A Little Perspective

Friday, June 4, 2010

Going To My Happy Place

Today was kind of a crappy day. Details are unnecessary, but suffice it to say it was bleh for a number of reasons. So what did I do? Go to Barnes and Noble, buy two more books (sidenote: i just started poisonwood bible by barbara kingsolver and it is phenomenal) that I really don't have time to read, and got myself a dr. pepper/cherry slurpee. That alone can redeem almost any kind of day.

Whilst perusing the bookshelves, I realized I have a serious addiction. And along with this addiction comes a great paradox in my life. I work in a library. I love being surrounded by books. And I think the library is a wonderful and vastly under-appreciated place. However, outside of school, the library cannot serve my needs. I have tried in vain over the past few months to check out books for recreational reading...and failed miserably. And the one time I successfully finished a library book, I was very disappointed I had done so. I know this seems illogical, but I have my reasons. The main one being that I hate reading a book that I don't own. I can't underline my favorite lines or pull it out and re-read a key passage weeks later. And when the time comes for me to recommend it to someone else, I don't have a copy to lend. Aside from these clearly legitimate excuses, one of my lifelong dreams is to open a used bookstore. So I might as well start my collection now right? It's an investment for the future... at least that's what I tell myself when I get to the register and cringe as I swipe my card.

So, I will now go to my happy place where books can be underlined to my heart's content.

2 Comments:

Blogger Jenny Dunn said...

elyse i feel the same way! I have to buy my books. When I read The Book Thief I was so annoyed it wasn't my own copy! And now, even though I've read it I think I'm going to go get my own.
and let me know if you want a partner to help you with that used book store :)

June 7, 2010 at 1:12 PM  
Blogger Carly said...

I finished Poisonwood Bible just last week. I absolutely loved it. Let's have a book chat when you're done :) ps--i hope your weekend shaped up!

June 7, 2010 at 1:56 PM  

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