Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them (New, Revised Edition) by Newt Scamander, J.K. Rowling

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them (New, Revised Edition) by Newt Scamander, J.K. Rowling-128 pages

I read the original version of this short book last year in anticipation of the film, so when this new version was released with new material based on the film I wanted to read it. I enjoyed reading about the different magical creatures and the revised foreword by Newt Scamander. It's especially fun to read Rowling's clever backgrounds on many of the creatures.

Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Pottermore Presents #1) by J.K. Rowling

Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Pottermore Presents #1) by J.K. Rowling-68 pages

It was really, really cool to learn more about Professor Minerva McGonagall, as she is my favorite character from Harry Potter. She went through much heartache in her younger years, but persevered through it all and went on to become one of the best teachers and Heads Hogwarts ever knew (not to mention good friends with Albus Dumbledore).  One also learns the 10 steps to (possibly) becoming an animagus and what can happen if done incorrectly or hastily. Learning about Remus Lupin's childhood, relationship with Tonks, and his first being bitten by Fenrir Greyback is interesting, yet sad. Additionally, I enjoyed learning more about Sybill Trelawney and her past and about Seers and Name Seers. An interesting observation from reading these biographies (and the original Harry Potter series) is many of the central characters had mixed parentage (one parent a witch/wizard and the other Muggle).

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (original U.K. edition)-607 pages

I am so relieved to have finally finished the series. It took a month, but I have done it. I was really happy with the ending. Yes, good characters died, but that happens in war. The first half or so of the book is pretty dark and gloomy, but the ending is great and I really like the epilogue. I think the ending is very fitting and I am satisfied with all the answers given about Dumbledore's and Riddle's/Voldemort's past. I also like Harry's decision not to keep the Elder Wand, but to lay it back at rest in Dumbledore's tomb. I could go on and on about things I like about this final chapter in the Harry Potter story, but suffice to say I am very satisfied with the ending (and with having finished the series)! Harry, Hermione, and Ron travel around looking for the remaining horcruxes, which is why I have tagged it travel for this month.

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

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling-652 pages

In Harry's, Hermione's, and Ron's sixth year yet more adventures are had and love interests pop up for both Harry and Ron. Harry takes private "lessons" with Dumbledore and finds out about Voldemort's childhood and past and finds out that Voldemort has fractured his soul into six pieces outside of his body in horcruxes. Harry figures out that he must find the remaining four horcruxes in order to be able to kill Voldemort's remaining body/horcrux inside Voldemort. Dumbledore is killed by Snape, who seems to have defected to the Death Eaters (although I know it not to be true). The sixth year ends with Harry breaking up with Ginny, for "noble" reasons, and Hermione and Ron pledging their support to Harry in finding the horcruxes and defeating Lord Voldemort, which both happen at Dumbledore's funeral at Hogwarts.

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

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling-870 pages

This is the longest book in the serious, so it took me a bit longer to read, but it was well worth it. Harry Potter is my favorite book series now and, as I have said previously, I wish I had read it before now. I can't recount everything here since the book is so long, but I will say that Harry does get answers to some of his burning questions and is left with more questions. Adventures abound for Harry, Ron, and Hermione in their fifth year and Harry almost gets expelled from Hogwarts before even starting his fifth year. O.W.L.'s. are taken as part of the usual fifth year experience. Sad events happen in the course of Harry finding some answers. Overall, this book was filled with more darkness and teen angst that the first four, but it was still a captivating page-turner and I cannot wait to finish the series!

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

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling-734 pages

I think that Harry Potter is officially my favorite book series now. The plot continues to twist and thicken in the Goblet of Fire as Harry continues at Hogwarts and is now in his fourth year. This year, the Triwizard Tournament has been reinstated after a century-long hiatus. Harry is mysteriously entered (illegally) by someone else and must complete the three tasks along with the other three champions. Foreign wizards from other wizarding schools arrive as part of the tournament and a Yule Ball is held in honor of the tournament. Lord Voldemort returns along with many Death Eaters (including Lucius Malfoy and Crabbe and Goyle). The most intriguing plot twist (twice actually!), however, is who put Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire and turns out to be Voldemort's most loyal follower. I am really liking Dumbledore, too. This was a blast to read and I am eager to continue reading (and finish) Harry Potter!

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

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (U.K. Edition, published 2010)-317 pages

It's Harry's (and Ron's and Hermione's) third year at Hogwarts and more adventures abound. Harry and friends visit Hogsmeade for the first time (although Harry isn't supposed to, since his aunt nor uncle signed his permission form, but he sneaks in anyway) and a prisoner named Sirius Black escapes from the infamous Azkaban prison guarded by Dementors, who arrive at Hogwarts to guard against him. As always, Quidditch is played and Harry and Gryffindor finally win the Quidditch cup. Harry also learns more about the circumstances of his parents' deaths and his father's time at Hogwarts. However, there is a most unexpected twist in the side plot of how his parents were betrayed by a friend/best friend to Lord Voldemort to be killed. Additionally, Harry learns why Snape hates him so much and why he hated his father and his father's friends. As before, there is a new Defense against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Lupin, who turns out to be a werewolf and resigns because Snape lets out publicly that he is a werewolf. Gryffindor win the House cup for a third year running. Harry has a new ally (albeit in hiding) in Sirius Black, his Godfather, who signs his Hogsmeade permission slip and gives him and his friends some presents. I really like how J.K. Rowling seemingly fills in all the plot details and the twists and turns in the plot are weaved seamlessly. Also, I am really beginning to like Hagrid and Dumbledore and dislike Snape, of course. These are but a few of the adventures and events of the third installment of Harry Potter and I can't wait to continue reading the series (and watching the movies)!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling-341 pages

I enjoyed reading this one as much as the first one, The Sorcerer's Stone. I am really enjoying this series now, as I never read it as a kid. Harry, Ron, and Hermione have many more adventures in this one and there are many twists and turns just as in the first novel. It seems as though there may be a bit of foreshadowing of things to come later in the series contained in this book. As in The Sorcerer's Stone, Harry faces off with a form of Lord Voldemort, this time Voldemort as a fifth-year at Hogwarts named Tom Marvolo Riddle (who later becomes Voldemort), which seems like it could be important for later. Harry also has to kill a Basilisk, which is a giant serpent. Overall, this was an intriguing, page-turning read and I can't wait to continue reading this series.

Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling-309 pages

I had this read to my class in elementary school, which was some 17 years ago, so I found there was much I didn't remember. It starts out a bit slow in the build-up, but it is a page-turner once it gets into the meat of the story. I really enjoyed reading this and wish I had read the series for myself sooner, but am looking forward to reading the series now (and hopefully finishing it this month!). Harry's adventures with Ron and Hermione are many in this first novel and I know they will only have more adventures to come in the next books. It's funny, though, that Ron and Harry become fast friends but are revolted by Hermione at the beginning, but, sometimes, the best relationships happen with people that we don't like at first, perhaps because the people misunderstand each other or get off on the wrong foot, so to speak. Anyway, as I said, I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series and then watching the movies.