HP week pt. 6

I apparently couldn't resist yet another one from the great Grable424  this is a fun, cute, short film. Enjoy!

Harry Potter last fanvid for the week

Okay first off love the band Red so of course I picked this one. Secondly it's Harry Freaking Potter so yeah automatic pick. Anywho thank you Grable424  for making this gem!

Review ~ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

It’s Harry Potter errr week here

TITLE: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

AUTHOR: J. K. Rowlings

COPYRIGHT: June 1, 2003
TYPE: YA Fantasy
PAGES: 870
SERIES: yes
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

REASON FOR READ: I wanted to re-read the books before movie 7 and then I got sucked in.

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
The fifth hefty installment to J.K. Rowling's renowned Harry Potter series takes a uniquely psychological and intensely dark turn, bringing the boy wizard at odds with his own identity and friendships as he continues to fight He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Now fifteen years old with four Voldemort battles under his belt, Harry feels frustrated about the growing public skepticism about the Dark Lord's return. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Magic is also voicing its doubt, and all of Hogwarts comes under the watchful eye of an oppressive Ministry representative. Despite the additional problems of looming O.W.L. exams and Hagrid's inexplicable absence, Harry's main preoccupation is his vivid dreams that take him to places -- and make him witness events -- that horrify and intrigue him. These dreams provide a shocking clue to his very existence, and when eventually they lead Harry to confrontation, the wizard must cope with a tragic death and a telling prophecy about his future.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I have to admit this is my Favorite book out of the series so far. The first time I read through this series I was more of a fan of the Goblet of Fire. This time I have changed my mind. Harry is growing up he isn’t perfect and well everyone around him who knows him sees it. He’s more selfish, his immaturity really shines here, and his frustrations as a teenager suck you in. I really feel that this is the book that Harry can fully grow into his own and we as the audience get a sense of what is to come. Honestly after this book I didn’t think that the chosen one was such a great thing.

THINGS I LIKED:
I love that Harry is becoming the man he is suppose to be. That being said Ms. Rowlings kept him a teenager by making him feel left out, forgotten, him against the world, selfish thoughts even though he thought he wasn’t being that way. Harry to me became more like a real 15 year old boy instead of the poor boy who lost his family.

I love the Order and discovering who is in and who isn’t. Learning about the first time that Voldemort came and how they barely managed to survive. To me this helps us understand the real danger out there.

I loved how Ron and Hermione became even better friends with Harry sticking with him through all the doubt that the magical world had. They were doing everything they could to make him not feel alone. They took the laughter and ridicule too even though they didn’t have to. They really proved to Harry and us no matter what they are with him through it all.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
Everything I disliked about this book was more like I hated how everyone doubted Harry until he proved it kind of things. Nothing is wrong with this story there are parts where it drags. Parts where I wanted to shake Harry and tell him to get over it and well parts where I wanted to stand up and yell at people making fun of Harry. But, there was nothing over all wrong with this story its still a favorite of mine and one I am sure I will re-read again.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This is a keeper for me

Would you recommend this book? Yes I would recommend the whole series.

Review ~ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

It’s Harry Potter errr week here

TITLE: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
AUTHOR: J. K. Rowlings
COPYRIGHT: September 1, 2002
TYPE: YA Fantasy
PAGES: 734
SERIES: yes
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

REASON FOR READ: I wanted to re-read the books before movie 7 and then I got sucked in.

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
First, imagine if you will, the sleepy but mysterious village of Little Hangleton, and what happened at the Riddle House. No, the Riddle House is not a place for riddles, but a home where the family died of fright. The man accused of murdering them was eventually released, but when he returns to the Riddle House, he overhears a curious conversation between someone named Wormtail and a terrible, dark presence by the name of Lord Voldemort -- oh, so sorry He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Volde... (oops, almost said it again) He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is one of the most powerful Dark wizards -- and he wants Harry Potter.

When Harry wakes from a particularly vivid dream, the scar on his forehead throbs, and he knows something is up. Harry's been living in a dreadful house on Privet Drive with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and greedy cousin, Dudley. They won't even let him do any wizardry -- you know Muggles, how they can't really handle that kind of stuff.

Harry's uncle and aunt like to let the neighbors think that Harry goes to St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys rather than to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He has to hide his magic -- and even broomsticks aren't a suitable topic of conversation in the Dursley household. But everything is about to change for Harry, beginning with this particular summer vacation.

It starts with a letter from Mrs. Weasley, Harry's friend Ron's mother. She invites him to come spend the rest of the summer with the Weasleys and to go see the Quidditch World Cup. Quidditch is Harry's favorite sport in the world, and it isn't often that the Quidditch World Cup is in Britain. Faster than you can say "Hogwarts," Harry travels by fire to the Burrow, and the dark and threatening adventure begins.

On the way, Harry discovers that his interest in girls is becoming more nerve-wracking -- how is a young wizard to ask a girl to the Yule Ball? And what of the Goblet of Fire itself? And the Triwizard Tournament? And then, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named might be seeking Harry out even now!

