Top Ten Tuesday – Reasons I Love My Library

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.