BS: Harry Potter: Book 6 (Half-Blood Prince)

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 10:10 AM

I'm 3rd on the list to read the next HP book after Linda's son Tom and Linda herself - can't wait.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,sandra in sydney walking thru the backdoor
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 10:42 AM

well, it's 1237 Sat morning here & the latest Harry Potter will be released at 9.01 & I will pick up my copy sometime tomorrow cos I don't think I have time to get it today. My alarm will ring in 6 hours (eek!!) then it's rush out into a very full Saturday.

I'll probably try to fit in picking it up so I can read it Sunday, but as I'm on holidays this week, I have a choice of 5 complete days to devote to it cos I intend to finish it in one day, like all other fiction I read. I'm a fast reader, & can't bear to close a book before finishing it.

sandra (fan but not fanatic)

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 11:50 AM

Ya know, a lot of people read a lot of crap into a lot of things.

Could be one reason I gave up on literary criticism....Read The Pooh Perplex by Frederick Chews to see what I mean.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 06:39 PM

Interesting that they still celebrate CHRISTmas at Hogwarts....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 07:25 PM

Please, I must ask all of you who read much faster than I (after I get the book back from moonglow who will inhale it in a couple of days)

After you read it, don't give the story away!

Thank you. Now if I could convince the friends of my kids at school--someone always has to prove something by ruining part of the story for everyone else. Be mature Mudcatters and keep it to yourselves.

Thank you.

:)

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 09:08 PM

Okay, here's some excerpts:

        Harry gazed up and greater fear than he'd ever known before in his life stabbed through him. At the same time his scar blazed with such pain that he collapsed, staring up at the sign swinging in the gentle breeze, the sign reading "Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, Attorneys-At-Law."

        "Of course there are girls upstairs at the Three Broomsticks! Why do you think they call her MADAME Rosemurta, anyway?" asked George incredulously.

        "Harry," said Hermione quietly, "these tests don't lie. You have to face the fact that Severus Snape is your father."
        
       "For God's sake, Weasley," drawled Malfoy, "roll off her and let Crabbe show you how it's done."
        
        When Snape had his back turned again, Hermione whispered to Ron, "You know, you can stir around in my cauldron anytime."

        She flicked her long black wand against her tight leather pants and purred, "It's MISTRESS Ginny, Potter, MISTRESS Ginny. Now get down on your belly and beg Mistress's forgiveness like a good little worm."

        McGonigle pointed her wand at Dumbledore and shouted "Viagra!"
        
        "Great man, Dumbledore," murmured Hagrid. "A bit of a twit, but a great man all the same."

        "Ah, Harry," said Hermione, looking pale. "You know the other night...and, well, I got the spell wrong...and, oh, Harry, you were right! You were right! The words WERE 'Contra Ceptio' and not 'Pro Ceptio.' What are we going to do?! Harry?.. Harry?"

        "Harry," whispered Angelina, "why don't you let me show you some positions you won't find on the Quidditch field?"

        "Sorry, Malfoy," grinned Harry. "I thought it was the snitch. You know, you really should either wear underwear or fasten your robes when you play Quidditch or accidents like this will happen."

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 09:28 PM

ROTFLMAO

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: John O'L
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 02:31 AM

Rapaire -

That sounds like a book worth waiting for. When can we expect to see it in the shops?

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 03:15 AM

J K Rowling read the first chapter live at Edinburgh Castle last night, at midnight. The place was packed with thousands of children who just sat, totally silent, totally entranced through it...

Tell me another book that has that effect on children... most can't sit still through a commercial, yet you could have heard a wand drop in Edinburgh last night....

Looking forward to reading it myself, but even at £4.49 (Safeway/Morrisons), I'll wait for the paperback to come.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: rumanci
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 10:29 AM

If I may make a correction Liz it was the sixth chapter JKR read from at Edinburgh Castle.   I can only be sure of that because when the kid called out when she stopped

"What happens next ?"

