I had a fantastic experience this week that I must share.
You see, I went outside into the real world. And I discovered that it’s great.
This week I had a free day. For the first time in a long time I had no plans. No work, no pressing engagements and everyone I know and care about was at work. I was as free as my time. I wandered to my local town, a place I visit to do the monotonous essentials that life entails; banking, food shopping and haircuts. I never have time or reason to visit shops that interest me.
So it was with great pleasure that I spent literally an entire morning in book shops. I leafed the newly released, browsed the aisles I would otherwise ignore [Crime] and took the time to pick up volumes randomly. I would go as far as to say it was liberating. For at least two hours I was the person you see sitting on that one leather chair they place amongst the shelving, I was the customer the staff eye and mutter “this is not a library” under their breath. And it was fantastic.
Holding a book in your hands that you have craved and waited for is a really nice feeling. I get a great urge to hurry through the pages so that I can almost win a race with my own excitedness. But I was faced with brand new emotions during this trip. As to stumble across a book that you might otherwise never have considered, merely because ordinarily, you do not have the time with which to choose it, presented a whole new level of intrigue and excitement. I am still pondering whether it is sad that this such basic a feeling should have taken me so long to appreciate or indeed discover at all.
It is a pretty common given that modern life is rushed and conducted at a fast pace. We are rushed by others, but we also needlessly hurry ourselves. I discovered the other day that I no longer considered taking a little time to select a book quite so valuable in my life. Apparently, getting home a little more expediently after receiving my haircut was more important to me in life these days. Though, as it transpired, those extra few minutes reading the opening pages of literature I might never have even previously acknowledged existed made my day all the more pleasant, and my purchase ultimately all the more worthwhile.
I am obviously not the first person to say “go outside” and “experience life”. What I do know is that I would accept and agree that this was correct, but then do nothing to correct this imbalance. By doing something out of routine and without following my normal behavioural patterns (if that is correct), I experienced a little more in my life.
So from now on I will be acting differently. People will think that I’m out of character. They will question why. But I will be happy, amongst a growing pile of books, that I haven’t yet discovered.
Ahh, I wish I had a Barnes and Noble by my house. I would walk there, maybe spend a whole weekend-day there…and I *would* buy something, so the employees don’t get mad at me.
Last time I was at a Barnes and Noble, I found a ton of new graphic novels I would never have known existed otherwise. My library is great, too…they must have every book Stephen King ever wrote. I agree that doing things out of one’s “routine” makes life more interesting.
Thanks so much for adding me to your blogroll! I’ll add you to mine.
I’m quite lucky I suppose – I have a couple of large well known book stores, but there are also some independent places where you can find some real treasures. Whilst I was writing I thought about mentioning the graphic novels sections – I must confess to having skipped past them even on my recent visit! Thanks for adding me to your blogroll
I like how you describe the bookstore experience and reading like a passionate love affair. It was a good read!
Thanks Nicole!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I am gradually moving material over from my old Windows Spaces page, and hopefully adding new things soon.
I love this description! I worked in a bookshop in Oxford during my vacations from college so I recognise the man sitting there perusing the books. I love handling books and discovering new authors. I like the way you described how you rediscovered a lost pleasure.
I look forward to reading your other material as it appears Jessica. I must apologise if I was the customer who did lots of “browsing” but not much “buying”
very relaxing feeling for sure. i can understand how you feel.
I’m *always* the person reading the books in the store and *never* the one buying. I have no money for such things. Most of the time I bring a pad of paper with me to write down the ISBNs and then I order them from my local library. I love how the interwebs have made the library so much more convenient. I do love used book stores though. They smell like books to me. I love that.
Anyway, thanks for visiting my blog as well. I hope to read more from yours in coming weeks.
-Becca
Hi Becca- firstly thanks for commenting! I did smile at your mention of writing down ISBN numbers – a certain well known chain actually goes out of it’s way to tell their staff to be vigilant against this!! There’s something great about getting your hands on a book you’ve wanted to read for ages – the web only adds to this, it means you can research what that next book will be, and gauge its reception from like-minded people before you part with any hard earned currency.
Rest assured I’ll be keeping tabs on your blog
Thim.