Examining my nightstand this morning, an archilibrologist would identify nine species of books. There are ARCs I promised a rep to read (1), ARCs by authors with personal connections to the store (2), ARCs I selected for further study (3), and ARCs with covers so appealing that I knew customers would ask about the words within (4). There are also ARCs I loved and am still dipping back into passages of (5), history books I'm picking away at (6), a beloved book to be reread when either palette cleansing or the comfort of reading something I already know I love is wanted (7), ARCs field-tested by a customer that came back with a strong positive report (8), and books getting so much attention I need to take the plunge (9).

And what of their life beyond the nightstand? What does the future hold in store for them? Species 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 will either be converted to a 5, be well-liked enough to be shelved at home, or taken back to the store for more circulation among staff, customers, and classrooms. Species 5 will either be shelved at home or strategically loaned out with strict orders to return, in order to generate more interest. Species 6 and 7 will be re-shelved. Species 9 will either be shelved at home or brought back to the store and left around the counter as a conversation starter.

1.
Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet
Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf by Curtis Jobling

Legend by Marie Lu
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting


2.
Mercy: The Last New England Vampire by Sarah Thomson
American Nations by Colin Woodard


3.
The Yellow Emperor’s Cure by Kunal Basu
The Children of the Sky by Vernor Vinge
A Plague Year by Edward Bloor
At the Devil’s Table by William C. Rempel


4.
The Apothecary by Maile Meloy


5.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Magician King by Lev Grossman
Icefall by Mathew Kirby


6.
The Third Reich in Power by Richard Evans


7.
H.M.S. Surprise by Patrick O’Brian


8.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen


9.

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Brechner is the owner of DDG Booksellers in Farmington, Maine.