When I was in high school and college (back before life got me, back when I liked reading), I would go to The Dollar Tree (everything is like $1) and would choose the most unhinged novels by their cover. I found some of my favorite books in that $1 isle.
I have a Little Free Library! Shannon there is a map of where they are in the WHOLE world! You put in an address etc and you can find them around you. One of the most heartwarming things is after a year or so I rarely have to stock it! We wrote a grant and got 50 registrations, the wood, and etc donated and boyscouts and a community volunteer day we built them. Then we got a large local chain of used book stores to donate I file box a week max to each library host! The locations can be found here:
Me, I just browse. Pull books off the shelves, run my fingers over the first few words, throw it back up, repeat.
If I find an author I love talking about another author too, I’ll investigate. Bradbury praising John Collier and Loren Eisley is how I became fans of both of them.
I loooove going into a bookstore and picking a book based on the cover haha -- I've found some really cool books I wouldn't have normally read that way!
Browsing the shelves! When I have time to kill in airports, I love finding a bookstore, and then just seeing if anything looks interesting. There are the predictable titles (bestsellers, business, self-help...) esp in the boring "newstand" type airport bookstores, but there are a surprising number of airports with decent bookstores, and interesting titles you've maybe been meaning to read but needed a nudge, or something new that looks cool. Serendipity kicks algorithms butt. And then you have an airplane ride to start reading!
Airports can be interesting because sometimes you see total trash but then you'll also find some gems. And if you're a frequent flyer, this can work out quite well. and haha love this: "serendipity kicks algorithms butt"
Yes, as always here. Social media can be useful but it’s chasing the writing, not always leading the reader. Your brain is probably aging better if you keep the company of good, demanding readers. For proof, look at who follows Beautiful Losers. Shannan says she’s a loner/introvert in witness protection but she’s opened a community for the rest of us to splash around in and come back regularly. The other thing to mention is to not feel obligated to agree with everyone’s suggestions. if you don’t always, you’re probably bringing something worthwhile to the group yourself.
This is true about so many people I encounter. Folks love being noticed/seen/being asked about something they know about. My fave memory of asking was the question, “Tell me more about what you’ve seen as an insurance actuary.”
“I promise you that your librarian is a nice person. I promise even if they look grouchy, they’re not.”
Shannan! I absolutely adore the idea of asking a librarian to surprise you. What a fantastic idea.
Thank you Kolina!!
When I was in high school and college (back before life got me, back when I liked reading), I would go to The Dollar Tree (everything is like $1) and would choose the most unhinged novels by their cover. I found some of my favorite books in that $1 isle.
that's so cool, I never thought of that 💙
I have a Little Free Library! Shannon there is a map of where they are in the WHOLE world! You put in an address etc and you can find them around you. One of the most heartwarming things is after a year or so I rarely have to stock it! We wrote a grant and got 50 registrations, the wood, and etc donated and boyscouts and a community volunteer day we built them. Then we got a large local chain of used book stores to donate I file box a week max to each library host! The locations can be found here:
https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/
Love from
Rudy and Roly’s book box
Charter#81171
This is so insane I had no idea!! WOW!
All wonderful ideas, especially the reminder that "it’s important to fiercely hold on to what makes us human."
Thank you Michele 💙💙
Me, I just browse. Pull books off the shelves, run my fingers over the first few words, throw it back up, repeat.
If I find an author I love talking about another author too, I’ll investigate. Bradbury praising John Collier and Loren Eisley is how I became fans of both of them.
Yes just browsing at leisure can be so lovely 💙
i’ve also found some cool new reads by thrifting books i’d never heard of based on their title, cover, and vibe
I love being let loose in a thrift store
I loooove going into a bookstore and picking a book based on the cover haha -- I've found some really cool books I wouldn't have normally read that way!
YES! it's my favorite
I will confess to putting more emphasis than is really sensible on cover art. And newspaper articles and reviews. And price.
yes sometimes we forget to just check in with ourselves first and foremost
Join a book club and read as part of a community what everyone else is reading
this is an excellent addition
Lots of great ideas!
Thank you! 💙
Browsing the shelves! When I have time to kill in airports, I love finding a bookstore, and then just seeing if anything looks interesting. There are the predictable titles (bestsellers, business, self-help...) esp in the boring "newstand" type airport bookstores, but there are a surprising number of airports with decent bookstores, and interesting titles you've maybe been meaning to read but needed a nudge, or something new that looks cool. Serendipity kicks algorithms butt. And then you have an airplane ride to start reading!
Airports can be interesting because sometimes you see total trash but then you'll also find some gems. And if you're a frequent flyer, this can work out quite well. and haha love this: "serendipity kicks algorithms butt"
Exactly
Yes, as always here. Social media can be useful but it’s chasing the writing, not always leading the reader. Your brain is probably aging better if you keep the company of good, demanding readers. For proof, look at who follows Beautiful Losers. Shannan says she’s a loner/introvert in witness protection but she’s opened a community for the rest of us to splash around in and come back regularly. The other thing to mention is to not feel obligated to agree with everyone’s suggestions. if you don’t always, you’re probably bringing something worthwhile to the group yourself.
This is true about so many people I encounter. Folks love being noticed/seen/being asked about something they know about. My fave memory of asking was the question, “Tell me more about what you’ve seen as an insurance actuary.”
“I promise you that your librarian is a nice person. I promise even if they look grouchy, they’re not.”
I absolutely love this piece. I think I’ll peruse my library or bookstore and judge a book by its cover.