Happy Tuesday! It’s time for Top Ten Tuesday, the weekly feature run by That Artsy Reader Girl where you choose ten books to fit a weekly prompt. This week’s prompt is books recently added to my book collection. This doesn’t really work for me because I don’t have a book collection, I read almost exclusively from the library. So instead, I’ve decided to go with the top 10 reasons I love my library.
Reason #1 – Money
OK, this one is obvious but the library is free and that’s awesome. I read 114 books in 2021 and hope to read close to that this year. If I actually bought all of those books, even accounting for ARCs and gifts, that would be a huge chunk of money.
Reason #2 – DNFs
One of my favorite things about library books is that I have no guilt about DNF’ing. All I’ve invested in a book is requesting it and picking it up. If I decide I hate it, I can stop reading with zero guilt. When I have books for other reasons, I feel like I have to finish it and I hate that feeling.
Reason #3 – Picking Up Books
There’s something about getting the notification that my book(s) is ready for pickup and then going to get it that’s wonderfully satisfying. I love getting that stack of books (let’s face it, it’s never just one) and exploring the cover and blurb, seeing how long it is, the font size, etc. I go to the library basically every weekend and I just love it.
Reason #4 – Browsing the Stacks
Most of the time, I request books and find them on the hold shelf under my name but sometimes I’m in a browsing mood and I’ll spend a few minutes or over an hour wandering through the stacks. It’s the ultimate mood reading and has zero consequences, they’re free!
Reason #5 – Guilt-Free TBR
I typically have 10-20 library books at a time. I don’t read every book I get out of the library but if I have it on my shelf for several weeks and don’t pick it up, maybe I don’t want to read it. It’s a great way not to be guilted into reading any particular book because I’ve invested zero money into all of them.
Reason #6 – Audiobooks
In 2021, I dipped my toes into the waters of audiobooks. I did this for free and was able to figure out what worked for me on this new way of reading. I also was able to bail and grab the book from the library when a few narrators were driving me bonkers. I don’t think I would have spent any money to try out audiobooks since I was pretty sure I wouldn’t like it. I’m still trying to get to the point of enjoying audiobooks as much as physical books but I thank my library for helping me give them a chance.
Reason #7 – Librarians are Awesome!
My public library has some awesome librarians who are always willing to help. I don’t often need recommendations but when I do, especially for a total obscure readathon prompt, they are on it and happy to help.
Reason #8 – DVDs
Totally not the reason I got a library card but the library also has DVDs and I’ve borrowed lots of movies and TV shows on DVD and it’s just another perk.
Reason #9 – Binge Requesting Books
This might be a bad one but every once in a while, I go on a book requesting spree. I put holds on a bunch of stuff that peaks my interest and suggest the library purchase several upcoming reads I’m excited about. It’s a fun time and even if I cancel some before they ever make it to a librarian, I usually get a nice happy stack of 5-10 books and then it’s a great time to pick them up and see what I end up with.
PS – I apologize to all librarians who have to get books or put away books that I don’t read, I swear I’d do it myself if I could and I at least plan to read them all when I pick them up even if it doesn’t always happen (I do read >80% before returning).
Reason #10 – Current Shelf
Right now, I have 6 books waiting for me at the library. I just love knowing they’re there. These books are extremely varied and I can’t wait to read them all. I know I won’t actually read them all, at least immediately, but the possibilities are a happy thought.






I adored this list! Libraries are incredible. I’m so grateful we have them.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-most-recent-additions-to-my-book-collection/
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I absolutely love the library and I love this tribute to the library! I haven’t checked out a physical book in foreverrrr because I’m always moving around, but I read ebooks and audiobooks from Libby with my library card all the time and it’s a game changer
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I borrowed a lot of ebooks during the height of the pandemic but I definitely prefer a physical book and usually, the wait lists are much shorter on the physical copies.
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My library is not very well stocked, at least not with English books or books in my language that I’d like to read. Good for you on having a good library near you. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/most-recent-additions-to-my-book-collection-winter-book-haul/
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Oh no, that’s so sad!
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I love the library and am there almost every week! I love them for all the reasons you do and my library is great about ordering books we request too! Thanks for the tribute to libraries 🙂 https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/01/top-ten-tuesday-10-books-i-would-love.html
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Mine too, I loved it (obviously)
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As a massive library user myself (who still has a huge book collection, but that’s another story), these are all great reasons, and I loved reading every last one. I share nearly all of them, too.
Although I usually start by browsing (despite my long Goodreads TBR), when I’ve whittled down my checkout pile to nearly nothing, going on a “requesting spree” is one of my favorite hobbies. For a brief moment in time, I get to feel like a spoiled heiress with an unlimited credit card whose bills I never have to pay.
And I’m so glad to hear from someone else who usually has that many library books out at once! I can’t remember the last time my library account was empty; it’s probably been a decade. It’s rare for it to get below 5.–RS @ The Idealistic Daydream
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