NOTE: Because of some technical issues around the image folder, I lost all the "proof" and "evidence" spoken about in this post. And, since I returned the book, I have no way of getting it back on track. Sorry!
Had me a good cup of coffee. Caught up on all my TV shows (can we talk Empire and Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D?). And was ready to take down the last 125 pages of Nevada Barr’s Blind Descent (Anna Pigeon #6). I was getting into the reading when I reminded myself how I didn’t have the following book, Liberty Falling, in my possession. As of late, I haven't been into reading anything but Barr's park ranger sleuthing adventures. My momentum was going just too damn good to break; I needed to exhaust myself of Barr's shit-stirring and pessimistic Anna Pigeon character. Besides, Barr had an overarching sub-narrative of Anna's story begging for resolution. It's a "Damn! What's gonna happen? I need the next book!" situation.
Y'all know how it is!
So what to do other than dash through upcoming rain to the used bookstore to find a copy? Partially tattered or not, I needed Anna's next adventure. And with an easy $5 bill tucked in my struggling wallet, I was ready to rectify my situation.
I saw this moderately decent and only available copy of Liberty Falling. And as always in used bookstores, I flipped through it a couple of times. I do this mostly to feel a book's handling–particularly with mass markets. I think we all know some people can get out of control with mass markets. Bending and breaking spines. Dog-eared pages. A little too much yellowing for an individual's taste. Torn pages. Burnt pages. The occasion buried bookmark. Sometimes strands of hair and food residue. Or mysterious residue.
None. With the exception of its age and a temperately blitzed spine, all seemed acceptable. Workable. Manageable, if you will. I would grabbing a matching colored marker to "paint" over the spine's creases later. You know, bookshelf whip appeal.
We have a deal. My Saturday and Sunday was set.
$3.85 broken out of $5.
I got home to sanitize the book. Yes, I use sanitizing wipes on used books. Followed by a sage smudging. And yes, I believe in spirit attachments. I have this niggling superstition that for every used book I buy, some dead person’s relative brought his or her stack in to unload a house going up for sale. I'm from the South. Blame parts of my folkloric upbringing.
Anyway, I took an anxious, closer look before putting the book on my shelf as my next reading. This is what halted me…! And no, for whatever blind and desperately-seeking-Anna reason, I didn't notice this before buying it.