Same job, different uniform.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Armchair critics are not that interesting. This is not to say all professional critics are either, but there are so many of us who read, watch, and listen, all with opinions on everything, it does get tiresome listening. Or being ignored.

I knew this, but I've posted reviews anyway. This was a mistake. I read blogs because I am interested in cleverly-written tales of writers' experiences. Their opinions, yes, but mostly entertaining and instructive experiences that are unique to them.

It wasn't Superman I should have reviewed, it was the foray into the crowded lobby, the total ignorance of the employees, the tacky 3-D glasses, the cheering.

This weekend my husband I bought two copies of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. We were watching a couple of girls (parents gone for the night) and didn't think we'd brave the 12:01 book launch at Wal-Mart. I would have to settle for the morning. Sigh.

As 12:00 approached, it made less sense to wait. So we warned the eldest, locked the doors and drove through the warm night. The back of the store was crowded and we got in line. We hunted for the wrist bands that guaranteed our books, and they had Hogwarts' House names on them. We were Slytherin, which seemed unfortunate at the time.

Back at home we devoured the first chapter. One chapter, we told ourselves, and moved rapidly to the second. Forcing ourselves to stop we said goodnight and spent the rest of the next day with the girls...and stealing moments to read. In the bathroom. Before lunch. While they were watching a movie.

The moment they left, Jon flopped himself on the couch and I leaned back in the rocking chair, and we read. For five hours we read. At a quarter after 1:00 in the morning, we dragged ourselves away and tried to sleep. My dreams were strange.

We read some on Sunday, which didn't seem like Sunday reading, but I was sorely tempted. Exercising some restraint, however, we waited until this afternoon to finish.

It was very satisfying, but the best part was reading alongside my husband in a silence broken only by our gasps and whoops or to stop and compare notes.

To my recollection there has only been one other person I could read, and do nothing else, with, and we haven't been friends since girlhood.

This was special. This was a memorable story, the end of a series that I felt as much affection for as any loyal reader. And, I am giving nothing away here, the end of a good book is always sad.

But for the first time I ended that journey with my best friend on the other side of the room.

Labels: ,


SHARE THIS: Facebook | Stumble It! | Del.icio.us | DiggIt! | Technorati

3 Comments:

Blogger Pauli said...




We did pretty much the same thing. I thought I had pre-ordered 2 copies, but turned out I hadn't. So we started reading it together, then I took the book to work and was reading it during "breaks". My wife called around 1pm, "Hey, where did you put the book." "uhhh... sorry honey...." so I picked another copy at Borders on the way home. Finished around 2am. Great series, incredible story. I'll say it again; however much money JKR makes, it isn't enough for giving Harry to the world.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

 
Blogger girlfriday said...




Every time I would steal a moment to read, and Jon would happen to walk by, I'd say loudly, "No I am not reading the first three pages of the chapter" or "I did not take the book into the bathroom with me."

Thanks for the comment.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

 
Blogger "Molly McGee" said...




The book did not disappoint. How often can you get to the end of a series -- book, tv or film -- and say you are completely satisfied, feel jubilant in fact for how it all came to a close. It was bloody brilliant.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

 

Post a Comment

<< Home