I was accosted in Costco on Friday by a husband-and-wife author team who were there promoting and signing their new book.
I doubt there is anyone on the planet who enjoys reading more than I do. I doubt there is anyone that gets as much pleasure out of buying a new book, during the too-often-times when heading to my local bookstore is cheaper than paying my library fines.
However, I don't like being pressured into buying anything. In fact, many times I don't take the samples because I don't want to feel obligated to purchase the item which I just sampled. Especially when I'm on a tight timetable and on a strict list (on which I MUST operate in Costco, for fear of going bankrupt). Except I was supposed to be meeting Himself in the book section at Costco and he was late. I didn't dare wander off, so I was virtually held hostage by a set of over-eager authors wielding Sharpies at a card table. And, well, it's fun to meet the authors of books - it gives you a little insight to what might be going on between the covers of the books they wrote.
They gave me the run-down about the book. They read me the reviews (odd, yes? If I'm buying a book, I can probably actually read the reviews myself) and talked about how it was their first work of fiction.
I gave in. The book was $9. The cover looked like something my mom might be interested in. I had it autographed for her and continued to sit in the book section, burying my nose in a coffee table book about something so benign I don't remember the subject matter.
Because I can't pass up the opportunity to read a new book, even if it is supposed to be a gift for my mother, I began reading it that night before bed.
It was TERRIBLE. Awful. Worse than anything I've read in a long, long time (possibly ever). Bad enough I'm not sure I can in good conscience give it to my mother. (Not to mention, the subject matter, a fictional story on dealing with in-law relationships, is not exactly something my mom is probably interested in - given that her in-laws are dead).
I'm not sure what to do. I can't re-sell it or donate it. I had it autographed for crying out loud. I can't keep it. It isn't autographed to me. Do I give it to my mother anyway and admit that I read it, it's terrible and I'm sorry for letting someone push me into making a purchasing decision that affected her? Even if it was only $9?
Is it bad to throw away a brand-new, perfectly good (as in "good shape" not as in "good good") book?
Yes, it really is bad enough that I am considering something that is tantamount to a cardinal sin in my home - throwing a brand-new something away.
At the moment, I've done nothing. The book is still residing on my night stand. The guilt is killing me.
9 comments:
Your first clue should have been that the authors were at Costco signing the book. That's not a good sign.
The question is: does your mother read this blog? If she does, you should give it to her with some of the great (or terrible) lines highlighted. That way, everyone can have a good laugh. If she doesn't read this blog, then you can use the book to start fires. That way, you aren't wasting it. :D
I happen to be in love with paperbackswap.com, and if it were my book I would post it, send it to someone else, and then request a book I really did want. But that would definitely take more effort than throwing it away and might not be as much fun as burning it.
I would just give it to her and admit to reading it and hating it. She probably wouldn't be surprised that you took the opportunity to preview it :) Or, just donate it. There might be someone out there who would actually like it. I don't think it matters that it's autographed, you can still give it away. And how lame to guilt/pressure someone into buying your book! If I ever write a book, I totally want people to buy it because they WANT to!
Lots of local authors sign their books at Coscto, so that in and of itself didn't worry me.
I wonder if the paperback swap people want a book that has been autographed?
Burning it might be fun. My mom has no idea what a blog is, so she'd be none the wiser.
If only it wasn't so horribly wretched. Poorly written. Choppy. And ... it has a magical old lady to boot!
Ward White Elephant Gift Exchange.
You can't conscionably inflict that book on another sentient being if it's so poorly written! Burn it. (I would.) Just make sure it's burned in the fireplace of someone who needs its warmth. :)
DUDE I second the paperbackswap.com, as long as you're honest about it's condition it's fine, I highlight my books and have no trouble getting rid of them on that site. Swap it for a book your mother may actually take some pleasure from (that's the point right?)...Unless she's the kind of person that takes a sick sort of please (like me) from reading awful books and writing grammar corrections in the sidelines...sick, I am totally aware.
Whoever PAW happens to be, you TOTALLY need to read Eats, Shoot & Leaves. And that goes for any other grammar/punctuation snobs out there. It's the best book I've read all year.
Phil - that would be you. Ask Jane. I gave it to her for Christmas one year. :) It is fantastic!
Post a Comment