Library

I'm still old-school and read all my books offline. I'm sure I'll break down and start reading some books on an electronic device, especially for travel, but nothing beats curling up with a real book and going on a mental vacation. I grew up reading thanks to my parents and a black-and-white TV with 2 channels. Since leaving college, I try to read each morning during breakfast and a few days a week during lunch. I don't read much in bed since 2001, mainly because I've been told I'm a loud page flipper. I do read at night if I have time. Reading for me is pure entertainment and I don't set out to learn (I do enough of that at work). I do appreciate the author's skill at telling a story and hope that the more I read, the better writer/blogger/storyteller I can become.

My preferred book source is the library for environmental and financial reasons, but I also enjoy the atmosphere. There are people that can't imagine touching a book that many others have handled and eaten over, but the occasional chocolate and water stains are worth the rare moments when you come upon margin comments or a signed copy. For me it adds to the story, just like the old checkout cards where you could actually see the names of the other readers. Pretty fun when you live in a small town.

Our library has a warm community feel and even though I'm usually rushing in and out, I am peaceful when visiting. Every 2 weeks, I cruise the aisles with my spreadsheet list looking to complete an author's work or pick up a new recommendation. In a way, it reminds me of my childhood and our many trips to our historic library for a fresh stack of books. This sense of community is a nice contrast to my freshman student-athlete job in the campus library. Maybe I just have hard feelings because I had to work all the time, push the squeaky cart around, and couldn't catch up on homework. Our library feels more like a bookstore without the noise or the cost. Maybe I can work there part-time after retirement and have an inside edge for the wait lists and bestsellers. I wonder how much libraries will change over the next 15 years.

Please leave recommendations in the comments if you have similar interests and maybe I'll see you in the library.

Always looking for a new release from these authors!