EARLY ACCESS / TRIAL RUN! - Reading Harry Potter for the First Time! - Philosopher's Stone Chapters 1 - 3!

Thank you so much Maia!! TBH a very big part of YT (and Patreon) for me is reading the comments my stuff gets, so definitely want to make it all as accessible as possible! Can't wait to delve more into these books!!

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks Freddie!! And I will definitely take good feedback along with contructive!! XD

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks Sarah!! Yeah I can already tell the detail level is definitely higher in these books!

VEGGIE GAMER

Ooh, thank you so much Aliennin! Very kind of you! Yeah I am really looking forward to getting into these books!!

VEGGIE GAMER

Ah thanks Sylver! That makes a lot of sense!

VEGGIE GAMER

Thank you Nancy!! Sounds like I know who to ask if I have questions about the Potterverse! XD Really glad you enjoyed this!

VEGGIE GAMER

Thank you so much Soul!! Very kind of you to say! Yeah I already know I am gonna enjoy these books, they seem to be so well written! And awesome to meet another Veggiepuff!!

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks Kristen!! Really glad you liked it!!!

VEGGIE GAMER

Loved loved loved this. Joined Patreon just for your book reviews. I've only found one other youtuber doing these and he made them a patreon exclusive locked for over $20/month which I just can't afford. I cannot express how glad I am that you're not only doing this, but also making it available to us. I will stick around and continue supporting for as long as you continue them :)

Maia

I'm afraid I won't have much by way of suggestions. I think you're doing brilliant. I'm so glad you're "reading" the books (audiobooks are totally valid, of course) regardless of whether you do reviews or not. But I'm here for the reviews. Absolutely. :) Freddie

Frederique Gillespie

Oh shoot, I replied to your comment yesterday and just now saw it didn't stick! Anyway, what I replied to you was if you don't mean this is the first person you've seen reacting to harry potter exactly like this, there's someone else who's reacting to the Harry Potter audiobooks on Patreon, but he's doing full reactions to the audiobooks without needing your own copy or anything. He's already up to Chapter 3 I think of the last book, so there's toooonss already of him reacting to every chapter all the way from Philosophers Stone to chapter 3 of the last book, if you're interested in that kind of thing. Just search Welchy here on Patreon. He's listening to the Stephen Fry version if that makes a difference, lol. :) Just letting you know in case you didn't know already and were interested or wanted to bookmark it for later!

Lady Beyond The Wall

This was great, and I am happy you will be going through the books because the journey is definitely SO much better, and has so many more details, characters, plot lines etc. that you never get if you only watch the movies. Glad I tried your Patreon to be able to watch this!

sarah4hp

I'm so so glad you've decided to read the books! So much is explained that they didn't have time for in the movies. Here is some feedback for each chapter! Sorry it's so long. CHAPTER 1: The reason the wizarding world is celebrating even when it seems like they should be sad, is because Voldemort is 'dead' as far as they know. He terrorized the half blood and muggle born community, as well as anyone who supported them. Think Hitler. Yes, it's very sad that Lily and James died and that Harry is now an orphan, and people are aware that this has happened, but they're MORE relieved that Voldemort is gone. Hence the celebration and not caring if muggles see or know. Your thoughts on people not saying Voldemort's name...are half right. That's all I'll say for now. More will be explained in book 7. But! I will say people are afraid to say his name because they're that afraid of him, for the most part. When Hagrid is referring to 'young Sirius Black', he really does mean young. Harry's parents, along with Sirius and Remus and Peter, are all around age 21 when Harry survived the killing curse. Also, this was the night Harry's parents were killed. I'm taking just a few hours after, so Sirius hadn't had the chance to track down Peter at this point. He was walking through the wreckage of James and Lily's house when Hagrid came to pick up Harry. CHAPTER 2: I know you said not to confirm or deny, but this is not a spoiler. The snake that Harry releases at the zoo, is not the same snake we see further in the series. The other snake is Voldemort's snake, called Nagini. Young witches and wizards, when they're first developing their magic, can't control what's going on. Which is why Harry's hair grows back overnight. He's embarrassed by the haircut and wishes he hadn't had it, but has no idea how it grew back! His magic took care of him in that situation. I loved this video! You're the first person reacting to Harry Potter that I've seen do anything like this and it's awesome! Keep it up! I know I've said this in comments on your youtube videos once or twice, but if you have any questions about anything, I'm happy to answer. I know way too much about Harry Potter :)

itsanursething

I've been listening to youtubers plug their patreon since patreon was created... but I never signed up until today. So excited to hear your reactions to the books! You're one of the few reactions channels I've stuck around for and I watch every upload. Can't wait for more best of luck!

aliennin

Here for the books. You mentioned about Sirius, he doesn’t go confront and “kill” Peter until the next day or later in the week or something, and don’t think many people know why the Potters were able to be attacked so wouldn’t think bad of him until that event. I like the summary and full chapter review since your going into it all anyway.

