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Screen Shot from Libby #HarryPotteratHome
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Well I finally “read” the first Harry Potter. I found that it was better than I remembered, maybe I’m older or maybe it was because I was using it to keep me from going crazy alone in this strange time. While I belong to the target demographic while the books were coming out I was never able to get into them. So, while others kids were reading Harry Potter, I was reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
Libby and #HarryPotterAtHome
Well, I started this post about a week ago when I finished the book but will now write my thoughts.
I was browsing for a book to listen to while cleaning and doing simple tasks at my closed library (note I’m the only one in the building of the small town library and we are prepping for a move, strange to say this but it is May 2020 as I write this and times are strange). So, eight hours alone is just way too much and I have found that Libby is a great resource for not going insane. While browsing for books I noticed that the first Harry Potter was available. I decided well why not read this, after all I keep meaning to and being asked if I ever read it and now is as good a time as any and if I hate it I can simply listen to a new book or more likely just have it play in the background while I do various tasks. This was before I noticed it was for #HarryPotterAtHOme and not knowing how much demand would be for the second book (which I am now waiting for).
Summary...Not really
So, since most people have read the book by now and I seem to be the last person on the planet (Ok, I know this is an exaggeration but really that is how I feel sometimes) I won't write the summary but if YOU haven’t just google it or watch the movie (maybe, still haven’t seen those either...). IF like me you haven’t read it, but can still quote the story because of hearing about it constantly I will say briefly that this book is about Harry Potter when he is 11 and the crazy magical antics he and his classmates get up to in their first year at Hogwarts.
Review and thoughts
Well, it wasn’t as bad as I remember and was easy to follow. The plot did have many points of convince but it is a children’s book and they do all use magic so why not. It was a light read for me and I was able to happily go about doing my own work while not feeling so alone in a library by myself (which was a plus, believe me if you have ever been in a building that should have people you will understand). However, since I did know much of the story and surprise points the book was not as exciting as everyone said.
So, will I read/listen to the next installment, most likely yes if things continue as they are and I have already joined the Libby que for both books 2 & 3 (book 2 has a 20 week wait time...WHAT!). Would I reread book 1 like some people do every year forever, no. The book is simply not as good as J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis in my opinion both of which series I have reread multiple times in my life. I just finished listening to C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia and am looking forward to listening to or reading The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings in the near future.
References
Rowling, J.R. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone. (2012). Pottermore Publishing [Audiobook Libby version]. Retrieved from Libby.
