I am a sucker for libraries and independent bookshops.  To me, these are places of comfort and excitement, of familiarity and new ideas, of independence and community, all rolled into one marvelous place.  When I walk into a library or an independent bookstore, I know I will be greeted with new book suggestions displayed on the shelves, posters supporting independent thinking and inclusion, and people who genuinely love books and know of all the wonders that literature offers.

We are frequent visitors to our local library, but I also love visiting new libraries whenever we travel.  I am always intrigued to see what treasures each library holds  – how they’re set up, what programs they offer, which books are on display.  What other building can you visit FOR FREE for the entire day and just go in, look around, hang out and read or write or hop on a computer?  We have hosted birthday parties in library community rooms FOR FREE.  We check out books and movies and board games and video games and even things like sewing machines, toys, and Kitchen Aid mixers – FOR FREE.  Libraries are a beautiful thing, and I think the world of them.

Independent bookstores are also such a wonderful treat.  While I don’t have the funds to buy every book we own full-price (I support library sales and used bookstores), I love saving up for a special purchase at an indy shop.  This is usually where I spend any money on a trip – mostly, because it’s so exciting to get a new book while on vacation, but also because we love supporting local bookshops wherever we are.  Independent bookshops are full of charm and love and whimsy, and I fully believe that spending a few more dollars on a book to support such a thing of beauty is a wonderful thing indeed.

May our libraries and local bookshops get all the support, love, and recognition they so fully deserve!