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
The first time I read through this series this book was my favorite. I loved it so much that I was in pins and needles wondering how bad the movie would be. The movie didn’t turn out so bad I was pleasantly surprised by it. Anyway as far as the book is concerned I liked being introduced to Mad Eye Moody and learning more about the Tri-Wizard Tournament what it is and how it works. I loved the scene where we are introduced to the other magical schools. This author has a fantastic imagination to think of all the different schools and the way they learn and teach magic.

THINGS I LIKED:
I absolutely loved learning about the different schools out there that were just like Hogwarts. I enjoyed learning the culture and methods of teaching. The new personalities were very strong and made a lasting impression.

The Tournament itself was quite interesting how she came up with the 3 separate games and rules for them are fascinating. I loved watching Harry try to figure out how to win them without the help of Ron in the first match. However, Hermione stuck by Harry’s side throughout the whole Tournament. I loved that she never once questioned if Harry did and stood by his side throughout the whole Tournament. She even was the first to believe that Voldemort was back besides Dumbledore.

The twist at the end involving Mad Eye was very Oh Crap didn’t see that coming the first time however, this time it was just a nice ending and I could see how she brought it together throughout the book.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
I hated that Ron acted the way he did when it came the tournament. I mean I get the whole I’m jealous thing but really? He’s your best friend why wouldn’t you believe him when he told you that he didn’t put his name in it.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This is a keeper for me
Would you recommend this book? Yes I would recommend the whole series.

Review ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

TITLE: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
AUTHOR: J K Rowlings
COPYRIGHT: 2001
TYPE: Fantasy/Young Adult Fantasy
PAGES: 435
SERIES: yes

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

REASON FOR RE-READ: No idea other than I felt the need to dive back into this amazing world.

SUMMARY: {From Goodreads}
For most children, summer vacation is something to look forward to. But not for our 13-year-old hero, who's forced to spend his summers with an aunt, uncle, and cousin who detest him. The third book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series catapults into action when the young wizard "accidentally" causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon (and from officials at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who strictly forbid students to cast spells in the nonmagic world of Muggles), Harry lunges out into the darkness with his heavy trunk and his owl Hedwig.
As it turns out, Harry isn't punished at all for his errant wizardry. Instead he is mysteriously rescued from his Muggle neighborhood and whisked off in a triple-decker, violently purple bus to spend the remaining weeks of summer in a friendly inn called the Leaky Cauldron. What Harry has to face as he begins his third year at Hogwarts explains why the officials let him off easily. It seems that Sirius Black--an escaped convict from the prison of Azkaban--is on the loose. Not only that, but he's after Harry Potter. But why? And why do the Dementors, the guards hired to protect him, chill Harry's very heart when others are unaffected?

THOUGHTS/OPINION:During my re-read I realized that I devoured these books way to quickly the first time around. I absolute love this series but once I discovered it I torn through the pages like a mad man looking for a fix. Now I am able to sit back and savor each and every page. I am reminded how much the movies (while the first couple still to the basic) are completely different from the books. And honestly the movies just can not give you the fullness or richness of this world. However, that being said without the movies I wouldn't have an idea on how to picture some of the characters.

Things I enjoyed:
Okay so I have to say this is one of my favorites, finally we see the pitfalls of Harry. He is arrogent, pigheaded, and completely irrational when it comes to his parents, he's also has a bit of a temper on him! And that excites me he's no longer poor Harry and I have to honestly say at times I rolled my eyes or yelled at him. I do like that we discover why the Minstery is taking it so easy on him all things considered. I also like that we didn't know where Sirius stood until the end and I have to admit I was happy for Harry's situation. Although I know he would've preferred that Sirius got off. I did enjoy that he didn't get his way completely. I am glad the Dursley's finally got their comeupins as my mom would say. And I have to say while not my favorite it is definately high up there!

Things I didn’t care for:There wasn't much in this one I didn't care for I managed to read it pretty quickly other than a few minor repeats I think this one is spot on.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I will continue to keep this series who knows in a few years I may go back and re-read them again!

Review ~ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

TITLE: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
AUTHOR: J K Rowlings
COPYRIGHT: 1999
TYPE: Fantasy/Young Adult Fantasy
PAGES: 341
SERIES: yes

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

REASON FOR RE-READ: No idea other than I felt the need to dive back into this amazing world.
SUMMARY: {From Goodreads}
Ever since Harry Potter had come home for the summer, the Dursleys were so mean and hideous that all Harry wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike. And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girls' bathroom. But then the real trouble begins--someone is turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects...Harry Potter himself!

THOUGHTS/OPINION:During my re-read I realized that I devoured these books way to quickly the first time around. I absolute love this series but once I discovered it I tore through the pages like a mad man looking for a fix. Now I am able to sit back and savor each and every page. I am reminded how much the movies (while the first couple stuck to the basic) are completely different from the books. And honestly the movies just can not give you the fullness or richness of this world. However, that being said without the movies I wouldn't have an idea on how to picture some of the characters.

