In the News

USA Today Names "Deathly Hallows" Top Book of 2007

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Posted by: Edward
January 17, 2008, 06:18 PM

There is a new set of stories online from USA Today regarding the spectacular sales of the final book in author J. K. Rowling’s series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” and of the impact this, and other books, had on the publishing industry this past year. In a series of reports, the magazine notes the smashing of “records with its 12-million-copy first printing” and the staggering “8.3 million [copies] sold in its first 24 hours” when the novel finally hit bookshelves on July 21, 2007. In the first article, USA Today names the Harry Potter novels, along with the sudden increase in popularity of paperback editions of books, the biggest trends of 2007.

“Deathly Hallows” also received the top honor when the online edition of the paper released their list of Top 100 books for 2007, naming the seventh installment of the series number one. Interestingly enough, the previous six Harry Potter novels, each of them having been in print for many years, were also ranked among 2007’s top books. The sixth novel, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” came in at number 11 on the list while the remaining books of the series ranked as follows:

  • 33. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • 36. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
  • 70. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • 88. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • 96. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

    Finally, the paper takes a look back at the number one books for each week of 2007, attempting to decipher the reading habits and influences which made that particular book tops during a specific time. Noting that no another book came close to the sales of “Deathly Hallows” in 2007, the report says this of the novel’s place at number one:

    The weekend of July 21 marked the end of an era. That’s when the seventh and final Harry Potter book went on sale, pulling the other six books in the series high onto the list. Even the Harry Potter Schoolbooks (“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and “Quidditch Through the Ages”) made an appearance on the Top 150 list. Rowling is such a giant force that Potter books accounted for 8% of all sales tracked on the list in 2007. She is the year’s top-selling author, selling nearly three times as many books as No. 2 author James Patterson. Deathly Hallows is the No.1 book of 2007, selling nearly three times as many copies as its nearest competitor, No. 2 The Secret.
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    17 Comments

    matea

    for me DH is the best book ever.Since I read it, I don’t want to read anything else! Can you believe that? So,I’ll continue read it again and again….....

    Posted by matea on January 17, 2008, 06:39 PM report to moderator
    Corey

    Yes, I can believe it…and what a shame.

    Posted by Corey on January 17, 2008, 06:44 PM report to moderator
    TAD

    CoS higher up than PoA? That doesn’t sound right. <_<

    Posted by TAD on January 17, 2008, 07:14 PM report to moderator
    Rachel

    I agree with TAD. And I’m suprised GoF is second to last. I always thought it was that one that REALLY made the series big, and most people I’ve heard have said it’s their favorite.

    Posted by Rachel on January 17, 2008, 08:12 PM report to moderator
    Lindsay

    matea i totally agree!!! all i read is HP, 24/7!! its the BEST EVER!!!

    Posted by Lindsay on January 17, 2008, 08:54 PM report to moderator
    Grup

    WTF. How is Azkaban that low?

    Posted by Grup on January 17, 2008, 09:10 PM report to moderator
    Hedwig June

    Probably because the list is by the number of sales, and those who have said PoA is their favorite already own a copy, and those who only just started reading the series this year probably have only gotten up through PS/SS and CoS due to personal time constraints and limited reading time. Wow, that was quite a run-on sentence…lol. Well, it made sense in my head…..:)

    Posted by Hedwig June on January 17, 2008, 09:46 PM report to moderator
    Professor Potter

    Deathly Hallows was the most adventurous, thrilling, and riveting end to what has been the most fantastic and enjoyable series I have ever read. Its rank in the sales is totally justified.

    Posted by Professor Potter on January 17, 2008, 10:38 PM report to moderator
    Gandalfxj9

    1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (13M+ sales) 2. The Secret (5M) 3. Eat, Pray, Love (4.4M)

    Wow….Harry Potter is way above and beyond any book this year. I still can’t believe it sold 8.3M on its first day. And the fact that the whole series was in the top 100 after YEARS of release is amazing.

    Posted by Gandalfxj9 on January 17, 2008, 10:39 PM report to moderator
    HPfreak

    YAY Im really not surprised… the only thing is maybe the School books set… im not complaining but out of 150 books its… different, that they would rank so high… out of all the other books! :D anyway congrats jo… 8% of sales!! great job well earned! :D

    -HPfreak

    Posted by HPfreak on January 18, 2008, 12:22 AM report to moderator
    BellaSnape

    A well deserved title, and I have actually heard the opposite about Goblet of Fire, no one really like it except that it brought Voldemort back, because its all about the stupid Triwizard Tournament, he really never does anything with Ron or Hermione in that book its just him and the tournament. my second favorite is the HBP and then OOTP.

    Posted by BellaSnape on January 18, 2008, 01:12 AM report to moderator
    Cristipotter

    I think GoF was a great book, it was actually my favorite until HBP came out, and then DH came out, but HBP is still my favorite although I ADORED DHGREAT BOOKS!

    I’ve heard people really like PoA because Voldemort’s not in it and it’s sweet. I’m surprised it is behind CoS!

    Posted by Cristipotter on January 18, 2008, 02:52 AM report to moderator
    Helen

    My fav one is DH, PoA might be at last because harry is not ina big chance of dying or anything with voldi not being present. JK is so awesome….......................

    Posted by Helen on January 18, 2008, 06:05 PM report to moderator
    Leif Longbottom

    I’m pleased that Ed refers to USA Today as a magazine. Even that may be too kind. I believe rag is the appropriate term.

    Posted by Leif Longbottom on January 18, 2008, 06:56 PM report to moderator
    Aggi

    Love the fact that 6 out of the seven were up there, but I do think PoA should be way higher… it’s my favourite, then DH xxx

    Posted by Aggi on January 19, 2008, 02:05 PM report to moderator
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