I make no secret of the fact here on Smiling Shelves that I love libraries. Having time to visit the big library branch several towns over was one of the best parts of my summers. It's so much fun to browse and discover new books. And best of all - they're all free!
But they're free because you can't keep them. If you're checking out a library book, there is an inevitable due date to keep track of (even if you renew it once or twice). Library due dates can be helpful. They provide wonderful motivation to read, and read lots (if you're liike me and can only come home with a huge stack). Knowing that you have to return the book soon means you're more likely to read rather than play on your phone or binge on a Netflix show. I've always found library due dates to be positive and motivationally challenging (surely you can't read that whole stack in three weeks, can you? Watch me!).
Recently, however, I've found that the looming due date has turned on me. It's no longer a challenge to read the books in time - it's now stressful. This probably has something to do with a little boy who takes up a lot of my time. I can tell my reading pace has slowed down over the past couple of months. So now the huge stack of library books is just adding more stress to my life.
I've also been wanting to read more of my own books this year. I've always been so distracted by library books that this hardly happens, but for once, I'm feeling the desire to read my own books - and can't, because I have a stack of books due next week that I have to finish.
So I'm thinking of taking a break from library books for awhile. This is especially ironic and surprising, because I've just returned to library use after taking a couple of months off for my Circumreading the World challenge. But my own books are calling to me, and I certainly don't need anything else in my life stressing me out. Now the trick will be to visit the library for my son's sake without checking out any books for me. . .
But they're free because you can't keep them. If you're checking out a library book, there is an inevitable due date to keep track of (even if you renew it once or twice). Library due dates can be helpful. They provide wonderful motivation to read, and read lots (if you're liike me and can only come home with a huge stack). Knowing that you have to return the book soon means you're more likely to read rather than play on your phone or binge on a Netflix show. I've always found library due dates to be positive and motivationally challenging (surely you can't read that whole stack in three weeks, can you? Watch me!).
Recently, however, I've found that the looming due date has turned on me. It's no longer a challenge to read the books in time - it's now stressful. This probably has something to do with a little boy who takes up a lot of my time. I can tell my reading pace has slowed down over the past couple of months. So now the huge stack of library books is just adding more stress to my life.
I've also been wanting to read more of my own books this year. I've always been so distracted by library books that this hardly happens, but for once, I'm feeling the desire to read my own books - and can't, because I have a stack of books due next week that I have to finish.
So I'm thinking of taking a break from library books for awhile. This is especially ironic and surprising, because I've just returned to library use after taking a couple of months off for my Circumreading the World challenge. But my own books are calling to me, and I certainly don't need anything else in my life stressing me out. Now the trick will be to visit the library for my son's sake without checking out any books for me. . .
Are you a library user? Do you find due dates helpful or stressful? How do you find a balance between library books and your own books?
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