Grab your cauldron and teas leaves, and join me for another installment of thoughts about Harry Potter. I’ve already covered the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets. Today we’re talking about my favorite book!
I feel like The Prisoner of Azkaban is the book that ties Harry’s past with his future. His friendships are cemented with Ron and Hermione, and the Weasley’s prove to him that they’re on his side (Arthur fills him in, Molly loves him, Fred and George help him out AGAIN). He learns more about his past and starts to visualize a future. He’s finally comfortable being a wizard. I LOVE the relationships in this book.
Alright. Let’s do this. *No true spoilers, but there’s alluding. Just FYI.
Every single time Crookshanks goes after Scabbers I silently cheer.
I know I said last time that McGonagall is my all time fav, but Lupin is, too. I love that man.
When Ron stands up for Hermione in Snape’s Defense Against the Dark Art’s class I actually lost it and laughed while also gasping.
In comparison, I like the way Harry finds out about Black’s actions better in the film. I like the way the full moon events unfold better in the book.
I appreciate how Snape and Lupin treat one another throughout the year. I like that we’re getting some history without ACTUALLY getting their history (or knowing that there’s beef there). Well, until they actually tell the trio about it.
Let’s address the weird elephant in the room… When I was a pre/teen reading these books I obviously had little crushes on Harry and the Weasleys and all their friends. As an adult? Remus Lupin is looking goooood. And a cleaned up Sirius ain’t half bad himself. Weird, man. Weird. (George Weasley will always have my heart, though.)
Hearing the adults talk about Black makes me so frustrated. But seeing Harry be so comfortable with Lupin warms my heart. This book gives me ALL THE FEELS.
“Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs,” sighed George, patting the heading of the map. “We owe them so much.”
No mention of the fidelius charm in the movie…
The depth and complexity in which Lupin’s tale intertwines with Harry’s is masterful. Lupin has such a rough go at life & every single time he feels joy is so bittersweet. He’s so resilient and strong. And he’s so calm and collected. I just love him.
I’d forgotten how invest HR&H are involved in Hagrid and his court case.
Hermione’s interaction with Malfoy: 🙌 🙌 🙌
McGonagall yelling at Lee during the Quidditch games is my favorite part of every game.
Poor Neville…
The respect that Lupin has for Hermione is THE BEST. He’s is sooooo aware of the fact that H & R would be dead without her.
The movie makes Dumbledore look suspiciously oblivious to Harry & Hermione’s final task. In the book he’s in cahoots with them and I think it makes it that much better.
The movies make Dumbledore so explosive and Snape so calm. That is the COMPLETE opposite in the books. Snape constantly loses his temper.
Listen… if you’ve *tried* to read the HP series and only made it through book 2, I am begging you to pick up #3 and give it a read.
I’m not sure when I’ll get around to book 4. They’ve pushed the release date back to 2019 and I heard that it’s being broken up into two books…
Which Harry Potter book is your favorite? I feel like a lot of people love PoA 🙂
Life as Louise 
Oh yes, this is my favorite too, and then Half-Blood Prince. I need to finish Chamber of Secrets ASAP and then read POA because I’m so excited to see all the illustrations for those. I had a feeling the fourth was coming out next year…I hadn’t heard anything. Makes sense to make it two books, as they keep getting SO BIG. I feel like the rest of the series would have to be at least two books each or they’d be mammoth sized and you couldn’t carry them around. hah
“McGonagall yelling at Lee during the Quidditch games is my favorite part of every game.” – so so true! I always loved this in the books.
They really do make Snape and Dumbledore quite different in the movies in various ways; Harry Potter is a series I’d always recommend reading and not JUST watching the films.
And yes, I agree that if you don’t like the first two books, you should try the third, because it’s a bit different – more serious, a bit more adult. Plus, I’m not a huge fan of Chamber of Secrets, so I can see why people would think they don’t like the books after reading that but they just need to keep going!!!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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Up until the ending, I think the movie for the Half-Blood Prince is hilarious. I mean, it’s definitely dark but there are SO many funny moments. Ha. I wonder if all the remain editions will stick to two books. Will they have to go to three? Haha.
McGonagall & Lee are the. best. I won’t lie, other than the villains (Voldemort, Umbridge) Snape and Dumbledore are probably my least favorite characters. Snape never redeems himself in my eyes and he ticks me off more and more in each book. Ha!
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This was always my favorite too.
I so laughed at your adult crushes compared to the childhood one.
I was always an adult reading them so I’ve always loved Sirius – & then the movies & who they got to play him was perfect – & I loved him all over again!!!!
I honestly think I gotta re-read… you are just lighting my HP Cauldron heart!!!!
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Oh man… I walked away from this book *in love* with Remus 😉 I love the actors they picked to play the characters, but I almost think Sirius and Lupin should be a little younger. Especially Lupin. But I wouldn’t swap those actors out for anyone else!
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You are making me want to reread the series. I still need to watch the movies.
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Do ittt. And watch those movies!! Just remember that they’re a little different and less involved than the books. But excellent in their own ways 😉
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Again, I need to reread for another time. I honestly have never sat down to think about my favorite. It’s definitely 3 or further on. I do love book 5, I think because it gets into more grown up themes but not full blown darkness that the last two books do. It’s like the perfect blend of humor and serious themes.
I always love to see what you notice is different between the books and movies too!!
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Books 3 and 5 are my favorites. I agree with you completely. I think some people find them boring because they’re more story and less action, but I love that 🙂
Thank you!! These posts are fun to write!
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I only read HP as an adult and I love all the characters, although I’m not sure if I ever really crushed on any of them though. Maybe because I was around 25 when I started reading them so HP & Co were too little but Lupin and Co also reminded me too much of my parents, if that makes sense. I do remember in the Goblets movie, when HP has to take a bath to hear what the egg says, people were like Daniel Radcliffe is so hot. And I’m like, nope. Still a kid. LOL!
I am with you 100% that PoA is the best book, Lupin is amazing and I love that this is also the story that really helped Snape go from jerk professor to a real person, albeit one I still intensely disliked who would also eventually break my heart.
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Hahahaha- I remember people think Radcliffe was hot in that tub scene, too. I was like ummmmm…. I’d take a Weasley over Daniel 😉 Haha! But he is definitely in my age range, I guess. Lol
Oof…. I love Lupin up until the end. I hate Snape and never ever ever saw him as a “hero.” I know I’m in the minority but BLEH. (Although him being bullied sucked for sure.)
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I actually just read – well listened – to all the HP last year. I loved them but think I need a reread to really pick my favorite. McGonagall is my favorite but agree Lupin is great too.
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Oh yeah. I know that so many of my opinions and favorites have changed over the years. I definitely saw these characters differently when I was young. All part of the magic Rowling works into these books! They’re very easy to grow with or jump in at any age!
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It’s my least favorite movie, because of the repetitiveness. But then in the book, even though it’s the same story, it doesn’t FEEL repetitive. Does that make sense? So the book is way better, basically!
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Definitely makes sense. I know what you mean. The time jump feels like a totally different scene and storyline! Same with the action outside the Whomping Willow toward the end. The book does all that MUCH better!
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Can we still be friends if I’ve only ever seen the movies (and only as of the past year!!)……………Your reactions make me want to read the books now!
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What whaaaaat?? We can still be friends but I’m actually going to be a little jealous of you because I truly wish that I could reread all these stories with fresh eyes 🙂 You should DEFINITELY take the time to read the books, especially if you enjoyed the movies!
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