The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

I actually bought this book a long time ago and, I am ashamed to admit, I finally just read it.  It was really cute.  I loved the wizarding world fairy tales and Dumbledore's 
commentary afterward is genius.  The only one I knew before hand, of course, was "The Tale of the Three Brothers" because it is such a huge part of Deathly Hallows, but the rest were interesting to read as well.  My favorite, other than "The Three Brothers," was "The Fountain of Fair Fortune."  All the illustrations were pretty and I liked it and I'm glad I finally read it.

Hogwarts: Harry Potter related

Hogwarts Challenge - Mini-Challenges - COMPLETE

I decided to have a spot for the mini-challenges of the Hogwarts Challenge.

Perfect Mini Challenge
Time frame is Jan 14th to Feb 13th
So what do you have to do?
*First way: read at least 3 books with the word Perfect in the title.
or
*Second way: read at least 3 books that you give a perfect rating to. You do not have to blog the books but you do have to tell me why you gave it a perfect rating.
Points - 10 points (max 30 points) an additional 25 points for completing the challenge. Meaning you read all 3 will receive 30 points plus 25 bonus points for a total of 55 points. 15 points for each additional book (for every 3rd book you get an extra entry in the Triwizard Tournament Drawing)
***Yes, you can do any combination of the two options. Ex: read 2 books with perfect in the title and 1 book that you have given a perfect rating to.
Have Fun and Happy Reading!!!

+ 10 Perfect (Kick Keswick Mysteries #3) by Marne Davis Kellogg
+ 10 Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott
+ 10 A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
+ 25 completion
= + 55 points

Book in the Day Mini Challenge
Time frame is Feb 14th to March 13th
Throughout the series the characters are constantly delving into the past so in this challenge we will too. You task is to read 3 books that were published in 1999 or earlier.
Points - 10 points (max 30 points) an additional 25 points for completing the challenge. Meaning you read all 3 will receive 30 points plus 25 bonus points for a total of 55 points. 15 points for each additional book (for every 3rd book you get an extra entry in the Triwizard Tournament Drawing)
*Yes, books set in the past count but it still have to be set in a time period on or before 1999.
Have Fun and Happy Reading!!!

+10 Gigi Colette
+10 Something New P.G. Wodehouse
+10 Mother Carey's Chickens Kate Douglas Wiggin
+ 25 completion
= +55

Hide and Seek Mini Challenge
Time frame March 14th and April 30th
There are times when one must hide while seeking out the next move to make. Harry and friends had to this on many occasions like when they can to sneak and learn Defence against the Dark Arts on their own. For this challenge, you must read 3 books that are related to hide and seek. These books can be mysteries, detective stories, crime, have the words hide or seek in the title. When in doubt ask me.
Points - 10 points (max 30 points) an additional 25 points for completing the challenge. Meaning you read all 3 will receive 30 points plus 25 bonus points for a total of 55 points. 15 points for each additional book (for every 3rd book you get an extra entry in the Triwizard Tournament Drawing)
Have Fun and Happy Reading!!!

+10 Spying in High Heels Gemma Halliday
+10 Priceless Marne David Kellogg
+10 Absolutely, Positively Heather Webber
+25 completion
= +55

Flight or Fight Mini Challenge
Time frame May1st to June 30th
We all know that at the end of the series Harry Potter must either fight Voldemont or forever run in hiding. For this challenge read 3 books that have to do with fighting, boxing, military, or aviation. Books with the words flight or fight will count as will. Books with the word bird or a type of flying bird will count. So books about an ostrich will not count, they do not fly. When in doubt ask me.
Points - 10 points (max 30 points) an additional 25 points for completing the challenge. Meaning you read all 3 will receive 30 points plus 25 bonus points for a total of 55 points. 15 points for each additional book (for every 3rd book you get an extra entry in the Triwizard Tournament Drawing)
Have Fun and Happy Reading!!!

