Look! I found a new bookstore!
It’s in the library. $14 for all of these, isn’t that amazing?
I love used book shopping. I went to Barnes and Noble on an impulse the other day – never do that, by the way, it’s a terrible, horrible idea and my wallet hates me – and spent over $50 on two books.
Yikes.
Do I regret buying those two books? Absolutely not. Did I enjoy having so much choice in the world history section and finally, finally finding a gorgeous, monstrously thick book on Genghis Khan? Absolutely.
But my money goes further at the library bookshop. And in thrift stores. And I might not have the selection, but that doesn’t mean I can’t find a whole stack of treasures whenever I walk in.
I can’t wait to get into this stack. After I finish the other… many… many books waiting for me on my bookshelves. Now that I have a newborn, my reading habits have had to change slightly to accommodate.
Meaning, I’ve had to train my wrists so I have the strength to juggle a baby and an enormous book at the same time.
We’ve had mixed results.
So, I’m adapting. I bought a kindle from my brother-in-law a few months back in preparation for postpartum, and when baby and I are snuggling, I use that. Since I don’t love spending money on books I don’t technically own – that’s a whole rant by itself – I’ve only bought a few classics with editions that are $0.99 or less. The rest, I borrow from the library.
Because libraries are the lifeblood of our communities and amazing educational resources and should never be underestimated, belittled, or underutilized.
Amen.
Obviously, I don’t want to transfer all my reading to digital books, so I’ve found a compromise. I have a classic – or an old favorite – on my kindle at all times for when I am holding baby, and a hefty history book sitting on my nightstand for when I have a little more freedom.
It’s working well. I get time to read, baby gets someone reading aloud to her when she’s awake and not fussy, and no cuddles were sacrificed for the sake of just one more chapter.
Flexibility, man. It’s how we roll.
How do you fit reading into the corners of your life? What are some of your best strategies? Tell me about them in the comments!
And, if you’re looking for your next read and are interested in more of my writing, you can find some of my books HERE! Enjoy!
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