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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Like being a kid again

I love books. Like, LOVE books. I could spend hours in a bookstore without batting an eye. I love looking at them and reading them and most importantly, taking them home with me.

The problem with the taking them home part is a) they take up space and b) they cost money. Hmph. I'm really trying to make more of an effort on both fronts, but it's not like I'm going to give up reading or anything... and then it dawned on me. Way back when I didn't have the luxury of buying books whenever I darn well pleased, there was a place that I practically lived in.

The library.

I can honestly say up until a few weeks ago, I hadn't stepped foot in a public library in years. Probably since high school. Which is just odd seeing as how it was one of my absolute favorite places to visit when I was a kid. The local library was just a few minutes drive from my house and a quick visit was a real treat. Sometimes there was a school project that prompted the trip, but more often than not, it was just for fun.

Sweet Valley High and Babysitter's Club books were checked out in large stacks alongside National Geographics and reference books for school stuff. As I got older, we stopped going as much and I'm not completely sure why. I'm guessing it had something to do with buying more books from the local bookstore and having the high school library to use in a pinch.

Those warm memories from childhood have definitely stuck with me though and I made my first visit to our local library soon after we moved into the new house. It's much smaller than the one I used to visit as a kid, but it still felt familiar and it put a smile on my face right when I walked in the door. The purpose of the visit was to check out the 3rd book in the Twilight series and reserve the 4th book, but I've since been back several times. I still get that same kick out of bringing home a stack of books that I did back when I was in elementary school.

I've also discovered audiobooks. When I'm on my training walks, plain music starts to get old after awhile, but switching to audiobooks has helped immensely. I prefer books that I've already read once, but there are enough of them that I don't think I'll have problems finding new material. I'm almost done with Twilight (the series is so good that I'm not ready to give up that world quite yet) and figure I'll eventually move on to the HP series.

I have a feeling that the library is going to quickly become one of my favorite places again. :)

15 comments:

  1. I feel the same way! I love working so close to a branch of the library and just browsing.

    Okay, wow, I'm a nerd. :)

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  2. nerds unite! I loved the library too, I need to go visit our new one soon.

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  3. It's funny, but I also practically lived in the library as a kid and recently rediscovered it (within the last few weeks) after years of spending way too much money on books.

    In addition to getting exposed to great new books for free, my local library has a lot of awesome music as well, all of which I just add to my iTunes library - for free!

    Color me stoked. Love this post. :)

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  4. I love the mental picture of a little you in the library soaking up the books you're reading. :) I definitely need to utilize my library more. I'm going to stock up on a few reads before my upcoming trip. I have a feeling I'll have a lot of reading time available.

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  5. i used to walk out of the library with a stack of books so high i could barely see over the top of them.

    and then i'd be done with them in two days and have to make the trek again. ha!

    i really need to hit up our library, too. it's within walking distance, for the love of poo.

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  6. I was just talking the other day about hitting up the library vs. Borders...it gets so expensive! I heart audio books too - good idea for the walks! Need to start that too...

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  7. you already know this, but i recently rediscovered the library, too.

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  8. Fun! I never got over the library. I was probably the only dork checking out fiction from Powell. And I literally have 5 library cards in my wallet, because not all the Orange County ones are connected ;-)

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  9. Fun! I miss books in English in Chile - they're not super widely available, and Chile for some reason has a crazy tax on all books that makes them expensive. I try to share with friends or snap them up second-hand whenever I can because I too love reading. Enjoy the library!

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  10. I can't wait to go to the library again! I love it so much there!

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  11. I love the library too. And it is such a shame I don't go anymore. When I lived in San Diego I used to go to a local library to study, and it was just so nice. Now that I'll have a nice long break from work, maybe I'll find our local library!

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  12. I too loved the library! The only thing I didn't love was the late fees. I have issues returning things on time... :)

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  13. I love the library! Its helped so much since I put myself on a self-imposed book buying ban after I realized I don't have room to store any additional books (they've taken over our office and a guest room).

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  14. Back in high school, I practically spent every other day at the library too! Wait, I worked there. Ha.

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  15. sweet valley high and babysitters club were my poison too. also the ramona the pest series and nancy drew books and judy blume. ugh i loved books too. burnt out in college tho. slowly getting back into it.

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