I just spent an hour performing one of my favorite rituals at Borders bookstore. My ritual is as follows:

1. Enter the store and head straight to the “Buy 2 get 1 Free” table. Examine all covers of books. Pick up and read the backs of those that have pretty covers, interesting titles, approved-of authors, etc. If the description on the back of the book makes it sound intriguing, add it to my Maybe Pile.

2. Wander through (alphabetically, of course!) the Fiction and Literature section of the store to look for more interesting books. Add any that pass to the Maybe Pile.

3. Paruse any other “Book Club Readings,” “Women’s Literature,” and “Bestselling Paperback” sections, still adding to the Maybe Pile.

**It is not unusual for me to end up with a dozen or more books in the Maybe Pile. This seemingly expensive pile scares Honey, as he is not yet accustomed to these steps!**

4. Find comfortable chair in secluded area of store (preferrably where there are no cell-phone chatters nearby). Read the first two pages of each book in pile. Repeat to self the mantra my mother taught me: “Do you care about the character or what’s going to happen next?” If the answer is yes to this question, add to new (hopefully smaller) To Buy Pile for purchase.

5. Purchase books and walk out feeling satisfied and slightly guilty for spending so much money on more books!

Needless to say, I bought a few more books for our club. Right now I’m on Smashed. Here are the next few books:
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