The Shelf Life of a 1979 "Classic"

One thing people don’t understand it that it is not possible for any bookstore to have every book ever published in stock. A book’s popularity determines its shelf life. Shelf life is how long a book will stay on a shelf and if it is ordered back in. If the book doesn’t sell, it might only have a shelf life of a couple of months and then it is returned to the publisher to gather dust. So if the book you need was printed in 1979 and we haven’t carried it in the last year…then don’t be surprised we don‘t have it.

Some people will go as far as loudly announcing that the book they are looking for is “a classic” and that we should have it. First of all, if it’s written in 1979 it is not a classic…it would be a modern classic. And second of all if it was a modern classic…we would have it. After explaining that to a particular customer I encountered his face turned red, he let out an angry sigh and told me “You guys should change that stupid policy so true writers can be read.” It seems that this “true writer” had his chance in 1979 and failed. It looks like it’s someone else’s turn on the shelf.

Remember, when you are yelling at this bookseller behind the counter, they do not control what books are carried. I know, I know…the bookseller works in a bookstore so they must have the utmost highest power and control of the store. Unfortunately we booksellers are just normal people who are hired to stand at a desk, help people find books, and take their money. That’s it. We have no power over what happens in the store…we don’t have a direct line to the owner of the bookstore to pass on your complaint…And Frankly, we don’t give a shit.

The Birth of a Bookseller

I know for a fact that I didn't wake up one morning and say "I want to sell books." I perhaps might have said "I want to be out of debt" or perhaps "I wish Sallie Mae would forget that they own my soul and decide to set me free." One year of college and $30,000 later, I decided to take a break and earn some money for this tyrant, Sallie Mae. The Bookstore was one of many places that I applied to but was the only place that had called me back for an interview. After the brief excitement of being so much closer to money, I realized that my current physical state would deem me undesirable.

My look would be fine at numerous places such as a music store or a carnival. Colored hair, lip rings, eyebrow piercings, size 2 plugs and growing. Also I had clothing that was all bought at Salvation Army, torn to pieces, and then sewed back together. I knew I had to change. In one night I had removed all my piercings and my plugs and dyed by hair a respectable color. I dressed up in my mom's clothes and stood in front of the full size mirror. I didn't feel like I was looking at myself, just an empty shell.

I never noticed until now how the book staff looked at me during my interview. Their eyes were trying to tell me something like "It's not worth it" and "Get out while you still can" but I was too naive to know what the looks meant then. I find myself giving the same looks to people being interviewed now. "Save yourself." It was too late for me. I shook their hand and I was reborn as a bookseller. Somewhere, a bookseller wept for my soul.