ABOUT allDAY

allDAY is the official TODAY blog, your virtual window to Studio 1A and the people who make America's favorite morning show come alive. Whether it's exchanging views with the anchors and contributors or going behind the scenes with the producers, editors, camera people and more, we'll bring you the buzz here at 30 Rock, and we hope you will make this a regular part of your online routine. We want this to be a conversation, so please respond with your comments and questions directly to the blog, and we'll do our best to post what you have to say.



Celebrating 'Deathly Hallows' from Harry Potter's 'hometown'

Posted: Saturday, July 21, 2007 6:36 AM by Jen Brown
Filed Under:

Last night, I was lucky enough to attend the midnight book release party for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" in Edinburgh, Scotland, the place where J.K. Rowling "birthed" the famous wizard and his magical word.  My official report is here, but I thought I'd share a few more random stories from the event:

Nina Jones, Elizabeth Thacker and Alice Langley got up at 4 a.m. in order to be first in line at the West End Waterstone's book store, but that's not the craziest thing they've done for Harry Potter.  For Nina's 17th birthday, Elizabeth and Alice recorded the first sixth books on tape.  The endeavor took two full months.

 

 

J.K. Rowling finished the last chapter of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at the five-star Balmoral hotel, commemorating the event by scribbling "JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (652) on 11th Jan 2007” on the back of a marble bust.  The occupant of Room 652 last night: Jeannie Barresi (left), managing director of Beyond Boundaries which runs HP fan trips. 

 

I thought it was funny that sisters Violetta and Adrianna Solowiej (far left) came all the way from Norway to be in J.K. Rowling's city, but only bought one copy of "Deathly Hallows" between to the two of them.  They laughed when I pointed that out, but already had a plan: Adrianna would stay up all nght and read; Violetta planned to sleep and start the book in the morning. 

 

I walked past the shelves of Harry Potter books several times without realizing what they were.  I had forgotten that the Bloomsbury editions have different covers.  Scholastic is the publisher of Harry Potter books in the States.

 

 

Harry Potter looks much older on Bloomsbury's  "children's" edition cover of "Deathly Hallows"....

 

 

....there is also an "adult" cover.

 

 

You always hear about aggressive British photographers...I just never expected to see them dueling with each other at a release of a children's book.

 

The two owls were surprisingly well behaved during the event.  They barely flinched as children pet them throughout the evening.

 

For more Harry Potter news, check out our special Harry Potter section.  Tune in to TODAY on Thursday, 7/26,  and Friday 7/27, and to the special one-hour Dateline on Sunday, 7/29 for the exclusive interview with J.K. Rowling. 

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

Harry potter is beyond a imaginery character(at least for me)Now the last part is out so .........it's good but quite a sad matter too

Maliha,Bangladesh,Dhaka (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 8:24 AM)

Oh.. still I havn't got the book.. I just can't wait... running to shop!!!

Mayooresan, Colombo, Sri Lanka (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 8:30 AM)

I am awaiting for my copy to arrive via post. I am resisting all web sites & media until I have read the book. Thanh you J.K. Rowling.these are books I would have loved as a child.I certainly enjoy them now as an adult.

Shayne Elizabeth Ferguson (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 9:29 AM)

I would have loved to be there for all the excitment!

Rubeus Hagrid, Hogsmeade,England (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 9:42 AM)

hi harry potter u rock!

vijay pal singh,mumbai,maharastra. (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 10:14 AM)

My Nanan got me the new book this morning and i've read 1 chapter and a couple of pages.Now i've got all the Harry potter books.My best one so far is Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince.

Tia Maximen,Sheffield,South yorkshire (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 11:33 AM)

The new Harry Potter book is well good.

Tia Maximen,Sheffield,South yorkshire (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 11:34 AM)

Harry potter and the deathly Hallows probably is going to be the best seller of the year.

