Oct 15

I love to read. I was one of those kids who would try to read under the covers, by flashlight, way past my bedtime. It seemed like there was never enough time to read everything I wanted to read. I've always loved books; fiction and non-fiction, as well as magazines and newspapers (although sadly, like most people these days, I get most of my news online). But the bottom line is, I've always been a reader.

 

I can't even begin to tally how much I've spent on my reading habit over the years. There are certain authors that I follow faithfully, buying each new book as it's released. And my tastes vary: I will read just about anything (save for most fantasy/science fiction, which has never really interested me).

 

When I was a kid - all the way through high school, really - I had a library card. And I spent countless hours at the library, sometimes for school work, but mostly for pleasure. And then in college, of course, the library was a central part of my existence - though my college library time was pretty much exclusively academic-related: there really wasn't a lot of time for "casual" reading.

 

But I've done a fair amount of reading since college, and spent a hefty amount of my time (and money) at bookstores. Don't get me wrong: I love to buy books, especially books in a series that I'm involved in, or those from favorite authors. But I have been burned...

 

I've learned that, just because a book was a "scandalous best-seller" in the '70s, that doesn't mean it doesn't suck: Thank you for that lesson, "Valley of the Dolls." And I've learned to avoid anything with an "Oprah's Book Club" sticker like the plague: I'm talking to you, "White Oleander."

 

That's one of the things that makes the public library such an appealing option. There is a larger selection than you might think, and if a book really doesn't suit you, you can just take it back: no harm, no foul. There have been many books I've heard about (or read about) that I thought I might like, but wasn't sure they were worthy additions to my personal library. But now I can borrow them, read them, and give them back. And it's a great way to discover new authors: If I find someone I really like, I will probably start following that author, possibly even to the bookstore.

 

The library systems are also more user-friendly than they used to be. I can now renew books online; I can even go online to select books I want, and have them ready for me to pick up when I get there if I'm pressed for time.

 

If you haven't been to your local public library recently, take some time to check it out; you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

http://www.publiclibraries.com/