psa: support your local library
When I was a kid, I didn't read much. My ADHD made it a pain in the ass to follow along. I was the kid who could never keep track of what place we were in during class reading. Inevitably I'd be called on and I'd have to ask, "where are we?". It also didn't help that many of the "cool" characters in tv shows I watched as a kid didn't read either, Zack Martin (Sweet Life of Zack and Cody), Alex Russo (Wizards of Waverly Place), Drake Parker (Drake and Josh), etc. So, I kinda took pride in not reading to not be "one of the nerds". I apparently lacked the self-awareness to realize I was still a nerd. One does not bring the Halo 3 game manual with them to restaurants to infodump to their mother as a kid and NOT be a nerd.
Despite this, I still loved libraries. Mostly because when I was in middle school, I'd go there with my friends, log onto the computers, and play games (most notably Happy Wheels if anyone remembers that). I think we got kicked out on a couple of occasions because we kept laughing too loud.
As I got older, I realized my disposition against reading was dumb as hell. Reading is still somewhat of a struggle, from a concentration standpoint, but I've gotten better at it with practice and finding books I enjoyed. I read a lot when I was in high school, but I was in my sigma male grindset arc and was mostly reading self-help books like a dumbass. This phase died out quickly around 2019 when I realized that shit was all a farce.
I started to take reading seriously, and engaging with works of fiction that I otherwise avoided as not being "practical". I had purchased and read several books around 2022 and remembered that libraries were a thing. So, I went to my local library, got me a library card, and realized what made libraries so great.
I think libraries are the antidote for consumerism. You take what you want, give it back when you're done. Who needs a subscription to Audible when there are so many great audiobooks (both old and new) at the local library? There are even apps that basically ARE Audible but use the library model, 100% free with your library card. Why buy books you'll only read once when they're probably at your local library for free? Hell, some libraries even let you borrow movies, TV shows, and video games!
I recently rented out an audiobook for The Lord of the Rings (narrated by the legendary Andy Serkis) and Spyro: The Reignited Trilogy on PS4. Other previous borrows included things like a 3-in-1 Godzilla movie DVD, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Algospeak (for the Gazette book club), a Wiggles DVD for my daughter, Stray on PS4, and more. My library even has these little duffel bags that are centered around teaching skills such as juggling, chess, magic tricks, etc. It's truly amazing.
I encourage you, if you have a library nearby or are able to access a city library easily (as those tend to be the most well-funded) to go and visit them and get a library card.
Libraries won't have EVERYTHING of course, but by going in and borrowing books you help contribute to the funding of these libraries (at least that's how it works in the US). I honestly don't find limitations in selections of libraries to be a bad thing as it prevents that sort of analysis paralysis that comes with streaming services. Limited selection means low decision fatigue.
A library card and a jailbroken Kindle have been game changers for media consumption. I haven't had to purchase a book/audiobook in ages largely because of libraries. I don't need XBOX Game Pass to try out games, I can just rent it from my local library.
Seriously, go support your libraries if there's one nearby it's literally free.
Reply via email: me@absurdpirate.com
as of writing this...
At work, yet again. Listened to Fellowship of the Ring, narrated by Andy Serkis. It's kinda cool that with audiobooks from my library they come on CD, so I can just put it into the CD player in my car. Played some Spyro last night. Never played it before but it's a fun collect-a-thon. Just wanna be home already. Will most certainly be leaving early.