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

ISBN-10: 0747546290
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 1999
317 pgs

Synopsis
Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can't wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn't if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school ...

I have to admit I took a longer time to read this book, and the main reason being I got sidetracked by other books (i.e. books that need to be reviewed), or the fact that I had watched the film adaptation of this book a couple of times and I don't feel the rush to get into this book (boy, I was so wrong! How many times have I heard that saying about the books are always better?! Though I think the movie is pretty well done too). Anyway, it was a delight re-reading this book. So without further ado, here is my self-interview review of the book.

Q: Which is your favourite and least favourite scene? Why?
A: Where shall I start? There are so many things happening in this book and once again, I am in awe of the wizarding world that J.K. Rowling created. Right from the beginning, I knew I would be in for a great reading journey the moment I read Harry received the mails/gifts from his friends and that he would be out of the Dursleys family soon the moment he starts his third year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The scenes about The Monster Book of Monsters and Harry's encounter with Buckbeak brought a huge grin to my face. I was not at all fascinated with the Dementors and think they are the creepiest thing besides ghosts and anything that goes bump in the night. Surprisingly, I enjoyed reading the part where they attended Professor Trelawney's classes as I was quite intrigued with the tea leaves reading (I googled and found out it is also known as tasseography, tasseomancy or tassology) as it gives me a refreshing outlook of another fortune telling method besides tarot cards, palmistry or any others.

I especially liked reading the relationships between Harry Potter, Professor Lupin and Sirius Black. I wish I could say more about Sirius Black but I won't because I think it is better off reading about him from the book than having me explaining here anyway (in addition there is one thing that is called 'spoilers' and I don't want to do that to anyone who has not read or watch the movie).

And oh, I also loved the part where Harry and Hermione travel back in time to remedy some of the things and I feel that is another highlight of the book besides Sirius Black.

As for my least favourite scene, I can't think of any at the moment. I guess the above summarize my feelings towards this book - I loved it.

Q: Name a trait which you think we all should learn from any of the characters in this book.
A: I think I had mentioned courage, determination and loyalty in my previous reviews of the first two installments so I won't bring those up again. In fact, after reading this installment I have found another trait in Harry Potter that I feel I should mention and that is - to believe in yourself. I would skip the part about what Harry has done in regards to this trait but I feel this is a great lesson to anyone who has a low self esteem or having no faith in themselves. However, believing in yourself by no means signify arrogance (which is a huge difference) and I think this applies not only to the younger readers but to everyone as well.

Q: Your overall thoughts on this book?
A: I know I have mentioned this but I am going to say it again anyway. I loved it! I just wish the movie has followed every details to the book!

~*~*~*~*~

During my review for the previous installment, I had requested some questions from fellow bookbloggers for this review and Trish asked me this question:

Can I ask you a question that might lead to a spoiler for #3? Who did you think the giant wolf was following Harry around? Does that make sense? Trying to ask my question in a cryptic kind of way in case you haven't finished yet!

Spoiler Alert!

Certainly! I believe it is Sirius Black and he is watching over Harry Potter.

What do you think? Am I right or wrong? What's your opinion? I would love to hear them!

Note: Please feel free to ask me any questions for my next review of the fourth installment, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on this post.

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

ISBN-10: 0747538484
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: July 1998
251 pgs

Synopsis (from B&N)
The eagerly anticipated sequel to the astounding smash hit Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is finally here! No need to wait — Harry's back for his second year at Hogwarts, where the infamous Chamber of Secrets has been opened for the first time in 50 years. The monster that is unleashed is literally petrifying Hogwarts students (turning them into stone, that is), and who is the primary suspect? Harry Potter himself. Add to this some enormous spiders, a Deathday Party, a ghost named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and lots and lots of suspense, and you'll soon find yourself engrossed in another terrific tale in which magic does exist and good eventually triumphs over evil.

So I had a great time re-reading the first installment, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone a while back. I find myself immersed in J.K. Rowling's amazing wizarding world and just could not get enough of it, and that is why I devour the second installment immediately after reading the first.

So without further ado, here is my self-interview review of the book.

Q: Which is your favourite and least favourite scene? Why?
A: There are a few scenes which I liked: Harry Potter and friends' encounter with Moaning Myrtle, who haunts the girls' toilet. I find their exchanges to be somewhat amusing at times. And I find myself holding my breath reading about Harry's and Ron's mission to find out the true heir of Slytherin and their narrow escape with the huge spider, Aragog and not to mention the gigantic and deadly Basilisk (also known as the King of Serpents). I also have to mention Hermione's heroic deeds when she went out the way to concoct the Polyjuice potion and being the one to find out about the facts on the Basilisk.

I do not think there is a scene which I dislike; there is so much adventure in this story. However, I have to say I was a little irritated by Professor Gilderoy Lockhart's attitude; I simply could not stand the way he thinks so highly of himself. Despite this, I am glad he is a harmless character after all.

Q: Name a trait which you think we all should learn from any of the characters in this book.
A: This will be a no surprise answer after all - Harry Potter's courage, his faith and his never-give-up attitude.

