My memories are like puzzle pieces, glimpses of a tough time. But one thing sticks out: the library. It was my happy place, full of stories that took me anywhere I wanted to go. Books weren’t just something to read, they were like maps to exciting adventures, new friends, and totally different lives. I gobbled them up, each page making me want to read more and more. Owning books was a big deal for me because we didn’t have a lot of money. But the library opened doors to countless worlds, all with the chance to escape reality.
One book I remember especially was called “The Baby-Sitters Club.” I got it from a school program. It was like a magic portal to friendship, responsibility, and all the dreams you have as a teenager. Those stories fired up my imagination and let me see myself in a different life, one that was hopeful and full of possibilities.
Reading wasn’t just fun, it was a lifeline. It got me out of my own head, showed me new ways of thinking, and helped me dream of a brighter future. Unlike TV, which showed you worlds someone else created, books let me use my own imagination to build amazing places and characters in my mind.
That ability to see things so clearly, thanks to all those stories, seems to have faded a bit over time. I don’t know why, but I wish I could have it back. Maybe that’s why libraries still draw me in, promising a return to that world of stories and the power to imagine anything.
But libraries are even more special to me for another reason. The day before I had my first son, when I was just 16, I felt this pull to go to the giant Los Angeles Central Library. Surrounded by all that knowledge, I devoured every book they had on pregnancy and babies. It was like my own personal internet search in 1995, fueled by the magic of actual books. In that quiet place, surrounded by the sound of turning pages, I felt something shift inside me – a drop, a feeling, sudden deep breath – that told me everything was about to change. I called my boyfriend, Stewart, from a payphone (remember those?) and told him what I was feeling. He said to go home, but I couldn’t leave because this was my happy place. So I stayed there, getting lost in books and enjoying those last moments of freedom before becoming a mom. That night, I went into labor and my son was born the next day. It was a new chapter in my own story, and the library was always there for me, a safe haven through all the ups and downs of motherhood.
Rediscovering the Magic
Writing this makes me realize I haven’t been to a library in ages. And along with that, I don’t read the way I used to. I mostly listen to audiobooks and watch educational videos now, which are convenient, but not the same.
Convenience shouldn’t replace the pure joy of getting lost in a book. We get sucked into scrolling on our phones and mindless TV, forgetting about the amazing things books can offer. This is a reminder, for myself and everyone else: books are treasures. They take you on adventures, teach you new things, and help you escape, way more than the short-term satisfaction you get from scrolling or watching TV.
Libraries are special to me, but the truth is, that “portal to another world” feeling never really goes away. It just changed as my life did. Bookstores became my grown-up version of that childhood sanctuary. I spent countless hours there with my kids, studying, working, or just browsing. Every Friday night in college was like a ritual: I’d get stuck into my textbooks while the boys explored the books and drank hot chocolate. It wasn’t the same quiet vastness of a library, but bookstores kept the magic of words alive for me. Today, the bookstore is a constant force in my life.
This taught me something important: the love of reading can be anywhere, as long as you make time for it. Now, I love to read lighthearted beach reads by authors like Emily Giffin, Emily Henry, or Mary Kay Andrews. They take me to sunny places with fun characters and remind me of the pure joy of getting swept away in a good book.
So, whatever you’re looking for – education, adventure, romance, or just a feel-good escape – there’s a book out there waiting for you. Take a chance, try different genres, and rediscover the magic of reading!
And libraries are always open, waiting to welcome you back, no matter what path you’re on. They’re a haven for dreamers, a refuge for the tired, and a reminder of the power of stores to shape our lives. So, happy reading!