+10 Behemoth Scott Westerfeld
+10 Starcrossed  Josephine Angelini
+10 Under the Jolly Roger: Being an Account of the Further Nautical Adventures of Jacky Faber L.A. Meyer
+25 for completion
= +55


7 in a Series
Read 7 books from one series by June 30th.
I've decide to read 7 of the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace.

• Betsy-Tacy and Tib
• Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill
• Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown
• Heaven to Betsy
• Betsy in Spite of Herself
• Betsy Was a Junior
• Betsy and Joe

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (audio) by J.K. Rowling

 I started my "re-listen" back in May and I don't think I realized I would finish up the series as late as December, but I'm finally done now.  I love this series.  Truly love it.  Anyway, Deathly Hallows is one of my favorites.  Though, frankly, I could do with a little less camping.  I know that it means something and all, but I still wish for a little less camping.  I don't have many criticisms of it.  I know that the big info dump at the end with Dumbledore is a lot and most people don't like it.  I doesn't bother me that much though this time I realized just how long that scene is and I was kind of waiting for it to be over.  I still get a bit confused about Harry's blood in Voldemort and the whole true possessor of the wand thing.  So much relied on chance at the end.  But the final mano-a-mano fight between Harry and Voldemort is great and very badass on Harry's part.  The epilogue is fine.  It's nice to see how they all ended up and I love the Harry/Ginny marriage and, of course my favorites, Ron and Hermione.  Great book, great series, well worth visiting again and again.

Hogwarts: Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I (Based on a Book)

I actually had the good fortune to see Deathly Hallows on Wednesday night.  This is the first time in my life I've ever had the opportunity to see a movie before it is released and what a great movie for such an opportunity.

Anyway, I loved Deathly Hallows.  When I first heard it was being broken up into two movies, I wasn't sure how I felt about that.  But having seen Part I,  I"m glad they did.  It enabled to keep so much more in line with the books which has always been a problem in the other movies.  So many details tend to lost.  But Deathly Hallows kept quite in line with the book, though some details that got taken out of the other movies were inserted, like Bill and Fleur, to make it make a little more sense.  I think the movie did a great job of building the tension of the book  The sense of waiting and waiting for something to happen was definitely there.  And the bang!  There it was.  The group dynamic was really great between the trio and they did a nice job with the Hermione and Ron relationship. I can't say I'd really change anything about it.  I can't wait for the next movie though!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (audio) by J.K. Rowling

The Half-Blood Prince is one of my favorite HPs though the last bit kills me.  When I get to the part with the phoenix song I always cry.  Though I found myself wanting to defend Snape's actions in the hosptial wing scene after everything had happened.  Which is so funny because the first time I read it, I was so angry at him.  These books are such an emotional investment.

I like the unfolding of the Horcrux storyline through the memories and the background on Voldemort.  It shows how went from a little psychopath to a very big psychopath and how his own orphaned state lead him down a such a different path than Harry's.  It's amazing how much of the little things from the past books start coming together here to continue on through Deathly Hallows. 

I've never been a big shipper type person, but I love the Harry and Ginny and Ron and Hermione couples.  There is a whole lot of Harry and Ginny, of course, and Ron and Hermione slowly get it together but they are so funny in doing so. 

Hogwarts: Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (audio) by J.K. Rowling

So much happens in this book, but I'm going to ramble on a bit. Order of the Phoenix is one of my favorites plot-wise but not Harry-wise.  I mean I always like Harry, but he is rather tedious in this book.  It's very realistic and all, but it's hard when the main character is a prat half the time.

It is a much more depressing book on the whole.  I still cry when Sirus dies though.  How is it when you can read a book multiple times and still cry when a character dies?  That's a really good book.  It just a really long book.

Oh and Umbridge.  I hate her so much.  She is really the most evil person.  At least Bellatrix shows her crazy to the world and they know what they are dealing with.  Umbridge pretends to be sweet and caring but she is more vicious than some of the Deatheaters.  And that quill.  Oh my!  Every time that still gets to me.  I hate her so much.  But the Weasley twins are so awesome in this book.  They are definitely two of my favorite characters.


