Audio Book Review // Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling.

[moffig1]

@booksandquills

was hälst du von dem Buch "the perks of being a wallflower" ?

Ich lese es gerade.

In case, you didnt understand me:

it would be great if you make a video about the book "the perks of being a wallflower".

greetings from germany

P.s: Do you understand me (the german language)? I was two weeks in the netherlands and nearly everyone understood me.

[xwillow078x]

Definitely the american audiobooks. Noone reads Harry Potter like Jim Dale, who by the way is indeed british.

[uiruu]

And besides, it's Stephen fucking Fry.

[ematj]

You're from Belgium, right? Your accent is not Nederland-ish. Steven Fry is echt wel de beste audioboek versie :D

[TheFinnGamer]

The German Audiobooks are the best ever, Rofus Beck does the best Job.

[AussieMoist]

Some of the commentors seem to think the American one is read in an American accent, but it isn't, Jim Dale is British. That said, I like them both and tend to alternate between them rather than sticking to one.

[seeradurr]

jim dale or fail. fo'realz.

i'm sure stephen fry is lovely, but no one can do it like jim can. and he has the BEST dumbledore and hagrid voices. his hermione voice is the only one that is grating. and the only strange thing he says is voldemor and doesn't pronounce the T at the end.

[Adam198420]

@seeradurr The word voldemort is from French, and is in fact pronounced with a silent t.

[seeradurr]

@Adam198420 wow that's really interesting! i never knew that. :) i looked it up and it means "to flee from death"

[qazedc3]

Harry Potter rules.

[MsAnnelies97]

DUTCH? youre dutch?

[booksandquills]

@MsAnnelies97 Yup :)

[Stephrosyne]

I've listened to both the Stephen Fry & Jim Dale versions, and I definitely prefer the Jim Dale one. Stephen Fry's character voices just grated on my nerves too much, I felt like Jim Dale suited what I imagined a Harry Potter narrator to sound like and while he did change his voice for the characters, he didn't go all-out trying to imitate a character's voice which just sounded silly to me when Stephen Fry did it.

[Kezipoo]

I've listened to them all my life really, my fam have them all on CD and we kind of do a swapping on rotation thing :)

I've listened to the Jim Dale version of goblet of fire but I actually just couldn't stand it, he pronounced things wrong like 'Voldemor' instead of Voldemort and the Hermione he did was all lispy, EURGH!

Stephen Fry is perfect :D

and I love audio books generally when im doing work on the computer or tidying :)

Pride and Prejudice read by Emilia Fox is great.

[SeverusLupinlover]

@MrDeviousPixie Yes

[Lhizna]

I've heard bits and pieces of the Stephen Fry version and I definitely prefer Jim Dale, though of course Stephen Fry is amazing

[JorjoLucas]

Stephen Fry is a legend

[caliowin]

Stephen Fry and I say Malfoy the same way :) Woo for English accents haha. Glad you enjoyed the audio books. I love them. I can't imagine any one other than Fry doing them. An american version would be the worst I think.

[JoyPhilpp44]

i had only heard of the jim dale version, i didnt know stephen fry did it as well!

[Loughyhy6n07]

There's an American Harry Potter audio book series?! WHY?! It's like they don't trust Steven Fry! THOU SHALT NOT QUESTION STEVEN FRY!

[betsyismadeofawesome]

I have a super boring job, so I listen to audio books constantly. I've listened to all the HP's read by Jim Dale, and they're amazing. I'd love to hear Stephen Fry's version too.

[maggiehanna]

I love listening to the Harry Potter audio books while working on homework or cleaning my room. It makes those activities so much more enjoyable. Also I prefer the Stephen Fry versions more than Jim Dale.

[spiffinglycino]

I recently needed to start prepping for one of my Classics essays on the Odyssey but I realised I hadn't read the Odyssey in years and re-reading it now would be so hard during the holidays, so I downloaded an audio book version. Never listened to an audio book in my life but it was a life saver! I'll only ever use audio books when I need to recap a book I've already read, never a new book, but my gosh it was useful!

