Bookmark

In the early 90's I bought a book by Clive Barker called Imajica. I originally bought it when it came out in paperback. It was a large volume and on the back cover there was a detachable bookmark. The next printing of the book divided it into two volumes. I was glad that I had the original. Unfortunately, I gave it up in a garage sale like so many other books I have enjoyed in the past. The chances of my re-reading a book is slim but there is that chance. I always regretted selling that book.

When I read a book, especially a paperback, I never open it completely. I do not want to break the spine so that it looks almost new when I finish reading it. This is so that the book has a longer life and also so that if I do go back to read it it will not be falling apart. It drives me crazy when I see a book lying open on a table, print down with the spine breaking down the middle. Or watch someone open a book and stretch it wide open before starting to read it. I have read second hand books that have literally fallen apart while I was reading.

I was in a used book store and I saw the same printing of Imajica as I had let go at the garage sale. I grabbed it right away and paid the four dollar purchase price. Originally it sold for $8.99 and I probably let it go for 50 cents. Talk about bad business on my part. I did not care though, I finally had the book back.

When I got it home, I looked it over carefully. It was in great shape, just as I like to take care of a book. I started to think that this might be the very book that I had sold at the garage sale, it was just too perfect. My suspisions were supported when I found the bookmark in the back of the book, exactly where I had left it! That is too much of a coincidence so I have to say that it is my original book. You know how the saying goes; it came back so it's mine.