Ahhh King!

I just returned from Barns and Noble where I returned Christmas presents for the third time. I received a 25$ gift card from my boss and I used them to purchase a couple of gifts which were not what the folks wanted. I returned them a couple of days ago and got a more desirable gift and had enough left over for two paperbacks. I have not had anything new to read for so long. I have been getting by with an Orson Card compilation of science fiction and his stuff is good but I can only read so much of his material. Reading Card is like reading science fiction lite. So I got a couple of books I thought would really keep me occupied for the next couple of months only to find, when I retuned home, that I had in fact already read them. The reason I made this mistake was that yesterday when I went to B&N I took my granddaughter with me. I should have known better then to think I would have got some serious perusing accomplished, with a 7 almost eight year old in toe. When I shop, I have t have time, time to look at the volume I am contemplating, time to hold the book set the book in my lap and feel the books weight and rollround as I explore other possibilities. I approach buying a book like everything else I purchase. I agonize over the decision, will I make a mistake, will I experience buyer’s remorse? I cannot enjoy this type of agony being pestered at how long we have been there, when we are leaving and will you buy me this book? So, I grabbed a couple of volumes from a writer I know I like and headed for the checkout stand.

Today was bliss in comparison, albeit after I got the strange look manager, that “hey weren’t you in here yesterday exchanging stuff?” I just dumped the bag with her and left. I rolled all over the store, this B&N is one of their mega stores which replaced our quasi-quaint corner store I had loved. I sniffed the coffee, dodged kids and checked out what was on the “giant discount” tables and read backs and backs of books. I stopped the science fiction sector but soon I was over whelmed with new titles by authors I know nothing about-not welling to take a chance on a piece of fiction. So much of what today passes for science fiction, new age studff or magic or hobbit material. And I do love my Tolkien but don’t try to pass this stuff off as science fiction. I was about to give up when I wondered over to straight literature. And found myself facing the Stephen King section and even though King’s stuff is labeled “Horror” I have to admit like the Kings tells a story. I also did take a chance on a write I did not know from beans, a novel of military intrigue, high tech and action this should get me through and I know I have never read this guy before.

So I am home and I have something great to get lost in for New Years. The weather freaks are calling for snow tonight—TV sucks so maybe I’ll be with Mr King, warm and reading.