The first book is an action-packed ride

As I read The Philosopher's Stone through in French, I find myself amazed at how much actually happens in this book. There's action on almost every page.

First, the zoo and the Dursleys. Then the letter and the flight to the rock in the sea. Then Hagrid, Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express.

Harry arrives at school and is sorted. Neville and the Rememberall. Quidditch. Nicholas Flamel and the Stone. Late night duels. Fluffy. It just goes on and on.

I've just gotten to the scene where Norbert hatches from his egg. There are only 50 pages left in the book and it's amazing how much has happened, yet also how much still has to happen before the book draws to a close.

An amazingly busy novel!

Harry and the broom stick

So I'm reading the first novel, The Philosopher's Stone (or, if you're American, The Sorceror's Stone, or, if you're French, A L'ecole des sorciers), and I get to the part where Harry first climbs on a broom to chase Draco and retrieve Neville's Rememberall.

And J.K. goes to great pains to explain to us that, for Harry, flying on a broom is the first thing he's tried at Hogwarts that just seems to come naturally.

And I find myself thinking, "Of course Harry finds that it comes naturally; he got his first broom from Sirius when he was just a year old!"

And then I think: "Holy cow, I think I know these books a little too well!"

And then I think: "And hasn't J.K. done an amazing job of creating a consistent, well-developed world for Harry Potter and his friends!"