"It's better than food! It's books!"

[serinde]

Instead of eating lunch, I went to the NYPL and got a library card. I restrained myself (also I was running out of lunch hour) to:
- Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman. (Somehow I hadn't read this yet.)
- Mansfield Park, Jane Austen. (Because I've only read it once.)
- Meet the Austins, Madeleine L'Engle. (Comfort food.)
- Star-Spangled Manners, Judith Martin. (Just because.)

I seem to be going back through layers of life. The bi-weekly library trips were a terrifically happy childhood ritual for me, and though I'm explaining away this decision as a necessary supplement now that I am looking at not having a big house I can keep copies of every book I could possibly want in, it occurs to me to wonder whether I'm not trying to reach back to old-time comforts.

Comments

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

Well, the local branch isn't large nor particularly great, but I hear tell the branches are pretty good about ordering books from other locations.

[caelfinn.livejournal.com]

For the past couple of years we've made a concerted effort to use the library and only buy books that we really really need, ones that we know we will be referring to a lot, etc. It's been really good. It has also helped me get rid of some books since I know if I really want to read them I can always get them at the library.

Both the Brooklyn Public Library system and the NYPL (yes they are separate systems) allow you to request that a book be sent to the branch nearest you so you can pick it up easily. You can even do it all online :). It's very convenient.

Happy Reading!