Which copy would you read?

You may have noticed that I recently added Ben Hur to my reading list. And as you can see I actually own two copies from which to choose. Let me tell you why...

The copy on the left I have had since I was 9 years old. I was kind of a strange child. My school was hosting one of those book fairs in the library, where you could go during your recess or after school and browse racks and racks of new books for sale at discounted prices for the students. Well, my mom gave me some money one day for it, and Ben Hur was what I chose. I had seen the movie, so probably thought I could handle the book. I can still remember the lady who took my money smirking at me, as if to say, "Awww, how cute! Look at this little girl buying this great big book..." Well, I never did read the book, but I have always felt compelled to hang on to this copy.

The other copy I found browsing the shelves of an antique store in Pennsylvania. The copyright date is 1900, and I paid $3 for it. A few of the pages are a little loose, but otherwise it's in pretty good shape for over a century old.

So, when I finally decided it was time to actually read this novel instead of just lugging along these copies for sentimental value, I had to choose. My heart was telling me to pick the antique that Carol Banks read oh so many years ago (her name was penciled to the inside cover....it's faded, but still legible). My head was telling me to pick the more reliable and newer paperback of my youth, and in some sick, twisted way have revenge on the smug, patronizing library lady by finally conquering it.

Well, my head won. I'm reading the paperback. I have to admit that so far this book is a bit of a struggle. Well, I'll just be honest...I've been bored. I don't remember enough of the film to inspire me, and all I have to tempt me to keep reading is the scene from Anne of Green Gables where Anne gets in trouble for reading it during a math lesson because the chariot race scene is too exciting to put down. So I'm hoping it picks up a bit, or the library lady was perhaps justified in smirking at me.