On Monday, I finally got around to signing up for a library card at the Kendall Branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library. I have a long-standing love affair with libraries. While this means I racked up some pretty hefty fines back in the day (before I learned how to be an adult and do adult things, you know how that goes), I’ve always been a voracious reader so the attraction to libraries was sort of a no-brainer. Walking out of a library with a good haul is like Christmas morning! Bonus: All your presents are FREE!

When I was living and working in Bowling Green, poor as heck, one of my favorite weekly rituals was going to the library. It was located just down the block and I would go by myself, meandering the rows, loading my arms down with enough books and DVD’s to last me the week. Any enticing cover art or gripping back-cover synopsis would be indulged and added to my stack. And why not? When you’re literally planning a meal of spaghetti for the sixth time in a month and can’t afford to put gas in your car…you gotta find joy in life’s little pleasures.  I’ll always associate libraries with self-care.  Oh, and of course life-long learning, too! You can borrow a book, but you get to keep the ideas. 

When a book shows up on my door-step from Amazon, I’m excited, sure; but the feeling of taking a book home from the library is for me–unparalleled.

Here’s a look at what I picked up on this inaugural visit to the library in Miami…

Bossypants by Tina Fey – STILL haven’t read this book. (I know!) I LOVED Amy Poehler’s book so I thought it was high time to check this one off the reading list, too.

Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine – I read about this graphic novel a few years ago (the author illustrates for the New Yorker) so when I spotted it from across the aisle I knew it needed to come home with me.

Mmmmiami: Tempting Tropical Tastes for Home Cooks Everywhere – When in Rome!

Are you a huge library fan like me? What are you reading these days? I wish we could tack an extra hour onto each day to make time for reading!