This season, Stacey and Rebecca are dedicating each month to a deep dive into the Harry Potter series, and they’re starting at the very beginning—with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Whether it’s your first trip to Hogwarts or your hundredth, there’s something special about returning to the story that started it all. In this episode, we share our impressions from this nostalgic re-read, exploring how the book holds up today, what stood out this time around, and how our perspectives have shifted since we first read it years ago.

We dig into the themes that give this book its timeless charm—love, friendship, good vs evil, and identity. We also do a bit of character analysis, looking at how Harry, Ron, and Hermione each bring something vital to the trio.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a My Sister’s TBR episode without a bit of movie comparison! We chat about the scenes that got left on the cutting room floor—yes, we’re still mourning the loss of Peeves—and some of the movie’s choices that changed the tone or flow of the story.

If you're a longtime fan, we hope this episode brings a smile of recognition and maybe a few new insights. And if you’re reading along with us for the first time, welcome to the adventure, but be warned: we talk a lot about other books in the series so there will be spoilers!

Join us as we journey through the series one book at a time. Next up: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us on our Instagram or drop us a message on Facebook. Mischief managed!

Listen to the episode now wherever you get your podcasts!

3.05. Harry Potter Book 1 Deep Dive