Harry Potter Read Along April 1-Nov 25th


Week 1 Answers
Week 2 Answers
Week 3 Answers
Week 4 Answers
Week 6 Answers
Week 7 Answers

1. At the beginning of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Dumbledore makes the decision to leave Harry in the care of his aunt and uncle. We see the results of that decision when Ron and Harry have a run in with Draco on the Hogwart’s Express. Do you agree with Dumbledore’s decision or do you feel Harry should have been brought up among his own people?
I think he was better off growing up at his Uncle's.  Yes, he was bullied and unloved, but he was humble and kind.  Two things he would not have been if he grew up in a world where he was famous. He probably wouldn't have made friends with Ron and Hermione and then his whole life would be different.

2. Hagrid comes to rescue Harry from the Dursley’s in a shack on a rock. If you were Harry would you have left with Hagrid?
I was thinking about this.  The first time I read this back when I was ten, I didn't see anything wrong with leaving with Hagrid.  Hell, if he had shown up at my house and offered me a ride to Hogwarts I would have accepted.  But now at 23 I was like wait...he just leaves with a strange giant?  I guess anything is more appealing than living with the Dursleys.

3. Harry has a lot of info to digest all at once. He finds out he’s a wizard, there’s a whole magical community, his parents were in fact murdered, and the same wizard you killed his parents attempted to kill him as well. How would you have reacted to all of this?
I don't think I would have taken it as well as he did.  I probably would have cried a lot finding out that my parents were murdered.  And I probably would have been a lot more worried that this scary wizard would find me.  

4. Hogwarts students are allowed an owl, a cat, or a toad. What animal would you choose and why?
I hate cats because they hate me.  Toads are slimy.  I'd have a pretty owl.  Plus they can deliver mail!

5. For the first time in his life, Harry has money and the chance to spend it however he wants. What would you have purchased at Diagon Alley?
I'd buy a wand probably.  When you think of witch or wizard you think magic wand!

Week 2 Answers

1. When first years reach Hogwarts they are separated into school houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Which house would you be in?
I wish I'd be in Gryffindor because I love all the characters in that house.  And while I do have bravery when something bad is happening, I also have self preservation and avoid dangerous situations all together.  In reality, I'd probably be a Ravenclaw because I like to learn and read and be around people who enjoy that too. 

2. Were you surprised that bumbling, sweet Neville Longbottom was sorted into Gryffindor and not Hufflepuff?
Well, I already knew he would be, but I think the first time I read this I was confused how he got in there.  But then again I was confused why Hermione wasn't in Ravenclaw too.

3. Harry receives the invisibility cloak from a mysterious source on Christmas day. What would you do if you had an invisibility cloak?
I'd probably sneak into the other common rooms to see what they're like or explore the castle in general.  It would be nice to have one of those when you just feel like being left alone.  Cozy up with a nice book under the cloak so no one will bother you for a few hours.

4. The Sorcerer’s Stone can keep you immortal. Would you chose immortality? Why or why not?
I honestly don't know.  The 80-100 years that we all expect to live is already a long time.  Not sure I could handle immortality if my loved ones would die and I'd be left to live this crazy world alone.  But it's interesting for Harry because he is pretty much a lone still.  Yes, he's made friends, but they're bonds are still really new.  I wonder if he had been offered the stone in the beginning of the book if he'd take it versus after he met Ron and Hermione.

5. Snape is playing a prevalent role as the baddie teacher. Who was your worse teacher and why?
My Algebra 2 math teacher in High School.  I suck at math.  Like so bad that I can hardly do simple math in my head.  I was getting a C or D in this class (which it was my first C ever) and my teacher pulled me aside one day and was like "You should just give up and drop the class".  He didn't offer extra help or anything.  I basically was like "F U" (but in nicer terms) because when someone tells me I can't do something then I find every way possible to do it.  I went in for extra help and somehow raised my grade to a B, but to this day I still can't believe that old man told me to just give up.  He was dead serious too.  He fought me when I told him I didn't want to quit the class.  He was also about 70 years old and droned on during class making it that much harder to pay attention or want to learn.  Anyways, he was the worst teacher I ever had.


