I went on an excursion and re-discovered my local library today. I am ashamed to say that it had been so long since I had been to and borrowed from my library my card/membership had expired and they had to "re-invent" me on the system.
I'm not sure why I haven't been there in so long. I think once I started earning "proper" money I really wanted to buy my books and have my own copies of them. My partner and I have been re-evaluating our finances in light of other financial goals (i.e. overseas travel) and we realised that book buying was possibly one area in which we could reduce our spending.
So, off to the library I went. We actually have a pretty good library system in our local area. There are about 7 or so different library sites and you can borrow from all of them with the one membership card. You can also request/put hold on particular books and have them delivered to your local library for collection - this is a system I like!
The photo shows my collection for today:
1. The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields - this book was suggested to me by Danielle after I asked for some recommendations on WW1 and WW2 fiction. Check out Danielle's post for some other great ideas in this genre.
2. Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro - As I have mentioned before I am not a big short story reader but I have heard that Alice Munro is a goddess in this category so I thought I would give them a go.
3. The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde - I started reading this series about character Thursday Next a few months ago and immediately loved the character, setting and writing. This book is the third in the series.
4. The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen - a book that has been on my "to read" list for quite a while now and one of the books I have selected to read for the New Classics Challenge.
6 comments:
I love my library, and a big part of why is because it saves me so much money. I can't afford to buy as many books as I read!
I also love that you can request books online as well as renew them.
I totally agree Marg - as I said, I couldn't believe I had stayed away for so long! Now that I have re-discovered it the savings plan should be back on track!
I'm afraid I'm less familiar with my local library than I used to be, having also succumbed to the temptation to buy the books I read. I must visit it again soon.
I can recommend Alice Munro and also really enjoyed the Thursday Next books.
I really need to follow your lead and start using the library instead of the bookstore. We have a really nice library close to my house, but for some reason, I haven't been there in a a really long time. My husband and I recently reevaluated our finances as well, so I'm planning to start using my library much more often!
I love our library. I'm not sure why it took me so long to discover it for myself. I certainly took my kids there often enough. I suppose it was mostly financial and making one too many book purchases that proved disappointing! I love my library and that I can request books online and simply walk in and pick them up.
adevotedreader - it sounds like your book buying habits are very similar to mine! Thanks for the recommendations. My reading pile is only getting bigger!
Laura - if your local library is anything like ours than I would pay them a visit soon! I spoke to my partner about my great library finds last night and he is going to renew his membership this weekend - he doesn't think he has been to the library since he was in school!
Holly - I think I might be making even more trips to the library now that my nephews and nieces are getting older.
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