 July 2007 Jen says, "Great fun. I'm hooked." Raully says, "Can it really be that no one on this booklist has yet read Rowling? Are we that pretentious?" |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998) by J. K. Rowling, 341 pages Jennifer Dear 03 August 2007 Very addictive. |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999) by J. K. Rowling, 435 pages Jennifer Dear 07 August 2007 Even better than the last! |
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997) by J. K. Rowling, 309 pages James Donahue 16 August 2007 Does anyone else detect a nostalgia for the aristocratic age of Edwardian England? Harry Potter discovers he is no petit bourgouis flunky, but instead a wizard, a secret class that can combat the Continental aristocracies, secretly influence world power, and thrive amongst their own inner jokes. Immediately Harry discovers hidden shopping avenues in London ("Can we find these things in London?" asks Harry. Answer: "Only if you know where to look."), is sent to a boarding school complete with all the rituals and (in)dignities the Victorian 'public school' life (now dismantled in democratic England), and discovers his true athletic gifts in aristocratic sport (Quidditch, which is compared often to soccer in the book, but sounds much more to me like polo.) Surely English kids read this and wonder if they too can ever mount a charge into the wizard class, just as kids used to dream about discovering they were the lost children of a prince or duchess, just as Jane Eyre could come to terms with the responsibilities and privileges of her blood calling. |
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998) by J. K. Rowling, 341 pages James Donahue 28 August 2007 (Read during sleepless nights with a new baby and flu-ridden kids) |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) by J. K. Rowling, 734 pages Jennifer Dear 10 September 2007 |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999) by J. K. Rowling, 435 pages James Donahue 12 September 2007 Desperately trying to keep up with his seven-year-old and his wife, Raully reads Rowling late into the night holding a crying baby. That way I can be included in the breakfast conversation once again! |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) by J. K. Rowling, 870 pages Jennifer Dear 20 September 2007 My least favorite so far. |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) by J. K. Rowling, 652 pages Jennifer Dear 16 October 2007 There's only one left!!!!!!!! |
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) by J. K. Rowling, 734 pages James Donahue 28 November 2007 |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) by J. K. Rowling, 870 pages James Donahue 15 December 2007 It is wonderful to be able to read interesting, well-written books that Duncan likes too. A foreshadow of being able to talk about deep things and quality books with all of my sons! |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) by J. K. Rowling, 652 pages James Donahue 30 January 2008 I stayed up way too late at night because I had to finish this book. Its a lucky thing today was a snow day or my students would have had to endure a drowsy afternoon lecture. |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007) by J. K. Rowling, 945 pages James Donahue 22 March 2008 |