Me and Carrie Bradshaw May Be the Only Ones Left...With a Library Card That Is

When you are poor and jobless, you quickly find yourself succumbing to the confines of your home.

Your friends want to meet up for a drink? Sorry, my $4 bottle of Merlot from Total Wine is cheaper.

Your man-friend wants to catch a movie? Can’t. Too pricey. Plus there’s a great Tori Spelling Lifetime movie coming on in a few.

In essence, luxuries are trumped by necessities and the survivalist instinct kicks in to preserve your precious pennies and prevent you from being reduced to a Mayflower box on the corner.

(Or a van down by the river. You get the jist.)

Subsequently, one of those luxuries that I deem “necessity” has taken a bit of a makeover in these, my unemployed days. I can no longer afford to pore myself over the aisles of Barnes and Nobles. I am fiscally banished from the plush chairs of Borders.

Why, you may ask, can’t you just go look? You don’t have to buy anything.

Au contraire, my friend. You must not know me very well. You see, I have what they call a compulsive personality. That coupled with the inability to budget my money wisely and walk away from temptation leavse me with a crippling disability when surrounded by so many hard-backed, manuscripts of pure bliss.

But seeing as I could never part ways with the bookworm in me, I have rediscovered a childhood love. The tax payer’s most incremental contribution at work.

The public library.

Over the past few months I’ve made quite a few trips. Each time loading down my arms with more and more than the visit prior. Excited and giddy I make my way to the checkout where the assured virgin of a 42 year old librarian deigns to mock me for my conspicuous nerdiness.

I care not. For I embrace my inner geek. Rushing home to start the first of many ink splattered pages. Anticipating the delicious act of devouring them quickly with intrigue and slowly with savor.

It’s something I’ll always love. Here’s what I came away with on my most recent trip…

(from left to right)

Nineteen Minutes – Jodi Picoult

Chasing Harry Winston – Lauren Wisenberg

The Quest for the Holy Veil – Kimberly Llewellyn

Here Comes the Bride – Whitney Lyles

Gold Diggers – Tasmina Perry

Caught – Lori Foster

Pink Slip Party – Cara Lockwood

Do Me, Do My Roots – Eileen Rendahl

A Hollywood Ending – Robyn Sisman

Remember Me – Sophie Kinsella

I’ve already finished Chasing Harry Winston and Here Comes the Bride and I’m almost through with Nineteen Minutes now (which I HIGHLY recommend).

What are you reading now??