Ack!
Ack!
(Don’t worry–I would never give away any spoilers–I promise this is safe to read if you haven’t read or finished your copy yet.)
So . . . I got up this morning at 8:00, had a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast, and then went out to pick up my copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. While I was paying at the grocery store, a girl got on line behind me, and said, “Is that the new Harry Potter book?” I nodded, and she asked, “Is it any good?” Heavens–even I don’t read that fast!
I started reading at 9:15.
As slowly as possible, to savor the whole thing.
I even paused for lunch, for tea breaks, to unpin and iron my Flower Basket shawl. I talked to my sister on the phone for a bit. Minor stuff like that.
But this was my view for most of the day–sitting on the loveseat, in the front window, with Chappy and The Book.
Incidentally, my second copy, destined for my sister’s house, arrived in the regular mail at 1:40, by which time I was already on page 352. Glad I didn’t wait!
I finished page 652 at 4:10, so that’s just under 7 hours for the whole thing. Which means I averaged 1.57 pages per minute, and I swear, I really was reading as slowly as possible. Really! I paused after every chapter to reflect on what I’d read and everything.
Opinion? A slow start, but good. (Again, I promise there won’t be any real surprises given away.) I need to absorb some of this because, just like the last one, a lot happens at the very end. I can see why JKR enjoyed it so much–she’s said that she’s very happy with the way it came out. There’s some nice interaction between Dumbledore and Harry . . . which, really, given the covers shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone . . . and there’s a lot of background and answers given in here. Not as urgently-paced as, say, Goblet of Fire (until you get closer to the ending, anyway) but it ties a bunch of things together.
What will I tell you? You get a peek into Fred & George’s store–not a surprise if you heard the internet clip from JKR’s reading in Edinborough last night. You meet up with the new Minister of Magic (JKR had said there would be a new one, so this is not a spoiler) fairly early. The announcer–since Lee Jordan has since graduated–for the second Quidditch match of the book is a delight. Yes, there is some romance, but I wouldn’t dream of giving names. A few visits to the Hospital Wing. A really obnoxious quidditch player. A character unseen since book 4 makes a couple of appearances. So does Hagrid’s little brother. Also yes, somebody dies, a major character, and in a way you wouldn’t expect. You do learn who the Half-Blood Prince of the title is, but not until the end (which is pretty much what you’d expect in terms of timing).
And, my, what a set-up for the next and final book! Harry’s definitely got his work cut out for him in his next appearance. This book answers a lot of questions and gives a lot of reasons for things that have happened–which I loved–but it leaves some pretty daunting tasks in front of Harry for Book 7, except now, he has an idea what he’s up against. Can’t wait.
Click here to subscribe via RSS
Tannenbaum.
House Calls
My book finally arrived at 4:10. After spending the day being frustrated, I’m tired and not in the mood to read. (but I’m slowly reading anyway) This will be one of those books I can’t bear to read because it’ll be over when I finish. Ever read one like that?
I’m LOVING it….after I got past the two typos in the first 35 pages…..erg.
xoxoxoxo
Loved it!!!!! A lot of it was expected and a lot of it wasn’t. I really enjoyed the read. I had pre-ordered Amazon and still ended up purchasing a copy at the local WalMart this morning cause I couldn’t wait!! Sold my other copy so no waste. I noticed the typos as well, but WOW!!! How long til book 7?
ack, i can’t wait to start it - i’m determined to re-read book 5 first though, so it’s going to be days from now at the least. …!!
sounds like a pretty much perfect day for you, though, yay!
Oh! I am so jealous! I was out yesterday, when the postman came by. So I have to wait until monday, probably tuesday and for the week-end to spend all day reading. Lovely FBS, by the way!
Waited in line with my SIL Friday night for her pre ordered copy and decided to buy one anyway, and since mine came from Amazon at 12, I was glad I did! By 4 I was done! This is going to be one I re read because as you said, so much happened! JK promises book 7 will wrap everything up, and she sure has her work cut out for her!!
I have the unabridged audio on order– the BEST for road trips. I’m going to the Rockies with the dog next month and am planning on saving it for then… we’ll see how my self control holds up! Plus: you can’t race through it if its on audiobook!
I got the book on a launch party on friday night my time, and finished reading it at 2 pm on saturday.
I am still gasping every time I think of the book.
JKR made a whole lot clear, and darn, that ending!
My daughter (she’s 20) finished it in about the same amount of time you did, crying softly. She was absolutely heartbroken, but won’t tell me more. Her nine-year-old brother has custody of the book, but I think I’m going to buy it on CD and listen to it while I knit.
Now that I can concentrate a little better I think I’ll pick it up again. I’m happy to hear that the typos are only in the beginning. I’m enjoyingthe book so far but I think it will take me a while to get through based on where my head is at right now.
I can’t wait to pick it up again though!
did so enjoy it. was worth the wait.. and strangely I am not in a hurry for the next. Simply knowing it will end soon makes me a bit sad. But I am so glad to have read it. started monday morning, read during breaks and after work, finished at lunch tuesday. perfect 2 days of reading