Chasing “A Flaw in the Blood”

Such a clean box design. Made to hold treasures.

I got a new iPad! A major reason why is I am trying to gain control of books. I always have and always will maintain a personal, quirky library. Books have always been necessary treasures in any home I’ve lived in, but…they can be cumbersome.

Especially those that though they are beautiful to someone, when I am finished reading them I do not feel a mother’s or a lover’s need to protect. That category can become weighty and some of them are known before I buy them.

Another issue is I take personal shopping bags to grocery stores, use cloth napkins, avoid running water overlong and would take in my wine bottles for refills if it were possible. My carbon footprint is still deep, but I like to think of myself as a person who gives effort.

The iPad is an effort. My first iBook project is A Flaw in the Blood by Stephanie Barron. This book club pick sounds like an entertaining read though I am not familiar with Barron’s writing.

There’s something fitting about juxtaposition of an iPad and a mythological-themed Spanish tapestry copy posed on an old Robert Louis Stevenson Treasure Island and St. Ives.

Amazon sells a new book starting at $4.68, Kindle at $9.99 and used $.01 plus shipping from a supplier. Barnes and Noble sells it for $12.97 or a Nook for $11.99. Half Price Books sells paper versions for $1.89 new and $.99 plus shipping for used. I have accounts at all three. iBooks is $11.97. Apache Junction Library is free and has one copy. Now the considerations.

1. Do I need new of this title? No, but I momentarily feel for Barron that her income after countless hours is diminished, and I don’t like other people’s scrawls in used books. Small, light pencil marks are okay.

2. What is my purpose in reading this book? If it is strictly entertainment such as a celebrity biography, the cheaper or free is better. In this case it is to ingratiate myself with the book club that I have done my duty and to learn about one more author.

3. Will I keep this book? That depends on what I ultimately think of her writing. Those questions usually circle around: Does it transport me or teach me writing? Is it useful information? Will I be attached to it because I am and I don’t have to explain myself?

4. Does it have gift or charity value? Would I like to give it to someone or leave it on a park bench for the next reader, or donate it to a library.

Overall, my reservation about the author is it appears she has a cartload of books all based on rewriting history with some historical documentation and a lot of imagination. This statement is not verified. Odd how they all turn out to be mysteries. It is not a likely keeper.

So yes, I’d spend $.01 or $1.99 plus shipping to support business and recirculate a book, but in this case I’m opting for free from the library (Cost: $3.75 or one gallon of gas.). Maybe I can amortize that with several stops.

I’m still looking for an iBooks purchase because now it seems important and I have a list of “to reads” to consult.