So the other day I went to my favorite relaxation spot. Borders Books. Yeah they have hurt my feelings with their closing and with the fact that I can no longer get a hot chocolate trio from Seattle's Best anymore. I have been in every Friday since they announced their demise to find bargain deals on some of my fav books as well as touch and peruse copies of books I will never get a chance to fum through ever again. See I like that whole experience with actually going to the store, picking up a tangible copy of a unknown book and skimming through it to see if I want to own it. That will be no more as spots like Amazon only offer you a small tidbit to read. Anyhoo I headed to the reference section which is directly next to the self help section. I had a shock and awe moment when I saw how many people were standing there scanning the shelves for something to cure what ails them. There had to be about 9 people in the narrow but I scooted in to do my browsing. After picking a shiny new thesaurus(my Mother used my other to hold a window up DESTROYED) I turned to see what all the fuss was. First all the books were 40% so even I got lil bit excited, then there was the fact that the shelves were well stocked and still actually organized and then there was he thing that made me nauseous, Steve Harvey. I think I threw up in my mouth. There had to have been at least 20 copies of his "self help" books there. One woman had both and was still scanning the relationship section. Hmmm, did this woman honestly think that she can get a relationship by reading a book? I wanted to ask but of course I didn't because it was not my business. I think about the books shelved there and know that they are full of common sense facts. Nothing secret, no cure all method to find and secure a relationship, so why are these people buying them? Hmmm maybe if she spent more time out trying meeting people than having her nose in a book telling her how to meet people she'd be in a relationship already. That sounded kind of bitchy.
"Can All That Self Helping Leave You Self Hapless?"
Peace, Love and Chocolate
I admit it. I've spent some time perusing the self help section over the years, but the books never helped so I quit doing it. In fact, I can't even remember what it was I trying to get help on!
ReplyDeleteBorders is up to 40% off now? I wish I had one near me!!!!
Yup some books are 50% I am sure this frieday evening will be 50% and oh yeah eReaders are 25% off too.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to your new home, Tiffany! I don't get to the bookstores very often, but you're right.. there's something much more personal about touching and leafing through all the books, then say.. buying online. I was shocked when I heard that Borders would be closint their doors.
ReplyDeleteTree
Mother of Pearl It Is
I burst out laughing when you said you almost threw up in your mouth when you saw Steve Harvey's book. Ha! I liked his comedy tv show & LOVE the radio show but the book errrr not so much. However I did read 'They call it a breakup b/c it's broken' & 'He's just not that into you' in college & found GREAT help in dealing with a breakup of my own at the time. So I really think it depends on how motivated you are on getting whatever you want from the relationship book. But you can't expect the book to "cure" you...like you said after reading the common sense tips(which just may be that little kickstart you need) then you have to go out and do something. Anything! E.g. go on a blind date, double date, be fabulously single, whatevs! I think the books promote faith in relationships but we all know faith w/o action is a dead work. Anyhoo love the (s) addition to the site & oh lmaooo at your mom ruining your thesaurus. Make it a great day Tiff!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, sometimes you need a stiff kick in the bum to get yourself going. Yeah the tips are nice but at sometimes a whopping $24.99, they must be left on the shelf. Hope you have a good one too.
ReplyDeleteTiffany