Well, I lied.

We did go to the party last night, after all. It happened like this:

I finished my last post at eleven. At eleven-fifteen, I got into bed. I wasn't tired, really, and I looked at the clock, looked at my mom, and said, "What say I get dressed and we go to the bookstore?" My mom, being the wonderful person she is, agreed. Sister, Mom, and I went off and arrived at Barnes&Noble at eleven-thirty.

We waited in line for the longest time. I saw some friends there--Kathy and Camille with her sister Olivia. Also, I encountered someone I haven't seen for ages. He was really sweet (&heart;), and let me join him in his place in line. Trust me, this was important. The lines were huuuuuge. The pre-order line stretched all the way through the mall. We (he and I) ate Reeses' Bites and talked about Robert Jordan, among other things.

We did get the book. Got home at half-past one this morning, after which I went to sleep, satisfied. I also have a bright green rubber wristband, and my sister has a poster, by the way. At eight-thirty I woke up again, and at quarter past exactly I started Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Book-post to come soonest. 'Ware spoilers!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: preliminary commentary

OMG SPOILERIFIC!!! SPOILERS FOR EVERY IMPORTANT PLOT/CHARACTER POINT BEHIND THE CUTS!!!!

( The Plot, and General Observations )

( Character Development and Romance )

( The Death )

( The Half-Blood Prince )

( The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black )

I have nothing much else to say, except that this is really good work. In my view, the best yet. Harry isn't so excellent, but he quits the ANGST WOE ALL CAPS, and the plot is elegant. Much love.

Reading time: Three hours and a quarter. This one is shorter than the last, but I think my read time has improved as well.