Books on a street corner, right in your own neighborhood!

Reading is one of life’s restorative  moments. Some of the fondest memories I have of my mother involve walking to our public library. She would help me tote home piles and piles of books. Our librarian, Sharon A., knew me by name, and particularly  doted over me when my mother dressed me in the blue and red Raggedy Ann pinafore along with the curly hair I didn’t like, even then. I enjoy talking and sharing books with fellow bibliophiles. Having an abundance of books to read… well it’s just the best feeling. Browsing through books at the book store, the thrift store, the internet, the library, my own shelves at home, and now even “taking and sharing” a book on a street corner near my home is cause for jubilation.

You can have a mini library right in your own front yard. Little Free Library is a movement cropping up. Their mission…

“To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. There are over 36,000 Little Free Library book exchanges around the world, bringing curbside literacy home and sharing millions of books annually.” See here.

We have a Little Library in my hometown, and I love being a regular “customer.” I’m sure it’s all a mindset, but I seem to thoroughly devour every book I select from this little gem. Both selecting a book and returning a book are simple, restorative pleasures. My general guideline: I can’t take a book unless I leave a book.

Enjoy an article  about one Little Free Library from our local newspaper.

All of this, of course, makes me want to join the Little Free Library movement. Stay tuned for this new and fun endeavor.

By the way, here’s the latest book I borrowed from the Little Library. You just can’t help but be touched by this grandmother’s quest to help her quirky granddaughter. You’ll be rooting for both of them in the end.  It’s on its way back to the corner library, if you’re interested. Remember to take a book to leave too.

Slainte! Susan

Additional Reading Info Below******************************************

More words for people who love books, reading, and words:

• librocubicultarist: (hasn’t made its way to the dictionary quite yet) someone who reads in bed (indeed!)
• Bibliophagist:  a devourer of words (me, me, me!)
• Bibliosmia: the smell or aroma of a book (can’t get this on the iPad)
• Logophile: a lover of words (see above)
• Ballycumber:  one of six half read books lying in your bed (or for me, the nightstand) (Also a small village in Ireland, of course!)
• tsundoku: a Japanese word with no direct English translation, the act of leaving a book after buying it, and piling it up with other unread books (reality!!)
• Omnilegent: reading or having read everything (impossible!)
• Book-Bosomed: one who carries a book all the time (or at least has one in the car!)