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Bookstore Visit by Sybir St. John
Sybir St. John writes paranormal romances with a hypnotic bent. Follow her on Twitter.
I made a mistake today. Really, I did. I thought it would be a GREAT idea to go to Borders and get the little guy a book. We’ve been snowbound a lot the last week or so, and now, he’s got a cold. So, I thought a trip to Borders, which he never balks at, was just the pick me up and long overdue. And, I never deny him a book. It is the ONE thing I will not take away as punishment, but I will always use it as a reward. Reading is SOOO important, and I don’t really care what kind of reading he’s doing. Hell, my grandmother handed me my first romance novel at the age of 12. My mother was horrified. Grama’s reasoning? Well, she’s gonna learn about it sometime, better she learn about the ideal that’s out there and keep out hope.
You have to love grandparents. 
But, back to the mistake? I know, I know….how can a bookstore be a mistake? Let me explain. I never, and I mean NEVER, walk out of Borders without spending at least $80. It might have happened once that I’ve left with less, but it would be one day in a long line of days. I’m sure my bookkeeper could tell me. I digress. Our goal for the day? Pup was allowed 2 books, plus we needed 2 books for a classmate who’s birthday party we’d be going to the following day. I, I was only going into Borders to get Candace Haven’s “Take Me if You Dare”. Really. I was.
Gauge (The Dragons Of Wayward Crescent)
First stop is always the Childrens section. It’s the only way I ever get to go look for MY books. We’re learning patience, really we are….and yes, that goes for ALL of us in this crazy, creative household. So, we’re looking at books. I tell the little guy to make sure the ones he picks out for his buddy are level 1 or 2, but his can be 3 or 4. He’s a little ahead of the reading curve (shhhh). I wanted another Chapter Book about Dragons to read to him since he’d loved Gauge by Chris D’Lacey, but our Borders didn’t have the next one in the series. Honestly, he could read them, but he does get tired, so we read them together – trying to teach him to see the story in his head. Since I couldn’t find the next in the series, I started looking at the others.
Oh. My. GOD. I’m NOT reading some of those MG books to my son…he maybe advanced in reading, but really, the humor some of those books use? No. Thank. You. I’ll write them myself if I have to.
*facepalm* I was horrified. Bathroom humor? Disrespect? Where did the books go that had moral codes and lessons in a good story? Now, albeit, I didn’t read each one, and am only going by the cover art and titles for most. But, NO WAY.
Maybe when he’s a little older, but I was just upset by the lack of material I could share with a more advanced reader at his age. I’ll have to keep searching.
Finally, I get to head over to the Romance Section. Now, I knew I was in trouble when I walked in the door. I’d forgotten it’s Valentine’s Day weekend. Me forget? WTH? Borders, smart marketing
Take Me If You Dare
people they have, are offering Buy 4, get 1 Free. I wish it was Buy 1, Get 1, but nobody in this economy is going to go for that. My DH says to me, oooh, look, you can get more books. Have I mentioned, there is a reason I love this man??? Me? After negotiating with small child about books, I forget there’s a sale going on since I’m on a mission. Find Candace’s book! Found it!!! See, I took a picture and everything. Several of the ladies looking for book looked at me like I was crazy. Oh well, have iPhone, will travel and take video and pics whenever and wherever I can. Especially if it means I’m supporting other writers! And for the record, no offense to the other authors on that rack, I’d have moved her books to the top shelf myself.
Find her book and then, found one other and head back to find my guys. Nick looks at me and says, “Where are the other three?” I love this man. Back I go, randomly hunting the shelves this time. I have my usual favorites, so I did snag one of Gena’s books, but as for the other two I picked up? I just let the covers or book jackets speak to me, so long as they sounded paranormal or urban. I headed back, my guys were getting Daddy coffee and me tea! So sweet of them. I snag all the kids books, the CD Nick found, and the two magazines the guys had managed to find while I was romance book hunting.
I was almost safe. I had my hands full. I was in that little corridor of shelves and books they shuttle you thru to the cashiers. My guys are nowhere in sight…I’m usually safe there….And then, someone so thoughtfully left a fantasy novel in the racks near the check out. *facepalm* I pick it up and flip it over…ohh, neat…and add it to my pile.
I really shouldn’t be allowed in bookstores. I’m bad enough with my Kindle. Want? Yes. Order now? Yes. And then curl myself up on the couch.
We finally left. Pup demanding his magazine before I’m halfway in the SUV. I love the fact he wants to read, but this time, he wants to see more about his Nintendo games LOL. I’m dying to flip through the ones I’ve picked up…and hell, I want to start reading right away, but reading + moving vehicle = bad idea.
Home finally, and what do I do? Breeze through not ONE, but TWO of Candace’s books tonight! Take Me if You Dare is a great Harlequin Blaze book about a burned out CIA Agent on the run, and an unsuspecting and lucky CEO of an investigation agency. It’s a page turner. I’m a fast reader when I’m not editing for others, so next up, I snag Charmed & Dangerous – I have to say, I’m hard-pressed when it’s 1st person, but this one…definitely sexy and smart and sucks you in. That POV is one of the hardest to write. At least, I think so after so many years of writing in 3rd. Gotta love witches in charge!
All in all, it was a great evening, even with the little guy not feeling so well. He read his SpongeBob’s Valentine book, his Nintendo magazine and then flipped through one of the Star Wars books…all while I was reading. And then, when he got tired of reading…..he offered up playing on the computer with some educational games while “I’ll let you keep reading, Mommy.”
My child rocks.
Our loot for the day?
Don't Let Sybir in Bookstore During a Sale
Eclectic, right? Can you walk out of a book store with only ONE book?
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That made my morning.
I’m glad. I’ll save my copies for the next time I see you so I can get them signed!
O my god Candace Havens wrote here. Can a guy have a fan girl moment?
So yeah I hate when they do that buy so many and get one free, I will suck for it every time. I did though find a way to curve this problem a little bit, is by shopping online at borders. Now though I have like 40 books on a title save list. I thought though your kid and hubby letting you read the whole day was awesome. I wish I could do that and not be bothered. That’s where getting my own office finished will help. Also Love that your kid loves reading, I wish it was pushed on me more when I was young even with a learning disability in reading. Wouldn’t probably had that disability then.
I also agree with trying to find something with education behind it these days is tough. Even if you look at the cartoons from our days like loony tunes to something now from T.V. it lost its creative and educational values.
P.S. My girlfriend says no kindle, but is sort of in between with the e-book. e-book has that mp3 player with it when you read.