Politics...Discuss? Or sell?

About a week ago, a woman was standing at one of the tables by the cash registers. She looked to be in her late 60's or so, short blond/grey hair, wearing a light blue sweater. She was holding four copies of Bill O'Reilly's new (hardcover) book, KILLING KENNEDY. She was looking at O'Reilly's previous book on a presidential assasination, KILLING LINCOLN. She looked up and caught my eye.

"I'm wondering whether or not to get his first one," she mused. "These right here," she gestured to the books she was holding, "are for gifts, and I might want to give a copy of this to someone too. Have you read this?", she asked.

"I haven't," I said, not telling her that I disagree with Bill O'Reilly's politics and that I have no plans to read any of his books.

"He makes history so easy to understand," she said. "I think everyone should read this. I learned so much."

"That's great," I said. There was part of me that wanted to actually discuss the book and the author. But the bookseller in me won out. If she wants to buy five Bill O'Reilly books, all hardcovers, then that is good for business.

We are out of the country today, on Election Day. We've met people from Canada and Holland as well as from the U.S., all of whom have opinions about U.S. politics. We'll be watching election results tonight in a restaurant or bar, somewhere where a lot of diverse people will be gathering. We've been enjoying the lively discussions!

We hope you vote today. You can send us email: 2of3Rs(AT)gmail(DOT)com. You can also subscribe directly to this blog right here on the page. Thanks for stopping by!