[KnasMuuIda]

The British HP audiobooks are awesome! I love them. They're perfect for long drives and I have probably listened to the audiobooks more times than I've read the books (which is still many times). Stephen Fry's voices are amazing and while others associate the book characters with the actors of the films, his voices are my characters. You should definitely listen to more audiobooks. I really like the '87 BBC dramatization of the Lord of the Rings. It's actors and not a narrator, but it's great :)

[Edw1nS1984]

Fry reads harry potter ? WANT!

[jullachris90]

Congratulations on completing the 50 books challenge 2011 (saw it on Goodreads)! Good luck with 2012!

[EowynAhsokaLover]

I haven't listened to the Stephen Fry version of Harry Potter (though I have listened to his reading of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), but I have listened to all seven books read by Jim Dale and found him a fantastic reader. I think it would be quite interesting if you were to listen to another Harry Potter book, one read by Jim Dale, and compared the two.

[RoyalRedhead]

I love Harry Potter and read it several times. I'm currently listening to the Chamber of Secrets read by Stephen Fry.

[TimH078]

was raised by the Stephen Fry version. so good, the guy has a great soothing voice to listen 2

[Kingofthedemented]

the britsih one is better because the words are actually pronounced properly. no offence to americans but you can't speak english properly

[HannahIsUnoriginal]

I listened to an interview Stephen Fry did where he was saying that when he started doing those audio books J K Rowling had only just written the philosopher's stone and he said that he was kind of patronising to her, like 'Wow, your books are really good! I hope they do well.'. Little did he know just how well they would actually do... :D

[iheartm20]

@1:20 was so "It's levi-O-sa, not levi-o-SA" hahha. Gettin' your Hermoine on.

I love audio books! It is a very different experience, I think, than reading. But I love good old-fashioned page-to-brain reading too. I particularly favor audio books that are memoirs read by the author. "Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin, any of David Sedaris' books he reads, "Life Itself" by Roger Ebert, "Zombie Spaceship Wasteland" by Patton Oswalt and "A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard are great audio "reads."

[iheartm20]

@iheartm20 *NOTE: I failed to note that Roger Ebert does not read his audiobook. He lost his ability to speak after cancer surgery. But it's still a great "read."

[duckpondwithoutducks]

I love audio books. At first I would never listen to them because I could read the book much more quickly than I could listen to it. But then I realized that I could listen to audio books while cooking and doing the dishes, and it makes those chores so much more interesting!

[GgirlMe]

I 'read' a Christmas Carol as audiobook and it was lovely! And Stephen Fry = win

[odsox87]

I am a maaaasive fan of the stephen fry audio books!! not only do i own all of them but i honestly do enjoy tidying me room or sorting out my washing while listening to them. and while i haven't listened to the american ones from start to finish, i have heard snippets and found it quite strange hearing the different voices as i know the british ones so well.

[squirtle816]

i love the harry potter audio books<3

one year my parents and i went to spain for a summer vacation, and i caught a horrible stomach bug.

luckily my mother had bought me the first three harry potter audio books as a birthday present (we were spending my birthday in spain) and decided to give them to me earlier.

i didn't get out much, but i definitely enjoyed the trip [:

another really good audio book series you should listen to is the northern lights trilogy!

[teatime114]

I grew up listening to the Harry Potter Audiobooks. Before I was old enough to read the books I would listen to them over and over. I had the Jim Dale versions and I loved them so much. I can't imagine liking anyone else's reading of Harry Potter, but perhaps I should try it.

[morechesterchase]

I really enjoyed the Jim Dale version of the audiobooks. Very soothing voice, but also the voices he does, are quite.. Realistic. x

[benjibunny14]

lets play the i have never game, i have never read any harry potter book...

[gateauxQ]

Dislike his either. I recommend the audiobooks for the A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) series!