There is this scene between Professor Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter which I really, really like. Dumbledore was telling Harry that it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities and I totally agree with him on this. How many times have we been persuaded or coaxed into doing something, but ultimately the decisions still lie upon us and we have to decide what is right or what is wrong.

Q: Your overall thoughts on this book?
A: I loved it that there are more adventure and more dangerous tasks for the three main characters as the series progress. (Warning: Do not read further to this answer if you have not read this book!) However, I was perplexed over a scene and wonder how did Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes managed to puncture the Basilisk's eyes without getting itself petrified? Did I miss anything there?

During my review for the first installment, I had requested some questions from fellow bookbloggers for this review and here they are:

Q: Do you think that the movie is really close to the book? Or will reading the book give you a different experience altogether? (Violet of Violet Crush)
A: Yes, I do think the movie follows closely to the book, but we all know it is impossible to capture every scene and/or description so I know there are bound to be some little things missed here and there and as long as they do not cut away the major scenes, I am totally fine with it.

I always prefer reading the books first before watching the movies. However, it is not the case in Harry Potter series as it is the movies that have me hooked to the books (I did not read a lot of YA books back then). I find there is not much difference in regards to the experience no matter if we are reading a book or watching a movie because we are always the third party as we watch the story slowly unfolds in front of us; often it is how the movie (or the characters) portray that makes us compare to the books.

Q: Does any of the book relate to your "real" life? (Amy of Amy Reads Good Books)
A: Fortunately, no! And onto a different topic, as much as I love reading about magic, I would rather read them in books than to see them happen in reality. It would be too scary if someone decided to use it to create chaos in real life.

Q: Which Hogwarts House would you chose to be in and why? (Naida of The Bookworm)

A: Gryffindor, of course! That house has the most righteous attitude among all, but most importantly my favourite characters - Harry and his friends are in it. Period.

Thanks to Violet, Amy and Naida for the great questions!

*****

Note: Please feel free to ask me any questions for my next review of the third installment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

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

ISBN: 0747532745
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: June 1997
223 pgs

Synopsis (from B&N)
Orphaned as a baby, Harry Potter has spent 11 awful years living with his mean aunt, uncle, and cousin Dudley. But everything changes for Harry when an owl delivers a mysterious letter inviting him to attend a school for wizards. At this special school, Harry finds friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, as well as a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter. From an author who has been compared to C. S. Lewis and Roald Dahl, this enchanting, funny debut novel won England's National Book Award and the prestigious Smarties Prize.

I am sure most of you must have read the Harry Potter series or watched the movies so I am taking a different approach when writing the reviews for the Harry Potter Reading Challenge. I would do a self-interview for each book I read in this series and I hope you will enjoy reading them.

Q: What made you pick up this series in the first place?
A: Honestly, I am not aware of this wonderful series until they hit the big screen. I have to admit I did not read a lot of young adult books back then but I am very happy to pick up this series no matter how late I am. Actually, I had read the first three installments last year but just did not get around to writing the reviews. I am glad this reading challenge comes along so it is a great opportunity for me to catch up on this series!

Q: Which is your favourite and least favourite scene? Why?
A: I have more than one favourite scene! Reading this book is like an adventure to me so how could I possibly just name a scene and neglect the others? However, I have to say Harry's journey to the Hogwarts is an interesting read and I loved the part how he got acquainted with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The scene where Ron has to play the chess so that Harry and Hermione could reach the room safely touched me greatly and this says a lot about their friendship and their loyalty to one another.

As for the least favourite scene, shall I say any scene about the Dursley family bullying Harry annoyed me a lot? They are an irritating lot and that is all I have to say about them.

Q: Name a trait which you think we all should learn from any of the characters in this book.
A: Ron for his self-sacrificing spirit, and the courage the three friends portray during their quests.

Q: Your overall thoughts on this book?
A: I enjoy reading about the magical realism and the wizarding world which J. K. Rowling has created in this wonderful first installment. I liked the premise but what made this a great read is the set of engaging characters on top of the exciting adventure. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, here I come!

*****

Note: I am in the middle of reading the second installment and will be asking the same questions for the rest of this series (except the first) so if you have any questions to ask me on the second book, please post them in the comment box here. Thank you in advance!

Harry Potter Reading Challenge

I know I have mentioned this before that I am not going to participate in more reading challenges, but I found this challenge from Jo and Devourer of Books and I know I have to join based on the following reasons (as if I need them, haha):

i) I have only read till Book 3;
ii) I watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince with my husband last evening and the movie has really motivated me into reading these series again!

What: Read or listen to all seven books in the Harry Potter series.

When: The challenge will run from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010.

Where & How: Post reviews on your blog, chat about it on message boards, post vlogs or podcasts, comment on and converse about it in the monthly post at Galleysmith.

And that is not all! Michelle, the hostess of this challenge is giving away two Harry Potter box sets (one paperback and one hardcover) to two lucky winners. All you have to do is to sign up for this challenge by August 15th.