Things I enjoyed:
I have to admit that this book was my least favorite and I blame the movie for it. I did like the book better than the movie but I hated the movie. Until I realized how important this book was in order to set up the Tom Riddle tie in with Harry's enemy He Who Must Not be Named. Now that I've read the whole series I have to admit I like it better. I did enjoy Dobby's character and how Harry helps him. I enjoyed watching the team getting back together and I seriously still love that Harry is still modest and hasn't let the fame get to him. Of course the way he is treated with the Dursley's helps. I did like that we got to see more of the Wizard world and of course the Weasley's whom I happen to really love.

Things I didn’t care for:
I'm a firm believer that if you are going to tell us what has happened in the first book do it quickly and move on. JK Rowlings however, is not a firm believer in this and while I dislike it I'm sure others don't care. So that's about it.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I will continue to keep this series who knows in a few years I may go back and re-read them again!

Challenges:

100+ Book

Re-Read

Review ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

TITLE: Harry Potter and the Soceres Stone
AUTHOR: J K Rowlings
COPYRIGHT: 1997
TYPE: Fantasy/Young Adult Fantasy
PAGES: 309
SERIES: yes

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

REASON FOR RE-READ: No idea other than I felt the need to dive back into this amazing world.

SUMMARY: {From Goodreads}
Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility. All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley--a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years. But all of that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry--and anyone who reads about him--will find unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
During my re-read I realized that I devoured these books way to quickly the first time around. I absolute love this series but once I discovered it I torn through the pages like a mad man looking for a fix. Now I am able to sit back and savor each and every page. I am reminded how much the movies (while the first couple still to the basic) are completely different from the books. And honestly the movies just can not give you the fullness or richness of this world. However, that being said without the movies I wouldn't have an idea on how to picture some of the characters.

Things I enjoyed:
Watching Harry grow from the poor boy outcast to a rich but humble 11 year old. Thankfully he was raised by people who didn't appreciate him so when the time came for him to face all the fame his name represented he was able to go about it in a modest and humble manner.
I also enjoy the details that Ms. Rowlings gives us the readers when it comes to Harry's early home life and then we get to see the richness of the wizard world and learn with Harry about all the new things he is going to discover.
She is teaching us but at the same time it doesn't feel as if we are in a lecture. She has woven the story so well around the lessons I was sucked right in the first time and even more the second.
I love the over all themes she has in the books. Themes regarding friendships, relationships, good vs. evil, and family

Things I didn’t care for:
I believe the only thing I didn't care for was some of the descriptions. While I understood that this was a fantasy novel and who in the world had ever heard of Quidditch before this book? I didn't need a 6 page explaination on to the how and how nots, how it feels to fly on a broom (I'm confident that she never has), what the castle twist and turns must be like and how the pictures are always moving!
Other than that seriously no complaints I swear.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I will continue to keep this series who knows in a few years I may go back and re-read them again!

Here's some Harry Potter facts I found interesting

Most of these were found here, or here

1. The actress who played Moaning Myrtle was 37 years old at the time “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” was filmed. She is the oldest actress to ever portray a Hogwarts student

2. Only Alan Rickman, the actor who played Professor Snape, knew his character’s fate before the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” because Rowling told him.

3.An outbreak of lice occurred among the children cast members during the filming of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”

4. The idea for Sirius Black’s tattoos came from those used in Russian prison gangs. The markings identify the person as someone to be feared and respected.

5. During the filming of the kissing scene between the horcrux versions of Harry and Hermione in the final film, Rupert Grint was removed from the set for laughing too much.

6. In order to become acquainted with the films’ three main stars, director Alfonso Cuaron had each of them write an essay about their characters. True to their characters, Emma Watson wrote a 16-page essay, Daniel Radcliffe wrote a simple, one-page paper, and Rupert Grint never even turned his in.

7. A picture of Gandalf the Grey (from The Lord of the Rings) can be seen in the collection of great wizards in Professor Dumbledore’s study in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

8. Rowling said that if she were to be a teacher at Hogwarts, she would teach Charms. If she had a job in the wizarding world, she would write spell books

9. Colors play an important role in the Harry Potter novels. For example, shades of red represent goodness, such as Gryffindor’s scarlet robes, Harry’s red ink, and the crimson Hogwarts Express train. The Weasleys have red hair and a red roof. Green is largely associated with negative events, such as when Harry sees a flash of green when his parents die and the green-colored curse that made Ron vomit.

10. So many fans visit King’s Cross station to take pictures of platforms 9 and 10 that the station management erected a sign that says “Platform 9 ¾” which, in the Potter books, is invisible to Muggles but acts as a gateway for witches and wizards
This last one is true and I have a pics somewhere to prove it LOL

Okay there are 10 facts about Harry Potter for you... stayed tune for more HP stuff this week.

Harry Potter week? I think so

 

And let's start if off with a HP fanvid~

 

 

 

Another great vid by Grable424 thank you for making this gem!