Since I didn't have kids until my classmates were transitioning from hoping their kids knew about birth control to hoping for grandchildren, I heard stories about the cute things their youngsters said, and I swore I'd never do that even when I doubted I'd ever be tempted. For the most part, I've kept my word. Today, however, I overheard my daughters arguing, and at first I paid no attention, but when it got loud enough I pricked up my ears and heard:
6th grader: You're being such a jerk.
3rd grader: Well, you suck.
6th grader: Are you popular in school?
3rd grader [puzzled, but honest]: No.
6th grader: I'm surprised. You're mean enough.
I guess I thought I knew where it was headed, and then, that's not where it went. In other news, I got the above six books in the mail today. Trying to spend a little money to help my favorite businesses stay afloat. I feel I can afford it—hell, the books cost less than a tank of gas, and it seems like I haven't had to buy gas since places you might drive to were open. I've heard that the handles of gas pumps are a likely means of coronavirus transmission so maybe this explains why so far I feel fine.
Anyway, I love Elmore Leonard and have decided I'd like to collect mass market paperback editions of all his crime novels. This is a start, though I have to say that I'm disappointed with the two books on top, especially Rum Punch. You can't see it very well in the picture, but the bar code sticker affixed to the upper left of the hard cover says "Carver Public Library" on it. Inside the back cover is the pocket where in ancient times the library card was inserted. I don't care about looking like a library thief, but, as I said, I was trying to buy mass market paperback editions. They seem more like a collectible item to me. As Leonard's reputation rose, the marketing changed: now paperback editions of his novels are made to look like belles lettres, and you can even buy his books in Library of America editions originally devoted to the likes of Melville, Hawthorne, Faulkner, and Henry James. I like the garish covers of the early paperback releases and they are getting harder to find. The edition of Swag is a paperback, and has a nice picture on the cover, but it's oversized. I like the ones that can fit in the hip pocket of your relaxed fit jeans.
Comments