Harry Potter Day

Well, the time has finally come - the release of the long-awaited Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will happen as tonight changes into tomorrow, at midnight. This is the seventh and last book of J.K. Rowling's universally popular series, so the anticipation is at a peak level.
Most bookstores in the U.S. and the U.K. are having big event release parties tonight, to entertain readers and fans prior to midnight, when the book will be officially on sale. Many stores will remain open well after hours, so every customer will be able to buy their copy (or, in some cases, copies). The event has been dubbed "Midnight Magic" at many stores, but more appropriate names could be "Midnight Madness," "Midnight Mania," and "Midnight Mayhem." I have worked the past release parties at the b.s., and I'll be working again tonight. So I can say from experience that it's like being on a runaway train (the Hogwart's Express?) - everyone gets caught up in the escalating excitement of the build-up to midnight. There are activities to entertain the kids, and the inevitable long line - I know most people will cheerfully talk with each other and speculate about the outcome of the series; many will drink cups and cups of coffee; and many parents will reassure their kids that no, it's not midnight yet but it will be soon. Then there's a "10 - 9 - 8" countdown (much like New Year's Eve) and then the store bursts into a frenzy of book-buying. My co-workers and I will rise to the challenge of unpacking books and selling them as fast as possible, and, I admit, it's always fun to see the joyful faces of the readers - especially the kids - as they finally get this treasure they've all been waiting for. Some kids start reading right away, as their parents lead them out of the store. And I know most readers will fall asleep with the book open next to them, only to return to it as soon as the wake up the next day.
I've done just that, with each previous book. I've come home exhausted, yet wired, and so I've read as much as I could before finally falling asleep. And then it's nearly impossible to put down. So I'm very grateful that I have tomorrow off!
And, with every Harry Potter release, I've thought the same thing -- all this for just one book? How amazing! The series is the biggest phenomenon in modern-day publishing, and it does deserve its place alongside other classic series like J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.
As I writer, I've thought a lot about J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and their impact on readers and publishing. I'll write more about this as soon as I've recovered from working tonight, as long as I can tear myself away from reading.
And I promise - no spoilers!