Harry Potter - No Spoilers

Harry Potter news reached a crescendo this weekend with the release of the 7th and final book in the series - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I’ve read them all so far, and I’m about 200 pages into this newest one. I’m really excited about this one because it’s the last one. And we know that not every character makes it to the end of the book. But, I’m not going to tell you anything else about that.

The reason I’m excited? It’s much more fun to me to read something when I can’t be certain the character will make it to the end of the book. So many times, when I’m reading a book that is part of a series, the element of anticipation is lost. I can only ask “How will the main characters survive?” Because I know they will. But not knowing that for sure is more exciting.

I happened to be at our local Barnes & Noble Friday morning just before it opened. There was a long line - over 100 people - waiting to get a wrist band so that they could buy the new book when it went on sale at midnight. There were quite a few people costumed in robes.

We were back around 8 that evening for coffee. The store was a mob scene. There were people everywhere. It seemed that every store employee was working too. There were so many people working in the cafe that they were getting in each other’s way. And to top it off, their steamer was broken - so no Latte for me.

No, we did not hang around. The party, complete with costume contest, was to start at 10 PM. My only regret was that I didn’t take my camera. I had reserved my copy the week before, so I was sound asleep at midnight when the book went on sale.

I do think it would be fun to have been at the party. And if I had a child that wanted to go, I would have gone.

But, I was back at the book store at 10 AM Saturday. It was a much saner place. There were plenty of books left. And there was no one in line. I did learn that the party started breaking up around 2 AM and the employees left around 3:30!

I’ve really enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series, even though I’m a bit older than its intended audience. But what I like most is seeing kids that are reading it. They aren’t short little books. This last one is over 750 pages long. I just think it’s marvelous that it is encouraging kids to read.

Over the weekend, we saw two different young girls (10-12 years) that had brought their copy of the book to lunch or dinner. (My husband made me leave mine in the car.) We chatted with one family. The mom told me the book had gone to Mass with them, but that it wasn’t read during Mass. They had gone to three different Harry Potter parties the night before; and were out till 2 AM.

I wonder if J.K. Rowling has plans to write another series. They say she’s already richer than the Queen of England! Perhaps when I finish the book, I’ll do some searching on that. For now, I’m avoiding any media mention of the Harry Potter!

Remember - Thou Shalt Not Spoil The Ending For Others

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