Tia Maximen,Sheffield,South yorkshire (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 11:37 AM)

We attending our last Harry Potter book release party at our local bookstore last night until 1:45 am.  All the dressed up characters, the wand making, the magical creature creations. It made tears come to my eyes to see how many people love to read because of Harry Potter and the gift that JK Rowling has given children everywhere!  Thanks

Heather Gates, Provo, Utah, USA (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 12:53 PM)

i completed the 7th book and after being a very dedicated potter fan for years, i am happy to say that it is the perfect ending for the harry potter series...i couldnt have asked for more.

cate, TX, United States (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 2:02 PM)

OMG!!! jst finished readin it...cant believe its ended...:( BUT i also read the "leaked" version 2 and although its more adventorous it ends all WRONG the "leaked version" finishes with dudley dursley as the new voldemort...WTF???! JK's IS WAY BETTER (CANT WAIT FOR THE MOVIE)

Chantelle Newton, Adelaide, South Australia (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 2:13 PM)

Got the book at midnight, finished a few hours ago - was fantastic, beautiful.  Does not disappoint.  

Michelle Rider, Denmark WI (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 3:47 PM)

Fantastic ending to a fantastic series (I read it already, I couldn't put it down to save my life)!

Jarek Buss, Laramie, Wyoming (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 4:09 PM)

I can't wait tonight is the night it comes out and i still have to find my cloak!! i think this is going to be the hardest book to make a movie for because it is so full of detale it will be the best!!!!!

Sneaky Nebraska City, Nebraska (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 5:09 PM)

Just purchased my copy of THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS.  I plan to read it outloud to my husband, just as I did with HALF BLOOD PRINCE.  I read that to him as we were trying to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Fortunately, no storms are on the horizon here this year!

Nanci Schlumbrecht, Angie, Louisian (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 5:16 PM)

The 7th bok is so awesome I was up all night trying to get it. I can't wait to finish it!

Hunter Bullins, Robbins, North Carolina (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 8:05 PM)

I just finished reading Deathly Hallows.  Incredible ending to a well written series.  Thank you J.K. for sharing your vision with the rest of the muggle world.

Troy Varley, New Britain, Connecticut (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 9:20 PM)

J.K Rowling is the best writer of this world in my opinion.well i am hoping that this series is also going to be interesting as other.
       J.K Rowling you rocks!

Ameerah Khan,Karachi,Pakistan. (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 10:07 PM)

I am anxiosly waiting to get the last book for which i am waiting for last three months

Ameerah Khan,Karachi.pakistan (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 10:09 PM)

J.K Rowling your last book is a precious gift for me
                                           Thanks

Ameerah Khan,Karachi,Pakistan (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 10:12 PM)

I JUST READ THE 7TH BOOK IN 12 HOURS 13 MIN, OHH YEAH, IN YOUR FACE, WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
(yes, im insane)

ohio, columbus (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 10:53 PM)

i love all the harry potter books and right now i am reading the new one!

Abby Carroll,Highland Home,Alabama (Sent Saturday, July 21, 2007 11:20 PM)

I read the ending first, and now can enjoy the rest of the book . I am one of the free readers that can do that. I am 50 years old, and have been reading since age 3. I watch the potter movies once a month!
Tolkien was my favorite, but HP beats them all.PS
I can't wait for HP world to open!

Kari Sue, Redding, Ca (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 2:22 AM)

I finished the book in less than 5 hours.  Now I'm pushing my daughters to read it so that we can discuss it.  I was very satisfied with the book - just wish there was a little more in the epilogue about some of the other characters from the book.  It is sad to say goodby to our family's favorite characters.

Shannon Steinbeigle, Seattle, WA (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 10:52 AM)

I've read the harry potter books and i think that  the best was book 1-2,i wonder if book 7 will be as exciting?

