The Chronic Consumer

Well, even though I didn’t technically shell out $17.99 for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (my cousin passed her copy on to me after she finished it in record time), I’m writing about it anyway. It seems that with the Order of the Phoenix movie out there, plus the release of this final book, and the news that Daniel Radcliffe just turned 18 and can now enjoy the millions he’s earned from the films, I simply can’t get away from Potter mania, so why not join in.

Anyway, for those of you who haven’t been keeping track, the seventh book of the series reportedly sold 8.3 million copies in the U.S. alone — in 24 hours at that! Have you ever seen this much excitement over books before? Do you think we’ll ever see this type of worldwide appeal again? Can the winning Potter formula be replicated?

Now that I have a copy of the book, I can’t wait to get to it. As soon as my husband comes home from work, I’m going to pass my son off to him, go into the bedroom with a bowl of popcorn and a can of diet Coke, draw the blinds, and settle in for a long night of reading. I am completely unspoiled about this book (meaning I don’t have a clue as to what supposedly happens in it), so I’m really looking forward to the experience!