Books and Butterbeer

It's finally time. After finishing Prisoner of Azkaban , Johnna and Katie are kicking off Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ... but before they open Chapter One, they're making their predictions, sharing their favorite memories, and talking about everything they're most excited (and a little nervous) to revisit. Will Goblet of Fire still hold up as one of their favorite books? Has ti...

Wait… did Johnna just say she likes Divergent ? Longtime listeners, don't panic. She hasn't been replaced, and she hasn't completely lost her mind. But after years of criticizing the series, she's finally ready to confess something surprising: She genuinely loves the first book. In this special minisode, Johnna revisits Divergent and explores why, despite her frustrations with the sequels, the ori...

Wait… Johnna chose Divergent ?! Yes, that Divergent . The same series she's spent years complaining about. The same author she's roasted more than once. So why is she dedicating a minisode to it? Because there's a confession to be made… Next week, Johnna attempts to explain how someone can dislike an entire series while still believing the first book captured something special. Come ba...

Between Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire , Katie takes a break from Harry Potter to talk about another series that has stayed with her since middle school: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. In this special bonus episode, Katie shares how she first discovered The Golden Compass while shelving books in her school library, why Lyra Belacqua remains one of her favorite literary protagonists,...

In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie review Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and ask the important question: What happened to this adaptation? From a new director and a darker visual style to missing book details, confusing character choices, and some truly questionable movie decisions, there's a lot to unpack. While the film introduced some iconic moments and bea...

After all the chaos, heartbreak, time travel, and Dementors… Chapter 22 gives us something rare in Harry Potter: Hope. In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie wrap up Prisoner of Azkaban with the final chapter, where Harry finally gets a glimpse of the life he’s always wanted—and learns that sometimes freedom looks different than we imagined. As Sirius Black escapes alongside Bu...

This is the chapter where everything clicks into place. ✨ In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 21, where time travel, Patronuses, Hippogriffs, and one absolutely exhausted Hermione Granger collide in one of the most iconic chapters in the entire Harry Potter series. After Sirius Black is sentenced to receive the Dementor’s Kiss, Dumbledore quietly gives Har...

Just when Harry’s future finally starts to look hopeful… everything falls apart. 🌕💔 In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 20, where the chaos from the Shrieking Shack spills out onto the Hogwarts grounds in one of the darkest and most emotional chapters yet. After finally learning the truth about Sirius Black, Harry is offered something he’s never truly had...

The Servant of Lord Voldemort This chapter changes everything . In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 19, where the truth about Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and the betrayal of Harry’s parents finally comes crashing into the open. And honestly? It’s one emotional train wreck in the best possible way. 🚂💥 Inside the Shrieking Shack, tensions explode as Snap...

What starts as a rescue mission… turns into one of the biggest reveals in the entire series. 😳 In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapters 17 & 18 , where chaos explodes under the Whomping Willow and nothing— literally nothing —is what it seems. It begins with a frantic chase: A rat. A cat. A massive black dog. And suddenly—Ron is dragged into the roots of th...

What starts as exam day at Hogwarts… ends with a prophecy that changes everything. 😳 In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 16, “Trelawney’s Prediction,” where things go from mildly stressful to deeply unsettling very quickly. The chapter kicks off with exams (which no one wants to talk about 😅), but things take a turn when Hermione’s overwhelming workload f...

What happens when stress hits its breaking point… right before the biggest game of the year? 😅 In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 15, “The Quidditch Final,” where everything is on the line—Gryffindor’s pride, Harry’s sanity, and Hermione’s last remaining thread of composure. As the final match approaches, Oliver Wood is spiraling, Harry is under intense p...

What happens when Harry makes one bad decision… and then keeps making worse ones? 😅 In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 14, “Snape’s Grudge,” where tension is high, friendships are fragile, and Harry is… not making great choices. After Sirius Black breaks into Gryffindor Tower, the castle is on edge—but Ron? Ron is thriving as the unofficial celebrity of “...

