Should booksellers stock the Kahui book?

Stuff reports:

New Zealanders are angry that Whitcoulls will not confirm whether it will stock Macsyna King’s exposé about the death of her twin boys are taking their frustration to the book seller’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

That should read “Some New Zealanders …”

Yesterday PaperPlus announced it would not be selling the book Breaking Silence: The Kahui Case  following overwhelming feedback from their staff and members of the public.

But Whitcoulls head office is refusing to confirm whether it will stock the controversial tell-all.

In a post on the company’s Facebook page the book chain says it is taking “all views into account” before deciding whether or not to stock the book.

“We want to make a balanced decision and will let people know the outcome as soon as possible.”

The online update has prompted more than 80 messages in response.

Many of the messages in response support Whitcoulls in (so far) not banning the book.

As a general principle I do not like booksellers deciding on my behalf what they think I should or should not read. However I respect their right as a private company to only stock whatever they want.

It seems to me there is a logical halfway step. Why doesn’t Whitcoulls stock the book for those who want to buy it, but not advertise or promote it in any way. Don’t have it on display. Just have it filed away in the appropriate section where people can find it if they want it.

UPDATE: Having now read the Q+A at the Herald with Ian Wishart, I don’t see what the fuss is about. If King was profiting from the book, I could understand the reluctance to stock the book. But she isn’t. So I don’t see why it should be different to any other book – buy it or don’t buy it based on your preferences.