Dear Reader Column 01-25-10

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Dear Reader,

It was a first for me. I'd heard some amazing stories from librarians about things people do to books, but I'd never experienced any of them myself--until the other day. I picked up two books at the library and when I got home and opened, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron, I was shocked to see that someone had underlined sentences on nearly every other page, and left behind personal commentaries in the margins.

Furious, I wanted to call someone at the library and get a list of people who'd previously checked out the book, dust the book for fingerprints, conduct DNA testing--maybe the black marketeer ate a sandwich while they were defacing the book? Mustard, saliva--messy reader, messy eater--get the goods on 'em and then I'd testify at their trial. Ten to 25, in maximum security (no pencils, pens or books allowed) followed by five years probation working in a library erasing other people's book graffiti, sounded like a reasonable punishment to me. I realize my initial reaction was over the top, especially since I frequently write in books, but the difference is I own them.

Back to the real world, no one was confined to hard labor except my right arm. It got a real workout erasing lines and notations on 45 pages, and I experienced a good feeling knowing that I returned the book in better condition than when I found it.

All this talk about erasers leads me to today's wacky giveaway. Only they're really more cute than wacky. Ice cream sundaes, cupcakes, sea creatures, bowling pin sets, animals, and a dozen donuts that look enticing enough to eat, but they're erasers. To enter the eraser giveaway, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yatsbd2

Check out AuthorBuzz, the link is right after my column.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Jennifer Estep, Spider's Bite; Carla Neggers, On Fire; Robyn Carr, Angel's Peak; Linda Lael Miller, McKettricks of Texas: Tate; and Debbie Macomber, Midnight Sons Volume 3. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Who Would Have Thought It? by Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton. To start reading and find out how you can save by purchasing this Classic from Penguin, go to: http://tinyurl.com/January10Classics

 

Comments

[Tami Papajcik]

Dear Suzanne,
I was very surprised to read that you stayed angry at the person for writing in the book. If they were writing in a fictional book, yes, I would be angry. But this poor soul was making notes and trying to figure out how to heal in very difficult and uncertain times. I would have thought you column would have ended with forgiveness.

[Suzanne Beecher]

Oh no, I didn't stay angry about the book. I rarely stay angry about anything. I was just writing about my initial reaction to seeing the writing and lines in the book. I guess at first I kind of felt like I was defending the book, looking out for it. Okay, so now I really have went off the deep end. I'm constantly entertained by my thoughts. But no, I'm not angry. Thanks for writing and for reading with me. Suzanne

[Doris]

Hey Suzanne, must admit my reaction was much the same as yours - don't know that I would have thought to erase all the "defacement" - but good for you - GO SUZANNE -
- Doris -

[Darlene]

Suzanne, I'm with you - any time I open a library book to see someone's markings I get extremely angry! Almost all the books I check out are non-fiction and if someone needs to make notations while studying, then buy some post-it notes. If they wish to write in the book, then buy it!

[Dolores]

It does happen - people deface books that don't belong to them but there is really nothing you can do about it (other than erase). The relationship between library and patron is much the same as doctor/lawyer and their patient/client. Privacy! A parent cannot go into a library and ask to see little Johnny's borrowing history. A big cuffuffle took place when the authorities (FBI, CIA) wanted to view the borrowing history of certain patrons during the terrorism hunts.
Dolores - (unemployed librarian)