Hey mister, whatcha reading?
I had a funny experience this afternoon. I was at the University bookstore, and I went to take a look at the atheist shelf, just to see if there was anything new – after I looked to see if Does God Hate Women? is still on its shelf (it is, next to Why Truth Matters), and noticing as I picked my way through the maze of shelves what a lot of shelves there were with ‘Spirituality’ as their label, especially compared to the one short shelf that holds the atheist books. So I got to the (tiny) atheist shelf and behold – there was another human being there. Aha, thought I; it is spreading! I snickered inwardly, and looked at the shelf, and when this guy put back the book he’d been looking at, I naturally looked to see what it was. It was 50 Voices of Disbelief. This is very bad, but I couldn’t help it – I blurted out ‘I have an essay in that book!’
I know, I know, but come on. Life is short, and how often do you get the chance to do that? Be fair. So I blurted it out, and the guy asked if it was a good book, and I said (truthfully) yes. So he decided to buy it after all. Then he said, looking at the shelf, there were more of these all the time, and I said ‘About time,’ and he said ‘Yes – two thousand years overdue.’ Then I sidled away so as not to embarrass myself any further.
Look, it could be worse. I could have gone back to the philosophy section and grabbed those two books and come back and shoved them in his face. I didn’t do that. Very self-abnegating, I was.
Nothing wrong with being proud of your work. I’m sure the guy was glad to have someone there with firsthand knowledge of the book to recommend it. :)
And he didn’t ask which essay and I didn’t tell him! So I was like totally modest and unassuming except for just that one blurt which no one could possibly be expected to help.
And once he reads the book he will be glad I was there to recommend it, so it’s all fine.
Besides, I’m a woman, so I’m crazy by definition. Ha!
You have a right to be proud, you have more than earned it.
And the silly man didn’t get you to sign it?
I had the (post-exams) idea of finding your books in my university library, and, rather coincidentally, have just put DGHW on hold as it is already out and am about to go and get WTM off the shelf!
May I ask what connection you have to the University you were at? Do you work there? Sorry if I am prying, I guess I’m just one of the kinds of disciples who likes to know things about their messiah. ;-)
Yay! Well done, Ophelia.
That’s awesome! :) (And the UW bookstore? Oh goodness, I miss that place! I went to school there and worked in the bookstore briefly. It’s lovely)
Reminds me of the story of Arnold Bennet who used to carry a £5 note to give to the first person he saw (in a railway carriage or the like) reading one of his novels. I don’t think he ever paid out – so you’ve gone one better…
Hey! Why shouldn’t you be pround! Besides, it was a good recommendation. He’ll enjoy the book, and knowing one of the authors, he’ll enjoy it even more.
They teach us about self-abnegation like that in theology. Kenosis, self-emptying. You’re doing great.
Hilarious! And good, obviously. I’d be made up if I bumped into you in a bookstore OB.
Heh. I love the £5 note railway carriage thing. It’s funny how nobody I ever sit next to on an airplane is reading something I wrote.
Yes, the bookstore is a very good one.
Parrhesia, no connection at all to the University. The bookstore is actually independent, despite having ‘University’ in its name. Anyway – the University is public, so I use a lot of its facilities, especially the library. That’s the only connection I have – I live in the state! (The university is very open – which is lovely.)
OB,
As I may have mentioned before my local indy book shop has all of your books on its shelves – along with Jeremy’s and Julian’s works (and Dawkins and most of Dennet and Harris etc.)This was the bookseller who told me when I bought WTM that it should be given to every student entering sixth form.
It also stocks all of Midgely (a local writer)and a fair amount of Armstrong and Eagleton, but not a single book on angels, ley lines, past lives … . And obviously no Deepak Chopra.
(I’d have followed the buyer down the street insisting on autographing the book whether he liked it or not.)
Thanks to the generosity of my brother who lives in the UK I got hold of “Voices of disbelief” (I live in Poland) and I’ve already read several of the essays, including that of Ophelia’s and Russel’s.
Russell, my compliments on the book. At first, I thought it would make a great supplement to other atheist books by Dawkins et al. Now, after reading large portion of your book I actually think it’s best if one reads it BEFORE embarking on any further atheist reading. I think it will make a great starting point for someone interested in the topic.
Ophelia, great essay. I guess it’s the distinct style of yours that is so attractive and I can’t really get enough of that.
That’s a funny story. Of course we all know that Russell and Udo pay you to hang around near that shelf all day!
I’ve read a few of the essays already, it’s good stuff.
Don, your bookstore rocks! The indy bookstore in my neighborhood, as I think I too have mentioned, shelves all varieties of woo and ‘spiritual’ uplife and New Age sciencey handwaving in a section it laughably labels ‘Philosophy.’ Last time I looked there was one Plato and one other Real Philosopher, and all the rest of the section was just random bullshit.
Yeah I did think about asking the guy if we could be best friends now, but decided that slinking away without another word was the better option.
Thanks Mike!
On bookstores. I guess a lot of booksellers despise a lot of the books that they sell, but what can you do? I mean, if you’re in the BUSINESS of selling books, you gotta make money. The problem is crap sells, good stuff not necessarily.
When I think that “The secret” sold in like 250,000 copies in Poland, it makes me wanna cry.
One more thing. I love to watch what other people are buying in bookstores, but I never have to courage to say anything when I see them hesitating about a book I read and would recommend.
I sometimes have the courage to do that. I guess it’s the evangelist in me…
OB,
hey, if I ever came across someone listening to any of my music I’d probably drag them kicking and screaming into the nearest bar and *insist* on buying them drinks…
:-)
Next book, just slip the word “conspiracy” into the title, and you’re pretty much guaranteed an airport bestseller, surely…?
Next you are at the UW bookstore, slip down the street one block and dine at Thanh Vi. Great Vietnamese food. I need to meet you to have you sign “Does God…” and “50 Voices…”. Sorry our summer tea plans failed. Let’s try again.
“*insist* on buying them drinks…”
Really? I’d insist on their buying me drinks!
Yes let’s David. I’ll sign everything in sight!
Andy Gilmour
Why I was at your very own myspace about eighteen months ago. Does this count ? Large Caol Isla if so !
Nick, heh! sorry, but if you’re not on the download log from my website (andygilmour.com) it doesn’t count…
:-)