I have no patience for the library's web site or for putting myself on waiting lists for books, so although I regularly visit the library, I never borrow my book club books. I always buy them from half.com
Over the past 18 months or so, I have found some seriously interesting and/or intriguing things tucked inside the pages...a grocery receipt, a business card, a band-aid (in the wrapper, thank God!), an index card written on in some language I couldn't decipher, a credit card bill (duh!) and even an emery board (ick!). Because the items are so esoteric, I can only assume they were used as bookmarks by some previous owner. Today, when I received my latest book, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" I found a long, thin piece of paper - lined like for a grocery list with a drawing of a smiling pig and the caption "Take time to smell the flowers." On the reverse was written "For the woman I will always love most." with a smiley face and the initials "CB." I was instantly intrigued! It was definitely a woman's handwriting but it didn't look like it was written with any undue care - just a quick note jotted down to someone they loved.
My question to you? Should I contact the woman who sold me the book and ask her if she wants the note returned? I mean, could this just be one of a million love notes that "CB" has written to her over the years or could this be the only one? What to do, what to do!!!!
4 comments:
I would totally contact her. How romantic! :)
I think you should definitely contact her! I am a big rubbernecker, too, so you might get the benefit of a nice story out of calling her, too!
Throw it away.... Bah humbug. Love stinks. What is love anyway? (a little Howard Jones ditty thrown in for good measure). No bitterness here.
Okay - so really if they are still together then the note is nice but not that important - but if the other person is dead then the note might really special. Of course , it it really meant something then why sell the book with the note still in it....
Heck, how do you find the person anyway?
I should never be asked these kinds of questions.
oh, wow. this got me. I shop at an incredible used bookstore near me that is inside a renovated barn. I, too, find these gems inside the pages of books I bring home. I, too, found a love note...in a greeting card...that I still keep inside the book. What a lovely extra treasure! I have no way of contacting the original owners, of course, as these books have passed through several hands and boxes and trunks before reaching me.
The book may not have belonged to the person who sold it to you, but yes...it might just add a lovely new element to the story if you ask.
Post a Comment