Still here!

It feels like it's been forever since I blogged... Largely because I've been spending all my computer free time over at www.icanhascheezburger.com. Man, oh man - wayyyy too much fun.

Of course, the big topic for my first post since reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" has got to be the fact that I loved this book. It wowed me even more than I was expecting. I read it twice, that first weekend that I got it, and have since started on the happy ritual of reading the entire series sequentially.

It's kind of bizarre to think that I can finally do that. I so clearly remember finishing the first book, seven years ago when I first started reading the series, and thinking of when the day would come that I'd have read the entire plotline.

And what a plotline... I'm not going to spoil anything, but I will say that I admire Rowling so much. She told the story incredibly well, and it was such a daring story. Well done!!! So much of what happened was unexpected. Almost all of it felt very real. There was one small part, in the first chapter, that I questioned, but it's insignificant in the face of Rowling's achievement with this series. *raises glass*

And may I say, I am so glad that pretty much none of my predictions came true! :)

For the Record: My Harry Potter Predictions

I want to get this out there before the much-anticipated seventh book comes out (anybody else feel like Christmas is coming this Saturday?). Having reread the series many times, and again recently, I have a couple of ideas about what Rowling might do.

I think Harry and Voldemort will probably kill each other; if Harry survives, he'll be deeply maimed somehow and his survival will probably be thanks to Ginny, Ron and/or Hermione. I also think Hagrid and Neville Longbottom are the most likely candidates for the two people close to Harry who die.

I think there's a small possibility that Snape will somehow be responsible for Voldemort's death, with ambition to become the head Dark wizard in his place. I'm also betting that Voldemort's death involves fire. I have to admit, I just can't see Harry using the Avada Kedavra curse.

Crazy for Harry

I resisted reading the Harry Potter series for a long time, but when I finally caved, I caved big. I devoured all four books then in print, promptly pre-buying each new release as soon as possible. I admit it: I'm a total freak for Harry Potter. I'm already getting excited about the seventh year, coming out July 21st, although I've also started mourning the end of the series. I know Rowling's going to put out an eighth book of some sort, but it won't be the same. Honestly, I've been both excited about and dreading the day ever since I first read "The Sorcerer's Stone".

Anyone who enjoys childrens' books, and imaginative settings, has to love Harry Potter. I don't see how you couldn't. J.K. Rowling writes brilliantly, and her characters are fantastic. She does a great job of roundly portraying even the most minor character.

I have this tradition of re-reading the series on occasion, and most especially before the next one's due out. I realized last night, after finishing "Division Street", that with as little time as I have to read these days, I'd better get started on Harry. I got as far as pulling the book off the shelf before I got involved in something else and before I knew it, the next day had dawned without reading a word. Case in point. In fact, what am I doing writing?!