On Buying Used Books, or, Revisiting Tired Old Refrains

I haven't actually read this book yet, but I've started it and I'm very excited about it. It's an old Rudy Rucker novel that I picked up used from Amazon. I love this guy.

But my point isn't about Rudy this time. My point is that you should always buy used books when you can. Because they're cheaper. And because they need a home. And because they've already got that nice older book smell, no waiting!

And also because, old books are like a box of chocolates... never mind. I got Spacetime Donuts in the mail a couple of weeks ago, and I never got around to reading it until last night. I'd brought it with me on the last couple of trips I've been on for work, including a two-day trip to Virginia I just got back from, (Traffic was hell on the way back; other than that I have little to report on that one.) but I never got the chance to get to it until now, and when I opened it, a snapshot fell out which I assume was being used as a bookmark. I love when that happens. I mean, it probably sucks to be the guy that sold his old books and then can't figure out what happened to his picture, but bonus for me! So here's the snapshot: (Of course I've scanned it already. All pictures must be scanned. I'm like the photo police.)

Crazy right?! It was someone's personal snapshot of the Dalai Lama! Looks like he took a couple of shots to the arm there. Fight Club Dalai Lama?

I wonder where this was taken? Everybody is Asian, except for the cops... so it could be some American Chinatown somewhere, or it could actually be in Asia, because of the pagoda and the Asians, and maybe the Dalai Lama likes to cart Western-lookin' cops around with him? There's no date stamp on it unfortunately, but it looks at least relatively recent, because he's all old. Still, that dude travels a lot, so there's no knowing.

So what, you really think I'm going to let this post pass without gushing about how awesome Rudy Rucker is? Fat chance! I mean really, he's so cool that even the Dalai Lama hangs around his books all the time, trying to be half as cool. His newest book was recently released, and I'll be bringing it with me to gorge on on my next job, which is likely to be in Atlanta Georgia. A good place for reading, I think. God I love this guy. Seriously, if you still haven't visited Mr. Rucker's work, get 'White Light' now. Right now.

Aw hell, while I'm at it, Gun Club rules the most too. Still.

Comments

[Gary]

Damn... after reading that, well, you know what I've got to go do... thank Gore for Amazon.

[messiestobjects]

YEAH ya do!

[Gary]

Yeah no used books stores for me! I don't need to experience their magical effect on me anymore...

[messiestobjects]

Oh right, I totally forgot about your, um, old book smell "problem". Heheh. Amazon is the way to go then, definitely.

[Jim]

What the fuck are you talking about? Is that code?

Did Gary used to do blow off of a first edition of "The Fountainhead".

[Miss Luongo]

I'm not admitting to anything...but:

[messiestobjects]

Yes, there you go, Jim, that was definitely Gary's problem as I recall.

[Jim]

Well, it was either that or he's into slamming.

[Gary]

What's slamming?

[messiestobjects]

"Slamming" is when your phone service is changed from your regular provider to another company without your knowledge or consent.

I'm pretty sure that's what Jim meant...

[messiestobjects]

Or perhaps he meant one of these...

[Gary]

"Filling a filthy whore's pussy with your swinging meat dangle."

Yep.

[spanky]

I thought "slamming" meant some sort of perverse sexual thing where you slam yer cock in a book, you know, to show that nasty old book who is boss.

[messiestobjects]

No, that's called 'Banging Pulp'.

[Gary]

Banging pulp can be fun, but damn the paper cuts are a major drawback.

[spanky]

Oh. Ouch.