Ever since I was little I always wanted a wall of books. No, not just a wall…an entire library. You know, like in the movies where the rich family goes into their “study” and takes a book from their “library” and perhaps the library resides in the north wing of the house…you know, those kinds of movies. I loved the idea of having several books, nah, I should say “volumes” to choose from. And these volumes would have thick covers with gold lettering and the page edges would also be trimmed with gold. To sit, next to a crackling fire in your smoking jacket (or in my case ‘non-smoking’ jacket) and enjoy a chapter or two of Dickens or E. B. White. Those visions still fill my head, okay, perhaps not the whole north wing, gold letters and crackling fire…but the idea of my own library.

Well, it’s 14 years after high school and I finally have my small library! I have a wall of books, DVDs, and CDs. Okay, so my husband helped me fill out some of the space with his favorites, but it’s ours! I have books from when I was little all the way up till now. It’s not the full room of volumes I have dreamed of, but it’s a start and honestly, it makes me happy to look at it.
I recently wondered why that vision has stayed in my head for so long. I know growing up we really didn’t have many books around the house. I can’t say anyone in my family is really a “reader” except for me. Books weren’t really a big deal I guess. We could go to the school or public library any time we wanted, but we didn’t.
So why did I want a wall of books? Could it be perhaps:

a. to look/feel like a smarty pants standing in front of it
b. to be literary enough to necessitate a library
c. to say “oh, I have a book on that” and be able to run to my library and “fetch” it
d. all of the above

Hm, I’m going with D. I’m sure our school librarians helped, as well as certain teachers. I do remember in middle school, standing in front of the library book shelves and staring at all the titles lined up. I would totally judge a book by it’s cover and select the cover, or should I say, the spine that looked most interesting. I also remember in high school my friend Mandy and I would try to read classic novels, everything from Hunchback to Dracula. For some reason it was the cool thing to do (for us at least)!

So why all this talk about libraries? Well, today I marched right on over to the Austin Public Library and got myself a library card!

While I love buying books (I preferably go to Half Priced Books to save money and to recycle), I have joined a book club and well, I would be spending a lot on books. Don’t get me wrong, I will still buy books, but now I can be a bit more choosey. Also, with a book club, sometimes the style of the month isn’t really what I am into, and if I don’t like the book, well, hey I can turn it back in!
When I went into the local library (it’s right around the corner from my house) I was instantly transported back to my middle school library. I don’t know why I hadn’t been in there before, I have lived in this neighborhood for 4 years! The card feels good in my wallet, sort of wish I could wear it like a bumper sticker. “Keep Austin Reading!”
I think you should go check out your local library…
Oh and what are you favorite books? Any suggestions so I can start using my library card?!