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Reader's Paradise

Online Book Buying Adventure

12 years ago

Last week I attended a lecture by author Eric Lax. He is a wonderful speaker and told the story of how the discovery of penicillin came to be attributed to Alexander Fleming when indeed other men were just as responsible for its development. I came home and immediately purchased a used copy from an Amazon seller. (He did not bring copies of the books and actually suggested trying to find a used copy.) Today I went to the post office and lo and behold, a package was waiting for me! Ah, the feeling of holding a package, knowing what is inside! I waited until I got home, made a coffee and opened the envelope. Out came the book with a glossy blonde on the cover...somehow I don't think this is Dr. Florey. No, it is someone named Shannon Tweed (with Julie McCarron) and the book is called Kiss and Tell. Apparently she is very beautiful and lives with Gene Simmons, who is a rock star or something.

What a letdown! Now in the huge scheme of things, this isn't too serious. Actually it is laughable. And I am sure the bookseller will make good. But I keep looking at this book and wondering whom on earth would read it? I leafed through it, saw something about Ms. Tweed firing a housekeeper and getting sued, and bragging about how she does her own grocery shopping. I know I sound like a snob, but who would read this? How does this even get published? The price is $19 Canadian. Yikes! Has someone here actually read this book, and found it to be highly worthwhile?

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Comments (7)

ccrdmrbks
12 years ago
It is a riveting tale of love, sacrifice, deprivation and redemption in the gritty world of rock star WAGS.

not.

I know-I look at such and wonder "what aquisitions editor thought THIS was a good idea?"
colleenoz
12 years ago
No doubt, some bimbo somewhere is wondering why the h3// anyone would want to read a boooooooooooring book on the discovery of penicillin ;-D
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ccrdmrbks
12 years ago
colleenoz-how true!
lemonhead101
12 years ago
I am not sure if any of the reality show-related books would be 'worthwhile', but I do see a lot of people watching them on tv when I go to the gym.

And I bet ColleenOz is right on the money with her comment!
annpan
12 years ago
Colleenoz, thanks for the good belly laugh. You are in WA, I think, and so you know what the weather has been like.
I am so depressed, I have been writing limericks for the Masterchef Australia "Dead Limericks Society" thread.
Things have to be bad for me to write doggerel!
J C
Original Author
12 years ago
Colleen, you certainly put a new twist on things! I laughed pretty hard over your post!

The conclusion of this adventure is that the seller does not have my book and is issuing a refund. They told me to keep the wrong book. I am not sure what to do with it. I think I discovered how/why the book got published - it contains quite a few nude photos of the author. So I have a bit of a dilemma. What do I do with it? Should I just go ahead and donate it to the library sale? Should I throw it away? Use it to start fires in my woodstove when the weather gets chilly?
timallan
12 years ago
Siobhan, your post is hilarious. Perhaps karma is punishing you for being too brainy.

I would try giving the book away, perhaps to a local charity shop. Or you could try leaving it unattended in a public place.

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