Only one thing to say this morning: why in the world did I wait so long to read the Harry Potter books? I've been resisting, I think, because of all the hype and merchandising, but I was wrong. Having been shown the light by my dear brother, I've devoured the first two volumes and am on the waiting list at the library (behind dozens of children, no doubt) for the other two. They reminded me of the delight I felt as a kid reading John Fitzgerald's Great Brain series. Something about overly smart but outcast protagonists—can't imagine why I'd identify with that.