Whenever I go to the bookstore, I’m always scared. You would think that Barnes and Noble would be like visiting the holy land of books for me, but I never really enjoy myself there. Why? Because I have book commitment issues.
I’m always afraid to buy a book, because I can’t return it. I can get a book, read it (because I read so fast) and then return it if I don’t like it, but that just seems like cheating the book store and that’s not cool.
Although I’m comfortable buying books by authors I really like, I have a hard time trying new authors. It’s easier to buy paperbacks because they’re only like eight bucks each, but the twenty-five dollar commitment to the hardcovers makes me break out in a cold sweat.
I sometimes go through a mental routine of breaking up with the book as I put it back on the shelf, explaining that it’s not the book’s fault I won’t buy it. The old it’s not you its me routine. I think the books understand.
Fortunately, the library almost always has whatever book I want to buy. That way, I can take it for a test read before commiting to ownership. Remember, if you’re going to be an avid reader, the librarian is your friend. So go say hi.
