Residents have already signed up to reserve J.K. Rowling's new book, "The Casual Vacancy," at the Grayslake Area Public Library.
 
The new book, authored by the creator of Harry Potter, is aimed at a grown-up audience. "The Casual Vacancy" will be released Sept. 27.

The Grayslake Area Public Library has purchased five hardback copies of the book, based on the 15 library patrons who reserved it well in advance.

"We'll probably be ordering a few more," said Library Director Roberta Thomas, noting that initially, there will be one book per five patrons.

Because those patrons who've already reserved the book will have it for two weeks, Thomas encourages other patrons to sign up now.

"People are excited. She (Rowling) is a great storyteller," said Thomas.

The library will also have the book on CD and on the "Playaway" MP3 format.

More than 2 million hardcover copies of Rowling's first novel are set to be released simultaneously in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Germany.

According to USA Today, the story is set in the little English town of Pagford, and revolves around an election held after a member of the parish council unexpectedly dies. Despite the Miss Marple terrain, press materials describe The Casual Vacancy  as "blackly comic … Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty facade is a town at war."