LifecanbetoffMy name is Kim and I’m a book addict.
For years I obsessed about shoes, the desire to own the most exquisite pair of Jimmy Choos or Christian Louboutin’s. At one point in my twenties, I think I owned about 120 pairs of shoes and every spare penny would be spent on a new pair of funky high heels that I’d probably never wear.
Now, as I approach my mid thirties, I have a new found appreciation of books.
I live in trainers or boots (OK I still own about 60 pairs of shoes) but instead of spending my spare money on shoes, I spend hours browsing local bookshops for the latest novel or scour book blogs for inspiration on my next read.
I have shelves full of books and fashionably placed book stacks on cabinets around my home.
Joining the Library
Something else that has happened, is I joined the local library.
Motivated by an article written in Cotswold Life by author Clare Mackintosh I immediately joined the library following her piece.
Clare’s article spoke about how we should support our local libraries as so many of them are facing cuts by the local authorities and I felt I should do my bit to support these underutilised gems.
Since joining the library I’ve found myself reading a lot more, my reservation list looks like my shopping basket of shoe obsession past.
I have read books that I wouldn’t ordinarily have tried as they were out of my usual “crime thriller” genre.
It’s such a simple process, you can reserve online or via the app, then you get a notification when your book is in and ready to collect.
You don’t even need to speak with a person if you really don’t want to, your book awaits your collection near the door and you sign it out using the scanning machine.
You get a couple of weeks to read the book before you need to return, but you can extend simply, using the app.
Only once have I found myself forgetting to renew (I was reading the Bone Clocks which was about a million pages long) and ended up with a 75p charge, which I was able to pay in the machine using some loose change.
I will admit there have been a couple of occasions where I’ve found the reservation list too long on new releases that I have ended up buying the copy instead – but hey, that’s fine too as I love having books around the house.
Buy Local
It is important to me that I always buy from my local bookshop to support them. I also love a good second hand book shop.
I recently enjoyed spending some time browsing books at National Trust property Dyrham Park and the secondhand bookshop at Hestercombe Gardens whilst visiting for a work function.
As tempting as Amazon is and it’s often cheaper, I can’t help but feel that our smaller book shops will be a thing of the past if we don’t support them.
There is something to be said about a freshly purchased book that you carry out of the shop in that little brown paper bag and the satisfaction of the first crease of the book.
The same rule of “use it or lose it” applies to our libraries. I’m not saying that my joining the library has saved it, but it certainly goes a little way to help keep it going that little bit longer.
This year’s reads
Between browsing bookshops, book blogs (a couple of my favourites are That’s what She Read and Modern Mrs Darcy) and just spending some time in the library, I’ve read some really great books this year.
There is a couple that I am ashamed to say I couldn’t even finish (including that classic The Great Gatsby – don’t hate me!).
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris has been a real stand out for me. Closely followed by The Chalk Man by C.J Tudor.
There was a time when I read everything on a kindle, but now I have rediscovered my love holding a book.
A beautifully designed hardcover book is hard to resist and most of the books I buy are in hardcover. I also find I am willing to try a few of the classics.
I hope, that like me, you are inspired to get down to your library (they are free to join!) or pop into that bookshop down the road and rediscover your own love of books.
Have you read something absolutely astounding this year that I must add to my reservation list? Tell me in the comments!
Peace out!
Jangles x
