This book really resonated with me! The main reason why I stepped away from blogging for 2019 is because I felt that it kept me online too much. I lovThis book really resonated with me! The main reason why I stepped away from blogging for 2019 is because I felt that it kept me online too much. I love what the author says about being intentional about our online time, especially on social media where it becomes so easy to fall down the rabbit-hole of mindless clicking and scrolling only to see that hours have gone by with nothing accomplished! The theme of this book to set limits for online time, being active in our leisure, and allowing for intentional solitude are things that I'm striving for. Excellent narration by Damron as well, who held my interest. ...more
I really enjoyed this debut! I will definitely read this author again, and I have already requested her next book, The Temp, from the library.I really enjoyed this debut! I will definitely read this author again, and I have already requested her next book, The Temp, from the library....more
I enjoyed this debut. It held my interest for the most part, but it got a bit weird towards the end. Good narration, but in the last section (Part 15 I enjoyed this debut. It held my interest for the most part, but it got a bit weird towards the end. Good narration, but in the last section (Part 15 of 15) Emily Woo Zeller pronounces two key names differently from how James Fouhey had been reading the names throughout the whole book. Discontinuity in a narration is a real pet peeve of mine!...more
I love the whole premise of secret doorways leading into other worlds, but this one just fell flat for me. It was very "meh." This is my first read frI love the whole premise of secret doorways leading into other worlds, but this one just fell flat for me. It was very "meh." This is my first read from this author, and I doubt that I will continue on in the series....more
At the start of the book, 12 year-old Harry is eagerly awaiting his return for his second year at Hogwarts. TheI read this book aloud to my children.
At the start of the book, 12 year-old Harry is eagerly awaiting his return for his second year at Hogwarts. The Dursleys are hosting an important dinner for Mr. Dursley’s boss and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Mason, and Harry is supposed to remain out of sight so as not to embarrass them. Upon his return to his room, he finds a strange elf named Dobby who has come to warn Harry not to return to Hogwarts. When Harry finds out that Dobby has been stealing the letters from Ron and Hermione meant for Harry, he is furious. Dobby makes trouble for Harry and uses magic to send Mrs. Dursley’s dessert crashing to the floor and a furious Mr. Dursley forbids Harry from ever returning to Hogwarts. He installs iron grates over the window and takes away his magic books and wand and locks them up in the cupboard under the stairs. Poor Harry! Good thing that Ron and his twin brothers steal their father’s magical car and use it to tear the grate from the window and rescue Harry!
Harry stays with the Weasleys until school starts, and Dobby tries to prevent Harry from getting aboard the Hogwarts train by sealing the magical passageway to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The quick-thinking boys use Mr. Weasley’s car again to get to Hogwarts, although not without consequences!
The newness of Hogwarts still hasn’t rubbed off for me. I found it just as magical as the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In this installment, we are introduced to the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart. The women all swoon over this man, who has authored many books that recount his magical escapades. The book is a bit darker than the series debut, and Harry keeps hearing a chilling voice who whispers murderous words. Victims are becoming petrified, essentially turning into statues, and it seems to have to do with a Chamber of Secrets that was opened many years before. The key lies in a mysterious book that falls into Harry’s possession, which was owned by a Hogwarts student named Tom Riddle.
My kids and I absolutely loved this book! It was filled with so much excitement, and it was the highlight of our day to read this at bedtime each night. Even at such a young age, it is easy to see that Harry is becoming a very powerful wizard. I love the whole “good versus evil” tone that Rowling has created.
As was with the first one, I love how Rowling ends off the book with such a touching scene between Dumbledore and Harry. Dumbledore always offers Harry sage insight and treats him with such warmth and love, and I couldn’t help getting misty-eyed....more
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