Potter Preparations

In anticipation of the final book in the Harry Potter series, which arrives this Saturday, I've been rereading Books 5 and 6. I had hoped to finish the fifth book before the premiere of the fifth movie last Wednesday, but I only succeeded in getting through fifty pages before the lights dimmed in the theatre. It might have helped if the idea had occurred to me earlier than that morning.

I finished Book 5 on Sunday and went straight into Book 6. I'm currently halfway through The Half-Blood Prince and should finish before The Deathly Hollows appears on our doorstep this weekend.

I've noticed a number of people reading Rowling's books on the bus and train. Some have gone as far back as Book 1 to ensure everything is fresh in their heads when they start Book 7.

Instead of reading the first four, I watched their cinematic counterparts, reasoning that reading all seven over two short weeks would lead to Potter Burnout before the big day.

It's hard to believe that it has been two years since I read the fifth and sixth books. It's also hard to believe that the ten-year journey with Rowling and her boy wizard is finally reaching its end.

For now, I'm eager to find out what happens to Harry, Hermione, Dumbledore, and the rest (all in good time, of course, no peeking at leaked material). I'll get to the sadness of seeing it all end another time.