Lest you think that the last book I read before picking up Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was High Fidelity some nine months ago – I’m a remarkably uncommitted reader considering my profession, but not that bad – I’d like to fill in some gaps. Here are three authors whose books I’ve read in the time between Hornby and Rowling:

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For a decade now, much has been made of whether or not the Harry Potter series has resurrected the art of reading. And while data suggests that kids are turning right back to their technology after reading Harry Potter, the fact that a seven-book fantasy series could so captivate the world is a testament to how tremendously entertaining the books are. The series comes to an end with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a book that simultaneously justifies the anticipation and points out the greatest weaknesses of the series and author J.K. Rowling. Caution, all ye who have not read the book: There be mild spoilers ahead.

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Appreciating Hairspray, the movie musical based on the Broadway show based on John Waters’ 1988 movie, begins with quickly getting over the fact that John Travolta is dressed up like a woman. The casting of the world’s second favorite ambiguously sexually orientated Scientologist is not a stunt but a faithful recreation of the circumstances of Waters’ casting the drag queen Divine as the lead character’s mother in his original film. The sooner that you can stop giggling solely because Travolta wears a wig – something the people behind me at the theatre could not manage – the sooner you realize that the best moments in Hairspray have little to do with Travolta’s wardrobe.

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It seems that the first position in my “people I’d like to meet” section of my MySpace page is charmed. The first resident of that spot was Steve Burns; I met him twice this summer. His replacement? Matt Nathanson, who you’ve already read about me meeting (evidence at right). Now I need a third honoree. Who should I put in that place, improving my chances of an encounter? Keira Knightley could move up one spot, but I’m afraid I’d pass out if I actually met her. Also worth noting: all jokes about meeting a dateable girl will result in your immediate banishment from the Internet. I talked to Al Gore about it, and he’s on board. So beware.

Last night the Phillies got a head start on their next 10,000 losses, losing 10-3 in a game that I’m sure nobody stayed up to watch. I’m not here to philosophize on why this group seemed destined to be the ones to reach the dubious record, or why 10,000 losses is such an important mark. Instead, my contribution to the 10,000 losses rhetoric comes courtesy of my friend John - a Yankee fan but Phillies sympathizer - who sent me the following text message this morning.

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It’s somewhat strange that, after three years working at a place that switches to flexible hours during the summer, I haven’t found a proper way to take advantage of the fact that I don’t have to work most Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Through Mark at the Long Cut, I knew of WXPN’s Free at Noon Concert series, but I never thought it would be worth my afternoon to take advantage.

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Welcome to the summer of J.K. Rowling. This week, fans of the Harry Potter movie franchise experience the wizard’s fifth and most precarious year at Hogwarts, and in 9 days, Rowling’s faithful readers will be rewarded for their vigor with the terminal chapters in her seven-book series. For those of us who are interested in both media—and honestly, the cross section is humongous—it’s a ten-day festival of bewitching anticipation and, if Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is as good as the movie adaptation of …and the Order of the Phoenix, satisfying payoff.

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It’s been a while since I updated my blogroll, largely because I haven’t been looking for new and interesting sites lately. Today, one fell into my lap - or, more appropriately, my IM client. Please go check out The Grammar Vandal, a blog in which my sister’s college roommate tries to save the world from itself by stealthily (some times more than other) correcting its grammar. Kate is officially my hero.

Also worth checking out is O.K. Critic, written by Movie Hawk reader Heather, occasionally/formerly of The Typewriter and more often of her pregnancy/baby blog. I think it’s Heather’s goal to one day have as many active blog accounts as ESPN has networks.

Back later today with a review.

Dear Major League Baseball,

On the night that you so aggressively market as one of the most important in your sport - the All-Star Game - I encourage you to choose a singer who can properly pay tribute to our nation. Tonight’s version of “The Star Spangled Banner,” sung by San Francisco native Chris Isaak, was a disgrace. It is shameful that a grown man does not know the words to his national anthem, and reprehensible that executives would put someone on the field unless they were certain he knew the words. Mr. Isaak’s version follows:

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In Ratatouille, the newest joint effort by Disney and Pixar, the late, legendary chef Gusteau (Brad Garrett) was famous for his assertion that “anyone can cook.” Following Gusteau’s recipes and adding a bit of flair, that ideal is proven by an unlikely pair. More notable, though, is how the statement can also apply to the way that Ratatouille and its Disney-Pixar kin are produced: anyone can make a movie, but with the right ingredients added into the mix, Pixar continues to do it better than anyone else. That becomes even more obvious considering the fact that the film is orchestrated by Brad Bird, perhaps the genre’s most innovative director.

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