Columbia readers snap up Lee’s ‘Go Set A Watchman’

When the Books-A-Million in Lexington opened at 9 a.m. Tuesday, book lovers were ready and waiting to purchase author Harper Lee’s latest novel, “Go Set A Watchman.”

Excitement for Lee’s book – essentially a sequel to her first novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird” – was high in the Midlands and across the country. “Go Set A Watchman” was the No. 1 bestseller on Amazon.com and the most pre-ordered print book since 2007’s “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the retailer reported.

“I have seen a big crowd come out today,” Lexington Books-A-Million employee Kayla Smith said over the phone Tuesday. “I cannot wait to read it. I’m on the clock so I haven’t been able to get my copy yet.”

“Go Set A Watchman” was the No. 1 bestseller at Books-A-Million as well.

Smith said people buying the book were generally eager to get their hands on a copy, although some who had pre-ordered it were hesitant after reading articles that depicted main character Atticus Finch as a racist.

Worries about Atticus, known as a moral, upstanding lawyer from “Mockingbird,” haven’t stopped sales at Books on Broad in Camden, according to owner Laurie Funderburk. Most copies Tuesday were pre-ordered, she said. Sales for “Mockingbird” have also gone up, she added.

“It’s a nice opportunity to reread (“Mockingbird”) and then dive into this new book.”

Demand for “Go Set A Watchman” was high at the Richland Library, where, as of 2:40 p.m., there were 325 hold requests for 16 hard copies, said communications coordinator Laura Bliss Morris. The four audiobooks and 8 e-book copies were also all checked out and had hold requests, she said. The library is currently processing about 30 more copies of the book that will be available through the leasing program.