The benefits of living across the street from a really wonderful independent bookstore (two wonderful independent bookstores, actually!) is that you can stroll across the street in your pajamas at five to midnight, pick up your brand spankin' new copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and be home by a quarter after. There were easily over a hundred people crammed into the place, attempting to sort themselves into some sort of order while we waited in line. It didn't take long - as I made it to the back of the store I heard a loud cheering and saw several carts of tagged preorders being wheeled out. I got #154:

Is it strange that I am a little afraid to open it? I had all these plans of spending an indulgent night reading the thing from cover to cover, but I'm also not wanting it to end. Regardless of when I start, I don't plan to resurface until at least Sunday.