Week 3 Answers
1. We find out that Professor Snape is going to referee the next Quidditch match. Thoughts?
I couldn't remember what happened because this isn't in the movie so I was kind of nervous for Harry. I wish I could forget everything that I know from future books lol.

2. Harry, Hermione, Malfoy, and Neville are serving out their detentions in the Forbidden Forest. they have a run in with the centaurs. Were Rowling’s centaurs what you expected?
No, I had never read about centaurs before so I remember being confused as a kid. But then I read The Chronicals of Narnia and I was like ooohh they're a real thing. I thought JK had made them up.

3. Quirrell? Huh. Didn’t see that one coming. What are your thoughts on this?
Always gotta watch out for the quiet ones! I always wondered why he wore a turban, but it all makes sense at the end. He doesn't really have a big role in the book. You'd think he'd be in it more, but I guess she didn't want people to suspect anything.

4. I was all about hating on Snape. How do you feel now that he’s been revealed as the not bad guy?
Snape is such a complex character and JK did an awesome job creating a likeable villain. I hated him too at first and was surprised to find out he didn't curse the broomstick.

5. What are your overall thoughts of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?
I forgot how much I loved this book. I think a lot happened in such a small book. This is probably one of the few books in third person that I love. But I think JK did a great job of using third person to let the reader explore and connect with other characters. Such a great story!

Week 4 Answers
1. It appears that the Dursleys have hit an all time low after the nightmare dinner. What do you think of Dobby and his actions?
Dobby was kind of annoying. I would have been so mad if I was Harry that he was making all that noise and then got Harry in trouble.

2. We finally get to spend a little bit more time with the Weasleys. Do you have a family like the Weasleys? If not, do you want a family like the Weasleys or are you more of an independent soul?
I love the Weasleys! I only have one older sister and brother, but wonder what it would have been like to have a bigger family growing up. I love that Mrs. Weasley is a really strong woman and Mr. Weasley is really caring.

3. Harry accidentally ends up in Knockturn Alley instead of Diagon Alley. Were there any items described in Borgin and Burkes that peeked your interest?
I loved the foreshadowing for the series in this part. Some of the things that Harry mentioned in the shop come up later. I thought the hand was an interesting thing. Only the person holding it can see light or something. That could come in handy! Pun Intended.

4. If you were Harry or Ron and could not get through the barrier would you have taken the car or waited for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley (as was ever so politely suggested later)?
I would have waited. I would have been scared the car would run out of gas. Also, what if Ron's parents came back and the car was gone. They'd think either it was stolen.

5. What do you think of Gilderoy Lockhart? What Muggle celebrity would you compare him to?
Gilderoy is annoying. I love this question. I think he'd be Scott from Keeping up with the Kardashians. Courtney's baby daddy. They have the exact personality and similar hair!

Week 6 Answers
1. Harry finds the secret of Tom Riddle’s diary and discovers that Hagrid had a secret pet (read monster). Did you believe Tom? Did you think Hagrid could have brought something that dangerous into Hogwarts?
Since I already knew the ending I wasn't surprised, but I never suspected Hagrid of being a bad guy. He's just a big teddy bear.

2. Hermione has been petrified. Did you ever lose faith in Ron and Harry’s ability to save her?
I love that JK did this to Hermione because she's the brains of the operation and it made Harry and Ron have to work at it to solve the mystery without her. It also showed that she taught them a thing or two. And yet, she still helped them get the last piece of the puzzle even though she was out of commission. I knew they'd save her because they're awesome.

