This week, we continue our discussion of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with chapters three and four!

This week, we begin our discussion of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with chapters one and two!

This week, we discuss the second half of TH White’s The Sword In The Stone, with a focus on identity and the stories which bind and guide us.

In this week’s abbreviated session, we continue our summer holiday away from Hogwarts, and discuss the first part of TH White’s The Sword In The Stone!

This week, take a break from Hogwarts and spend some time with Mildred Hubble, The Worst Witch!

This week, we discuss the highs and lows of the 2005 movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!

This week, we reach the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with a super-size discussion of justice and punishment, hope and darkness.

This week, we approach the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with a discussion of secrets revealed and powers uncloaked.

This week, we discuss the identities of Death Eaters and the mechanics of Priori Incantatum during the Duel of Little Hangleton in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

This week, we conclude the Triwizard Tournament with a tragic turn, and assemble the Death Eaters to witness a new threat to the wizarding world in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

This week, we conclude our exposition with the Pensieve, and begin the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we discuss dreams and memories in chapters twenty-nine and thirty of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we discuss the pernicious power of the media, then take a walk a in the Forbidden Forest with Viktor Krum in chapters twenty-eight and twenty-nine of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we hand out the points for the second task and speculate about Barty Crouch in chapters twenty-six and twenty-seven of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we soak in the tub then take a dip in the lake in chapters twenty-five and twenty-six of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we begin the new year with mysterious clues and a deepening conspiracy in chapters twenty-four and twenty-four of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we face the horrors of adolescent awkwardness and teen romance in chapters twenty-two and twenty-three of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we face dragons and consider goodness in the world of Harry Potter in chapters twenty and twenty-one of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we discuss isolation and honesty in chapters 18 and 19 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we face opposition and isolation in chapters sixteen and seventeen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, “”The Goblet of Fire” and “The Four Champions”.

In this session, we meet the competition in chapters fifteen and sixteen of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, “Beauxbatons and Durmstrang” and “The Goblet of Fire”.

In this session, we dive deep into the workings of magic, the Dark Arts, and the Unforgivable Curses in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In this session, we continue our discussion of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with a long-awaited (but less than enthusiastic) return to Hogwarts.

In this session, we continue our discussion of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with Death Eaters and the Dark Mark, Hufflepuffs Gone Bad and mysterious money.

In this session, we continue our discussion of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with the Quidditch World Cup, veela and leprechauns, and problems of agency.

In this session, we continue our discussion of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with portkeys, apparition and Ton-Tongue Toffees.

In this session, we begin our discussion of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with exposition, misdirection and secret cakes.

In this session, we conclude our discussion of A Wizard Of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin, and face down the shadow in the sunless land beyond the sea.

In this session, we continue our discussion of A Wizard Of Earthsea, and talk about Ged’s journey north into Faerie, the magic of Osskill, and the return of Serret.

In this session, we continue our discussion of A Wizard Of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin, and talk about dragons, true names, and the unleashing of the shadow.

In this session, we continue our discussion of A Wizard Of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin, and talk about women’s magic, light and shadow, and the inherent risks of power.

In this session, we begin our discussion of A Wizard Of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin with the first two chapters.

In this session, I offer some final thoughts on Prisoner of Azkaban, and talk about the next phase of Dear Mr. Potter. Next week, we begin A Wizard of Earthsea!

In this special session, I recorded a live commentary track and discussion for the movie adaptation of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, we discuss the end of the story, justice and injustice, and Harry in a darker world in chapters 21 and 22 of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, we get a lot of answers and face down the dementors in chapters 19 and 20 of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, we’re dragged into the Shrieking Shack and the plot is revealed in chapters 17 and 18 of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, things turn dark, society starts to crumble, and Hermione is our hero in chapters 15 and 16 of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, we check the calendar, then play some quidditch and stroll into Hogsmeade in chapters 13 and 14 of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, we try to decipher the mystery of the past, witness Harry’s descent into darkness, and learn about the Patronus charm in chapters 11 and 12 of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, we face the dementors on the Quidditch field and escape to Hogsmeade in chapters 9 and 10 of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, we settle into the school year and face our fears in chapters six, seven and eight of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, we make it to Hogwarts and face down the fearsome Dementors in chapter five of Prisoner of Azkaban!

In this session, Harry ends his summer vacation in Diagon Alley and learns about the danger which faces him in chapters three and four of Prisoner of Azkaban!

Welcome to the third season of Dear Mr. Potter, and our discussion of tone, theme and transition in the first two chapters of Prisoner of Azkaban!

Celebrate the end of term as we discuss the movie adaptation or Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and more!

Harry comes face to face with the past — and with a monster — in chapters seventeen and eighteen of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

Harry and Ron brave the Forbidden Forest and finally discover the truth in chapters fifteen and sixteen of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

Harry finds a diary and the unknown monster claims another victim in chapters thirteen and fourteen of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

We learn the fine art of dueling and face the polyjuice potion in this week’s discussion of chapters eleven and twelve of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

The investigation begins, Quidditch is dangerous, and grapes are explained this week’s discussion of chapters nine and ten of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

Harry begins his second year of study at Hogwarts, and we get our first mention of the chamber itself, in chapters six to eight of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

We return to Diagon Alley, miss a train, and finally make it back to Hogwarts in chapters four and five of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

After battling some technical difficulties, we finally begin our second year at Hogwarts, with the first three chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

This week, we finish up the seminar with a discussion of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone movie adaptation.

This week, we overcome the darkness and return to normality – and the end-of-term feast – in chapter seventeen of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

This week, we confront all but the final task, test friendships, and meet centaurs in chapters fifteen and sixteen of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

This week, we shift gears and move toward the climax in chapters twelve, thirteen and fourteen of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

This week, we face down a troll and play some Quidditch in chapters ten and eleven of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

This week, we begin our classes, navigate Hogwarts’ unpredictable geography, and uncover a mystery!

This week, we make it to Hogwarts and talk about transitions and sorting in chapters six and seven of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

This week, we meet the Keeper of the Keys and go shopping in Diagon Alley in chapters four and five.

We begin in Privet Drive and end up stranded at sea in this week’s session, covering the first three chapters.

Welcome to Dear Mr. Potter: A Harry Potter Seminar!