I just finished re-reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone last night (unlike many other the other Harry Potter readers, this was the first time I have re-read any in the series.) Since I first read it in probably 1998 or something...I thought I could "brush up" a bit in time for the last book.
It was really fun to see some foreshadowing for future books, as well as see characters mentioned before you realized they would be significant. For example, I was struck by the fact that right at the beginning of the story, it mentions that Hagrid rides up to the Dursley's on a motorcyle...borrowed from Sirius Black. I am just amazed at how well organized JK Rowling has been in keeping these threads throughout the whole series.
I was also pleasantly surprised at how short the first book was...as I had forgotten that the novels didn't get to be mammoth size until maybe the fourth book. Now I am torn between trying to re-read Chamber of Secrets...or Half-Blood Prince, before I start reading Book 7 which will be out in less than two weeks now.
How many of you have re-read the whole series leading up to Book Seven?
Reminder...we will be having a series discussion for all older fans of the books (teens through any age adults)...actually planned by popular demand for Thursday, July 12. Then we'll probably plan a fall follow-up to discuss how well our expectations/predictions coincide with Rowling's last book.
For younger Harry Potter fans (but old enough to read the books independently) we'll have our traditional Saturday morning Harry Potter party to celebrate the book's release on Saturday, July 21 at 10 a.m. We'll have English muffins and marmalade, plus samplings of butterbeer (which only, according to Rowling, can make a dwarf tipsy...not Muggle children!) Plus photos with Hagrid, a magical demo, prizes, trivia, and more. One name will be drawn for the first check-out of one copy of #7...all others will begin circulating through the reserve list (you might want to get on the the list NOW for either the book or audio.)
