Oops! I Did It Again

I did something last week that I hadn't done in quite some time.

I bought a book.

Brand new.

I buy a lot of books but usually they are from thrift stores and library book sales.

I'm not sure what compelled me to do it.

I originally went into the book store to get coffee. Soon after consuming some joe, I decided to browse the periodicals. I wanted to see who was still printing magazines and if any of these magazines might provide an outlet for some freelance writing ideas.

Nothing inspires me more than reading some of my favorite authors. So I began to browse the fiction aisle for new works from some of them (to get inspired). In the letter H section, I came across Jim Harrison, one of my all-time favorites and a constant go-to writer of mine over the years.

I spotted what appeared to be his newest book and picked it up.

I got home, cracked it open and read two pages before I realized I had read this book already. A scan of the bookshelf and I realized I had the hard back version of this paperback book The English Major.

So I bought the same book twice.

This phenomenon has happened to me many times with records, but this was the first time it was with a book. Actually, I've passed on buying books I was convinced I had only to find out I didn't possess them.

When I returned the book the next day, I told the clerk I felt silly buying a book I had already read. "Don't worry," he said. "It happens all the time."

"Really?" I said.

"Yeah, like two or three times a week," he said.

I don't feel so bad now...