July 20, 2007
Only a few more hours…
Written by RobynDeHart in Jaunty Post
I know many of you are as excited as The Professor and I about HP7’s release. We have our book pre-purchased and we’ll gather at our local bookstore about midnight to pick up our copy. And as of tomorrow, I will cease watching the news, checking the internet or reading any loop mail. I know people are going to start talking about it and spoilers will be everywhere and I don’t want to know anything. A few books ago - I think it might have been HP4, I stopped reading through the chapter titles before hand because I felt it gave too much away of what was to come. And the books have been so spread out that I like to savor every moment.
I actually found the HP books pretty early in their release, only right after the 2nd one hit stores. I’ve never been a huge fantasy fan so I’m not even sure what made me pick them up, but I remember I bought the first two while visiting my grandmother in the hospital. I started the first one that evening and while I thought the writing engaging it wasn’t until I hit chapter 5 that I knew I’d found something incredibly special. For the first time since becoming an adult, I felt what I’d once felt as a young girl tucked in my bed and reading until the wee hours of the night. It was nothing short of magical. I devoured both books, reading them in less than a week - which is quite a feat for me because I’m a rather slow reader. And I called my sister to tell her about them for my nephew. He was only 6 at the time and just in Kindergarten, but he was an advanced reader and I just knew he’d love the stories. I was right and he became a fan instantly. Starting with HP4, when they started doing the midnight release parties, he and I would go the local bookstore and chat excitedly while we waiting for them to start passing out the books. This year, this final book, will be the first time we haven’t been together for a release since then. He’ll be 15 this August and I’m sad to miss this with him, but I ordered his copy to have it delivered to his house on Saturday. No doubt he’ll finish it before I do and he’ll call and want to talk about it, but I’ll have to put him off until I’m done. And then we’ll have to talk in secret while The Professor reads it so I don’t give away anything.
In any case I’m excited and can’t wait to read that first page. It will be sad to say goodbye to this series and these characters who have captivated the world. Whether you’re a fan or not, you have to admit that this simple story about a boy wizard and the age-long fight between good and evil has opened the world of books to millions of children who might not otherwise have curled up in their beds and cracked open a spine and delved into the lives of characters and their adventures. As a reader, this gives me such hope for our children. As a writer, it is encouraging to know that today’s Harry Potter readers might one day be romance readers.
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brownone Says:
I wound up a Ravenclaw also…I was hoping for Gryffindor…
Anyhow, I am DYING to read this one. I guess as of minight tonight, I will not be watching TV or going online for the next few days. I can’t understand who the heck finds joy in spoiling a book for others (as far as TV goes). As for the internet, if I go searching, it would be my own fault. I just finished re-reading “Half-Blood Prince” last night so its fresh in my mind. I STILL don’t think Snape is a bad guy (Alan Rickman has definately skewed my perception)…
Margo Maguire Says:
I’m hoping I don’t hear anything about this book, either! My dh and I will listen to it on CD together (we’ve done that will all 6 so far). But that probably won’t be until September, when all our summer activities wind down.
catslady Says:
I am assuming someone, somewhere is going to ruin it for me and I’ll be devasted. My daughter has first dibs on the book and then probably my other daughter, so by the time I get it…
Helen Says:
I am up already it is 5-45 am here in Australia and I will be in the line to pick up my ordered copy by 8-30 with 2 of my daughters and today we will be reading all day I can’t wait I am so excited but apprehensive as well.
Have Fun
Helen
Mary Says:
I’m heading to the party in about 4 hours, with Baby Brother and The Boy, like we do every book. This year, though we’re doing Barnes and Noble instead of Borders because The Boy is meeting some friends. They promised I could read it first because I don’t want to be spoiled.
I didn’t preorder the book, though, and am a bit apprehensive about getting a copy.
Shana Says:
I think I’m the only one who hasn’t read Harry Potter. Well, I read the first one. I didn’t like it that much. There! Now you know my secret!
Kimberly Logan Says:
That’s okay, Shana. I wasn’t a big fan at first either. I think it was The Prisoner of Azkaban movie that more or less drew me in. So I definitely caught the bug a bit later than everyone else.
I heard that someone had actually posted scans of pages from the actual book online and leaked the ending several days ago. So there are definitely real spoilers floating around out there. I like to know what I’m getting into, so I don’t mind it, but anyone who doesn’t like spoilers, beware while surfing.
Linda Says:
I pre-ordered the book ages ago, so when I ran into the scans of the book online I didn’t feel guilty about reading them.
I finished reading DH last night & have to say that I loved it.
I hope that everyone else reading Deathly Hallows, enjoys it !