Oh Sara! I was recently described by a friend as “a stack of books in a trenchcoat,” and while I would add “wearing lipstick and dyke glasses” to that, it’s basically true. This essay resonates with me so fully, down to the library stuff, except for me it would be that my father, newly having acquired a drivers license and a very used car, would drive me to different branches of the Toronto public library system one Saturday a month and I’d fill a duffel bag with books because I’d rad everything worth reading at our crappy neighborhood library. Also, I love Emma Straub’s novels and recommend them, really all/any of them! And also I have people love dead Jews on my tbr, but have had it there for months and may try to read it sooner because of your post!
I thought those were Intellectual glasses. Same same? You are indeed a black-haired, red-lipped, boldly bespectacled stack of books in a trench coat. I love to think of your dad driving you around the city to the library branches.
I just read during my lunch that BSB is having a pre-Spring Clean-out Sale this week, so you may be able to pick up some of those books you had to leave behind in Brooklyn. I'm stopping there on my way home today!
This piece resonated! I wasn’t the brightest kid nor the best behaved kid—but the public library was a couple of blocks away. There I fell madly deeply in love with books and reading. The library kept me in check, from getting into the kind of trouble I didn’t know existed. Public libraries have been a constant in my world. Once, while waiting for a youth hostel to open its doors in Bath, England so I could get some much needed sleep, I hung out in the nearby library, reading the local newspapers. An afternoon well spent.
And speaking of Michigan bookstores, next time you’re in Lansing, head to Everybody Reads Books and Stuff. Tell them I sent you. (Seriously, do this. They will give you the royal treatment…in a good way.)
I love to hear this, Arnie! Public libraries are one of the very best things in the world. Next time I'm driving to Grand Rapids, I'll stop in at Everybody Reads Books (I never stop in Lansing), and I WILL drop your name.
I walked into an adorable indie store in Dunedin FL just yesterday and felt what always feel- entranced, excited, intrigued and smiling.. thank you for taking us with you to your favorites!
Oh Sara! I was recently described by a friend as “a stack of books in a trenchcoat,” and while I would add “wearing lipstick and dyke glasses” to that, it’s basically true. This essay resonates with me so fully, down to the library stuff, except for me it would be that my father, newly having acquired a drivers license and a very used car, would drive me to different branches of the Toronto public library system one Saturday a month and I’d fill a duffel bag with books because I’d rad everything worth reading at our crappy neighborhood library. Also, I love Emma Straub’s novels and recommend them, really all/any of them! And also I have people love dead Jews on my tbr, but have had it there for months and may try to read it sooner because of your post!
I thought those were Intellectual glasses. Same same? You are indeed a black-haired, red-lipped, boldly bespectacled stack of books in a trench coat. I love to think of your dad driving you around the city to the library branches.
Pauses reading to put a hold on Thistlefoot...
I just read during my lunch that BSB is having a pre-Spring Clean-out Sale this week, so you may be able to pick up some of those books you had to leave behind in Brooklyn. I'm stopping there on my way home today!
Btw, I totally did this.
This piece resonated! I wasn’t the brightest kid nor the best behaved kid—but the public library was a couple of blocks away. There I fell madly deeply in love with books and reading. The library kept me in check, from getting into the kind of trouble I didn’t know existed. Public libraries have been a constant in my world. Once, while waiting for a youth hostel to open its doors in Bath, England so I could get some much needed sleep, I hung out in the nearby library, reading the local newspapers. An afternoon well spent.
And speaking of Michigan bookstores, next time you’re in Lansing, head to Everybody Reads Books and Stuff. Tell them I sent you. (Seriously, do this. They will give you the royal treatment…in a good way.)
I love to hear this, Arnie! Public libraries are one of the very best things in the world. Next time I'm driving to Grand Rapids, I'll stop in at Everybody Reads Books (I never stop in Lansing), and I WILL drop your name.
I walked into an adorable indie store in Dunedin FL just yesterday and felt what always feel- entranced, excited, intrigued and smiling.. thank you for taking us with you to your favorites!
Dunedin! My grandma lived in Dunedin. I spent weeks there as a kid. It was like paradise.
I love this newsletter! And thank you for the mention, friend <3