<p>Mine arrived around 3pm, but at 4pm before I’d had a chance to dive in, younger son suggests we (the only two here) go see the 5th HP movie, which neither of us had seen. Halfway through he whispers, “I think I’ll start reading Book 6 when we get home,” so we’ve just made popcorn and big cool drinks and are going to camp out on the quilt on the giant waterbed, him reading Half-Blood Prince and me reading Deathly Hallows. Wonder if either of us will get any sleep tonight? :D</p>
<p>S2 is the 1st Assistant Coach for our Swim Team. He and the Head Coach were surprised and THRILLED when one of our team’s families gave each of them a copy of Deathly Hallows at our swim meet this morning–probably one of the greatest coaches’ gifts ever!!! Of course the parents of these swimmers have been equally thrilled with the swim team and its coaches!! Still we thought it was so great because we had not had a chance to go out to get the new book at Midnight Friday/Saturday!</p>
<p>^^ OMG, irish, that is BEYOND THOUGHTFUL! What a neat surprise for your son–and such a special way to let him know how highly he was thought of! :D</p>
<p>~b.</p>
<p>We did Booksamillion a bit after 10pm on Friday night. Contests, giveaways, overall excitement in the air. We were out the door, book in hand by 12:05 a.m., Saturday. We had purchased vouchers for the book prior to the release. They had what they called an Express Line. 12:05 a.m. for a book released at 12:01 a.m. is great service!!! I finished the book very earyl this a.m. Of course, we purchased 2 books, one for me and one for the kid. First time my kid has ever finished a book before me, lol, he is bragging all over the place. I loved the book!!!</p>
<p>I read the book four days before it came out, online, and I am glad I did because I found lots of spoilers online after that. Then, when the book released, I got it first thing in the morning (it releases in the morning in India.) and re read it :D. The person who owns the bookshop is my father’s friend, so I got to open the HP carton!</p>
<p>berurah~It was truly a wonderful gesture! The coaches don’t get paid as much in our league as in some others, but the perks can be terrific!!</p>
<p>He has read all of them, and was anxious to get the new one, so he was beside himself with excitement. He started it as soon as we got home from lunch after the meet!! I guess I have to wait til he’s finished! ;)</p>
<p>Goodbye all- my turn at the book has come…</p>
<p>Well, just 5 minutes after I closed Deathly Hallows, my son closed Half-Blood Prince. He came to the kitchen for a soda, and went back into the living room to open up Deathly Hallows. Way to go for continuity, kid! 
How I managed to avoid all spoilers for the past n weeks/days, I have no idea. </p>
<p>We’ll be waiting for you on the other side, wis75!</p>
<p>It was really funny traveling today - it seemed like a third of the people at the gate, all had their Harry Potter books. On the laps of the people in my row, all had their Harry Potter books. Down in baggage claim, various flights from all over, Harry Potter books sticking out of briefcases, luggage, some people sitting reading them waiting for the carousels to start, etc. It was really very funny, to see so many people from so many disparate places in real-time possession of the same book, all having an individuated experience with it.</p>
<p>It <em>was</em> pretty cool to be part of a global read-in!</p>
<p>My d is stranded with her internship group trying to get back from Lake Tahoe to NYC. They missed their connection in Phoenix and now won’t get another flight out for about five hours. She, however, is cool about it because she bought the book in the Reno airport and has been reading ever since! I predict she may even finish it by the time she finally arrives in the City!</p>
<p>She did say she was probably quite “entertaining” as she read some exciting parts on the plane and added her own soundtrack! She was probably so absorbed, however, that she did not realize how many around her were reading the same thing!</p>