What starts as just another Quidditch match… ends with a literal intruder in the dormitory. 😳 In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 13, “Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw,” where the plot is basically: Quidditch, Quidditch, Quidditch… and then suddenly ✨Sirius Black✨. The Firebolt is back, Ron is immediately in a better mood, and Hermione is still firmly not speaki...

What if the only way to fight your worst fears… is to relive your best memories? 🪄 In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 12, “The Patronus,” where things get magical, emotional, and just a little chaotic. Harry finally begins learning how to defend himself against Dementors with Professor Lupin, but mastering the Patronus charm is no easy task. Between reliv...

What do you do when you get the best Christmas gift ever… and then your professor immediately takes it away? 😅 In this episode of Books and Butterbeer , Johnna and Katie dive into Chapter 11, “The Firebolt,” where Hogwarts delivers festive vibes… and then absolutely ruins them. Harry is still processing the truth about Sirius Black, but instead of focusing on himself, he steps in to support Hagri...

Harry is recovering in the hospital wing after his terrifying encounter with the Dementors and the loss of his Nimbus 2000. While he’s still shaken by hearing echoes of his mother’s final moments, Professor Lupin offers something Harry desperately needs: understanding, honesty, and the promise of help. Meanwhile, Fred and George step in with one of the most legendary magical objects in the wizardi...

This week on Books and Butterbeer , we dive into Chapter 9 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, where Hogwarts continues to prove it might be the least secure school in the wizarding world. With Sirius Black still on the loose, security tightens, nerves are high, and classes somehow continue like nothing is wrong. We talk about the chaos of the school schedule, the introduction of new clas...

This week on Books and Butterbeer , Chapter 8 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban proves that sometimes the real magic is just a good cup of tea and a professor who actually cares about your emotional stability. We talk about Lupin playing therapist/barista for Harry, our own very strong opinions about tea, and why he’s already winning “Best Teacher at Hogwarts” by a mile. Unfortunately, t...

This week on Books and Butterbeer , we finally meet Professor Lupin—and he immediately becomes everyone’s favorite teacher. From wardrobe-dwelling nightmares to the class turning their fears into something ridiculous, we talk about the introduction of the Boggart, why this scene is both hilarious and meaningful, and the moment Neville gets a little revenge with some unforgettable fashion choices....

This week on Books and Butterbeer , we head to our very first classes of third year in Chapter 6 of The Prisoner of Azkaban —and things get dramatic fast. From Divination doom predictions (Harry apparently has five minutes to live?) to Care of Magical Creatures chaos and one very offended Hippogriff, we break down the classroom moments that made us laugh… and cringe. New subjects, new teachers, an...

This week on Books and Butterbeer, we tackle Chapter 5 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, where Harry’s train ride to Hogwarts is immediately ruined by soul-sucking nightmare fuel. We react to the very first Dementor encounter, talk about how wildly unhinged it is to put these creatures on a school train, and unpack Harry’s dramatic (and very understandable) response. Dark magic, chocola...

This week on Books and Butterbeer , we daydream about which wizarding shops we’d never leave if we were in Diagon Alley. After Harry’s chaotic Knight Bus adventure, we talk about his growing independence, Ron’s brand-new wand from Ollivanders, Crookshanks’ instant hatred of Scabbers, and the chilling reveal that Sirius Black may be after Harry. If Harry were in your care, would you tell him—or kee...

This week we’re hopping aboard The Knight Bus in Chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . From Harry’s dramatic exit at Privet Drive to the absolute chaos of wizarding public transportation, we lean into the humor of this chapter and share a few of our own “Knight Bus” travel stories along the way. Buckle up for laughs, questionable driving choices, and the moment the wizarding worl...

In Chapter 2 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , things quickly go off the rails at Privet Drive. We talk about Harry’s growing frustration with the Dursleys, Aunt Marge’s unforgettable visit, and what this moment reveals about how much Harry has changed since the earlier books. A mix of tension, humor, and nostalgia as the story starts to shift into darker territory.