Bookstores... go! Harry is on the way

Saturday 21st of July. 12:01am. The last title of Harry Potter's series will be launch. I know this isn't new for anybody. The commercial phenomenon of Harry Potter, is not new either; nevertheless, for me is still interesting the social phenomenon that is created aournd this book. Definitively something never seen and continues surprising all.

Nowadays, as part of the publishing world, I've been much more focused in the happennings in bookstores. For example, at Gandhi (mexican bookstore) is preparing a day filled with activities around Harry Potter, that will culminate with the sale of the book, at 00:01. Well, no new buyers accepted tonight, because since one month ago people have asked for a copy. Tonight's selling is calculate, for about 2500 units in the store lacated inMiguel Angel of Quevedo.

Scholastic, publishing house of Harry Potter, has imposed severe security measures, also restrictions about the quantity distributed on every point of sale. It's going to be very interesting to see how many units are being sold, mainly because it will be the English edition in that will be on sale, and Mexico is a Spanish speaking country.

As for me, I have big reasons for joy as I know, that at least some hours, the bookstores will be visited by so many new readers. Perhaps, and for sure, this does'nt apply at all for the independent booksellers, who usually have problems with the reception of new features from the monster publishing houses, and Harry Potter, I think, wont be the exception.

Mexican pride

I woke up the last two mornings hearing the big news: some australian guys participating in Big Brother played a game, where two guys defended some flag, very similar to Mexico's one (colors were wrong).

The wrath of the news guy, the indignation of people in the office, brief so many feelings around those Australians throwing globes filled with water to a red-white-green flag with the Mexican national shield to the center. A Mexican sombrero in the blond heads of the participants.

I remembered the trip I did one year ago to Piedras Negras, border town in northern Mexico; then I crossed "to the other side", Eagle Pass, TX. I went to the small town's mall for some shopping (ha ha ha…. Yes, you can shop at Eagle Pass!!!!) I was so surprised when I saw a childrens slide painted with Mexico's flag true colors and even more surprising it was when I saw our national eagle just on the slide, where hundreds of children's asses slipped all day long, giving the poor eagle something more than an obscene caress.

Let say something, in Eagle Pass spanish is not a stranger, it is just like Mexico with all its Mexicans. And be sure that the asses of Mexican children slipped there too. Back then and there, in "the other side", there was neither the wrath, nor indignation. Anybody said a word about it, none of the Mexicans there said a word. Only the desire to continue shopping.