Topic: VulnerabilityBy the time I was eleven, I had changed schools three times, and it never got easier. A new place, new people, new rules - it's all really intimidating, and definitely makes you feel vulnerable. On a personal level, I'm really glad Harry had Ron solidly set as a friend by the time they… Continue reading Chapter Seven: The Sorting Hat
Chapter Six: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
Topic: ExpectationsThere are so many expectations in this chapter! Harry expects to be an outcast loser kid like at his regular school because he doesn't know much about magic yet. Everyone else expects him to be super cool and badass because he defeated Voldemort. I'm sure Malfoy expected to cozy up to Harry. I'm sure… Continue reading Chapter Six: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
Review: She/He/They/Me: For the Sisters, Misters, and Binary Resisters
Details Title: She/He/They/Me: For the Sisters, Misters, and Binary ResistersAuthor: Robyn RylePublisher: SourcebooksPublication date: March 5, 2019 I feel weird saying I liked this book, given that it's a very stark and honest look at how different identities intersect and affect quality of life, usually in a negative way. Maybe it's better to say I that I feel like I gained a lot… Continue reading Review: She/He/They/Me: For the Sisters, Misters, and Binary Resisters
Chapter Five: Diagon Alley
Topic: Being a strangerAt first blush, it seems like this topic is a no-brainer. Harry has just learned about his parents, what he is, the world he belongs to. It's all new and unfamiliar beyond what he's maybe heard of in fairy tales. However, it's a little more complicated than that. He's so known to… Continue reading Chapter Five: Diagon Alley
Review: Women Are Some Kind of Magic
Details Title(s): the princess saves herself in this onethe witch doesn't burn in this onethe mermaid's voice returns in this oneAuthor: Amanda LovelacePublisher: Andrews McMeel PublishingPublication dates: princess April 23, 2016witch March 6, 2018mermaid March 5, 2019 the princess saves herself in this one In this age of #MeToo and #Resist and protesting and marching, this poetry collection about finding your own strength and taking back the narrative resonates. As a 25-year-old female, I… Continue reading Review: Women Are Some Kind of Magic
Chapter Four: The Keeper of the Keys
Topic: GenerosityThe topic is a little more difficult to suss out in this chapter. I mean, Hagrid is generous with Harry, of course. He's generous with the best gift of all, the truth. And he even made Harry a cake! But I do think it's easier to find where generosity is lacking. The Dursleys have… Continue reading Chapter Four: The Keeper of the Keys
Chapter Three: The Letters from No One
Topic: FearThere was really only room for one person's fear in this chapter: Vernon Dursley's. At first, he and Petunia are equally afraid of what the letters mean - they're afraid of magic (the unknown, really) and they're afraid of what it would mean for their lives if Harry is truly a Wizard. However, as… Continue reading Chapter Three: The Letters from No One
Chapter Two: The Vanishing Glass
Topic: LonelinessAnother chapter where the topic was not difficult to discover. Harry is the first and most obvious example of loneliness; he is the unwanted nephew, literally shoved into a closet and forgotten about as much as possible until it's necessary to deal with him. The Dursleys' disgust for him is not hidden and bleeds… Continue reading Chapter Two: The Vanishing Glass
Chapter One: The Boy Who Lived
Topic: CommitmentThere were a lot of examples of commitment in this chapter. The Dursleys (illustrated most through Vernon) are committed to being absolutely average and normal. McGonagall is committed to finding out the truth and next steps from Dumbledore. Dumbledore is committed to quickly getting Harry to a safe place, and that it has to… Continue reading Chapter One: The Boy Who Lived
Happy World Introvert Day and National Science Fiction Day!
Introversion and Book Friends Contrary to the thriving book culture online, reading is usually a solo activity. Frankly, most of my extroverted friends are the type that haven't read a book since high school and are totally fine with that (someone get the smelling salts, I feel faint) - whereas my bookish friends tend to… Continue reading Happy World Introvert Day and National Science Fiction Day!
The Wicked Bookworm 