Book blues cure

So I made a trip to the library today and one of my all time favorite people was working and she and I talked books for HOURS. We finally decided to just get coffee one night next week since she was supposed to be doing her job and I was just running in to grab a quick book or two.

I don't know who I'm trying to fool because a trip to the library for me is never a quick one. I love to check out my favorite authors, read the titles in the new section, skim the specials, and see what stands out as I do a quick check of the non-fiction.

My other favorite library employee was working tonight at well. She gives wonderful recommendations which are thoughtful and sincere. She'll give a great description of WHY she enjoyed the book, plus a little summary. She also doesn't recommend books often so when she actually DOES, I can't help but read what she suggests. And she had been right every single time. She put The Help in my hands; I only read it because she said I should and I respect her- and it was one of the best books I read last year, making it into my top 10 books of 2009. She also recommended The Part Time Indian for my teenage son who is in an "I hate to read" phase and he finished it in a week- another success. She spoke so highly of Pat Conroy's South of Broad that I bought it. I have it TO read but need to dwindle my library pile before I start on one I own. She said Poisonwood Bible and I own it, and like with South of Broad, will read if when the library pickings are scarce. I love anything this woman suggests!

Today I found a few gems. I actually ran across a Jodi Picoult novel I've missed reading called Keeping Faith. I also a found a new book that's a piece of fiction, but the premise is that a prostitute named Rachel is having her portrait painted by a "john" she is visited by often and with whom she is falling in loved- and his name is Vincent VanGogh. I hope the book is as good as the premise. The title? Sunflowers.

Celia Ahern has a new one called The Gift and last year I read three books by her so I thought I would give this one a shot. I also finally have Half Broke Horses- yahoo! I've been excited about this one since I read the review three months ago.

Since I've been complaining that I have nothing to read, or nothing that appeals to me, I think a GREAT trip to the library was just what the doctor ordered. And it worked.

Sometimes going to the library can really be a simple pleasure that makes me happy. Today was one of those times!