So in the first post I talked about the first step of becoming a reader is attempting to get into a daily reading habit of a minimum of 20 minutes, and I neglected to discuss how one goes about finding books in the first place. You could very easily ask someone you know who reads to get you started with their favorite book, author, or series but what do you do if you don’t like it or just can’t get through it? This could turn you off of reading completely and have you never trying again or coming to the conclusion that you aren’t a reader. My personal belief is that everyone is a reader; they just haven’t found the right book yet. Finding books is a key component in the journey of any reader so where do we start? For those lacking in financial means to invest in buying books (which is an investment whether you realize it or not) at this time then let me introduce you to the magic of the local library. I recently started utilizing mine and have come to the realization that I am extremely fortunate that I have a library that is well funded and understand that this might not be the case for everyone. That book deserts might exist. And if they do exist how do you get around living in one if you are a reader? Included at the bottom of this post are some resources for anyone looking for more information. Sometimes people might not become readers because of a lack of access. I have always marveled when studying the American Revolution throughout the years that the most effective form of protest back then and to some extent still to this day is boycotts. This is rooted in the idea that what we chose to put our money to has the ability to impact society in ways maybe we aren’t even fully aware of at the time. So if you are someone who is looking to help bring access to a child to get them started on their own reading journey then Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is always a good place to start. Another good place to start is to be generous with the books that you have that you aren’t likely going to read again (or that you can easily access at your local library). The gift of a book is the best gift to give anyone in my humble opinion and one I utilize for the people in my life I care about most. If you don’t know anyone to give to then start a lending library in your community (these seemed to become popular during the pandemic) and when it’s looking sparse add a couple of your own books for someone else to enjoy. The key is to remain open to reading. And to remind yourself to open your worldview and read something different, something you’ve never tried before. Worst case scenario you DNF (do not finish) return it back to the library (lending or otherwise) or hold onto it and leave it in your TBR pile to see if maybe now just isn’t the right time. My TBR piles have grown to gigantic proportions (except for my audiobooks thankfully) and seem to grow more than they shrink every year. The reason why I’m thinking about the existence of book deserts is because I’ve been reading the book The Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlop (she also has a Podcast called Her First 100k) and the idea of marginalization is sticking in my head. This is why libraries are so important because it’s a way for people to gain access to books. Lending libraries have a long history especially in America. They also are more than just a home for books. Community resources are often housed in libraries. And they also seem to have become a refuge for the homeless especially in cities. The audiobook I’m currently listening to is The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by Kelly Bishop (fun fact if you have a Spotify subscription you get 15 hours free from their audiobook library which is a good alternative to Audible if you don’t want to support Amazon). So if you already have a Spotify account listen to the free sample of a book and if it sounds interesting then start listening. Any way you get into reading works for me. Will talk next week on how I figure out if I want to read a physical copy, ebook, or audiobook when choosing. In terms of going to the library I always start out in the new releases section and see what book is calling to me (I do the same thing when I step foot into a bookstore). I read the description and see if it’s something that interests me. At the library I’m allowed 10 books out at once so I keep that in mind when choosing. When I go to the bookstore if it’s in person then I limit myself to 3. If I’m shopping online at Bookshop.org then I might have a limit with spending. I also listen to books that get mentioned in podcasts I listen to or that are recommended by friends who read. There’s also always goodreads.com to find recommendations and lots of different apps too. I really prefer more than anything to just go to a library or bookstore and walk around unless I have specific books I want to purchase then for those I’m more likely to order online. I’m also not afraid to go through the TBR pile and see if anything catches my attention. I also usually am always reading more than one book at a time. The third one that’s making me think about things is Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa Terkeurst. I’m aware that this one is definitely a Christian book and references bible passages frequently throughout the chapters but for anyone attempting to work on relationships it’s still got a relatable style even if you don’t understand the biblical references. Those are my top three for this week.
Happy Reading!
Resources for Book Deserts:
History of Public Libraries in America:
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library:
