This week's collection of links relates to the whole Harry Potter phenomenon -- which I expect will reach its apex at ... TODAY.
Why this minute? Even if a boatload of people are thoroughly spoiled (and thanks a lot for that, FUNKILLERS. What's next, kicking old people for fun and putting the footage on YouTube?), once the spoiler-averse people have the books in their hot little paws, everything will be up for grabs.
I guarantee that at least one person will be like, "I just wasted EIGHT YEARS on this series! I dressed up like Argus Filch at the last six bookstore events for NOTHING! What the -- ? I mean, I can't -- ? No, no, no. Can't speak. Head exploding in outrage."
So let's enjoy the sweet, swiftly fleeting moments of anticipatory promise before the inevitable fanboy/fangirl bitchfest. Have some links!
"A Bid for Harry Potter's Green Fans" (NYT, Jul 7, 07) -- "As part of a growing worldwide campaign that is prompting a shift in the publishing industry, environmental groups, including the National Wildlife Federation and Greenpeace, are asking Potter fans in the United States not to buy Scholastic's editions and instead to order the new title online from Canada, where the publisher, Raincoast Books, has printed the book on 100 percent recycled paper."
"Five Ways to End Harry Potter" (NYT, Jul 8, 07) -- Read all about it: The Boy Who Died by Damon Lindelof; When Harry Met Davey by Meg Cabot; Made in Hogwarts by Larry Doyle; Hermione Tells All by Polly Horvath; The Last Day by Andrea Dezso
"Potter Has Limited Effect on Reading Habits" (NYT, Jul 11, 07) -- "As the series draws to a much-lamented close, federal statistics show that the percentage of youngsters who read for fun continues to drop significantly as children get older, at almost exactly the same rate as before Harry Potter came along."
"Potter Embargo Could Be Broken" (BBC, Jul 12, 07) -- "Some shops are not expected to keep a written agreement which prevents them selling the book before 21 July."
"TV Cameras Record Rowling's Year" (BBC, Jul 13, 07) -- "The show will give a rare insight into the writer's personal life and show her finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in the series."
"Harry Potter 'Wrockers' Conjure Musical Magic" (ABC News, Jul 13, 07) -- "Meet Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malfoys, just two of nearly 200 Harry Potter-themed bands -- including the Hungarian Horntails, the Whomping Willows and the Remus Lupins -- who are touring venues across the country bringing their own style of "wrock" -- that's wizard rock -- to a generation that has grown up reading about the magical world of wands, spells and dragons." (Includes link to Draco and the Malfoys' song "My Dad Is Rich.")
"ICYMI: Local News Report Exposes Cruel Injustice Of America’s Wizarding School System" -- Not an article, but a video clip.
"The £10m Charm to Shield Harry's Secret" (The Telegraph, Jul 15, 07) -- "A £10 million security operation featuring an army of guards, satellite tracking systems and draconian legal contracts has swung into action to prevent any leak of details of the seventh and final book about the boy wizard." [Ed note: Read this in conjunction with Time's June 29, 07 "Harry Potter and the Sinister Spoilers."] [Ed note the second: And then wonder if heads are going to roll thanks to all the purported leaks.]
"Harry Potter and the Diminished Returns" (LAT, Jul 16, 07) -- "Amid this avalanche of commerce and pre-publication hype, the book business is ruefully taking note of a startling incongruity: Very few U.S. booksellers will be making big money from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.""
"Was the Boy Wizard the Charm that Made Children's Books Fly?" (WaPo, Jul 18, 07) -- "Ask about Harry's effect on the industry and the first thing you'll hear is that Rowling's books disproved the longstanding belief that hardcover children's fiction didn't sell. The next is that they've caused a vast and lucrative expansion of the fantasy category."
How sad it is it that I am too afraid to even click on those links JUST IN CASE?
Posted by: Coleen | 2007.07.20 at 11:14
I'm going to see Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malfoys at a big huge book release event tonight, and I cannot tell you how psyched I am (I've seen Harry and the Potters a couple of times, starting sometime around when the third movie came out). I mean, I'm psyched for the book, too, but I am possibly even more psyched to see just how insane this is going to be.
Posted by: Kyle | 2007.07.20 at 11:23
How sad it is it that I am too afraid to even click on those links JUST IN CASE?
Don't worry! They're spoiler-free. I am also averse to spoilers for the book and so would not pass them on.
KYLE! How cool that you're going to see Draco and the Malfoys. I went to their Myspace page and cracked up at their songs.
Posted by: Lisa S. | 2007.07.20 at 11:31
I dropped by the library to find that not only will Harry and the Potters be playing in my area this Wednesday at CPL, but it's a triple bill with the Whomping Willows and Draco and the Malfoys. I'd so go if the car weren't in the shop.
Posted by: Kerry | 2007.07.23 at 11:06