I am a huge Indy fan and can't wait for this movie. As for books, I've bought books that have been horrid, but I never considered asking for my money back. I just donated them to the library and hoped someone else could find something redeeming in them.

Good morning Barb! The airports have that 1/2-back refund policy within 6 months that I find pretty great! Especially now that you are travelling so much to conferences etc., you could check it out--I read 3 best sellers in paperback, then returned them for 1/2 refund--the airports then donate them to the secondhand shop in the airport too. So realistically you could pick up a 1/2 price one there (at the secondhand shop) too; I'm not sure on their prices.

Barbara, I admit I've read books that I would love to get money back on, but don't know if I'd actually do it. After all, I picked the book. Same if I order something different at a restaurant and don't like it, I still picked it, it was my choice. Then again, if there's something wrong with the food, I would not expect to pay. So does the same apply for books and movies with semi-truck-sized plot holes...? It just might. :)

I'm looking forward to the Indy film too. I was thinking of seeing Jumper last weekend, but we didn't go. Thanks for the warning! I've never taken a book back. Like Stacey, I thought it was my choice. Like Amanda, I give them to the library or my chapter. We recycle books to other members who want to read them.

Barbara, I was SO disappointed in Jumper. They never answered two essential questions for me. They weren't cliffhangers -- just never addressed.

Did any of your read the original book? I read it back in the early 90s, and what I remember of it, I really liked. Movies can enhance a reading experience, such as Bridge to Terabithia which was way better than the book, or they can destroy all hope of getting someone to read the original. Sounds like this is the case with Jumper. But having loved the book, I'll see the movie anyway.

Hi Barbara, Thanks for the heads-up on Harrison Ford's movie. He is a spokesperson for the Experimental Aircraft Association (I, too am a member). It's great to have another Indy movie coming up. It's also great to see your comments on great fiction. Keep 'em coming. I look forward to meeting you at one of Margie' gigs. Tom

Hi Barbara! I already have my calendar marked for the next Indiana Jones movie. Can't wait! As for returning books, I've only done it once when I discovered I'd bought the same book the week before . Otherwise, like others, I just give then to the library or someone.

Thankfully, I totally LOVE almost every book that I read! Even in the ones that I don't LOVE, though, I can always find something about it that I can embrace and, therefore, all books that I read stay with me for my own personal future magnificent library!!! And I agree with you about the next Indiana Jones movie - I can't wait to see it!

As to Indy, I caught Harrison Ford's interview with BW last Sunday and he still has it. All one has to do is hear the music and one's mind goes right to Harrison Ford. And he has aged well but not like a pretty boy!! As to a book, I don't think I could ever return one I didn't like or felt was below par because I think with a book your are paying for the reading experience of the story not the actual book in your hand per se. And if you read it then you got the experience, good or bad. As it is people can basically sit in a bookstore these days and read the darn thing free, so buyer beware!! To me reading a book is not the physical thing but the emotional or lack there of, the journey and with a book you can take that journey many times, when the mood strikes. But one is paying for the journey not the physical book.

Oh, I want to see this movie! I do think I might try to be disciplined and wait for the DVD hoping for extras, though. (I've gotten so spoiled by those! lol)

As for people returning books, quite honestly, it never occurred to me to do that -- I guess I'm like Stacey Joy with her restaurant analogy -- though NAL did put Freefall in their money back (including taxes) Guaranteed Read program. They assure me the typical return is only 30-50 books. I'm so hoping I come in under that!

Well, as an author, I guess I'm glad people can't return books so easily (though bookstores can). But I know I HATE when I get to the end of a book and the ending doesn't make sense or leaves too many loose ends. The worst are the ones that start well. I guess it's like a restaurant meal that tastes great, but whenyou get home your stomach hurts. You just know you won't trust that chef/author ever again! - Clea www.cleasimon.com

I don't think I'd ever return a book..unless it was missing pages, which has happened. If I bought it and just didn't like it, well that is my problem, not the store or publisher. DH and went to the movies this weekend too, but we picked Fool's Gold which was outstanding! Hey Matthew McC running around with out a shirt on for almost 80% of the film makes it for me, who needs a plot?? We are looking forward to the new Indy too. Wouldn't miss it.

Ditto on the Indy Jones movie. Can't *wait* to visit with old friends. In December we held an Indiana Jones weekend. Loved it!

Gotta tell you, Barbara, we hadn't seen half the Oscar nominated movies either, but in the days prior to the awards we made a point of seeing two of last year's blockbusters: Gone Baby Gone and American Gangster. And I'm awfully glad we waited for 'em to come out on DVD.

Which transitions into our thoughts on returning books. Have we ever been tempted to take back a stinker? Sure. Especially when one thing is promised via the ed's back cover blurb and another delivered (god, we've fretted over this when Harlequin's done this to us in the past). But mostly we do what we did with the aforementioned movies: we discuss what didn't work, make a point of unearthing what did, and then reach a point where we can put the matter to bed. (Btw, American Gangster was so weighed down with back story -- a biopic wannabe -- that it didn't hit its stride until the last fifteen minutes. *That's* where the story was, and what an excellent one at that. In Gone Baby Gone, Ben Afleck missed the mark he was shooting for by just a hair! Had he hit it, the Step One, Step Two unoriginality of the plot would have been forgivable.)