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GREENWICH, Conn. There hasnt been so much excitement over Harry Potter at Diane's Books since author J.K Rowling came to the store years ago and people lined up for her autograph.
But Harry Potter is back, casting his spell of magic across Fairfield County including at Dianes Books. With the eighth and final movie, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2," scheduled for release at midnight Thursday, cinemas arent the only ones reaping the benefits of Harry mania.
In fact, bookstores across the region already have and expect sales to be brisk again in the coming weeks.
We sold out of book seven at one point, but we are almost out of books one and two. I think when the movie comes out, people who havent read it want it, said Mary Murphy, a sales associate who works in the childrens section at Diane's Books. We have had a lot of buzz, the majority of people coming in and buying the books are moms and dads. It is a big deal, I can honestly say that.
Murphy remembers when the author paid a visit to the store.
J.K. Rowling came here years ago. I wasnt working here at the time, but my whole family came. We got all of them signed. I have four of them that are first edition, signed by her, Murphy said. Diane (the store owner) even had dinner with her a few times, and somewhere in here she signed the wall.
Some book stores have set up giant Harry Potter displays that include all seven books, DVDs of the films, magic wands, games, puzzles and even a book on the scientific basis of some of the magic in Harry Potter.
Ever since we put up our big display people have been buying the books in droves, said John Mastrony, merchandise items manager at Barnes & Noble in Norwalk. We expect that to intensify when the movie comes out.
Meanwhile, Murphy said all of her kids are ready to see the movie. She ordered 20 tickets online for her kids and their friends. I have four kids between 15 and 19, and theyre all going and dressing up for the first time, she said. "When we ordered the tickets they were already almost sold out."
Do you plan to see the final Harry Potter movie? Have you read the books? Let us know if youre a Harry fanatic in a comment below.
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