The cast of the last spell
It has basically been ten years since the first Harry Potter book hit shelves, for some ten years of waiting to find out the fate of a boy wizard with a mysterious and sometimes painful scar. I started reading the books when the second novel was in paper back, the rest of my books are hard cover. I bought books three through six on their release days and started reading them right away.
I am not normally one for books that are a series. I have read a few but not many past three books. My favourite trilogy being Sandra Gulland’s historical fiction novels following the life of Josephine Bonaparte; It really did come as a complete surprise to me that I ended up completely embedded in Potter mania. I don’t know exactly what time my book will arrive on Saturday but it will arrive and I will start reading probably as I am walking back up the stairs to my apartment where I will have all lines of communication to the outside world SHUT OFF because if any fucker ruins this book for me I am going Voldemort on their ass.
In talking on the phone to Aughra the other morning before we teed off for a round of golf, I discovered that this year she is getting hers again at midnight on Friday and I mentioned I couldn’t handle the midnight bullshit and then she said she just goes at midnight so she can start reading right away. RIGHT. Then it dawns on me with her three hours ahead by the time I get my book she will likely be almost half way through maybe further. As my anticipation builds I am wondering if I really should have reconsidered the Saturday delivery and planned to go at midnight like last time.
Although I sometimes feel slightly insane as the clock ticks down the last few overly anxious days, when I think about just how badly I want this book in my hands right now and how I have never looked forward to a novel like this in my life I know I am FAR from alone if the over 1.6 million pre-ordered copies are any indication.
I am keeping myself busy reading Cormac McCarthy’s The Road right now, I should be finishing it just as Harry is arriving if all of my careful calculations and planning my life around this novel release are successful.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
see, i completely don’t get it. i’m not into the saga. i wish i could be, but i just can’t do it. maybe due to the 1.6M copies…
it will come soon enough, though. soon enough.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Rock fucking on! I guess I knew that I would get it before you, I mean, obviously, but now that you brought it up I feel so superior. We in this time zone are the first freaking Americans to get it. North Americans I’m not too sure of, those Newfies screw me up.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
I’m kinda sad - I don’t want it to end!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
agreed i am a tad on the sad side as well, and may be more sad soon after all the deaths that have to happen, happen. what a great ride she has taken us all on.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:06 am
it’s kinda offputting how fast they’ve grown. i guess that’s how parents feel about their kids. *sniff!*
July 19th, 2007 at 8:36 am
I have never anticipated or loved a series of books more than Harry Potter either. I pre-ordered this one for the first time and I’ll get it on Saturday. I went back and forth with the whole getting it earlier, getting it later, etc. BUT my problem is that I read it too fast becuase it’s so good and I want to just eat it up and then I realize that it’s almost over and I don’t want it to be. I want to read it slowly but I know if I do then there will be spoilers everywhere and I’ll be sad about that. It’s a no win situation. I would just stick with saturday if I were you and then just remember not to surf the interweb too much so you don’t spoil it for yourelf. I can’t believe this is the last one…
July 19th, 2007 at 8:51 am
I’m not sure what is wrong with me. I’ve never read any of the HP books. I have seen all the movies, but mostly out of obligation. Maybe I don’t want to feel left off the bandwagon. I’ve never truly been able to get into them and get excited about HP. Is there something wrong with me?
July 19th, 2007 at 8:56 am
NO there is something wrong with all of the adults in love with children’s books!! don’t worry i think we are considered the ‘odd’ ones.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
childrens’ novels are written differently (than novels for adults), which is why i think they appeal to me.
odd or not, i really could care less. i dig the hell out of The Edge Chronicles as well.
July 19th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
I just don’t get the need to stand in line at midnight to get a book. It’s just a friggin book! Just wake up early if you have to and buy it the next day. I’ll never understand.