The Love of Books...and Libraries

I went to the library today.

I haven't been in months. :p I haven't read a book in a months, actually. I know it's sounds terrifying and ridiculous (especially for those of you who haven't hit 9th grade yet), but sometimes I really do believe that highschoolers don't have time for books.

:O

I know. I just said something probably radical and horrifying. But that's why I said, "Sometimes" and "I really do believe". You can't argue with that, can you?

Anyway.

"Time for books" DOES NOT count assigned reading, no matter how epic and wonderful that assigned reading is. The "time for books" I'm referring to is reading books for fun. Any book that catches my interest. Sitting down and letting myself become lost inside, completely enthralled with the characters and whatever is happening to them, and not leaving that world until I'm ready (or until the book's over).

I used to read all the time. I could read in the car {which now makes me carsick}, and I had more time on my hands, so both of those things helped. But now I haven't read a book for fun in quite a while, and have not become thoroughly engrossed in a novel for a few months now. I'm not complaining here, just commenting.

I think the last time I went to the library was several months ago. If I remember correctly, it was a stop-and-go visit; Mom (or I) were simply returning the books I'd used for my research paper. Today Mom and I needed to check out some books for chemistry, and I peeked at the novels in the children's section while she was looking for the chemistry books. {For the record, I don't go to the teenager section... it is scary! It is filled with creepy-looking books...} I love the children's section because I feel somewhat safe there, AND I feel tall, cuz the shelves are only a few inches taller than me. (Needless to say, I am short. How short I am is a secret, but...you can guess). 

I'd forgotten how wonderful libraries are. How I walk along the shelves, reading titles until one catches my interest. How I pull out a book and read the back cover or the dust jacket flap, and weigh the odds of whether I am interested enough to commit to - at least - checking the book out, and hopefully read it in the future and return it on time. Sometimes I politely replace the book, or leave it for another time. Other times I can't put it back, and it comes with me to the library desk to be checked out. 

I love books, and I'm pretty sure most of my blog visitors do, too. I encourage you to pick up a book this week, whether it be a beloved, tattered copy that's been read countless times; a book that you bought, meant to read, but have not yet; or a book that calls out to you from the library shelf... make time for that book. :) Even if you only read one chapter. 

"Klarabelle"

P.S. I haven't been very active in the blogosphere lately... sorry! My laptop won't let me comment on blogs that require me to prove I'm not a robot. :p {long-ish story} BUT, I haven't forgotten you all, and I do check your blogs, I just read and then leave without a comment, like a creeper. {Just kidding. If you read my blog and don't comment, I will not call you a creeper...}
P.P.S. How's your life!?