I just noticed that my mother’s latest collection of humorous essays is currently #1 on Amazon’s list of bestselling “Humor Essays,” which is exactly where I hoped to find it this morning. https://bit.ly/4eLj7YH What I didn’t expect, was to see her book at #2 as well, in the exact same category. A closer inspection revealed the only title in “Humor Essays” currently rivaling the hardback edition of “Oh No, Not the Home,” is the Kindle edition of the same book. So I called my mother to congratulate her on being #1 and #2.
“What does this mean, Michael? How can I be #1 and #2 at the same time?”
“It means that some people like to read humorous essays in hardback, while others prefer to read them on a Kindle.”
“I see,” she said. “But doesn’t it also mean that people like humorous essays by me, specifically?”
“Well sure,” I said. “I thought that would go without saying.”
“I just like to hear you say it,” she said.
“Well then, it’s official Mom. People like humorous essays by Peggy Rowe in both hardback and Kindle editions.”
“Oh, isn’t that nice!” she said.
“Yes it is, Mom. You should be very proud.”
“Hmm…” she said.
“What?” I asked.
“I was just wondering, if I had recorded an audio version, do you think I’d be at #1, #2, and #3?”
“Probably. People say your voice is soothing.”
“Oh dear,” she said. “Do you think I should have recorded an audio version of my book?”
“There’s still time,” I said.
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s so lonely in the recording studio. Just sitting there for hours on end reading out loud to no one.”
“You’re 86-years-old, mom. You can do whatever you want.”
“Do you think the people would want an audio version of my book?”
“The people?” I asked.
“You know. The people who like humorous essays.”
“You mean, humorous essays by Peggy Rowe?”
“Don’t be a smart-aleck, Michael.”
“Beats me,” I said. “Would you like me to ask them?”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not. I’ll ask “the people” if they want an audio version of your book as soon as we hang up.”
“Ok,” she said. “Thank you. I have to fix your father’s breakfast now. Love you!”
“Ok, mom. Love you, too.”
And so, people…
I’m asking.