NYT on the Continuing Love for Harry

Harvard sophmore and soon-to-be-published novelist Kaavya Viswanathan writes in today's New York Times about first reading Harry Potter just before begining eighth grade, and her continuing love for the series.

Harry is an endearingly normal hero, enduring the same romantic insecurities, friendship pressures and temper tantrums that I encounter all the time, and it is oddly comforting to think that such a seemingly ordinary boy could achieve the extraordinary.
Each time I reread a Harry Potter novel, I am reminded of the ability of everyday people to reach unprecedented heights for a cause they believe in, as well as of the importance of love, friendship and loyalty - qualities as essential to the wizarding struggle as to our own. Even adults like to think that somehow, everything will be all right.

Also, the Book Review section today features a review of HBP; reviewer Liesl Schillinger takes pains not to spoil the book, but notes that JKR "has succeeded in delivering another spellbinding fantasy set in her consummately well-imagined alternate reality." Thanks to Marie for the link.