[gateauxQ]

Big fan of audiobooks as I can listen to them at work. I adore the the HP audiobooks, actually prefer the Jim Dale readings to the Stephen Fry but I don't do

[killhannaah]

Hee, heb je het book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close gelezen? Zo ja, wat vind je er van? Zo nee, heb je er wel eens van gehoord? ;) is het een aanrader? (:

[Zeroviron]

I love audiobooks, I have listened to more audiobooks than books I've read this year

[x3dontcarex3]

the german version is really awesome too ! soo good! :D

[9nova6]

there is nothing wrong with the stephen fy's version, i love it, have every 'book' on audio, and it's a pleasure listening to it when going to sleep hehe

the only thing that was strange to hear was his pronunciation of avada cadavera

but yeah, stephen's version, he has the roles down imo. it's a pleasure to listen to :)

[VamptasticVamp]

I love Stephen Fry!!!

[dogpit17]

I listened to/read all Harry Potter books over last summer and the Stephen Fry version was absolutely brilliant, at times it seemed like listening to audio book is even better than reading.

[theghostintheattic]

I adore Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,and although I only own the book in greek(I'm greek,obviously :P) I do have the audio books in english,and specifically the Stephen Fry version,which is just heaven for me.I don't know exactly why,but I love Stephen's voice as it is, combine that with Harry Potter and i's just the best thing in the world.And you're right,his Hagrid is spot on.

[MsMissSunday]

"because of the British-ness"

haha that's my reason for everything too :P

[FireLordAzulon5]

Audiobooks are great, but I prefer reading.I listened to the Stephen Fry version of Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows and i really liked it. I also listened to "The Name of the Wind" and the first two of the Dresden Files and really enjoyed them as well.

[TheSchoolGlueCrew]

I know! I like the Jim Dale version. Me and my sister own five of them and we listen non-stop. I've never listen to Stephen Fry though. I think I'll try it some time soon.

[karenlikesyou]

I LOVE audio books. I get them from the library straight onto my computer all the time and they are sooo wonderful.

[arivas713]

I like audio books, but I prefer reading. One reason why I like books so much is that I like collecting books, but audio books it's good for those on the go, it's a kind of lazy man's reading. The problem I seem to encounter is that sometimes you get a reader that sounds like he was recently huffing helium or just swallowed a frog :-P

[lildrumrboy2001]

2 videos in one day! best. day. ever.

[allshalldelight]

I've wanted to listen to Harry Potter for ages!

[judithlebreuilly]

I've always loved audiobooks. Personally for me I find it easier to absorb information from a story by listening to it rather than reading it. Also I have all of the Harry Potter audiobooks read by Stephen Fry and couldn't imagine anyone else reading them simply because I've grown up with him reading them. I'm sure it's the same to others who have listened to the Jim Dale version

[auntiesash]

When you have a chance - try the Jim Dale version. It really is amazing. Really. I also recommend the series of Unfortunate Events read by Tim Curry. Fabulous!!!

[ohaitracy]

I remember listening to the Dutch version of the Harry Potter audiobook in primary school, and I found it extremely boring. Perhaps I should take up your advice and try the Stephen Fry version :)

[lightningchaser93]

Btw* I like how you did your eyeliner. (:

[lightningchaser93]

I'm American, but I would buy the British version because.. well.. they're British and it would sound so wrong with no amazing accent. I need to read all the books again, so maybe I'll just do in in audiobook form. (:

[ThatDalestairKidd]

The British version because to me, thats the true version. Also, doesn't Draco Malfoys name have emphasis on the Foy?

[hernameissamm]

the only audiobooks ive listened to are books by stephen king. and I LOVED IT! i think especially for horror novels, or maybe just stephen king novels, i find listening to the book, with sound affects and atmosphere sounds (or bill's stutter) to really help to make me afraid. i feel like a good audiobook can bring the characters and situations they face into the real world.

[RachReads]

I love audio books, especially for the car! I'm currently listening to Ready Player One by Ernest Cline read by Wil Wheaton.  It's awesome!

