Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Ever since Harry Potter had come home for the summer, the Dursleys had been so mean and hideous that all Harry wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature who says that if Harry returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girl's bathroom. But then the real trouble begins - something is attacking Hogwarts students, turning them into stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past reveals dark secrets? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects ... Harry Potter himself!

Cover:  I love this adult cover for The Chamber of Secrets.  I think it's a perfect representation of how the snakes in the chamber are described.

I've finally gotten around to reading the second book for the first time!

I read The Philosopher's Stone for the first time back in September last year and really enjoyed it.
I tried to read the series when I was younger but really couldn't get into it, but I'm glad I gave it another go.
I loved this one even more than the first one.  I read through it in a couple of days.
The characters, the humour and the overall plot just really drew me in, and I'm so grateful to my best friend, that gave me the adult covers hardcover boxset for Christmas, which means I can carry on with the series soon.