**An aside** If you haven't seen or heard of Mark Reads Harry Potter I suggest you check him out.  He is reading all of the Harry Potter books with almost no knowledge of what happens in the series and reviewing each book chapter-by-chapter.  It is so funny to see his reactions and remember back when I first read the books and how I reacted to each thing.  He is on Deathly Hallows now, but it's worth reading his reviews of the other books.**

Hogwarts: Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (audio) by J.K. Rowling

Harry cannot win because even when he wins he loses.  Sucks to be him.  No, really.  But every time I read this book I wonder how Dumbledore failed to notice what was up with Moody.  I know how obviously but he is the super genius top wizard and all.  And I still get irritated at Fudge's reaction at the end.  Talk about blinders!  And Voldemort is such a talky villain.  Aren't they all though?

Anyway, Goblet of Fire is not my favorite though I don't dislike it or anything.   It's a long book for the story that it tells and it's nice to see more of the wizarding world and all.  And knowing the ending makes spotting the clues more fun, for this book and the series as a whole. 

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

Continuing on with the re-listen, next up was Prisoner of Azkaban, one of my favorite Potter books.  One thing I noticed (again) was how long it took for Lupin and Sirus to get to the point in the shack.  And then I wanted to hit Snape for being so stupid.

What happens to the Dursleys while Harry is away?  Because causing Aunt Marge to expand like a balloon would make them pretty angry and yet they take Harry back.  I know they have to but how does Petunia convince Vernon to do it?  I wonder what goes on it that house. 

Also how desperate is Harry for a father figure?  He almost instantly goes from wanting to kill Sirus to wanting to live with him.  I know that he gets a good explanation and is very forgiving etc.  But to want to live with a total stranger so quickly?  I guess with how abusive the Dursleys were/are, Harry just wants someone to love him and take care of him.  That's understandable.

Hogwarts: Harry Potter
Library

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (audio)

Continuing my Potter re-listen, The Chamber of Secrets is one of my favorite HPs.  I didn't have any major questions like I did for Sorcerer's Stone.  Harry is still so innocent and sweet like Ron and Hermione and that is nice.  Also there are a few hints about Ron and Hermione's eventual romance.  I always felt so sorry for Ginny.  Poor little girl!  And knowing what the diary is now is cool.  You can see Dumbledore hinting at it at the end.  I don't know if that was intentional or just ret-conned but I will pretend it was done on purpose.  Lockhart was a horrible choice of teacher and I wonder what Dumbledore was thinking though I think it was said that no one else wanted the job.  But still he is just ridiculous.

Hogwarts: Harry Potter


Also how awesome is this cover for the audio for this UK version with Stephen Fry?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Audio Book/Movie)

Recently I decided to do a re-listen to the entire Harry Potter series.  It's been a few years since I've read or listened to any of the Harry Potter books and I'm in the mood now.  This is my 3rd time listening to the series on audio and my 5th time in reading them.  I love Jim Dale's narration.  He is the quintessential narrator for  the Harry Potter books, in my opinion, and he does an excellent job with the voices and manners of each character.  I could listen to him read the phone book.

Anyway, I was struck by a few things this time.  Why do the professor guard the stone with spells that 3 first years (or at least Hermoine) could do?  They are capable of more complicated magic as we see later.  Is Dumbledore setting up Harry to challenge Voldemort now so that he will be strong for later?  I'm sure the answer is somewhere.

Hogwarts: Harry Potter
Library

I also watched the movie for the first time in a long time.  Wow, those kids look so small and young.  This was such a fun and magical movie but the acting by the children leaves something to be desired.  There is a vast improvement from this one to the latest ones, for sure, especially on Radcliffe's part.  But it is a great movie and does a great job of adapting from the book, conveying the right tone for it.

Read the Book/See the Movie