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The Next Reading Group, Your questions answered here! |
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 Apr 19 2008, 02:17 PM
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PotterWatch Executive Producer
Posts: 4,460
Joined: 9:14am February 16, 2006
Location: Behind the sofa, watching Doctor Who
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The Next Reading Group
We will complete our reading of HBP on 4/30/08 and will close the Lily and Stag Inn for a brief time while we redecorate! But get ready to "Rediscover the Magic" starting May 15, 2008 at 9 a.m. Eastern time. That's when you'll need to be on Platform 9 3/4 for the Reading Group Express to catch a ride to the Inn. We'll Sort on arrival for the next reading!
The Inn will be exploring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone for its next book, but with a unique twist. It'll be our first exploration of that first journey to Hogwart's through the eyes of hindsight. So that's why we've chosen "Rediscover the Magic" as our theme. We want you to fall in love with Harry all over again, just like we have!
In the Common Room of the Reading group, you'll have the chance do a Sidealong Reading of Oracle Quest, Book 1 in the Quest Series, written by our own Questauthor, Lisa Wright DeGroodt. The book is available via online ordering from various retailers. Visit the website (listed below) and go to the "Purchase Books" section for information on the retailers that feature the Quest Books. If you are interested in the e-book version, your best bet is to order it from Iuniverse.
Quest Website
You can also purchase the book through Leaky's Cauldron Shop!
Most brick and mortar stores do not carry the book; but if you request it from Barnes and Noble they will order it for you. This can take some time, though, so be prepared for a wait! There are a limited number of copies available direct from the author as well, PM Questauthor if you are interested in this kind or purchase. Additionally, if you need assistance because of sight impairment or other disability, please contact Questauthor or myself (becky920) via PM and we will be able to help you with that.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Just reply in this topic and we'll do our best to answer. Meantime, I've tried to answer a few of the "Frequently Asked Questions" that tend to come up.
1) Is the Sidealong book mandatory for participation in the Reading Groups?
---No. Reading the Sidealong book will be completely optional. You'll be Sorted into rooms for the main reading of SS/PS, but the Oracle Quest discussion will be available in our common area if you choose to participate.
2) Why did you pick Oracle Quest?
---We had quite a raging debate about which book to pick for a Sidealong reading! The reason we settled on Oracle Quest was that it's a good compromise -- it's roughly the same length as SS/PS, it also has some nice parallels with the discovery of a magical world, the acceptance of a hero's journey, and a character who believes she's a normal person but discovers a hidden magical talent. We'll do more Sidealong readings as we move through the Potter series from the beginning, probably picking a completely different style each time. Oracle Quest also has the unique appeal of having the author as a member on this forum, so you'll actually be able to interact with her and ask her your questions if you like.
3) Why so long between the end of HBP and the next Sorting?
---As much as the Inn staff would like to get cracking right away on the next reading, it does take some time and planning in order to execute a reading group. For example, we like to dream up special themes and names for each room, and come up with some of the discussion topics that will be open from the moment that the Sorting begins. That's not something you can just magic out of thin air, unfortunately! But also, it gives the staff a little bit of a breather. Putting a reading group together is hard work for many weeks, so in the interest of our collective sanity, we have to have that "reset" time inbetween.
4) Can I join the Lily and Stag Inn staff?
---For the first time since I can remember, we don't have any openings for the next reading group! But you can always help make the Inn a great place to hang out on the Lounge by being a good member. If you're posting regularly and helping further the discussion, that's what it's all about.
5) Can I pick which room I will Sort into?
---Unfortunately, no. If everybody got to pick which room, we'd all be in the same room and the others would be empty. Besides, the Sorting working as it does helps ensure a good mix of posting styles and thought processes in each room, and that's part of the fun. 
6) I have a great idea/a huge criticism. Is there someone I can tell?
---You can always submit comments, questions, criticism or concerns to me (becky920) by PM. If you'd rather be anonymous or are shy about contacting me directly, feel free to tell your room leaders or butterflies, who can then pass along your comment, question, criticism or concern without your identity attached.
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 And the Journey Continues! … Click on the image to find out more … |
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May 1 2008, 11:45 PM
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PotterWatch Executive Producer
Posts: 4,460
Joined: 9:14am February 16, 2006
Location: Behind the sofa, watching Doctor Who
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Krystyna, I completely understand! I didn't discover Harry Potter until after Half-Blood Prince came out, when I finally gave in to all the hype and thought maybe I should pick up a copy of the first book. Can you say hooked? 
The Lily and Stag Inn reads books chapter by chapter together. What usually happens is that right at the beginning, the staff will release a chapter schedule to let you know what we'll be talking about each week. Most weeks it'll be two chapters but depending on the length, there might be a week where we discuss one chapter or three chapters. You'll have a thread devoted to each of the chapter discussions, but there are also a number of "side" discussions -- for example, looking at a specific character, or a theme in the series as it relates to the book we're reading at the time.
This is the Inn's second time reading SS/PS as a group, but it's the first time we've done so since the release of DH last summer. You'll find there are a LOT of people around here in the same boat as you -- that maybe just recently got into the fandom, or only joined Leaky after DH came out.
Hope that helps! Can you tell I'm a little excited to get back to the beginning? 
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And the Journey Continues! … Click on the image to find out more … |
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May 15 2008, 06:57 AM
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Leaky's Youngest Elf
Posts: 6,362
Joined: 5:12pm July 5, 2006
Location: Somewhere off sharing a brain with MonieLou
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QUOTE(dorothyinoz @ May 15 2008, 05:59 AM)  How do I join the reading group? I live in Australia, what time would it be here that I have to be ready?
I'm not an official source, but it is supposed to be open today, probably this afternoon. It's only 8AM on the eastern coast of the US, so I'd say it'll be open in a bit.
QUOTE(ulex6 @ May 15 2008, 07:29 AM) Is the reading group about looking over the book? and piecing the story together and stuff??
What happens is that the RG's take a look at two chapters each week with discussion threads for those chapters. Thrown into the forum there is also an off-topic (getting to know you kinda feel) thread. There are also usually some separate threads about topics like mythology, humor in the book, etc.
I hope that helps! Once we're able to get sorted we'll be able to see what the schedule is for the reading-- they post the dates for the chapters in the rooms.
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