it's a bad economy ya'll

My husband is going to be so proud of me....

Today i did my civic duty....

I decided it was time...

Now this was a BIG step for me.

You see, I graduated with a degree in English Literature.

That's right.

So I tend to take pride in all the books i have read and made formal analysis' on and can quote and can tell you which author wrote that and why and when and what the main themes in the book are and major symbolism's, and how that book and it's theme's correlate to another book written and even why possibly that book was written...

and even though my grammar may not be up to par, i sure as heck can be pretty convincing about it (after four years of classes and MILLIONS of papers you learn to back up your theory, however crazy it may be)

And, you see, a major part of that bragging process involves bookshelves...

Book shelves?! you say...

Yes, Book shelves...

It's my theory that you can tell a lot about a man or woman based on their bookshelves. And I'm not talking the decorative stuff (while decorating is an added bonus to having books if you're into that type of thing)

I can sniff out the pretenders.

FOR EXAMPLE: One day some co-workers and I were at my bosses house. Upon his bookshelf i scoped out an antique looking book...Utopia. It was a beauty. It was blue hardback, worn pages, some cracks in the binding old English font and i thought to myself what a beautiful copy!

(P. S also love "vintage" books. I love that books can get worn like an old pair of your favorite shoes)

But then i remembered my boss... not the Utopia type...more than likely wouldn't even know who the author was...

I told my friend my theory pointed out the book and then later upon referencing the book to said boss He replied "which book? oh that one... it's just decoration"

And Thomas More rolled over in his grave

Anyways i get off on that tangent to say. Books are a major part of an English Majors life.

And the bookshelves in which those books are displayed is a big deal..a sort of trophy case, if you must.

When i walk into a bookstore i get all giddy.

When i order a book online i wait in expectation for the package to come:

The other day, much to my husbands dismay, upon seeing the mailman coming and a package resembling a book in his hand I RAN from the driveway to the front door to meet my book and did a little dance at it's arrival. (To which the mailman and my husband both exchanged embarrassed looks)

When i get a book i like to put my name inside the cover.

I love to underline good quotes or thoughts.

I like to write notes in the margin (mark Twain-ish)

I love to know how much longer i have to the end of the book by the page count and i love when you are at the last couple of pages with the bulk of the pages in your left hand and then turn to the last page and close the cover...such a feeling of accomplishment...completion

I love putting the book on the shelf and observing it when I'm done... knowing that i read that book... and then years later maybe I'll take the book off the shelf and if it's a good book think to myself that was SUCH a good book and feel something a kin to friendship towards it...

it's nice....

ok so maybe i am a little TOO attached to books...call it a sick fetish call it what you must but books are magical to me...

...did i really just say that?...yes i did

HOWEVER as much as i like to purchase a book.

It's also pretty magical to have money in the bank...

So today i did what i had to do...

.......I got a library card......

That's right.

And i checked out my first book today [Water for Elephants]

And while i won't have said "trophy" to display on said bookshelf...

I did manage to save $8.37 (new) or $1.99+3.99 shipping (used).

And I'm doing my best to not think of how many people have touched this book and/or read this book while using the bathroom....

THE END

P.s. Yes i DID get that sticker from the lady who got me my card and yes I DID wear it all day long... even to cafe ecclectic that night where the hubs and i got some dinner....where our regular waitress gave me a cafe ecclectic sticker as well... DOUBLE BONUS