My lad was yelling out

"What happened BEFORE that?   !!!!!"

:-D

rum

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 10:32 AM

I just picked up a three-page handout at my library...Harry Potter trivia and crosswords. If anyone is interested, I'll post a pdf file somewhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 11:32 AM

Got 2 today - Both covers. for three people to read them. Hope to take one of them away with me to my Vmware course on Monday. Wonder if I'll get the two confused? CAN you run sorcery in a magic window? Is the spell Linustorvalds supra Billgatus?

Ah well. Guess I will soon sort it out.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 11:48 AM

Got mine today. Reading it.

Gotta go..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Alice
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 12:17 PM

Last night my son and his friends dressed up as characters from Harry Potter and went to the local Barnes and Noble. Because my son has very long curly hair Click here I used a hot iron to straighten his hair (length went to between his shoulder blades). He sprayed his hair white with costume hairspray, dressed all in black and wore a floor length black robe and black gloves - adult Malfoy. His friend tea-dyed two pillowcases sewed together so they looked dirty, got elf ears from the costume store, and went as Dobbie. They did it just for the fun of it, not knowing there would be a costume contest at the store. They both won the contest.

Found the book in his room this morning and read the last page. Yes, the last three words are "Ron and Hermione".

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 12:26 PM

A school near us was planning a Harry Potter day yesterday. The pupils were to dress up and spend the day doing wizardy things. That was until the local vicar complained that it was satanic and unsuitable. The day was cancelled.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: dianavan
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 12:31 PM

Thank you, J. K. Rawlings, for motivating our children to read.

Whether the child reads the book themselves or has the book read to them, it promotes literacy. One of the best things about the books is that both parent and child can enjoy the story. Doesn't matter who reads it, spending time on a daily basis with any book promotes literacy. Rawlings has done a fine job of writing a novel that captures the imagination.

So the pope thinks that Harry Potter, "...corrupts the hearts of the young, preventing them developing a sense of good and evil."

I think that the Harry Potter series does a very good job of developing a sense of good and evil. I think Ratslinger is afraid that kids know more about HP than about JC. What does he suggest they read, the bible?

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Alice
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 12:43 PM

OOOPS, need to fix that link:

Click here
It was eerie to see him with long, straight white hair. Wish I'd take a photo of that.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 12:59 PM

I heard a rumor that Rowling kills Jar Jar Binks in this book!! Please tell me it isn't true. Next to Frodo, Jar Jar was my favorite character in the films. I also heard that Pierce Brosnan won't be returning in the next film.   The things you can pick up on Entertainment Tonight!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 01:48 PM

I've just mailed my copy to my wife. I actually only got to page 132, didn't even finish Dumbledore's first private lesson for Harry (they dive into a Pensieve, but for what I don't know -- pearls, maybe). That's 'cause she's in DC and is almost out of stuff to read. Greater love no man hath....

I wouldn't worry about the Pope. All 15 of the copies we had on hand, 2 copies of the CD version, and 2 copies of the tape cassettes were gone by 0915 this morning. The local paper was there, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 04:14 AM

Dianavan - Please take a little time to read your posts before hitting send.... her name has neither an *S* nor an *A*. Her name is ROWLING.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 05:01 AM

My copy came in the post yesterday!! I will be reading it today!!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 05:20 AM

So I'll be reading it next week then? *BG*

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,Ellenpoly
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 07:29 AM

Mine arrived yesterday around 7:50am. The look on the face of our post lady showed she was prepared for a long day.

I've been apportioning it out to myself, trying to make it last. But has anyone beside me noticed that the print on this book is larger than on the last two?? In other words, the publisher has tried to make it look bigger than it really is.

Shame that...but it won't stop me from enjoying every word. I just hope Rowling isn't going to make us all wait another two years for the last one...but I bet she does.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 07:54 AM

Alice, your son is lovely! He looks too kindly to pass for Malfoy.

