Page 3 of 3 <

Proud to Be a Potterhead

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

As I've read and reread the books, I've been reminded of some important things. That the world isn't divided into only good and evil, but that there are all kinds of people in between -- with all kinds of stories. That you shouldn't just fight for truth and justice, but hold your head high as you do it. That love is infinitely powerful and infinitely complex as well. And that you should never forget what it's like to be young.

So on Friday night, I'll sneak out of work early to meet my husband at a bookstore where we can join other Potterheads in the ultimate rite of nerdiness: book-release revelry. We'll get our copies of "Deathly Hallows," and my husband will have to guide me through the parking lot as I start reading. We'll stay up all night (or I will, anyway) to finish.

But when morning comes, I'm sure I'll be in tears, even if Harry doesn't get smoked by Voldemort. I've spent the past six years finishing Potter books and thinking, "All right, I'm ready for the next one." But this time, there is no next one.

What could I possibly read that will capture my imagination the way Rowling's books have?

Something tells me Faulkner and Joyce aren't going to cut it.

saleems@washpost.com

Sabaa Saleem Tahir is a copy editor on

The Post's foreign desk.

< 3