It’s hard not to raise an eyebrow a millimeter or two at today’s news that the “Harry Potter” series is finally making its extremely long awaited arrival in e-book format. After all, it’s been almost five years since “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” was published, and eight months since the final film adaptation hit theaters. Pottermania, it’s safe to say, is on the wane.
Meanwhile, the $155 million the first “Hunger Games” film took in over the weekend more or less anoints Suzanne Collins as the new queen of young adult fiction. It’s the third-biggest opening for a movie ever, right behind, yup, “The Deathly Hallows Part 2″ (and “The Dark Knight”).
Whether or not the timing is pure coincidence — and it’s only fair to note that J.K. Rowling originally planned to open her online store last fall before running into logistical hurdles — there are plenty of reasons to think the “Harry Potter” books should enjoy a robust second life in digital form, even if they won’t be getting a lift from any new movie tie-ins.
Full Story: Harry Potter and e-Books: A magical combination