Light Reading

Today is my company's charity book sale. Employees donate books to be sold, and all monies received go to charity. We do this every year, and every year I walk away with at least one book.

Last year, I walked away with a $2 copy of William Gibson's "Pattern Recognition." The year before, I purchased Wayson Choy's "Jade Peony". This time around, my selection for light reading, went beyond the scope of one novel. In fact, I didn't purchase any novels this time. I bought 3 non-fiction trade-paperbacks on wmd's and state sovereignty. The authors include Ambassador Thomas Graham Jr., the WMD Commission, and the International Commission on intervention and State Sovereignty. Of course, these are all published post-2001.

I call these books "light reading" because the books are light (paper-back), and relatively thin, compared to other textbooks (all below 230 pages). I wonder, though, if I will be able to read these books through. I have a habit of picking up books that I am interested in, and then never reading them. I have my own small library in which there are many books that collect dust.

In any case, I was surprised to see these books in such good condition - none of the spines were bent, and it seemed to be fingerprint free. But that's fine by me - I like newer-type used books. They are cheap and in good condition too. I actually suspect that these books have never been read, and were spare copies that someone wanted to get rid of.

But I benefit, so I am happy.