Paperback Swap
A little while ago, Honey Lou (Bard of Bean Water) suggested I register for an online service/community called PaperBack Swap. It is, predictably enough, a way to swap your untreasured paperbacks for other volumes. I balked at first; I was already a member of BookCrossing and couldn't quite see joining another such organization, especially one that "may collect annual dues" in the future. On the other hand, BookCrossing was a great disappointment. There are not many other members in the area and what members there are do not seem to be particularly active.
So I joined PaperBack Swap. The first thing I noted was that their book selection was fairly shitty. I am a book snob. I may occasionally read contemporary popular fiction, but I do not add it to my library and when I actually utter the phrase, "contemporary popular fiction", I probably give the distinct impression that the words are as welcome in my mouth as a World War II surplus sardine might be. I would not stoop to leave a Robert Ludlum or a John Grisham anywhere near the cherished books that I have made permanent in my collection. I reserve my shelves only for those books that I have loved and that I would want people to find in my room when I die. I do have a Stephen King book in the linen closet of the bathroom. That is precisely where it belongs. The bathroom is not a place for the absorption of toxins; it is a place for excretions. Like Stephen King's work. I am not saying that it is badly written—some of it is quite good—it just has no substance...there's nothing to take away from it. There is nothing to contemplate beyond his words and nothing he writes is exceptionally worth remembering.
I've unneccesarily digressed. I joined PaperBack Swap and quickly selected three titles from their lackluster registry. I am now the proud owner of The Portable Graham Greene, A Confederacy of Dunces, and The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway—courtesy of Kim from Salt Lake City, Mark from Vermont, and Lorrie from Chicago. The Hemingway collection is a fairly new book and in good condition. The other two books are just the sort of vintage paperbacks I would have been pleased to find at a book sale; they are yellow, smelly, and in reasonably good condition. I already have a copy of Ken Kesey's Sometimes a Great Notion en route. I've gained these soon-four books and I've only expended $4.77 to mail away three children's books that I registered on the site.
In conclusion, I win.
To further conclude, Fuck BookCrossing.
And with finality, Good Night.
So I joined PaperBack Swap. The first thing I noted was that their book selection was fairly shitty. I am a book snob. I may occasionally read contemporary popular fiction, but I do not add it to my library and when I actually utter the phrase, "contemporary popular fiction", I probably give the distinct impression that the words are as welcome in my mouth as a World War II surplus sardine might be. I would not stoop to leave a Robert Ludlum or a John Grisham anywhere near the cherished books that I have made permanent in my collection. I reserve my shelves only for those books that I have loved and that I would want people to find in my room when I die. I do have a Stephen King book in the linen closet of the bathroom. That is precisely where it belongs. The bathroom is not a place for the absorption of toxins; it is a place for excretions. Like Stephen King's work. I am not saying that it is badly written—some of it is quite good—it just has no substance...there's nothing to take away from it. There is nothing to contemplate beyond his words and nothing he writes is exceptionally worth remembering.
I've unneccesarily digressed. I joined PaperBack Swap and quickly selected three titles from their lackluster registry. I am now the proud owner of The Portable Graham Greene, A Confederacy of Dunces, and The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway—courtesy of Kim from Salt Lake City, Mark from Vermont, and Lorrie from Chicago. The Hemingway collection is a fairly new book and in good condition. The other two books are just the sort of vintage paperbacks I would have been pleased to find at a book sale; they are yellow, smelly, and in reasonably good condition. I already have a copy of Ken Kesey's Sometimes a Great Notion en route. I've gained these soon-four books and I've only expended $4.77 to mail away three children's books that I registered on the site.
In conclusion, I win.
To further conclude, Fuck BookCrossing.
And with finality, Good Night.
posted by jw at
5:34 PM
1 Comments:
fucking book snob.
Actually, I just wish I had ever read anything of substance beyond Hemingway. I do love me some Hemingway though.
I also have an affection for Stephen King, so be careful.
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