Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I recently decided to re-read the Harry Potter books, because I love them so much! I finished the Sorcerer's Stone a couple of days ago, and it was every bit as wonderful as the first time I read it! By the way, the Harry Potter series was written by J.K. Rowling (:.

The first Harry Potter book begins at Number 4, Privet Drive. Harry is ten, and he lives with his aunt and uncle on his mother's side. They are his only living relatives, as Harry's parents were killed in a car crash when he was only 1 (this is what the Durselys tell him, it's not really true). Harry also has a cousin, named Dudley. The whole family bullies Harry, and treats him as if he's their servant. Harry has a miserable life. One day, when the Durselys and Harry were eating breakfast, a letter came in the mail for Harry. He had never gotten a letter before, but Uncle Vernon steals the letter before Harry can read it. This is because the letter is from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Letters for Harry arrive in greater numbers every day, until when about 50 letter arrive on a Sunday Uncle Vernon decides everyone is leaving. They travel to a very remote island in England, but that morning, Hagrid turns up. It is actually Harry's eleventh birthday, and Hagrid (the gamekeeper at Hogwarts) delivers Harry's letter to him. It is a letter saying he has been accepted at Hogwarts, but Harry has no idea what Hogwarts is. Hagrid tells him that is where his parent's learned everything, but Harry doesn't realize his parents were a witch and a wizard. Hagrid tells Harry he is a wizard, and they leave the Dursleys and go to Hogwarts for the start of the term. Harry also didn't know that his parents were killed by an evil Dark Wizard named Voldemort. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry, Voldemort's powers were gone and he was reduced to being almost dead. Voldemort had scared everyone for many years, so Harry is famous for defeating him, even though he wasn't gone forever.  

When Harry arrives at Hogwarts, he makes friends with Ron Weasly, and shortly thereafter they become friends with Hermonie Granger. Their year is very eventful, but I'm not going to try to explain it all here, it would take too long!! :) In the end though, Harry meets Lord Voldemort again. The ending is fantastic, and I would recommend this book (and the whole series) to anyone! I hope you read Harry Potter if you haven't already; it is fantastic!

The Secret Wife of King George IV

The Secret Wife of King George IV is a great book! It is written by Diane Haeger. The main character in it is named Maria Fitzerbert, and she is the young widow of a Lord. George is not yet king, he is still the Prince of Wales. George and his father don't get along at all, and they don't really talk. George lives in his London home, but doesn't have very much money to pay his staff or anything. He does things just to spite his father, like joining the Whig party because his father is a Tory. George also has had mistresses, because his father is very loyal to his wife. George has had mistresses not because of love, but when he meets Maria, he falls in love with her even when she refuses to become his mistress. George pursues Maria, but she pushes him away time and time again. Maria is a devout Catholic, but is falling in love with the Protestant Prince of Wales. She is very confused, and worried for her reputation (the London society does like to talk, even if it is not true, you know!), so Maria travels to France and spends about 2 years in a French country manor. She doesn't have contact with the prince for about a year, but during the second year of her stay in England, Maria and the Prince exchange letters often. She knows she loves him, and wants to go back to England to see him. So, Maria returns home.  

The Prince of Wales tells Maria he will marry her, even though he technically can't marry anyone without his father's approval, and his wife definitely can't be Catholic. They secretly marry anyway, and now in the book no one in London knows what is going on with Maria and the Prince. Everyone gossips, but all the ladies and friends of Maria avoid her. They don't want to be seen with her, because they fear their reputation will be tarnished.

I can't wait to see how this book ends! I am super excited to see if George' father dies and George makes Maria his queen, or if they are found out before that can happen. I will post another blog when I finish this book; if the ending is good I probably won't give it away, though! From what I've read so far, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a historical romance! I hope you love it as much as I do!