Sylver

I’m really, really enjoying your reactions to the book: HP and the Philosopher’s Stone. Great fun. I love hearing your take, especially because you've seen most of the movies, and you are able to tie things together. I happen to be one of the biggest HP geeks on the planet, so this is nothing but a blast to watch. I joined Patreon specifically to analyze the crap out of HP! Thanks loads.

I think this is the first time I've really gotten into a reactors channel/patreon. But I've really enjoyed your videos on YouTube and look forward to see the full videos on here! I think you'll really enjoy reading/listening to the books, it adds so much more detail and context that had been left out in the movies (though I still love them and they have a special place in my heart!) I hope you continue through all the books, I know already alot of people would love to see as well! It's always so interesting to see another person's journey through the HP Fandom! Much love from a fellow vegan hufflepuff!💛🖤

This was awesome. I can’t wait for you to continue the books!

Thanks so much for the wonderful comment, Dara! Sounds like you work really hard! It is very good of you to keep your patients (sorry if that isn't the right turn) safe! I am really glad you enjoyed the book review! More coming soon!!

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks so much Shawna! I really appreciate that, it is interesting to read how these characters differ from the movies and find out so many little details! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

All in for the book club, I will be looking out for those! Right now the books are prominent for me again. My backup. Being a social worker in a retirement home with 125 old people we now have covid inside the house, 4/5 living groups are infected. The living group I am working on has 9 active positve old people (my oldest being 103). So every day is a struggle. Explain to old people with dementia why they are not really allowed to A) see loved ones - or only via Skype B) not allowed to leave the living group (I do have a huge balkony, but we have to limit acsess so that if a positive person is out there all non infecetd can not be outside. C) should probably not leave their flats. D) find stuff to do with them - usually I do groups but... NOw it's only visiting the people in their flats and hoping I do not take the virus from one room to the next... Not really worried of getting infected myself - but it really is hard for the old people. So the books are kind of my getaway - since I distance myself from my family a lot, Currently living in the downstairs romm - just going upstairs for cooking. I do not wish to bring that unto them. Getting tested daily and just recently being vaccianted for the 4th time helps me feel a bit better. So really looking forward to the book reviews.

Dara Jeeling

i always sort of wished that they had done something simmilar to the percy jackson series with the "mist" making it so that humans see magical events happening as natural disastors or something normal ish that would explain it to them instead of "those muggles are too self obsorbed to notice us", that always felt a tiny bit lazy to me

Kega

I enjoyed this a lot. Can't wait to see longer videos. I'm always interested to see what people's reactions are to the books. And your view is unique since you have watched most of the movies and have some idea of what is going to happen. You will find all the small details that were left out of the movies, that will help make certain things make sense.

Muggles only see magic when they pay attention. Example in the train station they’re to busy consumed in themselves to see it. But muggles like the Dursley are aware of magic so they’re going to see it when it happens

Ambermf

Awesome Melina!! Yeah I am gonna make a point next time for people to revisit the books / audiobooks for the chapters we cover! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

Yeah I agree Ryan, but looking at the times, that would be very long sadly. I hope this format works as a second best and like I say any feedback on how to make it better it greatly appreciated! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks for the great info Dara!! Hope you feel better soon!! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

YES!! Triene, you read my mind!! I was thinking just earlier today it would be cool to let you guys know what will be covered next time so they can do a refresher! Great minds think alike!! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks so much Kellie!! Glad you liked it!

VEGGIE GAMER

Thank you Ramona!! (sorry for the late reply!)

VEGGIE GAMER

i love this format! it's a great opportunity for me to relisten to the books as well

Melina W

I think it would be cool to see a live reaction if possible. But if not that's completely cool

perfect thing for my sick leave. *yeah* I love the first book, can't wait for your reaction to Snape, especially, since you already admitted you go into the films with the instant love for Alan (which I can totally understand - he was a wonderful actor) Also so excited for the next film, because HBP is my favorite book. I guess that that day the ministry had other things on their minds, since after 11 years the wizarding war was ended and I would hazzard a guess that the ministry was chasing death eaters... all Animagi have certain things on their Animagus form that are related to somethiing of their human form and have to register those with the ministry. You will realize that the teachers get a lot of more time in the books (Mme Pomfrey also) - since the books are not as limited as the films. A lot of book characters are seriously underrated in the movies. As someone who had read the first 3 booke before the first film ever came out I had my ideas about the teachers in my head - and well Snape is stated as being 30/31. So my idea of Snape did not look like Alan (since he was to old). I also thought, that Mc Gonagall would be around 45/50 and Maggie Smith seemed to old - until more about the backgrounds on the teachers were released. All in all the actors in the films seem to be a bit old. As said Snape is 30/31 in the first book. AND he has been teacing for the last 12/13 years - so he was a very young teacher, like the youngest of the teachers until Lupin jpined, since they were in the same year. At least they aged up the other adults to match Snape. Yeah as asid I am very much excited on your oppininon on Snape and the other teachers, after reading/listening to the book.

Dara Jeeling

You could definitely lean into the “potter book club” thing! Can even say what chapters will be in the next video (when/if you get to the point where you’ll be able to reasonably plan that out ahead of time) so others can read or re-read along. Just a thought! I think any feedback I had was already covered by other people (I read all of these comments 😅). Thanks so much for doing this. Yeah really hope you’re enjoying the process. Looking forward to more!

Triene (Katie)

I love how you summarize and read but then theorize at the end. You don’t talk too much but also touch on all the important parts in the chapter and the things that caught your eye. I’m definitely on board and will read with you if you let us know what chapters you’ll be talking about next. :)

Kellie Fritz

Thank you Despair!! Hey, Gryffindor is great too! Thanks for the feedback, I may even start suggesting people revisit the books / audiobooks so we can discuss each episode in the chat even more! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

Thank you, Rush!! Glad you think so!! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

Thank you Aria!! Great feedback! Yeah I will try and balance what to cover and what not to when it comes to book exclusives! Will be interested to hear Dale's Hermione, Snape and Dobby now! XD

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks so much Shannon!! I ain't gonna lie... I am tempted to call this series the "Potter Book Club" going forward! XD

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks so much Lizzie!! Really appreciate the positivity! That sounds awesome about the Stephen Fry boxset audio books on tape! I kinda want them myself now! XD

VEGGIE GAMER

I can't wait for the rest. This was really good 😊

Rush K

So excited for this journey! Love Stephen Fry's version, can't get on board with Dale's Hermione, Snape, and Dobby lol. I like your format of summarizing the chapter and then talking about some differences with the movie, but I think you're going to find a lot that is book only, so don't feel like you have to be super faithful to that format! Also, as little sub-plots and mysteries start to pop up that aren't in the movies, I'd love to hear your predictions/theories as you read :)

I feel like I’ve just joined the Harry Potter book club lol. I love how you summarize the chapters before discussing it and then do a movie to book comparison

Joined the Patreon purely for these book reviews :) but yessss I love how in-depth you are going into everything! I can’t wait to see how you get on with the rest of the series! And the rest of book 1. For me the Stephen Fry audiobooks will always be top tier but that’s what I grew up with. I used to have them on tape and the boxes were huge for them 😂😂😂

nice 😍 please keep going with this! You will discover so much more details in the books. looking forward to it : )

Caroline

I’m glad you’re doing these. I decided to read the books about the same time as you. I’ve seen the movies many times, so it will be interesting to see what is different in the books. Also, after reading about the different houses, I thought I would be in Hufflepuff the same as you. However, the sorting hat decided to put me in Gryffindor. I don’t know why, but that’s fine.

Hahaha that is very true! XD Thanks Diego!

VEGGIE GAMER

I really quite enjoyed this format🙂 Also: Just because Vernon sells drills it doesn't mean he knows how to use them😜😅

Diego Zenhäusern

Yeah he really was great!! Glad you enjoyed the review!! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks so much Zack!!

VEGGIE GAMER

That makes a lot of sense, Hat! So interesting the scene in the movie feels so different!!

