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'USA Today' picks 'Deathly Hallows' as book of the year 
DECEMBER 26, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: USA Today via Yahoo! News
With 2007 slowly coming to a close, the last book in the Harry Potter series, Deathly Hallows, has been chosen
by USA Today as their book of the year.
According to the newspaper:
This year's choice had to be the final Harry Potter book. The reasons are as varied as the different wizards' wands found in Diagon Alley. There were the numbers: Hallows sold a record-breaking 11.5 million copies in the USA during its first 10 days on sale in July. Then there was the pre-publication hysteria: Would Harry die? Could the world's children - and a lot of adults - handle it? Was an early version posted on the Web the real thing? (Yes.) Months after the book's publication, Rowling triggered controversy by revealing that Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore was gay. The blogosphere went wild. But none of that matters. Hallows is the book of the year because Rowling gave her story an ending that was as graceful, unpredictable and satisfying as the series itself. She reaffirmed that magic can exist when someone opens a great book and enters a world created from words on paper. She made us believe that the imagination - like her own little wizard, now all grown up - still lives.
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Auror
Points: 2028
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant...Book of the year. Now, We need the 8th Book for the New Year 2008.
Posted Dec 30, 2007 at 12:40 PM EST
Witch
Points: 751
Linakekei says:
This has just been the ultimate year of Harry Potter mania!
Posted Dec 30, 2007 at 5:42 PM EST
The Dark Knight
Points: 5789
minister for magic says:
Truly the best pick they could have made.
Deathly Hallows was a remarkable and historical achievement.
It deserves every award it will get and so does JKR.
Posted Dec 30, 2007 at 11:47 PM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4064
ILoveHP! says:
Congrats to Jo Rowling and Deathly Hallows! It's the ONLY book of the year for me! And I agree with the reasons!
Posted Dec 31, 2007 at 1:00 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 3747
Juicybit says:
Not surprising, is it. ;) Go Jo!
Posted Dec 31, 2007 at 6:44 AM EST
Lips of an Angel
Points: 26337
roflcopter (: says:
hahaha welll durrrrr!!!! ahaha or course deathly hallows was going to win... anyone could have predicted that...and im not just saying that cos i like HP...
Posted Dec 31, 2007 at 10:35 AM EST
Witch
Points: 534
~AlyPotter~ says:
I am not surprised at all.
And the final book definitely deserved this honor.
Posted Dec 31, 2007 at 11:09 AM EST
Squib
Points: 191
GINERVA'S TWIN says:
Its surely the book of the year.
But too sad it has ended so fast.
I have heard that Jo is thinking of writing a 8th HP book, but the center of attraction of the book will not be harry(not sure of the news).
GINERVA'S TWIN :D
Posted Dec 31, 2007 at 1:42 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 817
Silly Dragon says:
Undoubtedly the book of the year. What other book anyway? I was not so satisfied with the ending-a bit too plain-but on the whole Deathly Hallows was an excellent opus, nicely written and inventive.
Posted Dec 31, 2007 at 3:43 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2502
School Governor says:
A worthy winner indeed! It would have been a great controversy if DH did not win awards such as this.
Posted Dec 31, 2007 at 6:32 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 70
Gryffingrl12 says:
That is really cool! I was there all night at the store waiting to get that book. I have to say that is was really worth the wait. The book was awesome!! Some things I was not expecting, either. Like the part where he dies and then gets on the train and lives again. That was so cool! Oh and to bad about the Dumbledore thing, too. Who would have known... :)
Posted Jan 1, 2008 at 12:43 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1401
Dobby`s Friend says:
Well deserved!
I have just re-read the book, and it was as gripping this time. When I finished it last night, there was no way I could fall asleep, I was to full of emotions.
Thank you JK for these wonderful books!
Posted Jan 2, 2008 at 7:08 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1970
brenpotterfans says:
Deathly Hallows had to be the book of the year. It would be crazy if it wasn't. It actually should be the book of the century, but I'm sure most of us won't be around when that is announced.
Posted Jan 2, 2008 at 2:03 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1148
humes says:
Yep, definitely book of the year.
Madam Marsh, appreciate your thoughts, and yes, I thought she could have been more definitive, but you probably shouldn't pigeonhole the series to fit your perspective. None of us knew what was going to happen, and you have a right to be disappointed if it wasn't what you expected, but that doesn't take away from the overall achievement. Or it shouldn't, anyway.
Posted Jan 2, 2008 at 2:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1420
~Hermione says:
Congratulations! It really deserves it and I couldn't think of another book of the year.
Posted Jan 3, 2008 at 10:00 AM EST
Squib
Points: 170
MisterPalindrome says:
A very well deserved honor! Glad to hear it.
Posted Jan 4, 2008 at 3:49 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4412
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
NO doubt the most famous and well known book in the world after/along with the bible. I loved DH! Best wishes to Jo. :)
~MP~
Posted Jan 4, 2008 at 4:42 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 333
apanick attacka says:
there were no doughts in my mind that this book was the best book of the year. It is probobly one of the best books in a long time
Posted Jan 4, 2008 at 8:32 PM EST
Kathe Mera Kalimera
Points: 7500
dominor says:
Hallows is the book of the year because Rowling gave her story an ending that was as graceful, unpredictable and satisfying as the series itself. She reaffirmed that magic can exist when someone opens a great book and enters a world created from words on paper. She made us believe that the imagination - like her own little wizard, now all grown up - still lives.
This says it all.
Posted Jan 5, 2008 at 6:52 PM EST
Squib
Points: 186
FobeeOne says:
I wholeheartedly agree with USA Today. The DH was a perfect ending to the series. It left us with both a sense of loss and a sense of wonder as we mourned the death of some beloved characters (and the death of the series) and as we considered the possibilities that lay ahead of the boy who lived.
Posted Jan 5, 2008 at 9:11 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 15
Gregorovitch's Apprentice says:
YES!
Im so pleased that this book is up for this specific award. there is no doubt in my mind that this book doesnt deserve to win. JK Rowling should be picking up alot of awards for the book in which the world loved so much.
Posted Jan 8, 2008 at 8:28 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9722
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
Deathly Hallows was definitely the best book of year. After reading the series multiple times and theorizing how the story would end, the book deserves to be the book of the year. Jo did an amazing job with the story!
Posted Jan 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2510
Mystique says:
Well of course they chose it. Was there any other book that deserves this more than deathly hallows? of course not!
Posted Jan 24, 2008 at 4:00 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 95
Horcrunks says:
Well done! There has never been a book as good as this, there will never be a book as good as this! Any year this book could have been written and it would still have won this award!!!
CONGRATS TO J.K. ROWLING!!!
Posted Jan 28, 2008 at 1:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1720
hufflepuff_babe says:
Yep. Pretty much nothing could destroy the magic of Harry Potter. Even thought some people were so terrible to put the book on-line real fans still were able to enjoy this book.
Posted Jan 29, 2008 at 4:35 PM EST
Squib
Points: 117
sweetvanillamint01 says:
Of course it's Book of the Year!! :) What a great way to end the entire series. Congrats to Jo for writing an awesome, unforgettable book and series. :)
Posted Feb 2, 2008 at 8:22 PM EST
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