3. We see that Lord Voldemort is starting to get more aggressive with his attempts to return to power in the second installment of the Harry Potter series. How surprised were you that his accomplice this time was none other than Ginny Weasley? (Granted it was an unwitting accomplice.)
I remember being so surprised the first time I read it when I was like 12. But now I so all the foreshowding! It's so clever. You'd never suspect little quiet Ginny Weasley to be attacking people...her friends.

4. Dobby is granted his freedom at long last. What did you think of Dobby when it was all said and done?
I'm surprised Harry was so gung-ho to set Dobby free after he almost killed him like ten times, but Harry is such a good person. I was glad Dobby was free because even though he was annoying as hell he didn't deserve the viciousness of Malfoy. I think in a way Harry can relate to Dobby because they are both treated terribly at home. In a way Harry is like the Dursley's house elf.

5. What are your overall thoughts of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets?
Well aside from Lockhart and Dobby being annoying I think I like this book better than the first. I just love that there was more of a mystery to this one and you have to put the pieces together along with the characters. And the character development is phenomenal already and it's only book two. Plus, now knowing how the series ends I'm enjoying seeing everything come together. JK must have planned out all the books in advance because each book really builds on each other and sets up the next book. Brilliant!


Week 7 Answers
1. Aunt Marge insists that there's something wrong with Harry's genes so there is no helping him. Do you believe in Nature or Nurture?
I think nurture has a lot to do with how people turn out. But I do think genetics plays a role in it as well. Like twins that are seperated at birth, but still have similar mannerisms and demeanors. I also would like to say I hate Aunt Marge!

2. Do you think that Arthur Weasley was right in his attempt to warn Harry about Sirius Black?
I have always been a firm believer that you shouldn't hold back important information from kids. I remember when my grandma was sick and I was about 10 I asked my older sister straight up "Is grandma dying?" and she explained what was going on when all the adults would lie to my face. I was more prepared for her death and it wasn't as hard to deal with. So when I have kids I'm going to make sure I don't hide things from them just because they are scary. Plus Harry is 13 at this point. He can handle it.

3. We get our first glimpse of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher R.J. Lupin. What are your thoughts so far?
I like Lupin. He comes off kind of mysterious, but the fact that he knew about the chocolate shows he actually knows what he's doing. Also, I'm pretty sure he was pretending to sleep on the train.

4. In their first Defenst Against the Dark Arts class the third years must take on a boggart. If you were faced with a boggart what would it turn into?
I'd be like Ron and see a spider probably. I hate them!! I'm totally one of those girls that screams and runs away when I see one.

5. Hagrid's first class went horribly wrong. Would you prefer to study some of the more exotic creatures (like hippogriffs) or stick to something safe like flobberworms?
Hippogriffs are pretty cool. I think I'd want to ride one, but only if it promised not to go too high lol.



The Carrie Diaries Read Along Update #4


It's already time to talk about chapters 15-20 of The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell!  And don't forget to scroll down and enter the GIVEAWAY!  If you missed it yesterday head over to Queen Ella Bee Reads and see what we thought of the last five chapters!

Previous updates:#1 #2 #3

So this is going to be a short update because I somehow managed to delete our IM conversation when I was in a rush leaving my house, but I did get some of the conversation Gaby and I had via email later.  Sorry about that!

Harley Bear: So what did you think of sebastian's sister? And why didn't she tell him?

Queen Ella Bee: I think the Kydds are probably not a very hands on family. I'm not surprised the sister didn't say anything to Sebastian (or if she did that Sebastian's keeping his knowledge under wraps). But in general I feel like the sister's just a placeholder. 



HB: Ya probably not going to be a big character. Her purpose was probably to spill the beans to George. And that was pretty funny when she lost control of her ski's

QEB: I was so worried for her!! How could George take her skiing like that when she's never been before?!

HB: I know lol. At least she didn't try to go down after that. Maybe he thought she knew how to ski? I can't remember. And I thought the sister was going to be mad she pulled her down

QEB: Again, the Kydds don't seem like the protective type to me. Is that terrible?