VEGGIE GAMER

Just to clear up a few things: Ch.1 -Voldemort dying was the end to an 11 war. That is why people are celebrating. -Basically the celebration is getting out of hand. And wizards are being a little sloppy around muggles Ch.2 - We lost Señor snake saying "Thanksss, amìgo" in the movie, because they had to use a Burmese Python. Which is not native to Brazil. -Harry just hates the haircut Aunt Petunia is giving him. Until he's accidentally growing it back to something he likes. - Vernon and petunia aren't punishing because he knows about being a wizard. They're punishing him because of the fact that he is a wizard. They really don't want this in their face accident or not.

There's a Hippo in this photo

Loved the review!! I am presonally a big fan of Stephen Fry's version, I've listened to all the books read by him, some even twice :)

Milena

Jim Dale is amazing!

Zack Sutton

Absolutely love that you're covering the books!! That's so awesome!

Zack Sutton

Apologies for the essay 😅😅😅

Lili

This is really wonderful! Growing up with anxiety the Harry Potter universe was such an incredible means of escape - I read them over and over, but these days I tend to listen to the Stephen Fry audiobooks, when I'm on the bus to work or cleaning, to get my HP hit 😅 His narration is perfection. It's so much fun listening to your thoughts, I think you did a superb job with this review, I love how much detail you put in! It makes me wish I was hearing it all for the first time, but seeing it through your eyes is the next best thing 😂It would be interesting to hear which version you listened to for each chapter (Fry's or Dale's). I gave the Jim Dale version a go recently with Chamber of Secrets, just to mix things up a bit, but I couldn't get over his Dobby so I stopped listening 😬 closed minded I know but there you go. Anyway, brilliant job, the format was excellent and engaging from start to finish 😊 that half hour flew by!

Lili

Thanks Hippo!! That you liked it!

VEGGIE GAMER

Really great start. I'm really excited to hear your take on the books.

There's a Hippo in this photo

Aaah, that is a great point Jannys! It is cool how they were able to wove moments like that into the movies from the books!

VEGGIE GAMER

Hahaha you are so right, Emmainkeri!! I loved that line from Harry about shoving Dudley's head down the toliet! XD I think I even remarked in my Prisoner reaction that up until then I had seen Harry has a bit of a blank canvas, but moments like you point out here really do add to his personality early on! And thanks for the feedback, that is a cool idea!

VEGGIE GAMER

This is really great, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the differences between books and movies, I love how even though they don't say something in movies and it's in the books, they still somehow manage to point it out, like in first chapter Dumbledore saying his favourite Muggle sweets are Sherbet lemons and than in Chamber the password into Dumbledores office is Sherbet lemons. I'm not sure if they mantion this in the second book, since it's been a while since I read them, but it is still great.

Jannys

I loved this! Suggestions: at the end of each chapter or each video you could choose a favorite character/moment/line from the chapters. Something you particularly liked or didn't like, maybe? What do you think? One of my favourite things is Harry's personality, and he does have a lot more of it than he does in the films. Two great examples from the third chapter: "They stuff people's heads down the toilet first day at Stonewall. Want to come upstairs and practise?" "No thanks. The poor toilet's never had anything as horrible as your head down it - it might be sick." "What's this?" "Your new school uniform." "Oh. I didn't realise it had to be so wet."

emmainkeri

I'm so excited to see these book reviews! Thanks!

Nick Young

Ooh thank you for this! Yeah the muggles noticing this isn’t a normal thing, like professor mcgonagall says to dumbledore, everyone is going too far and not being discrete about Voldemort’s downfall and she’s angry at them for it and dumbledore says he can’t blame them, so what they’re doing is seen as bad but because of the situation, since it’s a big moment for them they’re kind of being less strict about it.

Loveinthehat

That is a fair point, Tiffany. I'll give it some thought! I don't want to wait too long for this series, but like you say there will definitely be info I will need to learn first!

VEGGIE GAMER

Ahhhhh I'm so excited! I'm so stoked that you've started reading the books before finishing all the films. I think it'll help you understand later movies better, character motives, details and stuff like that.

emmainkeri

Great reaction Veggie! My main suggestion would be to finish watching the movies (since you have 3 left) before continuing. Right now you are absorbing the book itself, noting differences between them AND dealing with a mix of information that makes sense (because it had been spoiled by future movies) and information that doesn't (because you haven't completed the movies). Personally, i think if you finish the movies first, it'll allow you to fully appreciate the story as told from the filmmakers perspective. Then when you read the books...a lot of the "new" information will be easier to understand because it'll will genuinely be things left out of the movies and not just the bits of the movies you haven't seen yet. Also it would allow any and ALL questions to be answered by us Patreons without the risk of spoilers.

