Magic

In just over a week, some magic will occur. The publishing industry will experience a windfall. Children will be smiling. And for a day or two, there may be quiet in households around the world as a book is read from cover to cover.

Yes, the next installment of Harry Potter will be out next weekend. Yes, I have pre-ordered my copy (two copies, actually, as both my wife and my daughter want to read it right away). And yes, I think this is a good thing.

I just love the fact that we are teaching kids (and adults) that it's okay to get excited about a book. To create the pre-release buzz not unlike that for a movie, is wonderful. It could, and should, be good for all literature. Of course your book or mine is not likely to get even a fraction of publisher hoopla that HP gets, but the precedent has been set, and the audience prepared.

Are there books more worthy of the attention? Absolutely! And certainly the fact that this rather mediocre series gets so much attention raises the ire of many. But we do have to be honest here...while I, or you, or our friends may not think much of the HP series, there most certainly are a great many people who do enjoy it. And the popularity of books, like any other form of literature or art, is subject to personal taste.

Let's not begrudge the celebration of book. Instead let's revel in it so that we can teach the publishers and book-sellers that it's okay to this more often.