November 13, 2009
cart full of treasures*
apples from Flatwood Farm, Berkeley, CA Canon Digital Rebel XSi
There is a magic cart at my public library.
I'll admit, I didn't find it until a few weeks ago because I didn't frequent the library. Sure, I love books and book stores and reading, but I somehow missed the memo on how cool the library is. It took a full blown moratorium on dvd watching and a case of swine flu to inspire me, and now I'm hooked. So is Ben.
I can't believe you can have anything you want for free! that they'll transfer whatever you like from the main library, that you can look books up online and reserve them that way, that they don't even charge late fees on childrens' books... And then there's this magic cart. It houses the most recent returns of nonfiction books and every time I choose something randomly from this cart, it rocks my world. My most recent finds:
Geography of Love by Glenda Burgess
Thinking About Memoir by Abigail Thomas
Storycatcher by Christina Baldwin
And a book I found through the Mondo Beyondo community that I fell crazy in love with is called An Awesome Book.
Posted on November 13, 2009 08:39 AMHi - I've been reading your site for years. I'm a public librarian in Nevada, and all I can say is a big fist-pumping "Raaaahhh!" when I read your entries about your recent library discoveries.
P.S. I also second the recommendation of what I call "the potato peel book." It's delightful!
Hi - I've been reading your site for years. I'm a public librarian in Nevada, and all I can say is a big fist-pumping "Raaaahhh!" when I read your entries about your recent library discoveries.
P.S. I also second the recommendation of what I call "the potato peel book." It's delightful!
I have been a library girl since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I think they are very magic places. My parents used to take us kids every 3 weeks like clock-work. I am probably the biggest user of my library's website, I put books on hold all the time!
Suggestions for Ben that my Gage loved when he was little:
Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type
You are Special by Max Lucado
and all the Sandra Boynton books
Oh, my! I've just discovered you while reading Fussy. What a charming and uplifting place. Three posts and I'm so glad I'm here. Especially loved the Halloween story -- the journey is the happy place to be . . . Thanks!
Cora
Thanks for the book recs. I love how you're always finding bits of magic.
Posted by: Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams at November 16, 2009 07:40 AMAn Awesome Book is truly fabulous. I bought two, one for my son and one perhaps for his teacher. I may need to get more I love it so very much.
Posted by: Tina at November 15, 2009 11:06 AMLibraries have always been cool in my book :-)
Just read The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society, having reserved it months ago, it's so popular, you're only allowed to have it for two weeks
thanx for the headsup about "An Awesome Book", which I discovered via Redemption Junkie's blog
love it - like totally ;)
Posted by: Kel at November 14, 2009 01:26 PMwelcome to my world ;) so glad you've discovered it (or maybe rediscovered it with your child?)
Posted by: Michelle Shopped at November 14, 2009 12:04 PMAndrea-
I heart libraries as well. Have you read "The Hummingbird's Daughter?" If not, I highly recommend it...I had such lovely, vivid waking dreams while reading it!
xo
Melissa Hay
Andrea-
I heart libraries as well. Have you read "The Hummingbird's Daughter?" If not, I highly recommend it...I had such lovely, vivid waking dreams while reading it!
xo
Melissa Hay
Andrea-
I heart libraries as well. Have you read "The Hummingbird's Daughter?" If not, I highly recommend it...I had such lovely, vivid waking dreams while reading it!
xo
Melissa Hay
I know! The library is so cool & so FREE :0) Except when we get fines (my family has fine issues). Have you read Abby Thomas' non-fiction/memoirs? SO good. And Abby is a very nice/cool person & great teacher. I was able to work with her and a small group of women at a Tin House workshop years ago. It was nice to see her name on your list of discoveries - made me remember how fun that experience was.
Posted by: Jennifer at November 14, 2009 05:01 AMI just got Storycather too Andrea - I am really, really enjoying it.
Posted by: Ali at November 13, 2009 08:04 PMI love the library. I am the biggest fan.
Posted by: Ramona at November 13, 2009 07:40 PMI love our local library - it is so busy they are open 7 days a week! They even hang local art on the walls and I have sold stuff there. I always worry when they start chopping stuff with that nasty budget ax. Thanks for the book tips!
Posted by: Patty at November 13, 2009 05:10 PMLibraries are great aren't they? I use mine all the time, not only for books but DVDs too - classic movies, documentaries, cartoons - all for free!
Posted by: Steph at November 13, 2009 02:11 PMthat's so funny, i LOVE the library for all these reasons. now i'll be tracking down some new books thanks to your suggestions ;) my library even has an amazon.com wishlist so if library patrons are feeling dreamy, you can buy a book that the library wants and send it to them! how cool is that!
Posted by: stephanie alaine at November 13, 2009 12:47 PMI live over in Oakland near Piedmont Ave and I LOVE THE OAKLAND LIBRARY SYSTEM!! (and the Berkeley library, although I don't get over there as often). I use it just about every week and am astonished at the things I get delivered to my local library branch for free. I request things online all the time. No limit! Can I say again how much I love the library? This is my first experience with big-city libraries (after small-town ones or the Alameda library) and I'm in love, love love. Rock on, libraries!
Posted by: Daphne at November 13, 2009 11:56 AMIf I could favorite this a million times, I would. Thank you for posting this. Libraries are the best.
Posted by: Megan at November 13, 2009 11:32 AM