simplekindoflovely

With the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie release fast approaching, I took it upon myself to reread all 7 novels in the Harry Potter series to better prepare myself for July 15^th.  The only problem in this plan is that I have no time to myself and therefore mustering the tenacity to read these books again has been quite a daunting task.  I will be posting my reactions to each of the seven books (that is if I finish them) as well as a short recap and some trivial questions from the books to boot.

Year 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

This is the one HP book that I have read the most.  In anticipating any new release of a movie or book from the series I would always attempt the task I have at hand now, and that is reading all of the books in order.  Of course, I gave up on many occasions (and will most likely give up again) and as a result I would only make it past the first book.  So don’t be too surprised when I tell you that it only took me two-and-a-half hours to reread the first book of the series, mainly because I could have practically recited it by memory.

Sorcerer’s Stone is the key to the rest of the books in the series.  Without it, I think I would be lost in Harry’s wizarding world, and quite possibly at my wit’s end in trying to understand the concept of things such as platform nine-and-three-quarters, quidditch, and transfiguration class.  With that being said, it is necessary that I reread it, but at the same time it’s storyline is probably my least favorite.  Harry Potter finds out that he is not only a wizard, but a famous one at that.  He meets new friends Ron and Hermione, goes to Hogwarts for the first time, finds an enemy in Malfoy, yadda yadda yadda, discovers there is a plot to steal the sorcerer’s stone, saves the sorcerer’s stone from professor Quirrel/Voldemort (weird head thingy), and because of him and his heroics Gryffindors win house cup.  And that’s all in a day’s work.

As for my commentary on this one, I think I’ve about run out of things to say.  But I will comment on how clever J.K. Rowling can be.  I think the reason I like these kids books so much is because every tidbit included in the book always comes together really nicely in the end.  I guess I mean to say she is the queen of foreshadowing.

Now it’s time for some questions.  I’ve made these questions up to test your Harry Potter IQ from the first book.  Let’s see how much everyone remembers.  No cheating!

1.     What is the name of the Mirror that lies at the end of the chamber of secrets?  What does Harry see in the mirror the first time he finds it?  What does he see in the mirror while he is in the Chamber of Secrets?

2.     Name ALL of the powers of the sorcerer’s stone.

3.     What is the name of the three-headed dog?  How do you put them to sleep?  What does Quirrel use to put them asleep and what does Harry, Ron, and Hermione use to put them asleep?

4.     What card is Ron missing in his chocolate frog collection?

5.     What is the Dursley’s full address?

6.     How many presents does Dudley receive for his birthday?

7.     At the end of the novel, what flavor of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans did Dumbledore eat?

8.     What did Dumbledore see in the Mirror of Erised?

9.     What is the name of Dudley’s school?

10.   What is Sir Nearly Headless Nick’s full name?