I'm #49 on the waiting list at the public library, but I discovered that they have about a dozen copies "available" on the seven day loan shelf. Surely I can read it in 7 days? (I'm happy to read that it has larger print, Ellenpoly.)

The library opens again at 10:00 a.m., Monday. I wonder how many other people will be waiting for the doors to open and how difficult it will be to trip them all?

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 08:51 AM

The local Barnes and Noble made an event around the release of the newest HP. They had magicians and face painting...stayed open extra late so copies could be sold at 12:01am. Maybe it sounds like a lot of hype to some of you but I've seen a 10 year old boy counting the days down until he could read this book...when is the last time you saw a child so excited to read that they were counting the days until they could read a new book? I'm sorry but I think this is a great thing...and if it takes all the secrecy and hype...so be it.

The 10 year old has a 13 year old sister who refuses to read anything. The mother has tried everything with the girl and has decided to do whatever it takes to get the younger one interested in reading. So for now, it's Fantastic 4 comic books and Harry Potter....he's reading...without being asked to, told to or otherwise coerced into it....HE IS READING AND LOVING IT! That's the bottom line, isn't it?

BTW....mother and son went to Barnes and Noble 7 hours early....and spent the time reading TOGETHER....excellent!!!!!!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 10:03 AM

I love the idea of bigger print. It is easier on the eyes when reading it to the kids in their bedroom with the nightlight on! Hooray no more squinting.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Tam the man
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 10:10 AM

I think it is a book for Chidren and people that have not grown up. I couldn't give a shit about Harry Potter, I haven't seen any films or read the books. So I couldn't tell you anything about Harry Potter.

I mean Grown up men and women getting excited over a bloody book.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:09 AM

Tsk, tsk, Tam. I certainly hope you're not serious. Books -- actually the recording of knowledge -- is what seperates us from the rest of the animals. We can pass on the knowledge we gain so others don't have to make the same mistakes over and over (assuming always that they're smart enough to learn). And there is a lot of good in the Potter books, if nothing else than dealing with the fears of humans.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: dianavan
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 12:16 PM

Liz - Sorry about the spelling. I have a friend by the last name of Rawlings; it was just an oversight. Big deal - I'm sure you knew who I was talking about.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 12:21 PM

Read it (between 11.30 a.m. & 11.45 p.m. yesterday.

Definitely NOT dissapointed.

For those who are awaiting the loan of a copy, you could always read the story of Naked Quidditch
in the meantime!


Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Amos
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 12:32 PM

Hahaha!! Funny stuff indeed, Sir Parsons! Thanks for the grin.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: jacqui.c
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 08:52 PM

O got a copy online from Amazon. I'm about halfway through it and it's addictive. This is one of the few times that Mudcat being down didn't worry me!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,rags
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 09:24 PM

I think it is a book for Chidren and people that have not grown up.

How true!
I ..... erm..... I ..... only read the Harry Potter books to make sure that they are suitable reading for the children entrusted to my care. -- Yeah, that's it!

This series makes young boys want to read, it's wonderful!

I watched a seven year old, his eyes glued to a Harry Potter book "hidden" in his desk during my lesson, unable to stop reading it. I pretended not to notice. If he could read Harry Potter, missing practicing reading, "Run, Lad, Run!" seemed unimportant.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 09:47 PM

I was at a barbecue today. Lashings of free food and drink, ball games, bouncy castles and music. And there was this boy of about nine, sitting on a bench, oblivious to it all, reading Harry Potter - no, not the new book, the last one, the Order of the Phoenix.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 10:20 PM

In a "natural pool", at a hot spring in northern British Columbia, I saw a girl of about twelve, gingerly holding her copy of one of the older Harry Potter books well above the water as she comlplied with her parents wishes that she spend time in the pool.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Amos
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:00 PM

Here's another link to the Naked Quidditch Game with all chapters in series; it appears there was an ownership problem of some sort...


