Reads and Ramblings with Beth

**"There is a plot, Harry potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year!" (page 16) So, following on from my Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone review (linked), it's time for me to review the Chamber of Secrets! This book is another one of my personal favourites from the series and one which I feel should not be underestimated. Now, I did a little bit of research before writing this review, into what people feel are the issues with this book and why they do or do not like it. The main criticism of this book that I found amongst readers is that they felt it to be the least important of the seven novels and that its plot is somewhat irrelevant, claiming it to have the least to do with the overall plot. Obviously I completely respect that people feel that way but I really couldn't disagree more and there are some super important elements of the Chamber of Secrets that do come in handy later on

**"It was so blue and pink and pearly and white, and flooded with springtime light (page 134) Where to start with this beautiful book?! I honestly do not think I could have chosen to read this book at a more perfect time and my heart is so warmed by it that I am thrilled to get to relive it all again for this review.  I will kick off with the things I really enjoyed about this book, before moving onto why I think The Secret Garden is the perfect book to be reading right now.  The main thing about this book, is Burnett's absolutely stunning descriptions of the blooming garden with flowers "bursting into cups of scent, spilling over themselves" (page 203) and how it just cannot fail to lift your spirits. It was a great choice of text to be reading in the spring and just reminded me of all the things I personally adore about the spring and summer months. If you like a book with highly descriptive passages that allow you to really feel immersed in a world but

**"For never was a story of more woe, Than this of Juliet and her Romeo ...." (page 125) So, honesty time. This was my first time reading 'Romeo and Juliet'; in school I studied 'Macbeth' and 'Hamlet' briefly, followed by 4 years intense studying of 'Much Ado About Nothing' for both GCSE and A-Level. I picked this up because my partner gave me his old copy, as I was meant to be doing some tutoring for a student (before exams were cancelled) and I needed to get to grips with it. So, with the tutoring now out of the picture, I read this purely out of intrigue and largely because I felt like I had to given its reputation as one of Shakespeare's best and most famous plays. I'm going to be blunt - I really wish I hadn't! The balance of this review is going to be around 40% positive, to 60% very negative. So, if you are an avid fan of Romeo and Juliet, maybe this highly controversial review isn't the one for you! However,

**"The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers..." (pg 119) You can also read Part 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets review here So, I decided to re-read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone properly, for the first time in quite a few years. I first read this novel aged 10, when my aunt decided it was time for me to be introduced to the wizarding world, and she would send me the books in the post each time I finished the last. I have learnt, not that I really ever doubted it, that this book is still as magical, gripping and absolutely enchanting as it ever was! I read this book in one morning just as I did the very first time and I firmly believe that this book will never fail to have people completely lost for several hours - the pages just seem to fly by. The description in Rowlin