lmao

that was one of a kind ;-)
i think the "weird" or "interesting" people are always remembered more,
in a positive light

ana | January 17, 2005 10:22 PM

I don't get why he was laughing, though. What are some of the title's of books he reads? "John's Story", "A Sci-Fi Story", "White Bread", etc. You'd think if he works in a bookstore, he'd be running across odd titles every now and then...

amy | January 20, 2005 8:50 AM

i think that what is funny is the subtlety of the titles

the titles themselves suggest a little story, a pessimistic one:
death, violence (scissors), betrayal, and death again--
or maybe a train of thoughts for a psych. patient

well, that's what i saw funny in this.

ana | January 20, 2005 7:28 PM

I suppose everyone's a critic. But it's not really good for PR to have your information desk person snickering about the books a customer wants to buy. At least when I go through Amazon, I can't hear them laugh when they pack the box of fucked up stuff I like to read.

Ana, there's a story in the books I bought as well. I ended up walking out of the store with The Twits, Running with Scissors, and Survivor. That story has a happy ending.

As I made my purchases, though, I had an argument with the cashier over three lousy dollars. B&N is not on my list of favorite places right now.

marydell | January 20, 2005 8:15 PM

second story: lol

i really do laugh out loud when i read these titles in order.

but yea, i know what you mean, about the snickering to other employees.
it's rude.

ana | January 20, 2005 10:24 PM

i still remember with embarassment the sales clerk asking over the intercom what the code was for "The Story of O." Yikes!

eva | January 21, 2005 1:01 AM

That's why I like Amazon. I can get The Story of O, Fear of Fying and Anais Nin, and no one can saying anything about it. Except for the Amazon employee packaging up by box, laughing to him/herself.

amy | January 21, 2005 8:13 AM

That's odd. I've bought everything from fantasy to erotica at the bookstore and never had an employee snicker (to my face at any rate). But then us Canadians do have a polite rep to protect. :->

Arethusa | January 24, 2005 1:44 AM

does anyone know when this month's discussion will begin?????

ana | January 25, 2005 3:26 PM

Aresthusa, Canadians are quite polite and don't care nearly as much as Americans about people's business.

Ana, I haven't been home much the last couple of days and had no idea it hadn't started. I just sent her a message. If she doesn't pop in by Wednesday, I'll get it going.

marydell | January 25, 2005 5:52 PM

You would think that store / district management would have this wonk trained to provide judgement-free customer service.

As you suggest, Amazon can't talk back... but you do have to deal with the slightly creepy way that it can remember what you bought for your Mom's birthday last year when both you & she have long since forgotten...

jrfj44 | January 25, 2005 7:24 PM

Amazon is creepy, but I find its recommendations disturbing. For example, you buy a book, say, on masturbation as a goof for a friend. Next thing you know, Amazon spits every single item it has for the lonely at you. It took me a while to figure out how to keep certain items out of its magic 8-ball.

marydell | January 25, 2005 10:01 PM

Hey,

my suggestion would be that you include Coelho´s Literary online magazine in your list of online resources.
It is at http://www.warriorofthelight.com

Cheers,
Betty

"Love gives us the strength to perform impossible tasks."
By the River Piedra I sat down and wept
http://www.paulocoelho.com

Betty | March 14, 2005 1:01 AM

I just stumbled on to this site through a google search for Fried Green Tomatoes, and I read this. I'm sorry about the idiot at the info desk. I've worked at B&N for a couple years now and I've had all KINDS of odd questions and nothing has made me laugh at a customer's titles! What a jerk.

Chad | March 19, 2005 12:52 PM