A

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:35 PM

I've always been partial to this.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 08:14 PM

Dylan put it pretty well: "Ah, but I was older then - I'm younger than that now."

Here's An Introduction to Arithmancy , by one Hermione Granger. From the Wizarding Wireless Net - Muggle Internet Edition, which has lots of other good stuff...

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From:
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 09:31 AM

I started reading my copy copy on Sunday afternoon and I finished it yesterday!...An excellent book!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 09:32 AM

£4.49 at Morrissons? I thought Tesco was almost reasonable at £7.97 compared with list price of £16.99 and major bookshop price of just over a tenner. Considering a paperback of that size would have a list price between £7 and £9 I went for Tesco's offer. Plenty in stock on Saturday afternoon.

It was less turgid than Order of the Phoenix but still not a patch on the earlier novels.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 09:47 AM

well - in our family there was one copy advance ordered from Amazon - which has yet to arrive and so far has cost $45. the other two copies were picked up saturday morning for a TOTAL of $32 - I didn't have much time to read it last night - I'm barely up to page 300.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 09:48 AM

I've never read a book so slowly! I'm half-way through and wishing I were only a tenth of the way.

JK Rowling said she thought that "Order of the Phoenix" was too long. I did to, the first time around.

TIME interview with JK Rowling

But in the re-reading, I wanted it to be even longer.

Moral of this story, I'm already prepared to mourn the end of Number 7 in two years time.

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 11:36 AM

SOD IT. Bought the book and on the first day I placed it done upside down and the back cover fell open revealing one of the last few pages of the book..... my eyes instantly saw who dies in the book. So no surprises for me !

So if you do no want to know who dies then do not scroll to the bottom of this note.....
































































Fooled you! You didnt think I would ruin it for you as well did you!

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Jul 05 - 06:08 PM

Finished it today - wish I hadn't! Excellent book but it nearly had me in tears toward the end.

I hope number 7 isn't too long coming.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 09:30 AM

definately worth a re-read. I thought the characterizations were back "on-track" - - though I really think this needed a couple ()okay - lots) more chapters or to be split into two books. There were a lot of things that were glossed over that could have been done in MUCH more detail. Among other things - Tonks.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 11:09 AM

half way through. I was late back to work today as I HAD to finish the chapter.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 11:37 AM

So I'll be over for it tonight Khatt!!!

I was supposed to be going to work tomorrow......

: )

At our concert rehearsal Saturday, the Tenor soloist could barely raise his head out of it to sing his piece.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 01:06 PM

Friday night, 12:01 AMhere in Kansas America, there were a number of Draco Malfoys, Harry Potters, and even a couple of adult Dumbledores--and one creaky old lady running a 102-degree fever (which I didn't know until I got back home) standing in line at the Borders store to pick up our reserved copies. My line-up numbers were 343 and 344. I got my two books at somewhere around 2:00AM.

And I hope I never "grow up" if that means giving up that kind of fun--what a kick to see all the kids, wide-eyed and excited, waiting to find out what happens to their favorite characters next! I had a lovely chat with the 12-year-old and his mother in front of me who had been there all evening (since 9PM) enjoying the party. He was doing his best to talk her into buying two books, so they could both read it right away. But he did not take at all to my suggestion that maybe his mother could read the book to him -- oh, no! He wanted his very own copy and he wanted to read it his very own self.

More power to your pen, Ms. Rowling!!!! Great stuff, but sad in spots; a lot like real life.

And by the way, the first book (before movies or any giant hype) was so successful that Scholastic Books, heretofore a small publishing company, nearly went under trying to meet the demand. So if they want to hype the plot and keep secrets, they've earned it as far as I'm concerned!

Lin

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 05:41 PM

Is the larger type in both versions or just the Childrens cover?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter:
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jul 05 - 05:42 PM

Oh, and I claim 100!!

LTS