Alec,Vancouver,BC (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 11:59 AM)

My partner has been reading the "...Deathly Hallows" book on and off since we purchased it at the local Brandon, FL Border's store, 'Deathly Hallows Ball' at 12:01am EST yesterday. I believe he's somewhere around page 550, 36 hours later. He hasn't been reading "non-stop" but today it has been pretty close to that goal. I love the story and Ms. Rowlings characters but once I get the book, it'll take me weeks to finish!! :)  

Dave Lieberman, Brandon, Florida (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 12:46 PM)

I really wish the epilogue had been longer...it seems to me like the last chapter was kindof an afterthought.  But that is definitely my only complaint.  Awesome book with excellent writing and an amazing ride.  Thanks J.K. Rowling

Jessica, St. Louis, MO (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 12:57 PM)

i went to the supermarket at 1am  looking for something to eat  and there they were . 10 copies of it . grabbed one and noticed the next  in line had a copy of it . Call it luck maybe   scooby..

scooby (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 1:23 PM)

Thank you Ms. Rowling for a set of wonderful books I can enjoy with my children for many years, and then later with my grandchildren.  I read "Deathly Hallows" last night in about 10 hours.  Now I can read it out loud to my kids who have just seen the 5th movie.  The Harmon family loves these books!

Danielle, Feltwell, Norfolk, UK (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 1:29 PM)

I have finished the last book and am very pleased. I can only thank the suthor for helping me to believe in Magic and the good in all mankind.

Joylene, fortson,GA (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 2:45 PM)

I finished HP/DH yesterday in 9hrs...less if I didn't have chores. Great book--hard to put down!
Thank you for this final visit to Harry and his world in print! :)

A.M. Stinson, Anaheim, CA (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 4:01 PM)

OMG, My book arrived at noon yesterday, with a few breaks to eat and do a few things around the house I finished reading at 1am.

I resisted the temptation to skip to the end, I just wanted to enjoy the journey. :)

slytherinsevvie, san antonio, tx (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 4:18 PM)

i read the book in 5 hours 7 minutessss!!!  It is the best book of all and I cried at the end!!  LONG LIVES HARRY POTTER!

Kellie, Manhattan, NY (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 5:10 PM)

Wow... that was such an epic read. Bravo. <claps slowly and sadly>

Oh yeah, finished reading in 8 hours or so. <grins>

Aeris, Ft. Walton, Florida (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 8:12 PM)

J.K. Rowling, I cannot thank you enough for bringing Harry, Ron, Hermione, Severus, Albus, and everyone into our hearts and lives.  I have enjoyed this series more than anything that I have ever read, and I have read a lot of books in my life.  I cannot wait to share the books with my sons (they already enjoy the movies and my 2 year old swears that his name is Harry Potter).  You have changed lives and encouraged reading for this generation and many more to come!

Shannon N. Colorado Springs, CO (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 8:49 PM)

Our family are big fans of Harry Potter. We watch all of the movies. Cannot wait to see the latest movie. Thank you J.K.Rowling for writing the books. We have enjoyed all of them.

joyce saunders (Sent Sunday, July 22, 2007 9:17 PM)

i am harry potter fan and now i am reading the new one . It's so cool and fantastic book.

zahra kassam, Dar es salam, Tanzania( East Africa) (Sent Monday, July 23, 2007 10:57 AM)

Thank you J.K. Rowling, for allowing us to catch a special glimpse of such a wonderful world. I will truly miss the anticipation and excitement that surronds the release of the books, at least we still have two new films that we can all get excited about. I will always carry Harry Potter and his friends close to my heart, they give us all hope that good will surely prevail over evil so long as we love much and keep our friends close to us. THANK YOU AGAIN J.K. ROWLING!!!

Bridget Garrtity, East Providence, RI (Sent Monday, July 23, 2007 11:37 AM)

I have never been so grateful for an author.  Thank you JK Rowling.

Mistina, Grand Junction, Colorado (Sent Monday, July 23, 2007 3:13 PM)

If I may quote from Harry Potter himself, I thought this final book was "Brilliant!"  I'm also very happy to learn that JK Rowling will be putting out an "encyclopedia" containing back-stories of the main characters and a more detailed epilogue; what a wonderful companion book to an amazing series. I can't wait for that to come out as well.  All in all, Simply Brilliant!!!

Kathy, Orlando, Florida (Sent Sunday, July 29, 2007 3:32 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)

More allDAY

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Categories

Syndicate This Site

Add allDAY to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google

MSNBC Weblogs

More Links