Quite possibly, one of Eastern Iowa's biggest HP fans lives under my roof. Taylor finished the final installment of her most beloved series yesterday afternoon. We had to pry the book from her fingers and force her to sleep Saturday night, otherwise, most assuredly, she would have finished within 12 hours of cracking the spine.
I ordered our book from Amazon, to avoid lines and standing in them at midnight. There were no assurances that the book would be delivered on the 21st, but certainly within the week. I tracked Taylor's precious package learning that it left Des Moines, IA late Thursday night giving us hope that it would arrive on Saturday.
Taylor had her All City Swim Meet early Saturday morning and was drooling at every spectator that was toting the orange covered book. One friend let her read chapters between her events, so she paid little attention to anything going on around her. Once home, she camped out in the driveway, which was chalked with "I LOVE HARRY POTTER!!!", and waited. While she waited, she read. I think it was HP3. She's read every one at least 6 times in preparation for this summer's event.
When the mailman arrived on the street, you'd think that it was Daniel Radcliffe in person delivering her book. Kelley, our mailman, yelled to us, "I'll be there in 3 minutes, don't worry, I have it." This sent Taylor into fits of squeals and giggles.
I know there are many of you who just don't appreciate the HP phenomenon. I'll tell you, we went to the local Barnes and Noble for the HP coming out party on Friday night. It was pandemonium. Jerry was like, we are not leaving her there by herself if there are a bunch of 40-somethings dressed in cloaks! There were little kids and big kids, kids with their parents and parents without their kids, teenagers, college kids on up to grandparents. I saw a baby dressed as an owl, I think the mom was Profressor Trelawny. There was an entire Gryffindor Quidditch team. It was fun. Anyway, to see all these people excited about a book was pretty neat.
Jerry and I are now frantically trying to finish before Taylor bursts with her knowledge of what happens at the end of the book. The first HP was released in 1998 and I can remember my Aunt Barbara reading it at Christmas time. Taylor would have been 4 at the time. I must have borrowed my mom's copy and read it sometime thereafter and enjoyed it. Taylor started kindergarten the following year and her LOVE of reading blossomed about a year later during first grade, which is when Jerry started reading it with her. She's devoured each subsquent book on her own within days of their release. And the movies have brought much enjoyment, too (although she's holding out, albeit reluctantly, for her 13th birthday to see the latest installment).
Thank you J.K. Rowling for bringing Harry Potter to life and being part of the reason for Taylor's passion for reading.
11 comments:
I too am a huge fan of the books! I finished the first six books within the first three weeks that I was in massage school because I don't have a tv and there wasn't much homework then! I saw the last book today when I was in Wegman's buying milk and was extremely tempted to get it but resisted, knowing that I have a mass of homework that needs to get done and knowing that it wouldn't if I got the book! Anyway, way to go taylor for finishing already, and don't ruin the end for me!
Yes, Ta-May-May, keep the ending to yourself!!! Please!!! I'm 157 pages in and I'm living in fear of turning on the TV or opening up an internet window to have the whole plot spilled out before my eyes. Bird, you are exercising massive restraint and admirable dedication to your schoolwork if you have passed up the chance to have the hot little package in your hands already. Everyone try to have it finished in the next two weeks, though, b/c I'm not sure we can avoid discussing it at the reunion!
I'm on page 518 and I'm shaking in my boots, it's soooo exciting!! I probably would have finished it within 12 hours, too, if I hadn't restrained myself a little bit. I was waiting for this book all summer, and I've purposely been holding back so I can relish it a little bit more!!! Mike and I had to get two copies so we could both read it... it was a good call..
I finished last night. Taylor and I can now discuss when Jerry is not in earshot. I read it yesterday, all day, stayed up until 1:30 - just couldn't put it down. I have to read them all again, but I'm certain this one is my favorite. Bird, I remember turning you on to HP the summer of 2000, did you do much else that summer other than read volumes 1-4?
I guess this is one area where I am utterly out-of-the-loop. I've only read HP 1. I know, shame on me.I just couldn't get into HP2 and just gave up. I am, however, reading Gettysburg by Stephen Sears if anyone wants to discuss that at the reuion. Sara, we can talk about that great "baseball game" at the end, right?
Ooooh Anna you gotta read 'em! It's definitely worth it. I finished the seventh one on Tuesday night. Once you get near the end, you just can't put it down, so it ended up being a late night, but totally worth it!!
Yep, late nights are definitely a problem with this series. I finished at 4:30am Thursday morning... And AAAHHHHHHHHH! That's all I can say till everyone else is finished!
Ok, so this is not just self-restraint for homework purposes, its also called being poor and making minimum wage at the dollar tree! Yeah, thats where I work, got a problem with that? Anyway, no one can ruin the end for me and if you do, just be aware that I now know how to make you cry with a single finger!
Bird, you and me can hang out and not talk about HP. Cool? Oh, that's right, you'll be busy with RYYYYYYYYYAN!!!!!! (Note to Taylor, start working on ways to say Ryan's name that are cute and funny - also, start thinking of funny words that rhyme with the name Ryan - also, teach your sisters and brother the song "Bird and Ryan sitting in a tree..." - also, think of embarrassing questions you could ask him, such as "Is my aunt a good kisser?" or "Does my aunt give good backrubs?" Make sure to ask these questions in front of grandpa - also, well, you're in junior high so I'm betting you can think of other imaginative ways to make Bird and Ryan uncomfortable, tee hee hee...)
Wow, ummm, taylor how about you don't listen to your aunt anna because she's a really huge dork and I know you don't want to be a dork too! You're pretty cool, so stay that way!
Bird- I think Taylor is going to be the least of your worries.
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