Understand that I have nothing against the “Wake Reads” program or the particular title they’ve chosen this year. I just found this item in the Sunday News & Observer worth pondering:

To prepare for readers, the library system has stocked 550 copies of “Curious Incident,” including several audio versions, says Dale Cousins, a regional library supervisor. Sarah Goddin, buyer and store manager for Quail Ridge Books & Music, says her store has 150 paperbacks ($12 each).

Linda Maloof, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble in Cary, says her store has 50 paperbacks of the book, which sell for $9.60 each …

During 2004’s Wake Reads Together, Lewis Nordan’s “Wolf Whistle” was checked out 2,200 times from the Wake libraries … The 2003 selection, Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” garnered a similar response.

I’m just picturing 550 copies of this single title in the system next year, after the promotional project is over.