Philadelphia Abuzz in Anticipation of Harper Lee’s Watchman

Many Philly-area bookstores and theaters are holding parties and promotions for the novel's release.

Philadelphians in the literary world and beyond have been anticipating this day for one huge reason, and it has nothing to do with France’s Bastille Day celebrations.

Actually, it’s quite American in nature.

This is the day that, finally, Harper Lee‘s second novel, Go Set a Watchman, will be released to bookstores nationwide. Lee is the author of the classic 1961 novel To Kill a Mockingbird. This past weekend, the Philadelphia Inquirer ran a preview of the book alongside a feature story about what Philly-area bookstores — corporate, like Barnes and Noble, and independent — and other creative institutions are doing to celebrate and promote the somewhat controversial launch.

Back in February, the Inquirer also wrote about Harper trending on Twitter in Philadelphia and around the nation, as aptly named publishing house HarperCollins announced they’d release the book on July 14th. And on Friday, Reuters (via the Inquirer) reported that Watchman — as the soon-to-be-released novel is nicknamed — has matched Harry Potter in Amazon pre-orders. It is currently the top-selling book on the website and is second only in pre-sales to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in J.K. Rowling‘s world-renowned series. And that was eight years ago.

There will reportedly be two million copies of Watchman in print for the initial release, Reuters reported.

So, if you’re like the millions across America who are buzzing about the book release, where can you go in the Philadelphia area?

Here, again, is the Inquirer’s list of places to celebrate, get the book, or do both on Tuesday. Some highlights:

On Tuesday, Barnes and Noble stores around the area will open at 7 am for a rush period. Between 7-10 am, visit the café for a free tall coffee with your purchase of Watchman. (Perfect for the morning train commute!) The first twenty people to buy the book also get a free To Kill a Mockingbird tote bag. Hurry!

Big Blue Marble (554 Carpenter Lane) began selling copies at 12:01 this morning, and will continue to do so until they’re all sold out. Afterwards, on the second level, there will be a reading of the new novel, beginning with the first chapter and then continuing on if there’s demand.

Main Point Books (1041 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr) is going the unconventional route and hosting a Southern-style breakfast, or brunch, at 10 am on Tuesday. Fruit, biscuits, tea and book sales of Watchman are on the menu. Just don’t eat the book!

And finally, Doylestown’s County Theater (20 East State Street, Doylestown) will be screening Mockingbird at 5:30 pm Tuesday, with nearby Doylestown Bookshop (16 S. Main St.) selling Watchman. The event has since sold out, according to the County Theater’s website. Sorry to those who missed out!

Again, check with the Inquirer link for a more exhaustive list, or with your own neighborhood bookshops to see if they are hosting an event of their own.