I've listened to the Harry Potter books narrated by Jim Dale and enjoyed those... but I thought Dale's Hermione voice was a bit squeaky.

[neondreamscollide]

I love audio books. They're great when I have mountains of work to do.

[Canadaroxmysox247]

British FTW!

[EmilyWhyy]

I think audiobooks are best for books that you've already read or simple narratives as it's so easy to get distracted. Also, did you know that the Harry Potter series has sold the most audiobooks in England? Definitely the best choice for a first listen!

[AlicetheShort]

Have you read Divergent?

[booksandquills]

@AlicetheShort Not yet, but I do own it :)

[AlicetheShort]

@booksandquills cool! I hope you read it soon, it's really good! :)

[individualxidentity]

@booksandquills I finished reading it, and then started reading it again. You should really read it :)

[LaxLune]

@booksandquills Read it soon! It's very good!

[Bellaful900]

did his voice sound dull? i sometimes get that affect from lisening to audio books

[edgehaedjr]

I've never done audiobooks on actual books, just in languages (Dutch and German [not started yet]), but you just made me interested in hearing at least the first in the series. I just looked in several libraries around LA and no one has the British edition, only the American one. I guess I'll have to settle. I'm sure it'll be fine though. :)

[fromalbiontoarcadia]

stephen fry is the audiobook king!

[rifsberjasulta]

I also have them all in both Icelandic and English, and have read the first one probably about umpteen times in Icelandic and about two times in English. I've never listened to the audiobook versions, but I just listened to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy audiobook, also read by Stephen Fry, and it was awesome. I can't wait to listen to the next books in that series, they are read by Martin Freeman! Yes, Martin Freeman. The world is that good to me.

[booksandquills]

@rifsberjasulta I NEED THOSE!

[eireannist]

I have the audio books on my iPod, cos I'm just that sad.

[asergium]

I have an image of Sanne huddling up and power-reading for hours, taking a break to film and edit, then resuming power-reading. All day long. (Maybe a few tumblr breaks in between.) Until the year is through.

[booksandquills]

@asergium Yup, that is exactly what's happening. Who needs social interaction anyway?

[AuroraBooks]

I love audiobooks. I listen to them while I'm at work :)

[nlm2nd]

for a few moments the sound was only in one ear O.o

[SableCaught]

I grew up listening to Stephen Fry, I think (at least for the characters that appear in the first four books) the voices in my head our his.

On another note have you read any of Stephen's own books?

[booksandquills]

@SableCaught I have not. Is there a specific one you like?

[SableCaught]

@booksandquills I like them all. But for starting I would recommend either Moab is my Wash Pot, which is the first part of his autobiography. Very beautifully (Wilde-ishly) written, boarding schools, homosexuality and theft. I really love Stephen Fry, I love reading his story. Otherwise if you want fiction you could try Making History, in which the characters go back in time and make sure Hitler was never born.

[Elinious]

You'll probably be reading up until midnight NYE to finish all the books haha :P Two more right? Good luck!

I've listened to this audio book a little too and honestly it took some getting used to cause I caught myself 'forgetting' to listen every once in a while because I was doing other things, but Stephen Fry is fantastic and so is HP of course so I still enjoyed it.

[booksandquills]

@NerdfighteriaIsland :D

[Lidespam]

Love this audio book FOREVER.

[Pawyaaa]

*potter, *heard - apple autocorrect :/

[Pawyaaa]

The first way I experienced Harry Pitt was listening to Steven fry's audio versions. It's a very different experience, I leeward the first 4 with steven's voice and 5 and 6 as the American versions (the American audio edition was released before fry's version) I much prefer fry''s version but maybe it's because I heard them first. Even now, when I read the books, the characters voices are Steven fry's :)

[booksandquills]

@Pawyaaa Ahhh Harry Pitt. Yes, I do love those books!

