torontoc tries to read more this year

Hello
I have so many books waiting to be read- I post about the books that have been in my book towers and piles for 6 months or more.
this year I still would like to read 30 books that have been waiting patiently to be opened and enjoyed

Welcome back Cyrel! Good to see you here for another year of ROOTing.

Nice tzo see you’re back. Happy ROOTing!

>1 torontoc: You're for sure those books are waiting patiently? I hear some of mine muttering in irritation when I walk by. Ha! I crack myself up. Happy reading in 2026.

>2 connie53: >3 MissWatson: >4 rocketjk:
Yes , I know- the books sometimes look accusingly at me as I walk by!
My first book- I decided to reread my Harry Potter books.
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling The touchstone has the alternate title but it is the same book. I have seen the films and going back to the first story was fun. Harry's unknowing use of magic with the snake was appreciated by me . I liked the introduction of his friends-Ron, Hermione and surprising to me for some reason Neville. I didn't realize or forgot about Neville's role. The introduction of the professors, Hagrid and Hogwarts School provide a good beginning to this involved story of Harry combatting evil.

Happy ROOTING in 2026, torontoc.

>5 torontoc: I've also just finished Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as my book club's choice for our meeting on Saturday. I've always thought the earlier books both in this series and the Cormoran Strike series were better. The later ones in both series seriously suffer from bloat.

>5 torontoc: Ooh! I was wondering whether other members were planning to include rereads, because I was hoping to. What's more, I'm hoping to reread the Harry Potter books this year as well! I read the picture book, "Christmas at Hogwarts," in December, which is based on the Christmas chapter in the first book, and it reminded me that I've never read and reviewed these, since I started keeping track. I'll look for your updates in this regard!

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling This second book in the series describes Harry's second year at Hogwarts. There is a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who is very sure of himself. Professor Snape is still very angry and biased against the Gryffindor students. Harry finally meets Tom Riddle and does save Ginny from a terrible fate in the Chamber of Secrets. The book introduces great characters and Harry discovers more about himself-a great reread!

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling This third novel in the series was interesting in the depiction of Harry and his friends. They are still young and sometimes make childish decisions. The end of the story becomes complicated as the reader is introduced to some new characters- Sirius Black, Professor Lupin and mysterious rat belonging to Ron. I thought that the story seemed to rush the end revelations but I still want to continue reading!

Hi Cyrel. I volunteer in the library of the school of my granddaughter Lonne and this morning 5 or 6 pupils from the same class came and borrowed all Harry Potters we own. I immediately had to think of them when I read your last post. It must be something in the air.

The books are fun to read!

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling In Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts he faces a number of challenges. He watches the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasley family and witnesses the disruption caused by mysterious sources. At school,He is entered in the TriWizard Tournament by another anonymous source. Harry is helped by his godfather Sirius Black but still is surprised by the events that end the tournament. The reader does learn probably too much information at the end of the book but this seems to be a regular device used by the author. We learn about the rise of " You Know Who" and the books ends with a caution about the evil forces set to make themselves known. Still a good read.

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling This is the fifth volume in the Harry Potter series. I am amazed that I forgot some of the details so in a way it is like reading the book for the first time. The first time that I read this series I think that I missed that Harry is still a young adolescent. Harry and his friends survive the takeover of their school by the Ministry of Magic who of course get everything wrong. The threat of evil Lord Voldemort is becoming stronger as he gathers his supporters. Still a great read.

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling The sixth book in the Harry Potter series shows Harry learning more about the history of Tom Riddle and how he turned into Voldemort. Headmaster Dumbledore asks Harry to take on a very dangerous task. The reader learns about the identity of the Half- Blood Prince. Again a good read!

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling Ah, the last in the series of stories about Harry Potter. Harry finds that he has to run and hide when the forces of evil take over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. The shock of the death of his mentor, Dumbledore leads Harry to concentrate on the quest that he was supposed to follow in order to defeat Voldemort. Helped by Ron and Hermione, Harry discovers the clues that help him and his friends defeat the evil forces. I thought that too many explanations happen at the end of the book!

Harry Potter Books are always good for a reread! When my son was in the intermediate grades we read the series out loud together to each other. Good memories.

8. The Spy and the Traitor The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre Oleg Gordievsky was a KGB officer of the Soviet Union who served in Denmark and the United Kingdom. His father was a KGB agent heavily involved in Stalin's purges. Gordievsky became a M16 spy as well. The author relates how Gordievsky became disillusioned with the Soviet government and how he gave the English detailed information on the workings of the KGB and Soviet government policies. Gordievsky was probably identified as a spy by an American working for the CIA. The story of how British authorities planned and executed his escape from Russia is the stuff of thrillers. This is a second read of this book for me.

Hi Cyrel, just popping in to see what you have been reading.

>17 connie53: Hi Connie-thanks for stopping by.

9. You're All Jealous of My Jetpack by Tom Gauld And now for something light! I reread a collection of Gauld's cartoons. They are funny and in some cases have a sense of the ridiculous. In these perilous times it is important to look at the silly and ...sometimes sublime

>18 torontoc: Hi Just hopping by and visiting the ROOT threads this afternoon. I really liked what you said, yes! A little laughter and a little escape helps you to deal with those perilous times.
The Spy and the Traitor sounds interesting also.

10. Songs for the Broken Hearted by Ayelet Tsabari Zohara has come back to Israel for her mother's funeral. She had a complicated relationship with her mother. Right after Zohara's father died, she was sent to an elite private school in Jerusalem. Her Yemeni background was considered primitive. In fact the story of Yemeni Jews who came to Israel is covered in the stories of Yaqub and Saida. There is so much that is revealed in Zohara's and Saida's background. The author talks about the disappearance of Yemeni babies from hospitals in the early 1950's, the practice of Yemeni family second wives, the discrimination, and finally the emerging recognition of the strong song history of Yemeni women. Zohara's life and relationships are presented as chaotic. The novel shows how she learns to understand her late mother and create more positive aspects in her own life. A great read.

Hi Cyrel, here I am again to see what you have been reading. That last book in >20 torontoc: sounds like something I would like to read too.

>21 connie53: It is very good!