More proof Harry Potter is out of this world: NASA has given JK top O.W.L marks for her accurate astronomy in OotP. (Editor’s commentary: I feel smarter just reading something by NASA. Thanks, Dan for the tip)

Thanks to John for pointing out this winning caption in a contest held by the Sev Wide Web. Scroll down for more entries. Warning: Some may include spoilers for LotR.

The Onion has a short list of tongue-in-cheek reasons why people are investing their hard earned knuts on OotP. (Editor’s Note: The last item on the list isn’t a spoiler per se, but if you haven’t read the book yet it might be construed as one. Just wanted to give a little warning) Thanks to …read more!

There’s been an update to the Lexicon – check out the Ministry of Magic section and an update to the Thestrals entry. Also, work has begun on updating the spell encyclopedia.

To end my first day on a light note, here is (in my humble opinion) a hilarous bit about our favorite wizard by Rupert Goodwins at zdnet. I give you, Harry Potter and The Order of The Fees !

According to an article at theage.com.uk a school in Melbourne has banned Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix from library shelves. Thanks go out to Vanessa in Sydney for the tip! 🙂

Venus Williams may have outgrown Potter, but don’t kick Harry off the court just yet. Russia tennis “sensation” Maria Sharapova – a wild card star at Wimbledon 2003 – spent her time off the court reading OotP. Not only did she do great in the tournament, she also finished the book and refused to say …read more!

A Sign stating Harry Potter is the devil is causing quite a stir in Kentucky. (Editor’s Note: The first time I read this I thought it said “Bill WEASLEY”…ah, but even life isn’t THAT ironic…)

Thesnitch.co.uk has some “new” pictures taken over two months ago on the Privet Drive set of PoA.

Heather Lee Schroeder with The Capital Times takes a thorough look at the different appeal Harry and crew have for children and adults in a thoughtful review of Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix