Free Books, Almost

After bullying the book club into choosing Lynne Truss' Eats, Shoots & Leaves for our September read, my thrifty Scottish ancestry wouldn't allow me to buy a copy of the recently published book. I thought it was too soon to expect to see copies in used book stores or at the library's monthly sale. I also suspected that I would want to own the guide rather than borrow it, although all the public library's copies had long waiting lists. What to do?

While pondering, I happened to call Fidelity Investments, and the representative ended our transaction by asking me if I'd like to recommend anyone for their services. Hah! Would I sic (sic) junk mail on a friend or family member? "You and the other person will receive a $10 credit for Starbucks," she lured. I told her I don't like Starbucks coffee. "Or you can have a $10 credit with Barnes and Noble," she cooed. I remembered that the company has a website, and a sister book club member had told me it sells used books. I took the chance. The credit (a plastic card with a scratch 'n' sniff PIN) arrived in two days, and I leaped into Barnes & Noble. The "Used" section was easy to spot, the search engine performed to perfection, and an inexpensive copy in good condition was on its way to me in a couple of minutes, guaranteed to arrive within two weeks.

The only aspect that concerns me was the used book dealer's notation that the copy I bought was "remaindered". It had been tossed by a bookstore (or the publisher) only three months after publishing?

Listen to this article