This is the first book from our Harry Potter Re-Readalong (not too late to join in!)
I wish I could remember exactly when I read this book for the first time. I believe it was sometime around when the first movie came out in 2001. I remember wanting to know what my sons were reading. Little did I know that I was about to read the book that would set off something in me that would lead to:
1. Owning all the books in paperback and hardcover
2. Owning all the books in audio (fantastic by the way – both narrators Jim Dale and Stephen Fry – wow!)
3. Owning several Harry Potter Board Games including HP Scene It
4. Going to the Harry Potter Exhibit with Reagan (Miss Remmer’s Reviews) while in New York
5. A different year dragging Cindy from Cindy’s Love Of Books to Potted Potter in New York. (For the record she had not read the books which made her even more of a trooper to attend with me and she loved it!)
6. Going to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios three times in the past three years with my son who is into it just as much as I am.
7. Of course seeing and owning all the movies. 😉
8. Early acceptance into Pottermore
I love this first book. There is so much going on here not only within the book but the fact that the book exists at all. If you have ever read or listened to anything about JK Rowlings start with this book it is fascinating stuff. She was turned down again and again publishing houses stating that no one would want to read about children that had magic skills and misbehaved in school. Bloomsbury was the publisher that said yes (hazah to them!!!) and this book – opened up doors to change the publishing world forever…
HP and The Sorcerer’s Stone is fun to re-read as there is so much I pick up on now that I have read all the books. I feel like I pick up something new each time I read it and I have to smile at the sheer brilliance of how the books tie in so well together. JK did not know at the point of book one that there would be seven books – but they sure read like she knew exactly where she was going.
The short synopsis (just because I like writing about it)… Harry Potter is raised by his aunt and uncle after being left in their care upon the death of his parents. Harry is treated very poorly as an unwanted intruder in their lives and sleeps in a small space under the staircase. As he approaches his eleventh birthday he finds out that things are not exactly as he had been told all of these years. His parents actually come from a magical background and Harry is about to be introduced to his first year of school at Hogwarts.
Harry can not believe his luck as of which he had none before. He has a little help from Hagrid in picking up the supplies he will need and then he is on the train to Hogwarts where he meets Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger, two students who little does Harry know – will become lifelong friends, something he has not had before.
Of course all is not smooth sailing for our young Harry. We also learn about he-who-shall-not-be-named (Good old Volde!) and his role in Harry’s parents deaths as well as Harry’s scar. For years no one has heard from him but things are about to change and of course Harry would be the main focus of HWSNBN return.
I am going to believe that most of you reading this post have read this book or at the very least, have heard of the Harry Potter phenomenon. I seriously have to smile when I think of how this series has held on – now being one of the biggest attractions at Universal Studios Orlando, so big in fact they just added on in 2014 a whole new amazing section that actually goes into the next park! I wrote about that here.
I adore this amazing book filled with magic and messages of good… just listen to Dumbledore’s quotes throughout the book and the series – these are amazing life lessons:
“Let me explain. The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. Does that help.”
Harry thought. Then he said slowly, “It shows us what we want… whatever we want…”
“Yes and no,” said Dumbledore quietly.
“It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. You, who have never known your family, see them standing around you. Ronald Weasley, who has always been overshadowed by his brothers, sees himself standing alone, the best of all of them. However, this mirror will give us neither knowledge or truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible.
“To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure’.”
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone is just the beginning. If you have never read the series, I invite you to join our group now. If you have read it many years ago, you are also welcome to join in the fun. The giveaways are available to those signed up for the readalong, so come on in. In fact out first giveaway is posted by Donna at Writer’s Side Up for a set of cool bookmarks.
I am looking forward to the next book!
*Readalongers be sure to link up your Sorcerer’s Stone post here. House points for participants comments on HP posts that are linked as well as the post itself.
Book Journey 
I really like your summary, short and to the point. The 20th anniversary editions are beautiful as well imo. Wow Sheila! having the books on audio paperback AND hardcover is a sure sign of a real potterhead lol (I don’t blame you)
I am an absolute Potterhead 😀
I love that J.K.’s sketch is in the 20th edition book. I know there were more that I’ve seen over the years. I love that she can also draw. I think it’s what helps writers visualize that much more when writing. I know it helps me! lol Perhaps I’ll own the anniversary edition someday, just for that reason! 🙂
And just so you know, Sheila, she actually did know she was going to write seven from when she first began really plotting. In fact, she’s stated (more than once, I believe) that whether you like it or not (for those who are solely pantsers), that that’s how it’s done: you plot.
And now, on to CoS! 🙂 I’m looking forward to mailing out the bookmarks, too! They’re all set to go. Just need the name and address 😀
OOH I am super interested in knowing more about the seven books! 😀 I had read in the beginning that she did not know where it would go but it was so long ago I have no idea where I read that.
Sheila, it could’ve only been referring to when she first got the idea, but once she started developing it, she knew it would be 7.
I read this book along with my son who was 7 at the time when it came out. He wanted to read it so bad! He enjoyed it, I think I was on the look out for anything that was going to be scary or needed to be talked about that I don’t remember much. He has went on to read all books and see all the movies many, many times.
The books dont really get dark until the final ones. My son and I always argue about that. I prefer the earlier books and he prefers the later darker ones. I have a favorite of the series now I just have to recall what that one is 🙂
I love the drawing that you have in your book! I came across my copies as all second hand hardcovers. Still glad I managed to get a whole set of them. I’ve been nagging my fiance that I want to go down to the theme park the past few months. Maybe one day.
I have duplicates now. When I see them at book sales it is almost like an HP rescue program. I cant stand to see that…lol YES go tot the theme park – it is sooooo worth it. We spend all day and into the night in just that park.
Please Sheila you didn’t have to drag me any where LOL I had so much fun at the show. Its made me curious about the books 🙂 Which I know you want to know right?
YAY! I am so glad I thought I pushed my HP agenda on you 🙂 Yes you must read the books!
Yes, Cindy, you MUST!!!! 😀 😀 😀
I love the Dumbledore quotes you shared, he is always so wise and a deep thinker but without being chicken soup for the soul preachy. It is so cool that you have expanded your love for Harry Potter outside of the books; going to the Universal Studios Harry Potter attraction is on my bucket list.
My college son and I really get into it – I love having someone to go geeky with 😀
😀 😀 I’m going to do a wrap-up post at the end of the readalong, I think, rather than one for each book. I may change my mind, though. It’s so fun to revisit Hogwarts. 🙂
That works Maree! 🙂 You do get House Points for every HP post you write, just so you know. I am excited to read whatever you write 😀
I have a bunch of copies as well – the one I don’t have, is your copy you shared. I love the Mirror of Erised cover!! (psst., it is the 10th, not 20th anniversary edition… but now I am thinking, what are they going to do for the 20th anniversary in a few years?!).
I also buy them whenever I find them… I have so many various copies of each book in the series laying around. I just love it! I keep getting ones at thrift stores to make DIY crafts with, but then feel guilty and never do it… maybe I will finally take the plunge and do some fun DIY during this rereadathon!
oops – you are right! 10 years! That is so crazy that these books have only been around that long. It was 1997 so now 17 years! That seems right 🙂
I love this book and series so much! I actually don’t think I’ve ever met a person whose read the series and not loved it because it is simply awesome!
I agree with you, each time you read one of the books you pick up on things you didn’t see or notice before. That’s one of the reasons I really love this series, because it has so many Easter eggs in them that each time you read it you notice more and more of them.
Exactly! Easter Eggs! 😀