Saturday, August 8, 2020

Escape


I’ve just overcome the byzantine process of getting my hands on something to read. We’re still unable to actually enter the doors of our public library, but we can order books and have them ferried out to us through the back door like a furtive drug deal. As a retired English teacher once hip-deep in books from studying and teaching and who not long ago also downsized, the absolute last thing I want to do is buy a book. Ironic, I know, as someone who has written three and would die happy tomorrow if my name ever appeared on a best-seller list.

          There are benefits to this new system. Instead of going physically into the library itself and wandering unfocussed through the shelves, I’m now looking up authors whose works I had thought I’d exhausted and discovering books I didn’t know existed, usually coming from other libraries in our state.

          I’m currently so deep into a Joanna Trollope novel that I have to force myself to put it down for things like food or sleep. Next on my shelf is a Dorothy Sayers that I either haven’t read, or read so long ago that I don’t remember it. My next pick up will include a Donald Westlake, a Lawrence Block, and a Susan Isaacs. Fabulous.

          The only thing is this is not a speedy process, but at least I’ve learned to plan well ahead. My next books are on hold, but it could be a full week before they’re available. Then I have to get in the queue for pick up, scheduled for every 15 minutes. Last time that meant another week’s delay. It’s still worth it. I can’t imagine how non-readers are passing the time.

12 comments:

  1. I just had a "drug deal" library moment yesterday! Pulled into the parking lot, a masked individual came out of a door, showed me the plain brown paper bag with my last name on it, I gave a nod and put the car window down, she deposited the goods! I am going to write down the authors you mentioned, as I'm not familiar with all of them. It's the same thing, I tend to look up authors on the library website and relying on suggestions from bloggers and other sites has been helpful. -Jenn

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    1. I keep a list of authors on my phone for those blank moments in the library aisles. Almost as critical as my photo album of favorite wines.

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  2. Our libraries have re-opened. For which I am endlessly grateful. I have 'often' found gems while browsing. Gems which I would not have found otherwise.
    Have you got to Erin Morgenstern's latest yet?

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    1. No- I don't know that author, but will definitely take a look.

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  3. And my local librarian says all returns must spend seven (or fourteen?) days in quarantine. In Ohio, at any rate.

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  4. Since our library is still closed, except for curbside pickup, I've put quite a few books on my Kindle and have bought some, too. I had stopped buying until the pandemic hit, and I hope I revert back to my old habits if we ever get back to normal again.

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  5. I haven't wandered around inside a library for quite some years now. The nearest one to me is a bus ride away, which is doable, but I have so many books stacked unread and a couple of hundred on the kindle. I have plenty to keep me going while it's "stay home as much as possible" time.

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  6. Just as our library has been beginning to move into a higher gear, they will soon start packing up and moving to a temporary location for a remodeling. I am pretty sure this will limit access ti many books but maybe not.

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  7. our library is open, masks required and plastic shields between us and the librarian. I keep a running list of books I want to read but it is nice to be able to scan the new arrivals shelves. and yeah, I used to buy books. we had bookcase after bookcase before the move. we got rid of probably 75%. I no longer need to own books. borrowing works for me.

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  8. I still buy books and my wife (fortunately) is an enabler. Books are like holy icons in our house and we are eyeing the spare bedroom for conversion since other rooms are overflowing!

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    1. Welcome, David! I enjoyed reading about Lily and her introduction to the world of nature.

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  9. It's interesting to hear how your library is handling these strange times. We've debated various degrees of opening for our students and parents -- having them request books is an option we've considered.

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Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear what you think.