18 Comments
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Louise Hallam's avatar

I loved the library when I as younger it was my sanctuary and I love it now for the same reason. It feels like a safe place for me. And librarians never judge you, that feels like it matters.

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

The librarians in the library I haunted as a teen, actually seemed to hate books and people who read them. I am pleased to say that at this new library, they are a jolly lot who are actively encouraging when you stagger by with a large pile of novels.

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Sarah Harkness's avatar

I thought I was the only one who spent more time planning their holiday books than their holiday clothes. Often arrive somewhere with no socks or swimsuits, but never without a large pile of books. And a Kindle.

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

I used to fantasise about a device that would allow me to take an endless supply of reading material on my holiday so I would never run out of books and be reduced to reading whatever was to hand. I once went on an Italian holiday where I ran out of books on day four and the only English books available were a copy of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, which was brilliant, but also an entire shelf of Catherine Cookson books, which were not brilliant but I read nevertheless. Kindles are my manifestation made real and my respite from Catherine Cookson.

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Jo's avatar

Book crack indeed! enjoy all the reading and the holiday.

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

I did! Thank you. x

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anne richardson's avatar

i recently moved within walking distance of my local library branch and have been "placing holds" and wandering the racks allowing books to fall into my arms and getting reacquainted after an hiatus. it has been bliss...and then they closed for renovations for several months (the nerve!) but i realized how important it is for everyone to have easy access to books (and everything else libraries offer these days, like internet access and sometimes a warm place to be on a cold day.)

living in The States where libraries and librarians are under attack for offering access to a broad range of ideas (gasp) saddens me to no end. i have so many fond memories of taking my children to the library, leaving with our arms full of books and books-on-tape. libraries should be well-funded and open to all.

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

They should. The Conservative Party have closed hundreds of libraries in the last ten years and cut funding of the rest. It's a mockery of a sham. x

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Lyndsay Kaldor's avatar

Love this, inc your approach to holiday book packing and the necessity of perusal en route and beyond. Our local library has been closed for nearly a year for a refurb, with two little ones it has been sorely missed but hopefully will be worth it when it reopens. Also identify with the need to accumulate books that I intend to read…my TBR pile is sky high. Now to add the Patti Smith book! xx

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

I am glad I'm not the only one with a leaning tower of TBR!

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anne richardson's avatar

you know you've met a kindred spirit when you are chatting and one of you tosses out about your "TBR" and the other person "gets it."

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

100%

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Lyndsay Kaldor's avatar

Absolutely agree! xx

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

Yes!

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Shaz's avatar

'Ideas centres' ?! Oh dear God, no... thankfully that terminology hasn't reached Norfolk (yet). I LOVE free books from the library. Occasionally, will treat myself to a bought book, but the library feels like a candy shop!

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

It does doesn't it? It's such a luxury and a treat. x

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Karamy's avatar

Thank you. I am normal. I am. You are brilliant and now much adored by a fellow crack whore.

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Katy Wheatley's avatar

You are welcome!

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