#26 FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

Author: J. K. Rowling
Read: Feb 12

This cute little book relates tales and descriptions of all manner of magical creatures. All the creatures are classified as to their danger level to Wizards and Muggles alike, and where they can be found. It is extremely interesting that there are 10 different breeds of dragons as well as beasts such as merpeople, centaurs and unicorns which were given the opportunity to be otherwise classified but preferring their privacy chose to be marked as "beasts".
According to this book, only fairies, leprechauns, and unicorns have received favorable press by Muggles. Last, could it be that Bigfoot is really a Yeti?

#29/81 HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS by J K Rowling

There have been many reviews of this book already so I won't bore you with yet another. I will instead review my own reaction to the re-read of this book.
After absorbing numerous books which were written by authors to advise the reader how to find the answers that were hidden in the J K Rowling books about Harry Potter and his adventures, this book still held surprises for me.
I will admit that while I was reading this book, numerous times I heard in the back of head "Oh, yeah, that was the arithmancy , with the number 4" or "Hooray, the magical brethren are finally getting together with the wizards."
In addition, I saw themes that I didn't see the first time and wouldn't have seen the second without the guides that I read.
Probably overwhelmed by the climax the first time, there were sections in the book that I had completely forgotten, that answered so many outstanding questions.
In my opinion, J K Rowling should have a Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize and any other prize for literature that she can get. The Series is tremendous and so well-written. They are the books I would want with me if I were alone on a deserted island.

#28/81 UNLOCKING HARRY POTTER by John Granger

This book is setup like a textbook to teach the reader how to interpret the hidden meanings that J K Rowlings inserts cleverly into all the Harry Potter books. 5 keys are used for the explanation.
After being tutored in narrative misdirection, the reader is sent to Alchemy 101 where you learn about the cycles of the series, the imagery, and the themes that carry through all the books. Finishing this course, next you move on the Hermione's favorite - Arithmancy.
Here the reader is educated in the balances that are needed with 4 being magical.
Harmony is needed in the 4 Houses at Hogwarts, 4 Horcruxes have to be found and destroyed by Harry, and 4 magical species (wizard, elf, goblin and centaur all represented in the Fountain of Magical Brethren destroyed in Order of the Phoenix) need to be united.
The reader is also taught that Alchemical works are in three stages - Black, White and Red. The black stage was highlighted in Rowlings' literary works by the death of Sirius Black. The white stage shows the purification of the characters and culminates with the end of Albus (white in Latin) Dumbledore. Are we then to expect danger for Rubeus (red) Hagrid in Book7?
Afterward we learn that Harry and Voldemort are twin opposites.
Harry has his Gryffindor spirit and the Slytherin horcrux scar while Voldemort is the Heir of Slytherin and bodily a Gryffindor because of the blood used at his rebirthing. Harry is the white side being pure of heart while Voldemort is the black side living in his own hell.
We are then reminded of the "hero's journey" in each book how Harry escapes #4 Privet Drive and his task to accomplish is defined.
Prejudice also is addressed when the author reminds the reader of the differences that are brought to the forefront in each book. We are reminded of the different treatments received by PureBloods(those that are poor vs. rich), half Bloods, and Muggle Born wizards as well as the differences in the magical species (wizard vs. elf, goblin and centaurs).
The five keys are then used to created SWAGS (Scientific Wise A-- Guess) for what will happen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
All in all, this was a very enlightening book and of all the books I have read on understanding the phenomenon and the hidden imagery, this was the best.

#27/81 THE MAGICAL WORLDS OF HARRY POTTER

As you read the Harry Potter books, questions pop into your head and many are mirrored in this book.
Have witches always used broomsticks? Why do centaurs avoid humans? If Dumbledore is so powerful, shouldn't he fight Voldemort? What is the most important language for wizards? Why are Mirrors Magical? These questions and so many more are addressed in this book and some of the answers are surprising,
This book is a pleasant companion to the Harry Potter books.

#25/81 The tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard was mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The introduction states that this version is a new translation by Hermione Granger from ancient runes.
There are five fairy tales in this book; The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, The Warlock's Hairy Heart, Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump, and The Tale of the Three Brothers. Following each of the fairy tales are personal notes and analysis by Professor Dumbledore, the late headmaster of Hogwarts School.
These fairy tales are short and enchanting with morals that fit reasonably well into the universe of both Magic and Muggle.
Dumbledore's notes, however, are truly what makes this a unique and special treasure for those that are Potter fans. The witticisms by Dumbledore show his warmth and mischievous humor all the while seeing into the spirit of the wizard Harry Potter fans love and revere. The Tales of Beedle the Bard are a very welcome addition to any Potter collection.

#24/81 The science of Harry Potter : how magic really works

This book starts off slowly talking a lot of science and mathematics and you wonder, is this what it's going to be like throughout. But wait. It does get better. The writer eventually discusses the unique animals in Harry's world - Fluffy, hippogriffs, nifflers, - inferring that with the coming of gene manipulation such animals may one day exist. Potions are merely herbs, plants, and such that are used in their natural state while medicines are many times refinements of these same plants. Then there's Skele-Gro - that amazing elixir that will grow bones back. There is a Professor in NY who believes he understands how it works with special cells being activated... well you see what I mean. This book is full of "possible" explanations for the magical world of Harry Potter.

#23/81 New Clues to Harry Potter: Book 5

This book, very much like its predecessor, reviews all the clues that are presented by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter and the Order of he Phoenix. It breaks the clues down to specific chapter for that book and/or shows how it is related to the entire septology. The book also points out the connections between names and numbers to events and people. Again, this book also leans more toward the UK version rather than the US version.
However, this edition for Book5 does not paraphrase the section of the chapter discussed but only shows the explanation of the clues. This manner makes it much harder to follow unless you have the actual book open with it.

#22/81 Quidditch through the Ages

This is a cute little book which documents the development of the greatest game on broomsticks! We hear stories of the beginning of the game as well as how the equipment has changed over the years. We are given a detailed list of the teams that play the game all over the world and the special moves used in the game. Remember if you want to play Quidditch, be sure to get a Firebolt!

20/81 Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter Analysis of Books 1--4

This book reviews all the clues that are presented by JK Rowling in the first 4 Harry Potter books. It breaks the clues down as to specific for that book and/or related to the entire septology. The book also points out the connections between names and numbers to events and people. However, this book also leans more toward the UK versions of the book rather than the US version.
I liked the sections for each chapter where the action is paraphrased and then it is followed by the explanation of the clues. Then each chapter is summarized for oddities and questions raised.
This approach definitely makes you look at the books from a different point of view. However, I'm not sure that it really helps the appreciation of the story.