Book Buyers

Today I was working at my kids' school bookfair, signing books, when one of the typical things that happens to all writers happened. This woman came over, picked up my book, stood turning it over and over in her hands, and then, with a little moue of distaste, put it down and walked away.

Sigh.

Of course I felt incredibly embarrased, as usual. What's with this? I mean, I'm not asking for people to buy the books. I'm just saying that when the writer is sitting right there, maybe you shouldn't make such a big deal out of not buying the books. Call me hyper-sensitive, but it just doesn't seem polite.

Of course I'm hyper-sensitive. I know I am. I can remember nothing about my good reviews, but I can recite word-for-word my bad ones. You think I'm kidding?

"Daughter's Keeper by Ayelet Waldman is like a John Sayles' movie: well-intentioned but about as subtle as a Mean People Suck bumber-sticker."

To which I say...well, you know what I say.