Or you do what my family does and read it really quickly, finishing it just in time to wrap it and hand it to them. Unless, of course, you want your own copy.

Mom spent the week before christmas sneaking around trying to finish a book she got for dad without him seeing it.

you should just keep that copy and get them a new one, right?

Heavens, no. You continue to read it carefully and when you finish, you wrap it up. If it was really good, buy yourself the paperback. The rule is that you only have to buy a new book if you spill something on the old book.

Exactly what Ginger said. Read quickly. Then give it to them, and assure them that it's a great book. :)

I love you guys. I will try not to read it in the tub.

If you wanted to sell used books (those of you who swoon at the thought of ridding yourselves of any books, best to start skimming now)to maximize gain while minimizing hassle, what would you suggest? I have called a couple of local used book stores and they are not wildly enthusiastic. Anyone have experience with Amazon or other online selling places?

I've sold a lot of books through e-bay. Half.com is another fairly simple option, but not as quick. Either way, it's not difficult, but generally works best for genre books.

Doesn't ebay own half.com now? I got very confused trying to look at it/them.

I think so.

In both cases, you post the info and a price. On e-bay, people (hopefully) bid during the auction period - about a week usually - and send you the money. Half.com listings don't expire, and the money goes through them, but IME you're less likely to unload things quickly.

Has anyone read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell? I read it last night. It started supeeeeeerrrrr slow, but then I got kinda into it, but I thought the ending was lame.

Thoughts?

Would it be terribly restrictive if you guys whitefonted any major spoilers in JS&MN? I'm on the waiting list for it at the library, but if it's inconvenient I'll happily unsub for a few weeks from the thread.