Just like with the last book, someone didn't pay attention, and sold copies of the new Harry Potter before this weekend's release. Reading this makes me think that there should be some sort of licensing to run a bookstore. Most independent booksellers are in the business because they love books, and I can't see one of them selling the book early, because they share a respect for the anticipation of the next book. And they admire the love of reading this series has awakened in many.
I know that I'm biased, having been raised not only in a house with an abundance of books, but in a children's bookshop for eight years of my childhood. I can't imagine my mom, or any other member of my "bookshop family" making the mistake of selling such an item ahead of time. It makes me think of that scene in You've Got Mail, where Meg Ryan visits the children's section of Fox Books. A customer comes through looking for the "shoes" books. The Fox employee doesn't know what the customer is referring to, but Meg Ryan immediately knows that it's the books by Noel Streatfield - she loves books, they're not just a job.
I doubt that these books were sold by a large chain bookstore, because they tend to be too structured for such a major mistake to happen. I suspect that they were sold by an independent bookseller, but one who does not have a love of books. And I can't help but think that if that criteria - a love of books - was required of every bookseller, the Harry Potter books wouldn't have been sold early.
Posted by Shokufeh at July 11, 2005 08:08 PMI have been reading for awhile and your site is a bit of brightness in my day, so it's time to de-lurk... and it might make you feel a bit better to know that the Harry Potter books were actually sold by a Canadian grocery store (I'm imagining a Canadian version of Costco or Wal-Mart). So your impressions of booksellers can remain unsullied and beautiful!
Posted by: Natalie at July 12, 2005 03:05 PM