Epic.

On Friday night, I attended a Border's 'Deathly Hallows Ball' with my mom, brother, Katie, and Eden. Katie was Bellatrix; Eden was Tonks; Mom was an awesome Professor Sprout; and I was Rita Skeeter. We all looked awesome, even though none of us won the costume contest--how do you compete with five year olds?--but I was clearly the crowd favorite!

I'm not going to discuss the details of the book because I'd like people to be able to finish this decade long journey for themselves without spoilers. I will say that it was wonderful. I truly feel that Rowling has created a series that can stand next to the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings. Her complex world deals with universal, and dare I say Christian, themes that resonate to the core of who we are as humans, a mark of capital L literature for me--no matter what the intended audience or reading level for anyone who still thinks of this as merely kids' fare or the fact that the masses revere it. I was deeply satisfied with the narrative and can't wait for the day that I get to teach a class on Heroes in pop culture.

Thank you J. K. Rowling for doing what all great authors do--tell stories that have us reading all through the night and speak Truth about the human condition. That potent combination is the most bewitching, charming, and magical element of Harry Potter.