Well, I just finished it. I posted my reactions in the Book Club thread.

Last night was pretty fun. I got all dressed up (someone in the back room took my photo, mocking my old-fashioned film camera--"I haven't heard that sound [the film advancing] in ages!") and arrived 45 minutes before I had to clock in. B&N was filling up with kids and adults in all variations of costumes, people complaining because they were going to have to wait since they didn't reserve the book, but overall everyone was pretty hepped up for it. We had a few outbursts of adults shouting in exhultation when they had the book in their hand after midnight, which always brought a laugh from everyone else still waiting.

The line handlers were genius in how they organized the crowd, since we managed to sell nearly 950 books (not including the non-Potter stuff we were ringing up for some customers) between 12:01 and 1:25. One of the last customers said that they had been waiting at a neighboring B&N but were getting frustrated at the way the line wasn't moving at all (it was still stretched throughout the store and out the doors at 1:00, and they ended up selling only 50 more books than we did), so they came over to our store and were shocked to find we were on the verge of shutting down the registers. Straightening up the store was a bitch though, and I ended up bailing at 2:30.

I got dressed up as Tonks - pictures soon, promise! - and Joe and I and our friends J & S went down to the Border's for the Grand Hallows Ball. It was loads of fun and I was bouncing off the walls. I blame the caffiene, sugar, and excitement. Ran into two people I haven't seen since high school. Cracks me up, but they totally recognized me right off. I was happy that lots of people recognized "me". The kid dressed as a bag of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans won the costume contest and it was really hard for me not to enter the trivia contest. Had to remind myself - FOR THE KIDS!! NOT the obsessive 32 year old.

We hung out with S's parents and eventually Joe's mom, brother, and dad's girlfriend showed up. We hung out until about 12:30 ish and then headed to Meijer's where we grabbed our books off the giant pile, went through the self-checkout, and then went to J&S's house where I devoured the first six chapters.

And came home and read and read and slept a bit and then read some more and now I'm finished and I can't even process everything. I think I need a reread. I *know* I need a reread. But Joe has it now.

Shouldda bought two copies.

My book has shipped. It will be at Endor sometime between Thursday and Tuesday. Hopefully toward the beginning of that.

Glad you had fun, Aimee

I'm all proud of myself for going to my local independent bookstore (two of them, actually), though in fact they're the only ones anywhere near me and I'd even forgotten about them until a couple days ago. Why are there three in one block, though?

Quick question about Chapter 1: isn't Voldemort a NON pureblood? So his Hitler-like quest to purify the wizarding world is awfully self-hating. Which is, I guess, just like Hitler. Am I remembering correctly?

Am 100-ish pages in. Went hiking. Must read more.

Yes, you're remembering correctly, Steph. ( He's a half-blood. )

Matt finished the book about 1115 - i had to be at work at noon. I stopped , got a pizza and it is going to be pizza wine and book - but I still had to come here first. Partly because I don't want it to end...BUT I can't wait.

Taking a break after the first 100 pages. She is good at pacing, isn't she? Such an easy read!

I just picked up my copy at Barnes and Noble. I still have to finish reading 6 first.

85 pages in

deliberate pause for savoring...