Just another month to go...

Posted: Sunday, June 17, 2007 by Travis Cody in
8

...until Harry Potter hits theaters and book stores.

There's real controversy brewing over how large booksellers have discounted Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Millions of units will be sold, but evidently at very slim margins. Some smaller booksellers have decided not to stock the book because it doesn't make financial sense for them.

Isn't it a shame that such a beloved and anticipated book is causing this kind of financial controversy?

I did pre-order my copy from Borders. Every few days I become like Gollum and frantically search through my wallet for my pre-order coupon. When I find it right where it should be, I heave a hearty and contented sigh that "my precious" ticket is safe and there will be no impediment to picking up my book.

And the funny thing is...none of this embarrasses me! I'm a 43 year old college graduate with a mortgage and I'm a total Harry Potter geek!

I found this poster over at The Mo Show, which is Morgen's alternate blog for reviews and stuff.



The first two books, Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets, had charm and wonder. Prisoner of Azkaban recognized that children grow up and need solid foundations from which to make the right choices. Goblet of Fire introduced the awkwardness and heartaches of puberty along with the shock of dealing with tragic death at a young age.

Order of the Phoenix depicts how difficult it can be to take on adult responsibility when adults around you insist on trying to shield you from danger. Half Blood Prince starkly confirms that there will come a time when you must choose to stand or run.

JK Rowling has expertly aged her characters. A young reader who picked up Sorcerer's Stone as an 11 year old is now a college age young adult. The beauty of these books is that adult readers have also enjoyed them. This kind of phenomenon doesn't happen often.

I'm glad to be able to enjoy it. And I'm glad I'll still have the excitement of two more films, and the books to continue to re-read whenever I want.

If you haven't read these books, give them a try.

8 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:
    17 June, 2007 05:12

    You might be interested in this if you like Potter.

    http://www.archaeologynews.org/story.asp?ID=213573&Title=Boy%20archaeologist%20may%20be%20Potter's%20successor

  1. sadako says:
    17 June, 2007 05:58

    my cousin and nephews are totally into this harry potter frenzy. They also pre-orfered their books, while the school of my nephew have also pre-sold them the book.

  1. Unknown says:
    17 June, 2007 08:33

    I think you are absolutely right about the lasting appeal of the Harry Potter books. I enjoy reading them too. It must be brilliant to have an idea and see it grow into such a hugely popular
    phenomenon.

  1. Mimi Lenox says:
    17 June, 2007 08:51

    Looks intriguing. I still hear a few students say their parents won't let them read Harry Potter because it's "witchcraft" - to which I reply. It's a STORY.

    Oh please.

  1. Travis Cody says:
    17 June, 2007 09:59

    Sir John: Thanks for the tip and for cruising by.

    Bluepanjeet: Frenzy is the exact word for it. I think it's fantastic to see kids so excited about a book.

    Pauline: I only wish I'd thought of it!

    Mim: The ignorance of some is stunning.

  1. Anonymous says:
    17 June, 2007 10:52

    I so can't wait for the book.. i will be at the local walmart at 1200 midnight sharp to get my copy.. wooowhooo;) Im so shameless;)

  1. John Holland says:
    17 June, 2007 18:10

    I can't wait till it comes out. I didn't pick up Harry till the third or fourth book was already out. Which was kind of cool, because that meant I had more Harry books to read right away. I plan to be at my book store at midnight so I can get my copy and read it right away before someone spoils the surprises.

  1. Desert Songbird says:
    18 June, 2007 21:02

    I think above all things, JK Rowling spins a wonderful yarn, and regardless of one's age, we can appreciate a good story. From a parent's standpoint, I love the ideals that are presented (friendship, loyalty, courage, perseverance, etc.), and that whole bias by right-wing parents who don't let their kids read the books because of the magic/witchcraft/Satan connection are letting their kids miss out on some wonderful story telling and some classic good versus evil lessons. Their loss.

    Anyway, I'm a 45-year-old much-educated mother of young kids who can't wait for the July releases of the 5th movie and last book. I'm not all caught up in the frenzy, but I am wildly excited, and I WILL take out a contract on anyone who dares divulge the contents of book 7 before I finish it!

    Oh, and no Border's lost ticket for me. I ordered through Amazon so that that puppy gets delivered to my door!

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