But let's be real as to why I made up this feature: I just want the opportunity to post something about Harry Potter.
This week, thanks to the French Harry Potter fan site La Gazette du Sorcier, new tidbits about the newly redesigned Bloomsbury Harry Potter Series have been revealed, including the spine designs, the back cover designs, some extra Pottermore factoids, a J.K. Rowling biography, and a map of the Hogwarts grounds!:
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| Colourful spines |
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| Back covers for Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban |
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| Back covers for Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix |
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| Back covers for Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows |
Pottermore factoids - Click to embiggen!
J.K. Rowling biography - Click to embiggen!
And finally, the map of the Hogwarts grounds!
Okay, so I know I already said that I couldn't possibly justify purchasing more copies of the Harry Potter Series, but these versions with all their special features are definitely testing my will!! ESPECIALLY that map. I LOVE maps in books and I think including a map of the Hogwarts grounds is a great idea! I love how colourful the book spines are and the back cover images are pretty cute (though I think the back covers of the new US Editions absolutely WIN in this case because they're gorgeous). I also love the idea of including Jo's bio and little factoids about the Wizarding World from Pottermore (though I'm less keen that it comes across more as an advertisement to visit Pottermore.com). So yes, all in all these new UK Harry Potter Editions are pretty cool, I think! Still doesn't change the fact that I can't afford them though because they are CRAZY expensive as you can see from the price stickers on the books. But if Bloomsbury ever wanted to release a poster of the Hogwarts Grounds Map, I'd be all for that, just saying!! A huge Mercy Beaucoup goes out to La Gazette du Sorcier for taking these photos!
WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS TO ME? Every time they are testing me with new gorgeous editions and these ones *drools* I love the back of the covers and all those extra information. Even a map! I do love maps. A lot.
ReplyDeleteHa! RIGHT?? It's like, OMG WANT WANT, but oh noes CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER COPY!!
DeleteDo it! You're a collector. :)
ReplyDeleteDon't enable me!! haha
DeleteI love the map! I get so happy when books contain maps.
ReplyDelete*admires the all the pretty spines* But yeah, those editions are not cheap!
So, so pretty! And they know if they set the price high, some people will shell out for them.
DeleteThese are absolutely gorgeous! Like you, I'm finding it hard to resist buying these, but I just can't afford these right now or maybe ever! But they are so beautiful! Must...resist....urge. lol and I completely agree about this map! This is amazing, and I can never get enough of maps in books. I really wish I had all of these, and I'm sorely tempted. Lovely post, Aylee!
ReplyDeleteHa must... resist...urge! Urgh but I don't know if I could ever afford them, realistically either.
DeleteUgh I love both the new UK and US versions of the books. I sooo wish I could buy both sets >.< I think I prefer the front covers of the UK versions and the backs of the US version, but I also love how reminiscent the US version covers are of the old version. Really, there's no way NOT to want both versions they're so gorgeous! And the map and extras in the UK version *swoon*.
ReplyDeleteI know I KNOW! One day when we're rich we can buy ALL the versions!! ohhh, that would be heaven.
DeleteOh man! I need these books. I am very proud of my first edition Harry Potter (UK) set but wow these books just blew me away. I must have them. Maybe not now but real soon. Those spines and those maps and those factoids. *makes grabby hands*
ReplyDeleteFirst edition HP set?? Wow, that's awesome!! Pretty sure I only have first editions of 5, 6, and 7. But yes *GRABBY HANDS*!!
DeleteLOOK AT HOW PRETTY!!!! The colors are just so vibrant and gorgeous, I want them all lined up on my shelf immediately. And that map is fabulous. I love books with maps too, Aylee:) These are a bit pricey, but maybe they could find their way onto a birthday or holiday list... :)
ReplyDeleteMyesh, I might consider asking for a birthday or holiday gift. I don't know if I could hope to afford to buy these anytime soon.
DeleteI love how they put so much effort into it and didn't just slap on a new design to sell more books.
ReplyDeleteAt least if you take the plunge and buy them - they're special and have extras for longtime fans.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
Yeah, that's true! I do really appreciate that they're putting extra stuff into them. But I also think that's the reason why they are outrageously pricey.
DeleteOMG, A MAP. I WANT THESE SO BAD. SIGH.
ReplyDeleteTHE MAP IS EVERYTHING.
DeleteSo if I just give them my bank account can I have all the Harry Potter books pretty please? I don't need any more copies of the Harry Potter books than I already have but I just want them so freaking badly!
ReplyDeleteHa, maybe only a good idea if you're rich! And one day when we are rich, then we can have all the pretty covers on our shelves.
Deleteso many lovely covers! It's not fair. I still need to get the new US covers. I love that they form a whole picture on the back...
ReplyDeleteThese are super cool too. I'd love the Half-Blood Prince book because Malfoy is on the back and he's a favorite of mine. :) Plus, I love that book in general.
Ugh yes I love how the US covers form an image of Hogwarts. Sigh... so many pretty covers, so little money...
DeleteI love how these ones showcase a bunch of different characters, not just Harry!
