Read All About It!

We are a family of readers. We tear through books like the Kardashians go through boys and money. My husband and I usually read one or two a week, and the kids go through dozens every day. We have books on every shelf, on the tables, between the couch cushions and on the floor. Everywhere you look there is something there for you to read. However, there are a  couple of  issues with having such a voracious appetite for the written word.

1. As much as I love reading Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (about a donkey who accidentally turns himself into a rock) and Gregory the Terrible Eater (about a goat who refuses to eat garbage) to my children, reading it two or three times a day, every day, tends to get on my nerves. And really, I don't have that many nerves to spare.

2. Having a Kindle is probably the greatest thing ever. Digital books cost less and are more "planet friendly" since they are not printed on paper, thus saving millions of trees. And that one click buy feature? Dangerous...yet brilliant. But there is something lovely about holding a book in your hands, turning the pages, and smelling the ink. It's almost...sensuous.

Buying more books would indeed solve the two aforementioned problems. I wouldn't have to read the same books over and over to my kids and I could get all hot and bothered with a paper printed book. But bringing more books in to my house would produce a clutter so deep I fear we would never be able to dig out. Ever. I have to do a book purge every other month as it is! And I certainly don't want to shell out the cash. So how do we feed the need to read without spending money, cutting down trees, or adding to our own personal collections? Why, we go to the library of course!

It's a fix all. The kids get new books to read every two weeks and I don't have to find shelf space for them. I get to check out real live novels that I can hold in my hands without spending a dime Plus, the library is a welcome (and air conditioned) respite from the desert heat. With the new library tote I just finished (made from the tutorial here) we are ready for a summer of reading and fun. And  I might even remember my library card since my new bag has a dandy little pocket for just that purpose...

There's still time to enter my giveaway. Hazelaid.com is giving away $25 to spend on their gorgeous and good for you jewelry. You don't want to miss it. Scurry on over and have a look!