Library Love

My favorite place to be is either a bookstore or a library.  I love the quiet and being surrounded by thousands of books.  I went to the library tonight for the first time since college, but for the first time since high school I actually checked out some books. 

You see I kind of have a problem.  I like books, but even more I like to have them on MY bookshelves.  I even keep books that I have no intention of finishing because I didn’t like them or couldn’t get into them (I’m looking at you Vanity Fair and Catch 22).  I don’t like giving them back, which means I’m really bad at borrowing books from others and I haven’t dared the library in so long because I used to rack up so many late fees.

Well now that I’m running out of room for books, plus I was spending way too much money on books that I don’t always have time to read (I have at least 6 on my shelf that I need to start, another 4 that I’ve already started, and 2 that I probably won’t get to) I decided I needed to go somewhere other than the bookstore to destress.

So what do I do?  Go to the library to get more books of course!  I have I mentioned how much I love the library?  I love how organized it is, and how logical the call numbers are.  I love the silence and the kindness of library patrons.  Above all I love the smell.  (I think this is the reason I probably could never do an electronic reader…part of the enjoyment of reading for me is the smell and feel of a book.)  Our library is beautiful, but huge!  I have no idea how many steps I went up and down, but it was a second workout for me (since I was good and worked out before going to the library.)

And did I mention the books are free?  As in I pull them off the shelf, get them scanned and walk away with free books.  It feels like I’m stealing!  I mean I know they aren’t actually free because I do pay taxes.  (On that note CA taxes are becoming outrageous.  I already pay 9.55% of my yearly income to state taxes, and then I pay a 9.25% sales tax, and now the state wants to take another 1% in state income tax through next June to help with the budget problems.  At least the money will be returned when we file our taxes.)

So I walked out with 5 new books tonight and they are all parenting related.  I want to scan them and decide which ones I would like to own.  I’ll be taking a week off over Thanksgiving, so I’m hoping to have some time to read then.  The great thing about our library is the website…I can recheck the books out through the online system so it’s easy to extend the due date and avoid late fees.  Perfect for me!

Now I need to figure out how to fit in reading with work, parenting, exercise, TV and internet!

On a completely separate note, we want to say how excited and happy we are for Charlotte’s foster mom, Michelle!   She finally got a call for a new little baby girl and she gets to pick her up tomorrow.  She’s only about a week old, but cute as a button.  Michelle plans to name her McKinley Grace and we hope this is her and Abby’s chance to add another forever child to their family.  Michelle is most deserving of being a mom to this little girl!