Ever been lifted high on one of those ‘aha’ moments only to plummet down again upon some secondary realization? Well, I just had one of those experiences. I know I write a great deal about books, but I really can’t help myself. I tend to immerse myself in those things that I particularly like!
I was so elated when I found four wonderfully priced books on sale at Barnes and Noble last week. I bought four books for $20! I felt I had almost stolen them away. I was happy and almost smug with my newfound treasures.
And then I got home and thought it over. I had already noticed the black marks in the store, yet for some reason they had not really registered. Not until I was home, stickers removed, and books stacked in front of me to admire, did I really began to get…..angry! I’m sure there is a good reason. But no matter what it is, it is not good enough for me. There along the tail edge of each book was a line drawn with black marker!! I seemed fixated on this mark for a bit. Noticing how it somehow sullied my books. They are brand new books. Sale books, but new nonetheless. Don’t they deserve the same respect as any other new book?
Why, oh why, would anyone put these marks on books? I cannot fathom an acceptable reason to scar a book with such black ugliness! I almost took them back. The more I looked at them and the more I thought about it, the more upset I became over such a gross injustice.
Okay! I know there are much weightier matters to concern myself with, but my love for books will not let me forget this mistreatment. (Come on, book lovers--I know you must agree??) I have not noticed if Barnes & Noble makes a habit of marking books in this manner. I do know that I will check into it on my next visit. And I also know that if I find this is their standard procedure, someone at the top will be getting a letter from me!
I’m serious! I’m still upset about it. And I’m not one to get upset easily or stay upset. But—they just rained on my look-at-my-great-bargain-of-books parade and I don’t like it!
And to think--I just bought a membership card!
Note:
On a return visit this week to Barnes & Noble, per two employees, I did find that it is a common practice for their warehouse to mark similar bargain books in this manner. I do not know if every B&N does this, but the store at Stonebriar Mall in Frisco, Tx. certainly does! I also sent a letter to the president of the company and await his response, confident that a solution can and will be found! I will update you as soon as possible!
