August 8, 2007
For all you fans who still feel they have something to say about the series, join us tomorrow, Thursday evening, August 9th, at 7pm for a discussion dinner at the Norwalk Public Library Main Auditorium. Pizza will be served, but you may bring other refreshments to share. Only those who have read all 7 books are welcome. See you tomorrow!
July 30, 2007
The Norwalk Public Library will be hosting a Discussion Dinner on Thursday, August 9th at 7pm in the Main Library Auditorium. It is for serious Harry Potter fans to discuss the 7 books, and is only for those who have finished all 7 books – plenty of spoilers will be discussed! Pizza and drinks will be served, but feel free to bring your own fun snacks to share.
July 30, 2007
A website is in the middle of being set up to pay tribute to all those fans who waited in line at Piccadilly Circus on 7/21/07 to wait for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Check out some of the pictures at http://www.mauriziovescovi.eu and http://www.mauriziovescovi.eu/hpday07. Check it out!
July 21, 2007
It’s 10:15 pm and I am finally back home – after a very long delay and lots of waiting around for luggage and drivers. But that’s okay, because it gave me time to read the book and all I am going to say about it is – WOW!! A bigger and better review to come later when more people have had a chance to read the book.
I’m posting the rest of my pictures up at my Flickr site, and I think that in this case, pictures tell the story best. It was a fantastic and magical night and I loved meeting lots of Harry Potter fans from all over – Spain, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, California, New York, Chicago and other areas from the globe. We learned new Harry Potter fans songs and joined in for a chorus of the Hogwarts school song (Hoggy Warty Hogwarts). Bands were playing and muggles, witches and wizards – some famous others not as much – magical creatures, reporters, Death Eaters, and giants bonded for one night before being handed the book. I had an amazing time and I am just a little sad that it is now over!
It’s getting late, but I have more to say about my trip and experience so check back. For now have fun at my Flickr site with the pictures.
July 21, 2007
I only arrived at the Waterstones at 7 pm last night to get in line, but I could not believe what I saw. Already 3000 people were in line and lots more to come. The store only expected between 1500 and 3000 but they seemed well-equipped.
We made our way around the line, which weaved around several streets in Piccadilly Circus and parked ourselves at the end of line – which happened to be right in front of a huge pile of garbage! Oh, well.
The people behind us in line were also from America and we quickly bonded through our love of Harry Potter. We were able to walk around and see all the Snapes, Dumbledores, Quidditch players, Death Eaters, etc. that were wandering around the square. By 11 pm there were more than 7000 people in line! Craziness…
I was interviewed by CBS news and I believe it was televised in America. The reporter seemed stunned at how far people were willing to travel and how long they were willing to wait in line for book, but we were all happy to be there.
I ended up getting my book earlier than expected – at around 12:30 am and I read a few chapters last night. Don’t worry – I won’t be saying anything more about the book for a while.
When I get home I have lots of pictures from last night to post and a lot of great stories, but right now I am at Heathrow Airport and I am short on internet time, so stay tuned! Barring flight delays, I should be able to post at around 4 or 5 pm New York time. Check back then.
The crowd at Piccadilly was even bigger than this last night!
July 20, 2007
There is not much news today. After a long run this morning through the gorgeous Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, I took my first Double Decker bus back to the Tower of London, this time to see the inside. It is a fascinating place; unfortunately, our Yeoman Warder tour was cut short due to rain – and lots of it! We spent a good hour seeing the Crown Jewels, the dungeons, and the torture chamber, but by then the rain was coming down in buckets. It was a great adventure getting to the Tube station; we had to wade through some deep water and were completely soaked by the time we reached our train. After a very slow ride due to the rain flooding many of the stations, we finally reached a halfway point between where we had been and where we wanted to go, but all service had stopped. So we walked!
Right now, I am heading over to the Waterstone’s at Piccadilly to join the party. I saw some of the fans I met in the past couple of days on the BBC news this afternoon being interviewed about their experience waiting in line. I can’t wait to see what it looks like now – I am sure it is absolutely packed!
I’ll write about the party later on, but, don’t worry, I will not spoil any part of the book! My review will come much later when most people are well done with their reading. What are you doing tonight? I want to hear about all the great parties and events going on back home, too!
Here is a picture of our Yeoman Warder tour guide at the Tower of London!
July 19, 2007
Hello again from London! My husband and I did more sightseeing today: we saw Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the Design Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and wandered around some of the older streets that Jack the Ripper used to frequent.
The place we ate lunch today was a dark and slightly dingy pub, and while the food was terrific, I couldn’t help thinking a little of the Leaky Cauldron.
I also couldn’t help myself — I went back to Waterstone’s at Piccadilly Circus, just to see how the crazy Potter fans from yesterday were doing. If you can believe this, the line doubled in size since last night alone! See my updated Flickr pictures for an updated picture.
Harry-mania is starting to creep into the papers here. In every paper I’m seeing more and more articles about the book and all the fans (even one about the line outside Waterstone’s!). Hang in there, Potter fans! Only one more day! I’ll write again before I head over to get in line myself.
July 2, 2007
July is here – the month both the new Harry Potter movie and book come out. Only 8 more days until Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix hits theaters and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released in bookstores.
We’re having our own celebrations at the Norwalk Public Library with two Games & Discussion nights on July 5th and 12th at 6 pm. Enjoy games, treats, and discussions of the new theories.
Check out the Hot and Cold Stuff Recipe Blog to make your own magical treats.
How are you going to celebrate this month?
June 27, 2007
July is Harry Potter month! The movie will be released on July 11th and the book will come out on July 21st. Here at the Norwalk Public Library we will be having our own celebrations. The Wizard Rock Concert tomorrow night is just the first event – we will also have two Discussion and Games nights on Thursdays, July 5th and 12th. You can join us for lots of games, prizes, and magical treats!
If you are planning to have your own Harry Potter celebration, or just want to enjoy some great snacks while reading the book, check out our blog Hot and Cold Stuff for lots of fun recipes. A new Harry Potter recipe will be added everyday for the next week. Send in your own ideas for your a Harry Potter-inspired party!
June 20, 2007
Would you like to learn how to make some of the food Harry eats while at Hogwarts? Treacle tart, English trifle, chocolate frogs… Learn how to make these recipes and more for your next Harry Potter party at the Norwalk Public Library’s Hot and Cold Stuff Recipe Blog.
|
 | Julia Yan on Eileen Prince |
 | Muggle on Thanks and Good-Bye! |
 | Zandra Kelleher on The Importance of Bellatr… |
 | Morgan on The Truth About Snape |
 | Zouille on Loose Ends |
