I was at a strip mall, looking for some supplies. I walk out of the store, take a look around, and I spot it. A Barnes and Noble book store. If you know me, you know I have a weakness for book stores. I didn’t want to go, really! But I looked at my feet, trying to figure out what they were doing. They were walking in the direction of Barnes and Noble. I wanted to yell at them to stop, but I didn’t want to come across as weird in front of all the people already there. So I just smiled, nodded at some, and let my feet do the walking.
So I’m in there, and I promise myself I’m not getting anything, just looking, window shopping as it were. I browse at the tables, look at the racks, wander around. I’m intent on keeping my promise, although some of the titles look promising.
And there it is. The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy five novel book by Douglas Adams. Oh boy, I said to myself. But I have a promise to keep, I say to myself, as I pick it up. I should put this down and walk away, as I read the back cover. Just let it go, as I tuck it under my arm.
Crap, I’m breaking my promise. Oh well, if I just keep it to this one book, I’ll be okay. Just go to the counter, buy it, and keep it moving.
That’s when I spot The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker. This is the book the movie HellRaiser is based on. I’ve seen plenty of the movies, but I’ve never read the book, or for that matter knew it existed until a bunch of years ago. I put my hand to my face, to discover I was drooling. Just great, I had to see it. I surreptitiously wipe my mouth and grab the book.
Oh well, you’re in it now. Where are those titles that look interesting? Yep, I retraced my steps and find those promising titles. One is How To Make A Horror Movie And Survive by Craig DiLouie, an interesting idea about making a horror movie and not only not getting killed, but not getting your stars killed too. And I pick up a prodigal daughter type book, Hang The Moon by Jeannette Walls. She returns home after a messy departure, and now hows to rebuild her relationships in her somewhat criminal family.
That’s four books. I promised myself none, and wound up with four. Damn it. Well, it could be worse, I guess. Actually no, it’s a good thing. But not, as I am on a budget. But still, if I didn’t have these books I’d have nothing to read. Then where would I be? Bookless is where, wondering what was I doing with my life, wandering the streets for scraps of paper to read, an errant page here, a piece of newspaper there. Begging for leaflets and restaurant take-out menus. That’s no way to live.
So yes, I do love bookstores. I also hate them. But not really. But really! But not.
Arid Testimony 