How do you distinguish a true Harry Potter devotee from a wannabe?
‘Fanatical,? said Clarkston resident Melanie Larson, 28. ‘It’s those extra letters on the end of ‘fan.??
And Larson definitely considers herself a fanatic.
At midnight Friday she was out with fianc? Chris Castle’and her collector’s edition Harry Potter doll’to pick up a copy of billion-dollar author J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The 700+ page book is the seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series.
‘It’s such a compelling story,? Larson said. ‘You’re involved in (Harry Potter’s) life from the time he was 11 or 12 years old.?
Clarkston Bookcenter co-owner Helen Soldenski said she had several hundred books reserved at a special presale price.
‘Everyone gets so excited when I roll out that cart,? said Soldenski, who’s been in the book business 30 years. ‘There’s like this gasp that goes up.?
Soldenski estimated she fielded 60 phone calls during the day from Potter fans who wanted to know if the title would be in stock come midnight when the release time finally arrived.
The store was selling the book at $17.46?50 percent off the suggested retail price’and will continue to sell at that price for at least a couple of weeks.
At that price, several people picked up an extra copy for a friend or family member.
Amanda Veigel of Clarkston picked up her book and immediately found a quiet corner where she could sit on the floor.
‘I had to start reading,? she said. ‘I didn’t want to wait.?
For many others, the books had, over the years, evolved into a family tradition.
‘We wanted to get it tonight,? said Melissa Hilliard, who was at the store with her son Kyle. ‘I used to read (Harry Potter books) to him when he was younger, but he’s old enough to read it himself, now.?
The book sold 8.3 million copies in the first 24 hours.
‘I’ve read every one of the books right when they come out,? said Randy Hanna, who was also at the store around midnight. ‘I’m a writer myself, and I really like her style of writing. She uses so much detail in all her characters.?
Hanna said he had to work early the next morning, so he wouldn’t be able to start reading when he got home.
‘Well,? he said, ‘maybe one chapter.?