Tonight’s the Night
Look! Just look at that counter over there —>
It’s finally on zero. Amazing. When I put it up, it was in the hundreds. HUNDREDS. Now it’s on zero.
It seems around the internet, the thing to do today to talk about how you got started reading Harry Potter, so I guess it’s my turn. I was teaching back when the first book came out and even though I saw it in the Scholastic book order forms, I pretty much ignored it for the first few years. But it didn’t go away, and I finally decided to see what the fuss was all about, so I bought the first book and took it with me on my first trip to England in 2000. I devoured the book on the airplane and in the hotel room when I had time to read and by the time the trip was over, I had to have the next two, and so I bought them in a bookstore in the airport when we were getting ready to come home, so I have the British versions where a sweater is called a jumper. (Took me awhile to figure out why on earth everyone was wearing jumpers since a jumper here is nothing like a sweater…lol!)
By the time I finished the next two books, Goblet of Fire had come out and I bought it in hardback. I was well and truly hooked. Order of the Phoenix came out when I was on vacation in Northern Ireland and I bought that one at the airport in Belfast, so I actually have the British versions of 3 out of the 7 books.
I am looking forward to this last book with great anticipation and with great sadness. I always hate endings and when you have to say goodbye to characters like these, it’s exceptionally hard. But, I will be able to introduce my little girl to them someday and hopefully she will love them as much as I do.
Other than Star Wars and Harry Potter, I can’t really think of any pop culture phenomenon that has taken such great hold of the world. I’m sure something else will come along someday, but not for awhile I don’t think.
In the meantime, after I get the book tonight and until I finish it, I’ll be going on a media blackout to try and prevent the nasty people in the world from ruining the surprises the book has to offer. I’ll probably still be checking email now and then, but mostly I’ll be reading the book and saying my goodbyes to Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the gang. (Surfer Sunday should be posted as usual, though!)
And to J.K. Rowling I want to say, thank you thank you for not only getting kids to read, but for writing books that parents could share with their kids and enjoy as much, if not more, as their kids do. Thank you for sharing your gift. I look forward to seeing what you do next!
HeartSongs out. For now.
Comment by Monique
July 20, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
I also wrote about Harry Potter today (I’m hooked too!), but then I got some amazing news that made poor Harry seem totally insignificant in comparison. I’m not sure I’ve ever posted twice in one day before! :)
Comment by Shannon
July 21, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
My husband and I went to the mall last night to attend the Walden books Potter Party. We were there, in line to buy the book, until 1:30 in the morning. I’ve read the 1st 3 chapters already. I would be reading now but I’m waiting for hubby to get home from work to go to a late movie. It would be too hard to put the book down!
Hope you enjoy!
Comment by Twisted Cinderella
July 23, 2007 @ 5:48 am
I never thought about it, but she really does deserve a lot of credit for creating a character like Harry that got everyone interested in reading. In a time of movie obsessions, it put books back in the public eye and that is an amazing feat!