ypsi~dixit

Now, I've learned that the best way for me to not read a book is for me to buy it.

If I check a book out from the library, then I have a deadline, and I get it read.

If I buy a book, I can read it whenever, and I turn to my library books instead.

I've saved a lot of money since I learned this about myself.

Your point is well taken.

But between busyness, procrastination, and my love of reading good books over and over and over, I figure I might as well buy the $3 paperback instead of paying the inevitable $15 in late fees.

Besides, I love to look up from the couch and see a big ever-expanding wall of books. "There is my wealth," I think.

In addition, as someone who can't stand to be enslaved to anyone, the thought that I have an obligation to get books back to the library by X date makes me itchy. I'll decide my schedule, dangit. And it may involve several unplanned hours of watching clouds, and if that interferes with a library deadline, then, phooey.

I'd rather hole up hermit-style with my pile of Cross Street books and read till I can't see straight and not worry about apologizing to those fussy librarians and making an extra trip, likely in the rain, on a bike, and trying to find the one book I misplaced and....feh.

Nosir. No libraries for me.

Having never had the money or space to buy all the books I might want to read, I've developed a perfect willingness to return books to the library unread, or half-read.

Right now part of my library strategy is to _not_ have direct deposit; every two weeks, I make sure that my trip home from work involves the main (downtown) branch of the UM Credit Union to deposit my paycheck, putting me right next to the main branch of the AADL, enabling me to drop off whatever books I've finished or given up on and pick up new ones.

It's been working pretty well...

Murph: Sounds like a good system. I dunno, I guess I'm just too wrapped up in various ongoing projects to be organized enough to get books back on time. Plus, as I said, I feel that if something is worth one's time reading, then you might as well own it since you'll be reading it again someday, in my case at least.

I spent a delightful night last night reading till the wee hours and expect to do so again today before putting the completed books on my shelves (running out of shelves...)

I love browsing used-book stores like CSB, but the library, for me, fills the need to read the newest books which cost something like a bazillion dollars at Border's and Barnes and Noble. There are a lot of good political titles out these days, and there's no way I could buy/read them without the Ypsi library.

MM: Point well taken. i guess I'm just a curmudgeon who prefers to hermit up with a stack of books than fiddle around with the library. I do have a Ypsi library card.

When I'm done with today's carpet destruction I plan to kick back with my new books. Nothing better.