Waiting for JK's Book

By: The Grey Havens
Published On: 7/21/2007 11:52:41 AM

I'm at home waiting for Amazon to deliver my copies of "The Deathly Hollows".  According to package tracking, it's somewhere in Alexandria right now. 

The suspense is killing me! 

Here's an open thread for Harry Potter fans.  Share you stories, reflections, or predictions. Please, no spoilers!

My prediction... Olbermann is right.




Comments



My husband is on page 377. (Susan P. - 7/21/2007 12:29:44 PM)
He gets it first, because he's the fastest reader.  And he hasn't listened to a word anybody else has said since early this morning (insert wife joke), stopping only for a short breakfast break.  Looks like it's gonna be good!


Okay, he's come up for air. (Susan P. - 7/21/2007 12:36:12 PM)
Only comment: "Chapter 19.  Wow!"


My wife just started it (Chris Guy - 7/21/2007 2:26:30 PM)
She may not be a faster reader than me, but she grabbed it first so... :(


2:30... still no book... (The Grey Havens - 7/21/2007 2:30:24 PM)
uuuggh!


Update (Susan P. - 7/21/2007 4:03:29 PM)
He's on page 545.  "I've already cried once.  Chapter 26 is particularly good."  (Reburies nose in book.)


Still waiting (Kris Amundson - 7/21/2007 4:49:19 PM)
But the book is on the truck. My prediction--Aunt Petunia redeems herself. (And she has some redeeming to do).


Pre-Order Lamentation (KathyinBlacksburg - 7/21/2007 5:01:36 PM)
I pre-ordered the book for my adult daughter and our 9-year old grandson.  They both have been eagerly awaiting the new book.  But I did so without looking at the calendar, so I didn't realize the publication date was a Sat.  (No UPS delivery).  So, I imagine sometime Monday, they'll finally get their "guaranteed" copy. 

Meanwhile, I was doing errands today and found plenty of books in stores.  No need for a pre-order, after all.  Oh, well.  I fell for the hype.  My fault. 

The good news is, despite a study showing inconclusive correlational data purporting otherwise, Harry (er JK) has really helped get lots of kids we know to read.  Of course, their aptitude/interest, family support for reading, and schools have something to do with it too.  But, I think it's great that a 9 year old can carefully (though quickly) read and comprehend the series of long books.  Not a small accomplishment.  So, regardless of the hype, I say cheers for "JK."



CORRECTION: Apologies to "my" online bookstore (KathyinBlacksburg - 7/21/2007 6:00:47 PM)
I was wrong!  The book actually came, Saturday or no.  Apologies to amazon (though I didn't actually name them before, I don't think.  You rock, amazon!  Apparently, though I have a standing two-day (UPS) shipping with amazon, the company diverted the book to the USPS anyway.  I am happy to report three Muggles are very happy one state away, in North Carolina.


4:20... (The Grey Havens - 7/21/2007 5:03:18 PM)
Books got here at 4:20.  1 chapter down.  Not going to spoil anything... back to the book.


He's Finished! (Susan P. - 7/21/2007 7:22:22 PM)
?Better than I could have possibly imagined!?
  -Susan P.?s Husband

(And a lot of other stuff I better not say.)  Gotta go, my turn (at least 'til the kids get back home.)



Let's Try It Again Without the Funky Punctuation (Susan P. - 7/21/2007 7:37:25 PM)
"Better than I could have possibly imagined!"
  -Susan P.'s Husband


12:30 Monday and I'm Done (The Grey Havens - 7/23/2007 1:02:12 PM)
This is a great book. Thrilling from the first page, it literally had me out of my chair multiple times.  The core story now complete, the full saga forms a cogent whole, with a passionate and powerful message of courage.

As much as the series is a monetary achievement, it has powerful literary value as well.  JK's books are a cultural event that I feel lucky to have enjoyed thoroughly, and I look forward to reading all of the books with my son when he comes of age.



How does it compare to JRR Tolkien or (Lowell - 7/23/2007 3:10:40 PM)
Philip Pullman, two of the greatest "fantasy" writers?