Let me start by saying that I had no intention originally of buying this book from a bricks and mortar bookstore, but I hate even writing that sentence because I SHOULD be supporting my local bookstores AND the reason that I did go buy it today is because Amazon is just a total fail in my opinion. I've had this book preordered through Amazon since it was announced and you'd think that for a book like this (especially considering I pay to be a "prime" member of theirs), I'd have the book delivered on release day. But not only do I not get it delivered on release day, I get it delivered 5 days later...as in two days from today. So I'll be returning my copy or reselling it on eBay when it arrives from Amazon and will likely not preorder from them in the future. Guaranteed way to lose business in my opinion. I'd much rather go to my local bookstore and be assured to walk home with a copy like I did today.
As I drove to the bookstore today, I started thinking about the role that J.K. Rowling has played in my life. One could say that I've "grown up" with her. Mind you, I didn't start reading her books until I was an adult, but I feel like the years that I was reading Harry Potter were the years that I really did the most growing up. I discovered Harry Potter in my Sophomore year of college. It was 2000 and my friend Leah told me she had just finished the first book and I needed to get it right away. So I heeded her advice and I was hooked!!! We quickly started referring to the books as "HPC", short for Harry Potter Crack. Because an addiction it was indeed becoming.
I don't remember exactly when I read each individual book, but I do clearly remember reading Harry Potter throughout so many different milestones of my life. Working at the coffee shop (the first job I loved), going to college to get my undergrad degree, during my relationship with Megan, my first real relationship, during Katrina, and then reading the last book after Katrina in Texas while visiting Megan with her roommate. It really was a major cycle in my life.
So it was with excitement that I went and picked up J.K. Rowling's first novel "for adults" tonight. And it seemed fitting that the generation that first fell in love with her novels for young adults are now going to pick up her novel for adults. I've started it and I'm 80 pages in now, and while it is a much more adult novel including multiple swear words and sex scenes and a topic that focuses more on the dynamic of a town rather than an action based plot, it does still hold that same Rowling voice that I loved so much throughout the "Harry Potter Years"....I'm so glad that I still have so much more of this book left...I'll make the experience last as long as I can.
9 comments:
I'm eager to hear what you think of it when you've finished. For some reason, I just have no desire to read this...but if anyone could change my mind it would be you or Ana. :P
For some reason, I'm feeling pretty meh about this one. But then, I never did read the last HP book (I know! Sacrilege!)
However. You worked in a coffee shop?? OMG, so jealous! (I'm sure it wasn't that glamorous, but there are days when that sounds like the best job ever.)
I've heard more good about this book than I expected. Honestly, I didn't even bother to preorder it. I got myself on the hold list at the library immediately, but that's about it. The plot didn't sound interesting at all to me, so I wasn't sure how it would go. Now I have a bit of hope.
Bleh, I love JK Rowling so much infinity, and I still didn't like her new book. I wanted to! And just didn't. I actually did grow up with her properly, I started reading the books when I was a young teenager and grew up with them. But I didn't end up liking A Casual Vacancy. I WANTED TO.
Chris, you are so funny! I had the exact same experience with Amazon in that I'd pre-ordered it, not even sure I wanted it in the first place, and then I get a notice that it's undeliverable since no one was there to sign for it. At my school! No one at school? Are you kidding me? This is exactly what happened with my edition of Murakami's 1Q84 which I wanted desparately. Anyway, bye-bye amazon, hello J.K. Rowling. I'm not sure how I'll end up feeling about this book, but I must admit I'm intrigued. And when authors like Anne Patchett say to put down other works and read this, I've half a mind to do just that.
I'll remember about the pre-ordering thing and just pass.
I got this one on audio yesterday. I'm not quite sure when I'll get to it. I was HP fan and I'm very curious about this.
I was certain I'd left a comment to this and then I realized it was Bellezza's post that I commented on! Wild that you guys had the exact same experience.
I accidentally pre-ordered a Christmas book, this week. You'll love this. I have been having a terrible time sleeping, so I took an Ambien and then . . . oops . . . got online. Apparently, I pre-ordered the book in an Ambien haze. Always go straight to bed if you take Ambien. Lesson re-learned. LOL
I was in Spain on the release day and while I bought the Kindle version, I didn't download it, until I got back home, unfortunately since then I've been full of cold, so haven't been in a reading mood. :( I have started it, and yes, it's definitely a Rowling book. But I'm looking forward to giving it more of my attention next week.
I don't think I'd want to read this despite loving all the HP books, but I am so very interested in reading about what you all think of it, so looking forward to your thoughts after you've read the whole thing. Good to know you're liking it so far..
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