My Library

When I was younger, I had a plan for my writing space. I dreamed that one day I would have an office with a big desk and wheeled chair, a big comfy chair for reading, and walls full of bookshelves with my personal library.

I haven't quite gotten to that amount of books, but building the library that I do have has been quite a journey.

Before I had a personal library, one of my favorite spaces was our local library. The library was always a safe haven, a place where I could get lost in my imagination and explore new worlds.

The library is where I discovered the love of Egyptology, leading to my childhood dream of being an Egyptologist (a dream abandoned when I got older and understood the logistics of it). It is also where I discovered Sherlock Holmes, myths, and world fairy tales for the first time. I was so excited when I was at a library book sale and found a copy of one of the Sherlock Holmes novels; one of these sales also brought me my copy of The Count of Monte Cristo.

When I moved out and had a bit more space, I finally began to build up my little library. I started out with a small bookshelf, left to me by an old roommate. When I moved from Mississippi to Maryland, I wasn't able to bring the bookshelf with me. For almost a year, my books chilled out in piles on the floor in my living room. I couldn't bear the thought of not being able to see them, for some reason, and I couldn't afford a new bookshelf. It wasn't until I got a roommate - one who was a tad OCD, that the books were moved to a closet.

As I look back on it, I think that having them visible was a comfort thing. I'd moved halfway across the country, hadn't made any friends yet, and was trying to adjust to the new space and my new job. I'll admit that I was more than a little upset with my roommate at the time, though I can understand wanting the space to look a little neater.

The next year I was living alone again. For Christmas, upon my request, my dad got me a new bookshelf, putting it together for me and everything. I was so excited to finally have a home for my books (never mind that I also used it as a TV stand - I told you that money was tight).

Did I have time to read? Nope. But just having them back on display made me happy.

One apartment later I was able to use my bookshelf in its full upright position. There were things on it besides just my books - college textbooks that I thought I would use in teaching, my songbooks from voice lessons, folders of my own writing, and my scripts from various plays that I performed in.

Slowly, as I learned to leave work at work, I got more time to read in my free time. I started buying books again; soon, my bookshelf became cluttered. I didn't have space for all of the books that I owned, so they were stacked on top of each other. I eventually got comfortable enough financially to where I could afford another bookshelf.

Eagerly I went to Ikea, spending upwards of 30 minutes deciding which bookshelf would satisfy my needs but also somewhat match the bookshelf my dad gave me. Once I decided, I headed downstairs to get it. I broke a nail loading it onto the cart. And it was pouring down rain. But I had my bookshelf.

After I put it together, I took the time to decide where it should be in my living room - I settled on the wall opposite the old one. Then I started rearranging my books. I also started to get rid of some of the textbooks that I realized I hadn't touched since the last time I'd moved.

Currently, I still have a few shelves without books on them. My Cricut is stored there, as well as my show posters and a few crafting materials. Slowly but surely, I'm adding to my library. Lucky for me, I have a boyfriend who has (several times) taken me to a bookstore and set me loose. I now have several books on my to-be-read list thanks to him spoiling me.

In addition to my physical library, I bought myself a Kindle last year. I was resistant to the idea of digital books for the longest time until I realized that having those would give me something to read in a pinch; especially if I could borrow them from the library. A friend told me about Libby, and I quickly became a fan. Now I have a book in my purse practically all of the time.

My library is a constantly evolving thing, much like me. I'm always growing and looking to add something new. One day I'm sure that I'll reach my goal of having a full office/library, stocked partially with books that I've written and published.

Until then, I'll keep being proud of my library.