Book cover snobbery

Which is worse: buying a copy of Love in the Time of Cholera that has a scene from the motion picture on the cover or buying a copy of the aforementioned book that has a "normal" cover but "Oprah's Book Club" emblazoned on the front?

This was my dilemma as I stood in Borders Bookstore today.

I wouldn't call myself an avid reader, but I do enjoy a good book from time to time, more often than most people, I would imagine. Somehow, I feel my better than average book habit gives me the right to be a snob about the novels I read, or at least their covers.

Buying a book whose cover is closely associated with its movie gives the impression that I am reading the book because it has now become the "in" thing to d0. On the other hand, I fear that reading a novel with Oprah's Book Club emblem on the front might say that I can't think for myself and therefore must rely upon the wisdom of a talk show host.

It's a no win situation.

I chose the copy of Love in the Time of Cholera that had Oprah's endorsement on the front. In the end, I decided that the book club emblem was much less noticeable than the movie scene, which took up the entire cover, and I would be more apt to escape judgement.

Clearly, I put way too much stock in public opinion.

Other books I bought were: Stephen King's On Writing and A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (Alan said my writing style reminded him of Sue Grafton so I had to get it.)

I think I have enough reading material to keep me occupied on the plane ride to see The Boyfriend this weekend. (For the second year in a row, we will ring in the New Year together, fulfilling a vow we made to each other early in our relationship.) The books will also be my companions while The Boyfriend goes to work on Monday. Cozying up on the couch with a good read sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Besides, I'll need something to break up all the snooping I'll be doing in The Boyfriend's medicine cabinet and dresser drawers.