Library Slave

I admit, I'm a bit of a book nerd.

I've always held a special place in my heart for the library. In high school, I'd beg my Mom several times a week to stop at the library on the way home after school so I could run in and pick up my hold items. "You just went to the library on Monday!" she would exclaim.
"I know. And now it's Wednesday!" I would tell her.
"I don't understand why you're such a slave to the library," she'd reply, pulling over begrudgingly to the side of the street so I could sprint in to pick up another book or set of music CD's.

I still find the libraries to be some of the most comforting and inspiring places on earth. They are so much better than bookstores, in that all their services are free. I can read, watch and listen to whatever I want, for absolutely no cost, plus fines. (Unfortunately, fines have been kicking my ass for years. I'd rather not think of the amount of money I've lost due to my inability to find books and give them back on time.)

I recently discovered a beautiful library with a large music and movie collection, a café, and a used bookstore. I wouldn't typically care about the bookstore... but paperbacks are only one dollar!! You would think that these one dollar paperbacks would be the kind of crappy thrift store books that were printed 60 years ago and have since been dropped in toilets or eaten by pet dogs. These books, however, are in perfect condition. Not only that, they are good books. I bought The Time Traveller's Wife today, which I am so excited about. This book has been on many national bestselling lists, and I've been wanting to get to it for months.

Of course, these days, being a bestseller doesn't guarantee good value. I'm still having a hard time understanding why the Twilight series is so popular. I've read one Twilight book--the first one--and I don't think I want to read anything like it ever again. I believe in real romance; I don't want to feel dizzy over Edward Cullen just because he's a vampire and because he's hot. I really don't see much more to Twilight than that--sexy , sparkling vampires. If that's what you like, if you're willing to give up reading good writing or substantial plotline for that, then I guess I can't stop you.
Of course, Edward Cullen drives a Volvo, which does make him pretty cool. (Have I mentioned that I am now the proud driver of a '99 Volvo S7O?) ;)

In my ongoing library ventures, I hope to discover more literary gems, such as Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide or David Sedaris's witty anecdotes. (Like right now, I'm reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, and it is AMAZING!) I will, undoubtedly, encounter many more Twilights, but that's a risk I am more than willing to take. :)