Treasure Hunting

I received word that my place of business (heretofore referred to as "the institution") was having a used book sale as a fundraiser for...well actually, I didn't pay attention to the rest of the notice.

There are few words in English as beautiful when strung together as "used...book...sale."

Not just any old sale, either. A bargain, to be sure. Hardcovers for a buck. Paperbacks for 50 cents.

Wanna see my pretties?

*laying out books like trophies*

[I tried to link to the exact edition I purchased, but this was harder than I expected. Mismatches are noted below.]

Motherless Brooklyn, by Jonathan Lethem (hardcover)--first edition, but library-abused
She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb (paper)--a recommendation from the boss, but non-Oprah.
Driving Blind, by Ray Bradbury (hardcover)
Still Life with Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins (paper)--Different edition; Full Camel-box cover.
The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis (paper)--1976 edition, different cover.
A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess (paper)--water-damaged, but otherwise readable; 1972 edition, Ballantine Press, New York, orange cover, diagonal title; apparently a movie tie-in, though no images from the film.

Total cost? Four bucks. You betcha.

=====

While investigating the Robbins, I found some fascinating things. Written beneath the Kafka quote before the Prologue were the following insights.

"It's not what we do in life that matters... but who we are."
--K.M.

"All things in moderation, except for ice cream." --B.L.

I have no idea who these sages are, but they say true (I say thankya).

However the most interesting part of it was two pages down. On the blank page across from the prologue, in a dark blue pen and all-caps (clearly male) lettering, was the following dedication, dated 1-25-93:

LOOK CLOSELY, CURIOUS KAREN,
RED IS THE REFLECTION OF THE
BANDIT'S SOUL...
LUSTFUL ANTICIPATION TORMENTS
HIS THOUGHTS.. HE CRAVES YOUR
PASSION WITH HIS OWN.
AH, BUT BEWARE CURIOUS KAREN,
BEING SURE OF HEART AND SLIGHT
OF HAND.. HE'S CERTAIN TO
TASTE YOU AGAIN.

ENJOY.

Love

Sam

The "Love, Sam" has large, looping initial letters.

The rest of the book is lined and starred. There is a short, makeshift index on the last page, listing favorite quotes by subject.

Curious Karen seems to have heeded Sam's advice to "look closely." And so shall I.