My "other" on how involved I was at the time... I was an opening nighter at all the movies. I waited in the lines and talked to people when the books were released. I attended panels at the general Sci-Fi/Fantasy Con that I attend (Arisia).
Two quick stories: One night I was going home on the T pretty late. The other guy in the car with me was a bit older than I was (I was mid-thirties; he looked 50-ish). He asked about what I was reading (Sense and Sensibility) and said that he hadn't read a book since he graduated high school until his kid got into Harry Potter. It not only became a bonding ritual for them, it got him into reading for enjoyment. Since he enjoyed Frederick Forsyth and other spy novels, I suggested John LeCarre, much to his delight.
In the summer of 2009, I'd been unemployed for a long time. I was keeping my head above water, barely, but had no money to spare. I got a card from my sister with a 20 dollar bill in it and a note saying, "See the Half-Blood Prince on opening night. I know it's important to you." I cried. It was, in many ways, the best present I ever got.
Last one, I got my British copy of Deathly Hallows a few days after release. I had to accompany my father to the AAA office for some reason and since I knew there'd be a wait, brought the book. Three teenagers approached me asking if it was the British edition, how far I'd gotten, what had made the most impact on me so far (the were good about not spoiling). When we left, my father turned to me and said, "I finally understand what this means culturally." Three teenaged girls were willing to approach a 45 year old woman to discuss a book. He was amazed.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2016-02-11 07:42 pm (UTC)Two quick stories:
One night I was going home on the T pretty late. The other guy in the car with me was a bit older than I was (I was mid-thirties; he looked 50-ish). He asked about what I was reading (Sense and Sensibility) and said that he hadn't read a book since he graduated high school until his kid got into Harry Potter. It not only became a bonding ritual for them, it got him into reading for enjoyment. Since he enjoyed Frederick Forsyth and other spy novels, I suggested John LeCarre, much to his delight.
In the summer of 2009, I'd been unemployed for a long time. I was keeping my head above water, barely, but had no money to spare. I got a card from my sister with a 20 dollar bill in it and a note saying, "See the Half-Blood Prince on opening night. I know it's important to you." I cried. It was, in many ways, the best present I ever got.
Last one, I got my British copy of Deathly Hallows a few days after release. I had to accompany my father to the AAA office for some reason and since I knew there'd be a wait, brought the book. Three teenagers approached me asking if it was the British edition, how far I'd gotten, what had made the most impact on me so far (the were good about not spoiling). When we left, my father turned to me and said, "I finally understand what this means culturally." Three teenaged girls were willing to approach a 45 year old woman to discuss a book. He was amazed.