Ciao, amici! Did you know this week was National Library Week? I’ve been celebrating with a post here and there on Facebook and Instagram. But I couldn’t let the week go by without mentioning it here, too.
To that end, this week’s post isn’t about writing, but about libraries. There were a lot to choose from. More than I expected, and so many I’d like to include. But I selected just one (it makes the graphic so much easier). I do invite you to browse the web for others. Some of them really made my heart soar.
Today’s wise words are from Neil Gaiman.
Libraries are the thin red line
between civilization and barbarism.
In one of our many homes over the years, I built a dedicated library. It was one of my favorite places ever in any of our houses. Usually I have my collection of books in a study. My current house doesn’t have a dedicated room for that, though, so I have bookshelves all over the house. Don’t tell my husband, but in some ways, I like it better. I can always carve out a cozy reading nook for myself. But if I did have a dedicated room for work, I suspect he’d want all my books in there. Having them scattered throughout the house warms my heart.
I’ll get back to the regular writing update posts next week. In the meantime, chime in with your thoughts of libraries (both public and private).
And now, this week’s writing links:
Posts by me, about my work, or at sites I contribute to:
Me
Story Empire
- The Series Premise | Me
- Hero’s Journey/Monomyth | C.S. Boyack
- Friday Book Share: The Last Fifty Pages | Harmony Kent
Posts by others in the industry:
- Confusing Words | Writing Explained
- AI Infographic | Nicholas C. Rossis
- How to Start a Story | The Write Practice
- Troubleshooting Middles | The Write Practice
- Audiobooks and Book Marketing | Book Marketing Tools
- 5 Character Tools You Need to Know | Writers Helping Writers
- Online Ads for Authors (scroll down the page a bit) | Filbert Publishing
- Promo Tips from Muse and the Marketplace 2019 | BookBub
- Juggling Two Author Platforms | Fiction University
- Stephen King’s PET SEMATARY Analysis | AutoCrit
- Why “It” Matters | AutoCrit
To make you smile:
- Hot Cross Puns | Bluebird of Bitterness
- Monday Funnies | The Storyreading Ape
- National Library Week | Bluebird of Bitterness
- National Library Week 2 | Bluebird of Bitterness
- National Library Week 3 | Bluebird of Bitterness
- Lucy and Twiggy at Home | John W. Howell
And when you’re done with these links, don’t forget to check out the sidebar, where you’ll find more links to some of my favorite sites.
Have a great week! Arrivederci!
Staci Troilo 
I love libraries! I sub at our local library, and the library director always seems somewhat in awe that I enjoy it like I do. Hey, where else can you be surrounded by books without spending money? And I love your “decorating” theory: yes, bookshelves in every room! And a cozy nook to go with each bookshelf would be divine. Last bit–absolutely love the Gaiman quote! So true!
LikeLike
I spent many, many hours in the public library as a child. It is still one of my favorite places to go. Just the smell of books gets me excited! I love that you have books scattered all over your house, although the idea of a dedicated area for books is cool too. It doesn’t matter where they are, books are magical doorways into other worlds! Thanks for sharing, Staci!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right, Jan. Those magical doorways are what’s important; not where they are.
Happy Sunday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have books all over my house too. Pulse a dedicated bookshelf that spans the length of one wall. By the way, it’s full. But that doesn’t stop me from buying more. And my eBook library contains even more.
Great post, Staci.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michele. I think my husband would sit me down for a discussion if I bought all the books I wanted in print-form. We’d look like an episode of Hoarders. Thank God for my Kindle!
LikeLike
We’re so glad that you enjoyed our analysis of King’s Pet Sematary! Thanks for including it on your list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure! I love your service and find it so useful. It’s also rather entertaining to compare my work with contemporary authors.
LikeLike
With the advent of eBooks, I rarely go to a library anymore. But I love the idea of having books in various places around the house. One year in school I was a library assistant for one of my elective courses. Learned about the Dewey decimal system (don’t ask me how it works now). Of course, I was always drawn to the fiction section and they were much easier to file!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I worked in the school library one year, too. It was a period of peace in an otherwise hectic day. Now, when I go to the library, it’s usually for an event or to meet a friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so bad at returning books on time (same with VHS, remember those? 🙂 ) that I rarely go to libraries. I LOVE looking at them online though. I recently read of an old bookstore in Paris ❤ that allows you to stay the night- now that would be a dream come true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Returning videos was the worst! (Gosh, I’m spoiled.)
