Just finished.

really so good. DH was waiting for my first thought- and it is that they are all grown up now. They aren't kids anymore. They may still do kid things, but they aren't kids.

The death of Dumbledore - so well done. Not a shock, but it still happened so fast. and even though I hadn't thought it out - I am with everyone that thinks Snape had to kill him.

I liked the paceing of this book so much more than the last two. Even though there were spots where I wanted to smack them all - it didn't feel dragged.

The Ginny thing was inevitble too. but to some extent Harry still sees her as Ron's little sister. so doubly he has to protect her. But we all know Ginny has some powerful magic. The are hints that she is very advanced.

and the Bill and Fleur thing - really cute.

I woke up this morning thinking about the pensieve and the quite large role it has played in the last three books. I have a strong suspicion at DD will reappear in the next book after having stored his memories and thoughts for Harry's retrieval .

When that happens, I predict that DD will clear Snape of all wrong-doing .

Or, at least I hope that will be the case. Because I'm loving the idea of Snape repenting for Lily's murder and his whole 'greasy-haired' stick-up-the-buttness being an extension of unrequited love.

Cuz otherwise? He's crap as a villian.

And I'm completely agreeing with beth in re: pacing vs. the last book. There times, while reading OotP that I wanted to knock myself out with its heft, it was so slow and draggy and whiney.

Now that the characters seem so much more mature , I'm really, really curious to hear Jim Dale's interpretation.

What? Why, yes! As a matter of fact, I DO have all the books in hardback, tapes AND CDs. Don't you?

Actually, this time, I've just gotten the cds (which shipped yesterday, yay!) and can make tapes if I've a mind to. oh, and the hardback to because I have no impulse control. I'm whack, and I'm proud!

Off to put on offering on my altar to Jim Dale.

Hmmm, I've never heard Jim Dale read the books. . .

Long after I joined the Cult of Dale, a neighbor lent me the first book as read by Stephen Fry whom I adore as an actor and writer. I have to say, Fry ain't no Dale.

In the first three books, he succeeded in creating 142 distinct voices. I especially like his treatment of women's and creature voices.

There have been some bobbles along the way...missed, or changed pronunciations from book to book, but not the sort anyone a fraction less obssessed than myself could perceive.

I highly, highly recommend giving him a listen.

On the topic of great audiobook readers, I have to highly recommend Tim Curry reading the Lemony Snicket books. I especially like his voice for Sunny (the baby).

I have a set of tapes (wish I had them on CD instead!) of Ian McKellan reading the Fagles translation of The Odyssey. Freaking awesome.

Oh! I covet that set. I have Derek Jacobi reading the Iliad (same trans.) and it's way cool, but my love for McKellen burns so much brighter. Must acquire.

Just read Time magazine's review of book. They don't believe Snape acted on Dumbledore's orders, considering they call it "Snape's latest betrayal". Maybe they read too fast.

Tim Curry does a great job with a few Dune books as well.

An odd and quite surprising favorite is Ed Asner reading Strip Tease by Carl Hiaasen. He's awesome.

Oh, and Edward Hermann reading The Aliensit by Caleb Carr.