Free Books Everyday!

Image via WikipediaTo begin with - I have a confession to make.

I'm a raging Book-a-holic.

It's sad really. I can't enter a bookstore without feeling as if I have to buy up every book I've ever wanted to read, or meant to read, or was told I should read....

Like a kid in a candy store, I want everything! I stare at every book, flipping through its pages, taking in that new book smell. I imagine sitting on my couch, warm and cozy with my fur blanket and a cup of hot cocoa, thoroughly engrossed in the book to the point that I am completely oblivious to the outside world.

I'm frugal, though, and very careful with my finances, so I will often break it down to purchasing only 2-3 books per visit and just avoiding the bookstore as long as possible after that. Funny thing is that the next time I hit the bookstore, I want more books but then realize I haven't gotten around to reading the 2-3 I bought last time. They're sitting on my bookshelf (or they could even be in the bag in the closet!), so instead of buying 2-3 this time, I walk out the door. Yeah right. No, I limit myself to only 1 book, which I vow not to read until the other 2-3 are read.

So now I have 4 books that are just sitting around, forgotten, but paid for. Wasted money.

Then I remembered that place I went to as a kid. Our class would go there once a week at school, and we'd get free books as long as we agreed to return them. My mother would take us to one that was near us as well. They let us borrow their books as long as we gave them back when they asked for them.

What was that place called again?

Oh, that's right! The library!

Do you remember the library?

I know what you're thinking. "But, Jennifer, you said that you always forget to read the books you buy? If you don't read books you get from the library, you'll pay late fees on them!"

True. However, with a deadline in the works, it's great motivation to sit down and read right away without wasting time. Also, if you're not finished with the book, just go to the library and ask to keep it longer. They'll let you do it as long as no one else is waiting for that book.

"But, Jennifer, what if the book I'm looking for isn't at the library?"

Great question! Talk to the librarian. It's possible for them to borrow that book from another library. In fact, libraries can get books loaned to them from the Library of Congress, and they have every book that was ever published!

"But, Jennifer, what if I want to read the book over again?"

Borrow it again! You aren't limited to how many times you can borrow a book. Also, if you find that you read it over and over enough, go ahead and buy it. At least you know that your money won't go to waste.

"But, Jennifer, I like to write notes in my books."

You can't write notes in library books, but if this is your only gripe, then perhaps you should consider just taking notes in a notebook instead. But if you absolutely must write notes in your books, then buying the books is the best way to go. However, try purchasing them second hand if possible. Amazon.com allows folks to sell their used books to shoppers at their site, giving you a chance to shop around for the best deal.

Any more questions?




Free Books Everyday!