Our Leaky Lounge is buzzing once again as the start of the latest book club reading has just begun in the Jo’s Book Nook forums. Our Non-Harry Potter Book Club will be reading “The Subtle Knife” by Philip Pullman, the second book in the His Dark Materials Trilogy. Discussions on this book are open to …read more!

UK Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen has made some comments regarding Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling while on tour in Scotland to help promote literacy among students. The Times reports that author Michael Rosen said Harry Potter “deserved credit for encouraging a generation of children to read,[but] he feared their success might prevent youngsters from discovering …read more!

Convention Alley, the Harry Potter gathering due to be held in Ottawa, Ontario Canada in June of this year, has now announced their key note speakers. Speaking will be author John Granger, who will be presenting his piece “Unlocking Deathly Hallows: Five Keys for a Greater Appreciation of the Last Harry Potter Novel,” and Dr. …read more!

Birthday wishes for another most excellent Head of Hufflepuff are the order of the day, for actress Miriam Margolyes (Professor Sprout) is celebrating her 67th birthday today. Cheers Miriam!

The Boston Globe is reporting today that film score composer John Williams will be leading the Boston Pops in a concert series starting this Tuesday ,featuring new pieces of his score to the upcoming Indiana Jones film, as well as selections from his scores of Star Wars and the Harry Potter series. The paper notes …read more!

As part of their summer movie preview, Yahoo Movies has posted a gallery of 20 great movie creatures. Included on this list is a magical creature familiar to Harry Potter fans: Kreacher, the house elf at Grimmauld Place. Other creatures of note are Gollum from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, ET, Jabba the Hut …read more!

A television host in the UK has landed a small part in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This is Nottingham reports that GMTV presenter Ben Shepard will be seen as an extra for the Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes scene in HBP, where he will play a parent in the wizarding shop. Ben Shepard …read more!

A few days ago we told you that J.K. Rowling was one of 13 authors who have contributed a handwritten “storycard” for a charity auction on June 10. Sponsored by UK booksellers Waterstone’s, proceeds from this auction will benefit the English PEN and Dyslexia Action. Now as part of this event, Waterstone’s has launched a …read more!

Today actor Stanislav Ianevski, who portrayed the character of Viktor Krum in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” celebrates his 23rd birthday. Many Happy Birthday wishes to you, Stan! Cheers!

We have a few pieces of news and rumors regarding Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to update you on. First, thanks to Oclumencia via HarryPotterforum, who emailed regarding what they believe to be a new photo of Harry (Dan Radcliffe) from “Half-Blood Prince.” While you can see that photo, here via this link, we …read more!