HB: They don't really seem like a close family yet she said sebastian talks about you all the time so idk

QEB: I feel like it's possible Carrie's the most reputable part of Sebastian's life, so he WOULD talk about her in order to make his parents less concerned about whatever got him kicked out of boarding school.


HB: Never thought of it that way but that's so true. Also I'm glad she's writing for the paper finally.

Overall, we were starting to get very frustrated with Sebastian!  The swoon-worthy guy with the one liners is gone and this jerk-face clone has stepped in.  As always we are still Team George and hope that Carrie hits her head and wakes up with a sudden love for Georgie!  
 

Did you read-along with us? How are you feeling about Sebastian and Carrie's relationship?

GIVEAWAY RULES:

~ To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. DO NOT enter using the comments.
~ You must be 18 years or older or have a guardian's permission to enter.
~ The winners will be chosen randomly. Once chosen, the winners will be emailed. They will then have 48 HOURSto respond, otherwise another winner will be chosen.
~ This give away is open to all countries the Book Depository ships to. Make sure you qualify before entering!
~ I reserve the right to disqualify anyone who tries to cheat the system. I WILL be checking the winning entries. 


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The Carrie Diaries Read Along Update #2


It's that time again...time to talk about chapters 6-10 of The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell!  And don't forget to scroll down and enter the GIVEAWAY!  If you missed it yesterday head over to Queen Ella Bee Reads and see what we thought of the first five chapters!

Queen Ella Bee: Confession time: I kind of read ahead.
Harley Bear: I should have then. I really wanted to.

QEB: I couldn't STOP myself.
HB: It's getting really good!
QEB: Right?  PS: I'm totally beginning to see why they cut Lali from the show...She's awful.
HB: ya she really is lol I'm starting to really love Sebastian's character.  He seems to really like her
QEB: So I see what you're saying but at the same time I'm like HEY CARRIE LOOK AT GEORGE.  Because I totally agree with Carrie about being able to read a person based on their room and Sebastian's just screams "transient" and that's no good.
HB: How old is George though?
QEB: That's a good question. I want to say he's probably only a year older than her
HB: Oh ok. I thought he was a lot older for some reason, but I guess her dad wouldn't be so calm about her dating him if he was
QEB: HOW MUCH did you love that thing with the feminist writer?

HB:  haha I was NOT expecting that at all!
QEB: it was amazing
HB: I liked hearing that part because it explains why she is the way she is now
QEB: It felt so very Carrie Bradshaw to me.  I feel like a lot of the times I forget she's CARRIE but then there are these little moments when you're like: There's my girl.
HB: Was Maggie annoying to you too? She's just soooo dramatic.
QEB: UGH 
Maggie
Magswitch.
How I want to hurt you.
I definitely don't love Maggie in the show but I really dislike her in the book. But then again, I like Walt less in the book too. Which is sad.  I think the only characters I feel pretty much the same about in both is Carrie and The Mouse. Although The Mouse feels a little Mary Sue? Like, she's straight edge and smart but also able to adapt to sexytimes really well?
HB: haha ya
QEB: PS: Peter. Ugh. I feel like George is the only worthy boy in the book. Like, Carrie can still be Carrie around him And now become some ind of simpering lovesick girl like she kind of does with Sebastian.
I think in theory it's nice to melt into a puddle because of your feels for a boy but in reality it's kind of a very, very bad thing.
HB:  ya it's more lust than love when that happens I think.  I died laughing with the clown face scene.  And I loved that she wasn't really embarrassed about it.  She's a good role model for YA readers
or any age readers for that matter. Like don't let a guy make you feel silly for being yourself
QEB: She really is fearless when she's not trying to impress someone else. Slash a boy. Like, she couldn't care less what Peter thinks
HB: I wouldn't either. He's annoying haha
QEB: well I'm not totally sure why she doesn't like him. He doesn't seem SO TERRIBLE. He just seems like a typical boy. think a lot of the times when I read YA I forget that these boys in these books are 16-18 years old.  They're all mostly thoughtless.
So like, I don't know why I think 17 year old Peter should be help to a higher standard.
HB: I never really thought about it like that. I'm 23 too so I tend to judge characters in YA harshly.  I wonder if other people our age feel the same
QEB: Well, I try to remember how big of a mess I was at 17 when reading YA and all. Not for funsies. Most of the people I interacted with weren't the greatest people I've ever met But I can't stay I was on my A game either.
HB: That's true. I should really try to channel my inner teen when I read YA.  I was a mess, but at the same time I was like Carrie where I didn't let peer pressure ever persuade me. That's why I love Carrie so far
QEB:So true. I feel like she's worth paying attention to both as an adult and a teen.  Which is fairly impressive

QEB sums up chapters 6-10 perfectly: "So yeah. Love Carrie, love George, the rest can go."  The characters are definitely more captivating than the plot so far, yet it is so fast paced we're left wanting to read past the 5 chapters a day. As we delve deeper into Carrie's past we're learning what experiences shaped her character today.  I think it's safe to say so far we're loving it!

Did you read-along with us? How are you feeling about the characters so far...Which are your favorites?


GIVEAWAY RULES:

~ To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. DO NOT enter using the comments.
~ You must be 18 years or older or have a guardian's permission to enter.
~ The winners will be chosen randomly. Once chosen, the winners will be emailed. They will then have 48 HOURSto respond, otherwise another winner will be chosen.
~ This give away is open to all countries the Book Depository ships to. Make sure you qualify before entering!
~ I reserve the right to disqualify anyone who tries to cheat the system. I WILL be checking the winning entries. 






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The Carrie Diaries Read Along

Welcome to Queen Ella Bee Reads and Harley Bear Book Blog's first ever read-along!

How did this all come about, you might ask? Well, both of us were talking about the new Carrie Diaries show on Twitter the other day. We quickly discovered that we both wanted to read the book since the show's pretty cute. As such, we decided to do a read-along. 

Here's the sitch:

- The Carrie Diaries Read-along begins at Monday, February 4th, 2013, 12:00am EST and ends on February 12th, 2013, 12:00am EST. The goal is to read 5 chapters a day. At the end of each day, updates will go up on our blogs. But here's the tricky bit: we're taking turns with posting our daily mini updates. Meaning, on day one, the update will apear on Harley Bear Book Blog, on day two, the update will appear on Queen Ella Bee Reads and so on and so forth. At the end of it all, we'll both we posting reviews on our blog AND we'll be doing a guest post on Story Crush (!!!!)

- You don't have to be a blogger to join us, but IF you are, you should do some kind of post for the read-along and link up. If you aren't a blogger, just leave some comment love so we know you're reading with us! Sharing is caring, you know.

- WHY should you draft a post to tack onto the linky, you ask? Because at the end of it all, there will be a GIVEAWAY! Anyone can enter, but if you link up you'll be able to enter for MORE chances to win a book that's been turned into a TV show of your choice (ex: The Carrie Diaries, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, etc.). 

- The linky closes down on February 12th, 2013, 12:00am EST so make sure to link up before that.

- If you make up your own post for this readalong, whether in a kick off post, update post or review-of-the-book post, feel free to grab the button from the top of the page, just make sure to link back to Harley Bear Book Blog (the artist in residence). Also feel free to use the little blurb a above but please, please, PLEASE make sure to link back to both of our blogs/give credit. There's a lot of plagiarism going around. Don't be apart of it.

So if you think The Carrie Diaries TV show is AH-freaking-dorable and have been meaning to dig into the book, we'd love for you to come read with us!

Happy Reading!
Gaby and Melissa










Examples of books you could win!
  
   
(Yes that's right...Delirium is gonna be a tv show!!)



WINNER: Entry# 5 Judith @paperiot




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