I am getting so excited about "Half Blood Prince", especially with the release date being announced.

I don't mind that it's shorter than "Phoenix".

I don't mind that it's still seven months away.

I don't mind that J.K. Rowling is so secretive about it.

In fact, I'm grateful for such a wonderful series of books and also grateful that it is being released in July 2005 and not 2006 or later...yikes, that would be hard to wait for.

I'm just so excited about reading it soon .

Same for me Blurrystar!

I haven't read any yet, I have them until I am in the mood. My daughter gets married on 15th July and is threatening to join the line at the bookshop on her wedding night!

Now there's an idea, Sue! Have the reception at the bookstore out front, so they can be in line. That would be hilarious!

As far as Book 6, I can't remember what GB's cover looks like, but I like what the US cover looks like. I'm so excited, and of course I can't wait for the release! (And I know I'm the only one that's excited too! )

Mine is ordered and paid for. Our library lady at school holds a special breakfast with the ceremonial box opening. Such fun!

My book is also preordered! Am also looking forward to the accomping audio book which is released in August. I won't be queuing at midnight for it, but you can be sure that I will be getting it before midday on the release date! Also, I find it easier when I read books aloud, it seems to sink in more, so a lot of reading to be done too!

Someone on this site put me off reading the series by putting a spoiler in this forum but didn't mark it as such, I still haven't forgiven them especially as I had just bought the five books.

When book 6 comes out I just hope that no one is thoughtless enough to ruin it for others who haven't read it.

Nothing more annoying Sue! But I always have to cheat and read the last page first, just to make sure that none of my favourite characters have died! I know that one day soon....hoping I am wrong but with J K Rowling you never know....there is going to be a "massive death"

I haven't read any of these books! There must be something wrong with me. Try as I might I just don't get the picture. Good to see that everyone is excited, though. People get that way with each one that comes out. I just don't get the attraction! I'm not saying I dislike the whole idea of the series but it fails me . I will shut up now as I'm about to get things thrown at me , but it is invigorating to see that so many are looking forward to reading. That, for sure, is a great thing.

Don't worry Gats, although I am crazy about the books now, I didn't find them until the fourth book came out! As you say reading is the important thing!

I just read the entire series since Christmas. I had actually listened to the first book on tape while traveling, and had seen the first 2 movies. But the books are SO much better than the movies, because they have so many details that can't get into the movies. I just heard that one of my favorite parts of The Goblet of Fire isn't going to be included in the movie due out this year. Of course, when you have a 732 page book, it's impossible to get everything in.
Anyway, I finished The Order of the Phoenix about a month ago, and can't wait to read the new book!

The books, I totally agree, are much better than the films...although the films are good in their own way. I can throughly reccomend the audio books. I believe Jim Dale does them over in America, but "we" (as in the UK ) have Stephen Fry...who is utterly brilliant at reading them! They are great on long coach journeys...I don't go holiday without one of them...and sometimes two!

We dont' Know anything about Harry's Father or his Past.Dumbledore can be related to Harry's Father.
I think HBP is Seamus Finnigan.He says in the 1st book."That he is Half and Half".Also we saw a little bit of enmity between Harry and Seamus.So Seamus was brought in the Limelight in the last book.

Interesting theory. Not all that long to wait for book 6...just over 2 months...not that I am counting or anything!

I love the Harry Potter books.....well that is until i had to deliver 0ver 300 boxes of them to book shops around portsmouth. I worked as a courier before i had my son. (glad im not now).

I have finally started to read the books! Going into hospital on Friday last week I decided to take the first four books with me, I didn't take the fifth as it is hardback. I am now half way through the fourth book!

Verdict? Addictive!

Yay! Welcome to the club, Sue!
And might I add...hope you're feeling better.

I am glad you've found them enjoyable Sue...takes your mind of things and they really are brilliant books!

I am still furious at that person who put the spoiler in about book five without any warning, now I know about that and it really does spoil enjoyment.

Yes it is a shame, I know I was sad at the end of book five. Don't worry though, i won't spoil the ending of book 6 for anybody when it is released

I think calling these Potter books 'brilliant' is a stretch. I'm told by the masses they are fun, well done and addictive. I rather doubt that even J.K. Rowlings would consider them 'genius'. They're terrific books for our time. Brilliance is a huge badge, though. Not meaning to stir up a 'thing'. But it seems odd to me to call a pop phenomenon 'brilliant'. That's how I feel, anyway. More power to Harry and clan . Maybe someday I'll understand this series !

I put off reading them for ages Dave despite my daughter telling me to get on with them, I wasn't sure that I would enjoy them at all - not my thing. I was wrong, I really did enjoy them and just have one more to read.

She is a very clever author to have produced books which are enjoyed by both children and intelligent adults (my daughter is PhD level, that is not me being intelligent).

Im looking foward to book 6,as for whats going to happen,i have no clue yet,allthough on one site i did read what i think is a rather far fetched guess about proffessor Lupin,and that is that Lupin is really Harry's dad,that before Voldemort could kill Harry's dad,james put a switching spell on himself,though i dont know about that.

OK so at present this is just rumour but when the book comes out please do not post any spoilers.

And that rumor has been dispelled by Rowling on her website. James is Harry's father, no switching of any kind has taken place.

That is a good site to use to find out if rumors are true, by the way. Rowling site (UK) or Rowling site (US) (both the same, but nice to have two if one is too busy)She regularly updates it, and there's fun things to do there. (There is a text only version if you don't like all the bells and whistles.)
Also she has said not to believe ANYthing you read about Harry Potter unless it comes from herself, her agents or her publishers.
It is fun to speculate, though.