Helpful hint #221

Do not, I repeat, do not give tours of your new paperback library to family members–especially those in dire need of fluff–unless you are totally prepared to face the consequences. They’ll take one step past the threshold,  glimpse shelf-upon-shelf of book-after-book the likes of  Custler, Francis and Child. Their mouths will gape; their eyes will glaze. Before you know it, these hard-hearted harbingers of hacks will be heading toward your books something akin to the running of the bulls. Exclamation will fill the air: “I found them! Over here! They’re over here!” Titles will fly from shelves. In the end, you’ll have no recourse but to serve as caboose to a merry parade of book lovers, carefully balancing stacks of bookish delight.

Of course, even if you do lose ground in such fashion, you’ll inadvertently have your own summer reading program–and no doubt many a thankful soul. So there’s that …