Love Your Local Library

Maybe as an aspiring writer (who hopes to one day publish and sell a lot of copies of her novel) I've got it all bass-ackwards.  As a kid I loved nothing more than going to my local library, roaming the shelves, and coming home with a stack of new treasures.  When my daughter was young we did the library thing together but it's only been in the last few years that I've really rediscovered the library. While I do collect some of my favourite authors -- Stephen King, John Steinbeck, Dennis Lehane, Chris Grabenstein -- I can neither afford to buy, nor care to shelve, all of the books that I read.  One of the things that I really love about borrowing library books is the anticipation of actually getting the book in my hot little hands.  In these times of instant gratification, it's almost hard to remember what it's like to have to wait for something.  Without a doubt, for me, it adds to the enjoyment when I finally get a book I've waited months to read.  Oh, and then there's the Library Without Walls where I can borrow and download e-books to my Kobo.  The sole reason I went with the Kobo was the ability to borrow library books.

And there is much more to the library than meets the eye.  It's not just about books.  Next to reading, I watch a lot of movies.  And I haven't had to rent one in years, thanks to the library.  As with books, I collect my favourites (translation:  anything with Johnny Depp but even I draw the line at The Man Who Cried, The Libertine, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas).  But I've seen a lot of films, documentaries included, that I wouldn't have if I'd had to pay for them.  And with some, boy am I glad I didn't have to pay for them.  I mean, The Tree of Life....really?  I've got no problem turning something off if it's free.  The key to borrowing DVD's from the library is to watch the movie release dates and get your hold in while the DVD is still on order.  If you're lucky you'll get it before that doofus who apparently uses them as a plate for his peanut butter and jam sandwich.

Recently I discovered Zinio through my library.  Once again, free to register to access all kinds of magazines -- from news to fitness to gardening and everything in between.  Even Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and The Writer, one of the two subscriptions I opted out of this year to cut down on clutter.  Sure, I know, many magazines offer subscriptions in PDF format now, but I'm talking FREE here people.  That's my kind of language.

On another note...Damn you, George RR Martin.  For getting me hooked on a Song of Ice and Fire. I've just downloaded book three, A Storm of Swords, to my Kobo.  Over 1200 pages.  George, you're killing me for being on pace for 60 books this year.  And don't even get me started on the HBO series. After watching season one of Game of Thrones through library DVD's, I bought season two from Amazon.  Ahhh....sometimes instant gratification feels soooo good.