Look, everyone. I know you think it’s stupid that I’m moving heaven and earth to celebrate the release of a hardback book. I know you’ve got parties and events going on next July that you’d really like to have me attend. Summers are shorter now, and each weekend of July is crammed with experiences we want to live out before school starts again.
To you this is “just another book” or “one of those silly children’s books”. I don’t know how firmly I can express to you ALL that this is my Rachel. I have waited seven years for this day.
I read my first Harry Potter books in July of 2000. Back then there were only four of them, but they were the only bright spot in what proved to be an outright hideous time of my life. When you have a job that literally drives you to the brink of a nervous breakdown and a boss who literally locks you in your office after work hours to verbally AND physically abuse you for more than 45 minutes it is necessary to take joy in simple pleasures. Like the Harry Potter books.
We all knew that there would only be seven written. And we’ve all talked endlessly about that seventh book. We knew once upon a time that the last word of all the stories was going to be “scar”. Long hours of discussion have been had about that one word alone. What does it mean? Does Harry die? Lose his powers? Have his memory wiped and removed from the magical world?
I’ve stood in line for hours on two occasions as I waited for books 5 and 6. I’ve had my face painted and taken quizzes and made a magic wand out of pipecleaners. All of this appealed greatly to my inner nine-year-old. I still have a flat black rock in the shadow boxes in my dining room wall. It was a prize that was meant to be a “sorcerer’s stone” a la the first book. It’s never spewed Elixer of Life, but every time I walk by it I get a bit cheerier. No, I don’t live longer but I live better.
So yeah. My very first priority on July 20, 2007 is going to be standing in line at a bookstore for my copy. My very first priority on July 21, 2007 is going to be reading that book.
It may seem silly to you, but it’s a VERY BIG DEAL to me. Perhaps the biggest deal. It’s every Superbowl ever played, every election ever held. You all will just have to be understanding.
DITTO! I’m actually going to the Smoky Mountains this time out, with a group of around 30 people.
Out with a bang, I say.
Why would the things that are important to you be silly to your friends? Now, see, that’s the part that is just a little silly. Not your affection for and dedication to Those Books – thinking the people who like you wouldn’t get it.
More people should be lucky enough to have something they care about that much in their lives, that makes such a day-to-day difference. Something that makes them happy.
Kat,
My friend from Tennessee who is stationed with her husband in Germany is going to London to the Harry Potter release.
Her web address is racknine.wordpress.com
She is so excited.
It’s not silly at all. I hate it when people take what is important to someone, and try to make them feel silly. I’ve had it happen to me plenty of times, so I know how hurtful it can be. I’ve never read HP…but i’m curious as to what happens at the end
dang… i’m gonna have to read this book series that ispires so much passion in so many people. i think that i must be missing out on something by reading primarily sci-fis…
I cheated a little and pre-ordered my copy from Amazon.com. It should arrive on the the 21st.
I intend to take a few days from school and studying to devote just to reading and enjoying — ’cause I know I’ll end up reading it straight through in a matter of days… uh, make that hours.
I got hooked on them in late 2001, after seeing the first movie. I then tore through the first four books, first borrowing them from people and then buying my own copies to take overseas with me. I knew I might get some flack from other missionaries for having those “witchcraft” books on my shelf, but frankly, I didn’t care. I figured if they couldn’t grasp the meaning of the word “fiction,” they definitely wouldn’t be able to understand my joy in reading them over and over and over…. Funny thing… some of the Ms wanted to borrow my copies, or they sheepishly showed me their own copies they kept hidden from view, in case they might “offend” someone.
I was in London when the second film came out and I was insistent that I see it before I left. The friend I was with was one of those who thought Harry Potter is sinful because of the witchcraft and refused to join me, but at least she kindly drove me to the theatre where it was playing. It was sooo hard not to gush to her and carry on about the movie afterward.
Like you, when I first started reading the Harry Potter series, I was going through a very hard time of my life. Meghan was brand new and was crying 7 or more hours a day, every day. The only thing that kept me from killing myself some days, was getting to read those books. Seriously.
I’ll be standing in line for the book, myself, although I think I will pre-order one from Amazon so Jim will have one to read.
[...] so you know, Katherine Coble is unavailable on July 20, 2007. Don’t break you leg, Katherine’s husband, or you’ll be spending all your time in [...]
I haven’t read a single Potter book, but I’m excited for ya!
I’ve not read them, but my mom’s really into the series and always pre-orders them from Amazon… we have gotten a kick out of how Amazon always has (whichever book) right there on her doorstep the day of release.
I have to say that I am with you 100%. When I started that first book I did not realize I would be hooked. People at church were making such a fuss about it, and I decided to read it. I loved it and have been waiting for the conclusion with much anticipation. when I got book 6, I bought it to take on vacation. I couldn’t sleep, because I read it all that night. Then when I finished, I opened it up and read it again.
I can’t wait.
Dear all of you who haven’t read them:
They’re really wonderful books. And yes, I’m prejudiced. Completely. But I do think you’d at least pass some nice moments while reading them if you don’t love them outright.
Dear Newscoma:
I’m going to email your friend and tell her just how jealous I am. Because I am jealous. London! Harry Potter! The only thing missing in that equation of perfection is a giant Cadbury egg.
Dear Ivy:
YES! Thank you. Good idea. Because last time a Certain Person was a bit upset that we only bought one book. I didn’t even think to buy two. This year I’ll buy two. Thank you for saving my marriage.
Dear Pam:
::Jealous::. I will be in Indiana at a family reunion. And I’m betting at least $10 that there will be other people there who have read the books. Although there may be a confrontation because there are family members there who are decidedly NOT fans of the books. Those family members include my parents.
Dear Pam and Jewels and Lu:
I grin to see how many of my strong Christian friends are huge fans of the books. And how many of them have been in direct Christian Service while partaking. And how many Christians feel like we have to read them under cover of darkness.
Dear LaBellaDonna:
It’s not that they think the books are silly. It’s that they think the books are evil and my attachment to them is a symptom of my larger instability as a human being.
Of course I’m not making any pronouncements about that instability. Just saying that I don’t think the books have any direct bearing on it….;-p
Yes. Just yes. We have three people in this house who want to read HP first and negotiations and plans have already commenced to figure out how we’re going to share our copy the day it comes out.
My BIL and his family got hooked on them back when they came out. They’d go to B&N on the eve of the release date to stand in line, party, fraternize with the other HP fans AND they had their quite young children with them!! At midnight!! I couldn’t understand then why they would do that seeings how the girls needed to go to school the next day, they had jobs, etc. But now I see how they carved out some great family memories by doing that with their girls and by being involved with reading the books as a family.
At last! Smoonee who understands! Thanks for posting!