DAT MAP!!! I wants it! I needs it! I second your motion that they should make the map available for those of us who are not yet rich and simply can not afford to buy ALL THE HARRY POTTER EDITIONS! Like you though, I think that the back covers from the US editions are impossible to beat (and those are the new editions I covet above all others) but these ones are pretty cool too. Thanks so much for sharing all these goodies with us Aylee - all the Potter goodness in one convenient location ;-)
ReplyDeleteYesss please!! That would be so amazing so I hope they do it. Or else they should reimburse us super fans on these pricey books. Either way. I think I covet the new US ones more than any other as well, so I think those are on my priority list for buying... but it's still not super likely sadly. And you're welcome! ^^
Delete£18?!?! They are absolutely gorgeous covers, but yes, far too expensive for me to replace my copies that are in perfectly good condition at the moment. Although I agree with you there, about being perfectly happy to have a map of Hogwarts too since I do love that. And I agree, it does seem like they are promoting Pottermore quite a lot with those factoids, which is a tad annoying. Still, I am in loveee with the pretty covers.
ReplyDeleteYup WAY too expensive. I've kept mine in great condition as well and I love them dearly so I'm certainly not ready to replace them. Even if this edition comes with a map and little facts.
DeleteOh my!!! These are gorgeous...and I want them, seriously so much! But, I agree, they are super expensive! They really are gorgeous though...stunning. I honestly cannot stop scrolling back up to look at them over and over again! haha If they weren't that expensive I would actually consider buying them though, but they're definitely a bit pricey when I already own all of the books. :P
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing though, Eilidh! :D I like that we can at least get to peek at the goodies inside of these editions! :D
Haha, same :D Even if I can never afford to buy them (which, let's face it, really is NEVER) then at least I can stare at the pretty covers on the internet, as well as sneak peak all the goodies. And I can dream and pretend I have them on my shelves...
DeleteExactly!!!! :D I am really, really tempted though. I added them all to my cart on Indigo's website...and it was about $134 with the 10% off for the plum rewards discount...I'm definitely tempted even more now cuz that's not as bad as I was expecting for hardcovers!!!
DeleteYeah, I guess it could be worse! Maybe I'll ask for Christmas, hmmm...
DeleteOh my, that information included is so neat! It would be a little irritating if there was only so much and then "go to pottermore for more", though. The back covers I like possibly more than the front! The colours and character illustrations are so... well, they're quite wonderful! I think I'm starting to like these editions A LOT. x
ReplyDeleteThat would be a little annoying! I'm still hoping that all the stuff on Pottermore will be made available in a bound book someday...
DeleteWOW!!! THOSE SPINES LOOK GORGEOUS!!! I love these, Aylee, thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSarika @ The Readdicts
You're welcome! :D
Deleteok, so, seriously, how did the HP books NOT have maps in them before?? Don't they? I feel like they must have, but that might just be me imagining them there because they so should be there.
ReplyDeleteI wish we could just buy the new jackets. You know, so I could switch them out with my old covers and rotate them around without having to buy the same book over and over.
Right?? They need maps. I would love to see a map of Hogwarts included, Marauder's Map style.
DeleteAnd yeah, that would be a good alternative!
I seem tobe the only one who doesn't prefer these editions. I still find them pretty and seeing as they now are aimed at younger children I find the covers perfectly fitting. Just as an 'older' fan I feel that they look too new and comicly. Plus Harry doesn't really seem to age that much which bothers me a tiny little bit. The nicest version for me is the american scholastic 15 Aniversary one, the covers are beautiful and to me they seem a lot more mature and dark than these Bloomsbury ones. (Although something in me says 'don't buy them, they the american version' and I don't know if I'd be satisfied with reading '..and the sorcerer's stone').
ReplyDeleteStill I am excited for these new editions and am looking forward to maybe ne German editions, too? that would be interesting :)
I wouldn't say I prefer these editions. Nothing will replace the originals in my mind, due to pure nostalgia-factor. But these are just pretty, yes, if a bit flawed. The Sorcerer's Stone thing would bother me too!
DeleteOMG, gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteNow I want these soso bad.
Hello! Has anyone noticed that the new hardback Harry Potter edition is 450 pages thicker (for 7 books in total) comparing to previous, Signature one?
ReplyDeleteI possess the hardback Signature edition (7 books, 2011, ISBN 9781408825945) and I noticed that the books 1-3 from the new hardback 2014 edition (ISBN 9781408856789) look quite thicker. I found the next pagination difference between the Signature ed. and the new one (according to my books and the book pagination of the new edition that Bloomsbury give on their site):
(Book number: 2011 Signature. ed. - 2014 New ed.)
1: 223 p. - 352 p. (+129 p. in new ed.)
2: 251 p. - 384 p. (+133 p.)
3: 317 p. - 480 p. (+163 p.)
4: 636 p. - 640 p. (+4 p.)
5: 766 p. - 816 p. (+50 p.)
6: 607 p. - 560 p. (-47 p.)
7: 607 p. - 640 p. (+33 p.)
Is this pagination information from Bloomsbury agree with the real books? Can someone who possesses this new edition check it? Thank you very much!
For the new ed. (9781408856789) they indicate the pages total (extent - 3422) but if to sum up one by one (using their items information) it gives 3872 pages. So I'm very confused. I mean is it the right information about the new pagination? I understand that the pagination reset in the new edition is normal due to some chages (like in books 4-7 within its 50 pages) but the pagination reset in books 1-3 like +130+160 pages for each one looks just mysterious....is it real? I inquire about it because the only one way for me to order it is from some book sellers (like Amazon) and I can't look at it personaly before I buy it! ?