I’d love to stay the night in an old bookstore. That sounds awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My writers’ club meets at Little Turtle Library, and the librarians are so supportive and nice to anyone and everyone who steps through their door. And the library’s always busy. I tend to buy almost all of the books I read, though. When my bookshelves filled up, I started filling my Kindle. It takes up a lot less space:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your library sounds wonderful!
Three things I love about my kindle: I can easily take a library with me anywhere I go, I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to store more books, and I can hold it easier than I can a book (my arthritis makes holding large books difficult now). I complain a lot about technology, but this is one invention I’m grateful for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love libraries. When Game of Thrones showed their Citadel,with the walls of books, I sighed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We should all get to live somewhere with walls of books. I’d have sighed if I’d seen that, too.
LikeLike
I have a dedicated writing room but only have two bookcases..which are usually overflowing. Over the years, I’ve parted with a lot of my books. I donate them to my local library, then each year The Friends of the Library hold a book sale with all donated books and use the proceeds to benefit the library. I also support The Friends of the Library by paying a yearly membership to the organization. When I retire, I’d like to take an active role with the Friends.
My husband who retired several years ago from a Commonwealth job now works part time at our local library. I often spend Friday mornings there with my Mac. I have loved libraries since I was a kid and my parents took me on weekly visits. And despite all those books I donate there are some old, treasured volumes I will never part with.
Excellet post, Staci!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds wonderful, Mae. I’m not involved with my local library, but when I move, it’s something I’ll definitely consider. I swear, I used to LIVE in libraries. Now I don’t know where the time goes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the old libraries. Our area is covered with libraries that don’t seem to have that soul the older buildings have. Boise’s old library is now a law firm. The new one is a glass and brick monstrosity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Modern libraries kind of make me sad, too. I understand the need to change with the times, but my favorite library will always be the one I grew up with. No tech. Volumes of encyclopedias. Tables under soft lights. And row upon row of shelves. There’s something about that old book smell…
My college library was a glass-and-metal monstrosity, so I know just where you’re coming from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I probably wasn’t supposed to talk about esthetics, but that’s what libraries are to me. In the right one the Muse shows up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think aesthetics definitely play a part.
LikeLike
I once had a house with a dedicated library. It even had a fireplace. I loved that room, but time and tide cause us to move on. I was not writing in those days, so the place took on a quiet room vibe and was a peaceful hide-a-way. Thank you so much for the link. Have a great weekend.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds heavenly. I can just picture curling up with a book and a blanket in an oversized chair, the flames flickering, a glass of wine beside me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. That was us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never had a dedicated room for books either. Like you, I love seeing them all over the house. Our local library is still going strong. One of my book clubs is through the library, and I’ve made some wonderful new friends, including the beta reader for my WIP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s another wonderful aspect of libraries… the people you meet. Great reminder, Teri.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on: https://harmonykent.co.uk/author-inspiration-and-this-weeks-writing-links-5/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much appreciated, Harmony.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that quote, Staci. I’ve never had a dedicated reading room, but like you, I have books scattered all over the house. Thanks for the links. Have a great weekend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this quote, too. He has a bunch of library quotes. There was also one from Walter Cronkite that I really loved, but I decided to go with the writer over the journalist. I do hope people look a few up. They were powerful and moving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having books around makes a house a home but I must admit I am using my Kindle more than ever now. Thank you for a great post and the links to other blogs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I use my Kindle 95% of the time, too. Most of the books are pre-kindle, but there are a few new ones. And some really old ones, which makes me smile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neil has the best lines! Once again, thank you for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
He has a gift, no doubt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would love to have a room dedicated to my books. They are scattered throughout my house, too. The exercise and band rooms won over that. But I enjoying seeing books wherever I go:) I have a good friend who started working in a library later in life. I’ve been so jealous! Happy National Library Week! Have a great weekend Staci:)
LikeLiked by 2 people
i don’t have room for a band room, either. (My piano is in my garage.) But we have a whole second garage dedicated to gym equipment. I guess the priorities of the majority in this case outweighed the priorities of me.
LikeLike
The best house I’ve visited was the one with the library in the bathroom 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Nicholas C. Rossis and commented:
Staci’s writing links of the week!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I appreciate the share.
LikeLiked by 2 people