Good-bye, Harry

I just finished the final Harry Potter book. And I'm not going to lie. I'm sorry that the series is finished. I've always been a fan of a series. I like the idea of picking up a book already having met the characters, and continuing from where we left off. My summers growing up, during our annual vacations to the Cape, my mom would take me to the book store, and I would buy an entire series-worth of books to read over the few weeks we vacationed. I would finish one, and crack open the next one immediately. My granny encouraged this binge-reading behavior by cleaning out the Library where she worked, sending me crates of books (Hello, Sweet Valley High!).

In High School and College, it was a bit different. There were so many books that I HAD to read, that I didn't get around to do much reading that I WANTED to do. It took me awhile post-grad, but I'm back into the book binge. I'm in a book club that meets monthly, and I'm still reading another few books a month beyond that. But Harry was bad. I couldn't put it down. I would stay up late. Read while I was walking down the street ('cause that's safe in Chicago). I even accidentally stayed out for a two hour lunch break, because I got so caught up in it that I completely lost track of time. I would get panicky if too many days went by before I was able to read again. Addicted? I guess there are worse things to be hooked on.

Now that it's over, I feel a little bit depressed. Withdrawal, perhaps? How will I fill my spare days, now that Harry is gone? Who will entertain me?

I guess I"ll have to move along. And pick up another series.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'll read anything but Chic Lit. Hate Chic Lit.