[ActualitiesOnline]

I used to listen to the HP series audiobooks on a loop every night for several years. I used to know those stories back to front.

[rtpuppydog]

@ActualitiesOnline I know what you mean. I tried playing the Hp books as I went to sleep (in 4th grade) to influence my dreams to be magical.

[quirkfulquagmire]

Also on the topic of audio books I've been listening to Hercule Poirot murder mysteries (by Agatha Christie) in the car. We have a whole box set of the greatest cases. It's amazing being able to hear all of them fully dramatized

[SarahhhDH]

Where did you get the audiobook from?

[Lidespam]

@SarahhhDH She got it from me. #notaserviceiprovideforallpeop­le #sorry :D

[quirkfulquagmire]

I was introduced to Harry Potter by my Mom when I was about seven, after the first four were out. I have since listened to all the Harry Potter books on audio book, I only started actually reading them after the first six were out *headdesk* The point is, the Harry Potter audio books, as narrated by Jim Dale, created the Harry Potter world for me. I couldn't imagine experiencing Harry Potter without them

[TallShortGirl]

I grew up listening to the American Harry Potter audio books narrated by Jim Dale. I've honestly probably listened to them hundreds of times, and I love them. I think I've heard a bit of the British versions before, but Jim Dale just sounds like home to me. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[iArianTV]

Gelukkig nieuwjaar Sanne :)

- Een Fan :)

[TheAdamnunn]

As I am American I can tell you that the audio books are not done by and American because that would be just wrong on so many levels.

[TheImaginaryStar]

2 videos in one day?! you're spoiling us, sanne! )

[booksandquills]

@TheImaginaryStar Have to get 'em all out before the end of the year! :D

[Chao5monger]

i listen to audiobooks all the time jogging or in the car. favorites are Dune (full cast), American Gods: Tenth Anniversary (Full Cast), and Dark Tower series.

[DawoodReviews]

I have all the Harry Potter audio books read by the Legend that is Stephen Fry and they're great. You're right he does do the voices really well, they're quite convincing, although I don't know whether that's its because he does voice really well or the characters are just written well, maybe a bit of both. He even did the female voice well which was weird.. lol..

audio book are nice to have when you don't have time to read, you can listen while doing other tasks.

anyway, good review!

[suddenlylorna]

you're really great : ) i have only listened to stephen fry's version of the chamber of secrets on audio book when i was quite young and i remember thinking the snake's voice was really creepy!

[KieliAnne]

Big comment hah oops, anywho I loved it & definately feel a book set in England should be read with a British accent... :P

[KieliAnne]

hah I definately was one of the people asking you about it being your first time on Goodreads! :P

I love audiobooks especially since they allow me to "read" and drive at the same time (I transfer my audiobooks to my ipod then connect it with the radio in my car). Made the 20-30mins to and from school or work much more enjoyable as well.

As for HP audiobooks I've only read/listened to the first half of the 7th book (a reminder right before the movie came out) in the British edition - I think.

[WelllWhatCanISay]

I sort of disregard audiobooks whenever i see them on shelves, but after this review i might just give it a go :)

[ifimjuliet]

Audio books are lifesavers when I'm in cleaning mode.

[MikeBlood1337]

Although I'm Dutch, I pretty much always prefer the English version of a book. Haven't tried an audiobook yet, maybe I should though. Nice video, you're doing great lately, keep it up!

[Sandman267]

But how was the book itself!? :p

[letsplaywizards]

I love listening to the Harry Potter audio books when I'm sick. They are nice and calming and I don't have to concentrate on listening too much because I know them inside out. I have only heard them by Stephen Fry so I don't know how the American version is but I couldn't imagine hearing them in American.

[juliaminhaqui]

You and your videos are so adorable!

[dieskie2479]

I love Harry Potter and your book reviews ;).

Are you from Holland??

[MrAronymous]

Poep.

[booksandquills]

@MrAronymous Now that's a good first comment!

[MrAronymous]

@booksandquills I tried to be original!