Tiffany Dollard

Thanks Kat, I love that idea!! I'll give it some thought while getting through the first book! Think it would be really cool to do a Q&A sort of thing like you say!

VEGGIE GAMER

great video :) about people saying Voldemort's name, you will learn more about that as the series continues. :)

Michael Short

Yes! Translating to 'flight from death', mirroring his ultimate quest to become immortal :)

Kat

Love that, it's like a little Potter Book Club :)

Kat

Very excited to see this pop up in my notifications! The French pronunciation of Voldemort is what JK had intended - having grown up with the films, I found it jarring at first when I watched the Cursed Child play.

This is was really well done! I personally love going back to the books over and over again! They really help give you a better perspective into the dynamics of the family and friendships that, as you mentioned, the movies just don't, unfortunately, have time for :/

Oh my gosh, this is so fun :D I'm going to read these chapters too before listening though so I can refresh myself! But I love that I can do a watch along and now a read along with you :D While I've watched the movies a bunch of times, I've only read the books once, so this is great.

Amanda S

Sirius is not in Azkaban yet because he actually gave to bike to Hagrid that same night. I think in one of the books, Hagrid tells someone that he met Sirius at the destroyed house and tried to console him, only to later find out that he "worked for Voldemort". We know he didnt but Hagrid does not at the time of the conversation. He thinks Sirius was crying because his master had died. I cant remember which book that was. Sirius will go to Azkaban very soon after though.

Judith

Great reaction/review Veggie! I’m really glad you’re enjoying it, from book 3 onwards you’ll have so much new information and content to enjoy, the movies for 1&2 were pretty faithful to the book! Really like the format you have chosen and think it works very well! My only suggestion would be a video after you finish each book. Where you could share your favourite characters and moments overall etc. But also perhaps we could write in with details you may have missed etc (there is so much foreshadowing and clever bits) or even just questions for you to respond to and you could pick your favourites. If you do decide to do that a moderator that has read the books may be necessary, just to ensure everything is spoiler free for you! Thank you for taking the time to make this content and providing your thoughtful and fun commentary. You really are the best reactor out there 🥰

Kat

Good question about the motorbike, brings up some of my own timeline questions actually... i would imagine at the point we see Hagrid, that Sirius is already in Azkaban for killing Pettigrew.. I'll have to research that timeline again. Imagine if we could see Sirius at this moment. the grief he is dealing with. Peter, a trusted friend betrayed them all and now James and Lily are dead and Sirius is blamed as the traitor. devastating

GOTnissa

When we meet the Dursleys, the wizarding community are celebrating in the streets after the very recent news that the dark lord was defeated by a boy who survived his killing curse. At that time, every witch and wizard was living in fear of Voldemort. The Potters weren't so well known so its understandable why most are celebrating and not feeling grief for James and Lily.. Also, the potters were far from the only ones killed or worse during that time and so they are seemingly unimportant to anyone but those we know were close to them.

GOTnissa

Thanks Thomas! Really enjoyed these 3 chapters!! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks GOTnissa!! Yeah my brother warns me Phoenix in particular is very long! 0_0

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks Amanda! Glad you like the chapter summaries! Very interesting about Voldemort in french! Very appropriate name! XD

VEGGIE GAMER

Thanks Kamilla!! Yeah I think you are right about the music being a bit too loud, thanks for the help! :)

VEGGIE GAMER

Loved the review! The format is great ☺️ Music maybe a bit too loud? I hope you keep doing this😍

Kamilla Mari

I enjoyed this so much! I think you did a great job! I really liked the chapter summary, because it's been awhile since I've read the books (I took a couple of years and read them all to my daughter, a chapter per night before bed!) I don't want to give spoilers about not saying Voldemorts name, but you're not crazy 😵‍💫 Fun word nerd fact about Voldemort - in French, it breaks down to "Vol de mort" or, "flight of death" 🤗🤗. I always found that interesting! I'm so glad you're giving the books a go!

Amanda Levy

great job and great review! i really loved it and hope you keep going! Some of the books get quite long so my only advice would be to not get burnt out by getting too detailed with every chapter. I am anxiously awaiting both these and the movie reactions now!

GOTnissa

Yes!!! I'm soooo excited

Kristin Carter

I’m really glad to see you’re posting your take on the books, and I hope you continue doing it, it’s always fun to see new people being brought further into this world that I love.

This is so exciting!!!

Kamilla Mari