I just want to start this post by declaring that I'm an idiot. Yes, you heard me right....a complete idiot!
Why in the holy loving world did I ever forget about the library? Ok maybe I have been a little busy in the past five years, what with raising two rambuncious boys and writing the Beast. Or maybe it was the ten dollar fine for that one book I lost, then found and returned a month later? But whatever my reasons, they were not valid enough to have caused me to stray.
For goodness sake, my own Mom is an Assistant Librarian at the local elementary school. And to top that off, I worked as a library aide all through junior high and the beginning of high school. In eigth grade, I even won second place in the Scholastic Writing Awards for my short short story entitled, what else, "The Library." It even included my favorite Librarian Barb. After the story was published in the local paper, Barb wrote me a thank you letter. This made my year, because in my world, she was a rock star.
But I digress. In August, my entire family is trekkiing northward to Maine. We try to make this trip at least every ten years to visit my Dad's side of the family. Due to gas prices, food, lodging, and other necessities, the Hubs asked me politely (ie: rudely) to not purchase any books (kindle included) in June, July, or August, to which I foolishly agreed. (see eye rolling and sighing)
Now, I'm the type of person who hates being without a book, but at the time of said agreement I still had a cache of books on my Kindle, including hardcovers of Passion by Lauren Kate and Where She Went by Gayle Forman to read. I had mistakenly thought that these would last me. Well the joke was on me. I don't know if it was the pressure to make them last, or if it was the fact that they were excellent books, but I tore through my entire stock. (hangs head in shame)
It was right about this time that I had my Mom watch the boys for the afternoon, so that I could accompany the Hubs to some of his doctor appointments. When I returned to pick them up, they were gushing about going to the library with GaGa. My three year old had actually cried when he had to leave. To which I made sympathetic noises, but secretly my heart was bursting with pride.
It was in that moment that the light went off inside my head. I quickly conned the Hubs into taking me to the library. I don't know if it was the welcoming musty scent of paper or the words floating through the air waiting to be devoured, but the moment I stepped through those familiar doors I went crazy.
I left with eight books, and the librarian's disbelief that I could read them all in fourteen days. Hubs kept rolling his eyes at me, as I clutched my bag of free books, giggling as if I had just gotten away with a crime or something else just as nefarious. But how could I explain to a non-reader that heady rush of undiscovered words and worlds.
Well I read those eight books, and I got ten more today. And quite a few of them were titles that I have been lusting after.
However, even with the library, I am still plotting about how to secretly purchase Supernaturally by Kiersten White. I feel a bargain lurking on the horizon. Hopefully I don't have to trade my soul for it, because I just might! (Just kidding...not really...ok yes I am)
And as a side note, I finally got to read Anna and the French Kiss and totally discovered my favorite line ever in a book. "Toph is an insensitive douchebag motherhumping assclown" I laughed so hard!!! For any who know me personally, douchebag is always a go to insult for me. I was super excited when I finally got the oppurtunity to borrow this phrase. Believe me it was much deserved!
Until next time...
I forget about the library too. But I am also the kind of person who will check books out, then spend $1,000,000 on late fees because I forget to take them back. (sigh)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm right there with ya! I read (on avg) 5-7 books a week. For our beach trip, I downloaded 7 books. Some of them were free Kindle downloads...thought I'd give them a chance :)