What I am reading & why I love libraries

Books were my salvation when I was growing up. They saved me from a completely crap childhood and allowed me to escape the day-to-day of living in a household filled with alcoholism and the associated emotional and physical abuse. Through the pages I learned to escape and imagine a life that was “normal.” We didn’t have much money so buying books was out of the question. I borrowed book after book from the school and public libraries. 

My love of reading helped break a nasty cycle and led me to graduate high school, university and college, all firsts in my family. It also instilled a belief that anything is possible, if you work for it. 

Libraries were also my salvation. To this day, I am still a big borrower and supporter of public libraries. (I could never afford to buy all the books I read.) They play a vital role in communities in providing a safe and accessible place for communities. When I had $5 to my name, I knew I could still borrow a novel or DVD for entertainment. Look around the next time you are at a library. Who do you see?

A few weeks ago I read an article that 56 libraries are slated for closure in Newfoundland and Labrador over the next two years. Sure there’s other branches within a 30-minute drive. But what happens to those seniors or marginalized families and youth who do not have the means to drive or take a bus? It worries me that these closures, or any closures of public libraries, will be another barrier put up for those who are already hurting in so many ways. 

Today I wanted to share with you some of the recent books that I have read and a couple of others that I will read this weekend. (All were borrowed from the Red Deer Public Library.)

David Suzuki said this is the one book that everyone should read this book. Here’s a great article for those interested in the back story on this watershed book. 

Lawrence Hill captured my attention with The Book of Negroes and Any Known Blood. The Illegal is the 2016 Canada Reads champ. This book did not disappoint. 

I put this book on hold from the library. In fact once I found out the shortlist for Canada Reads, I put all the books on hold. This was my first Michael Winter novel. I think he has written five books. I could not get into this book and it was a struggle to finish. 

I had high hopes for this novel by Tracey Lindberg. I won’t say I didn’t like the book but I felt there were areas that could have been explored more in-depth. Parts of the book were great while others were confusing. 

NEXT ON THE LIST

 (Another book in Canada Reads 2016.)

This book is a finalist in the Red Deer Reads contest. I grabbed this book on suggestion from a librarian. 

What are you reading? What was the last book your borrowed from the library?