4 Tips to Make the Most of the Library!

I am an avid library user. I love the library for so many reasons, big reasons such as their benefits to the community, and smaller reasons like how it is a more affordable way to read books.

I have been using the library my entire life. I used to cycle with my sisters to the local library, and I still love my trips to the library today. We live fairly close to the library, so on the days they're open late, I'll walk down, and on the days they close earlier, I'll drive down right after work or on my lunch.

Pictured: Holding 3 library books & my library card up to the camera

In my years of using the library I have come up with 4 tips that help me make the library work for me, and I'd love to share them with you, so you can use the library more efficiently and hopefully increase your use of the library - giving it more support. Let's put that library card to use, so reading stays an easy, affordable, and fun hobby!

Pictured: 8 library books, a candle, and a white board with due dates

Tip #1: Put Books on Hold Online

By putting books on hold online, you can go to the library when you know your book is in, and you don't have to keep checking back, or spend time perusing to find books. The entire inventory is online, and you can simply press the "Request Hold" (or similar) button and get the notification (mine comes by email) when the book is ready. I go to the library 1-2 times a week, but each visit is only about five minutes, if that, because I go right to the holds shelf, check myself out at the machine, and am on my way. This saves me so much time. They typically hold the books for about a week so you have time to pick them up when they come in, without being rushed. So I wait until I have a couple books come in, and go pick them up (or if I am really eager to read a book I head down that day).

Saving time by knowing the books are there and ready for you, and not having to look through all the shelves, is so much more efficient. Sometimes I peruse and pick up books I haven't heard of or catch my eye, but having the option to simply pick them up and go is great. I then bring them home, add the due dates to my whiteboard, and enjoy!

Pictured: A library copy of The Judge's List by John Grisham, with a list on paper, glasses, and a candle

Tip #2: Make a List

This is a follow-up tip to putting books on hold. The library has hundreds of books I want to read at any given time, and if I put them all on hold at one time - as I did in the past - I will end up constantly renewing books and stressed about missing deadlines or missing picking them up, etc. Instead, I have a list on my phone and I put a few books on hold every so often, and then a manageable amount comes in at a time (usually). I prefer a digital list on my phone since I can add books wherever I see them or hear about them, and I simply erase a book once I've placed it on hold or read it.

Pictured: 5 library books on a blanket

Tip #3: Check the Library First

I love buying books, and admittedly spend too much time perusing online bookshops, however, before I add any book to my cart, I check the library. If the library has it, I put it on hold (or add it to my list to put on hold), and if it's not in their inventory, then I'll buy it when I next buy books. This way I can put my money towards books I wouldn't be able to read for free - which makes my money go much further.

In the same notepad on my phone as my list of books to put on hold, I also have a list of books that I would like to read but that the library doesn't have, so that when I get gift cards or go book shopping, I have a list of books ready.

With bookclubs, I sometimes end up buying books that I wouldn't be able to get from the library on time to read before the get together, and sometimes I like to buy non-fiction books so I can look back at them at my leisure or re-read them. But checking the library first has saved me so much money long-term, because books can add up fast, as we all know. A large majority of the books I read are from the library, and the ones on my shelf are almost exclusively ones I couldn't read for free, which keeps my reading habit affordable!

Pictured: holding 3 library books

Tip #4: Read the Library Newsletters

I don't spend a lot of time reading their newsletters, and I don't read all of their newsletters, but every 2-3 months, I like to read through their lists of new and upcoming books and either put them on hold or add them to my list to put on hold at a later date. This way I get new releases sooner which keeps me excited and up-to-date with books, even if I'm not buying them new.

When I first started using the library, I was a bit disheartened that I was always months behind reading books that so many other people were reading and discussing, but by reading a couple newsletters every couple months (which is maybe 10 minutes), I get to stay up with the latest books! And enjoying and being excited about what I read is part of what makes a hobby fun!

Pictured: 3 library books on top of a barstool

I love the library, and these four things have helped me in keeping reading an affordable and easy hobby, without having to spend as much time at the library as I was before. The money I do spend on books is going towards books I can't get for free, and I constantly have at least a few library books at home to be working through alongside my TBR (to be read) bookshelves.

Libraries also do so many events for every age group and offer volunteering opportunities as well, so I highly encourage looking into events at your local library, but even if you're only looking to use their materials, you will not regret it! You have a huge inventory of books at your hands, even smaller local libraries will do inter-library loans so you can request books from other neighboring towns. 

And when I have that itch and I want to go the bookstore and spend a bunch of money, I go to the library, get to read the same books I would've bought, but can put that money aside for other things (like holidays, retirement and other hobbies).

If you have any tips for me, please let me know, as I am defintiely going to keep using the library, and always love to make even better habits!

If you're interested in individual reviews, following along with my reading updates or chatting about books, check out my Instagram page @reading.with.t !  

March Newsletter '23

Happy April!! We are officially on to the second quarter of the year!

March was a wonderful reading month, with so many unexpectedly good reads enjoyed!

I had a TBR laid out of books I wanted to read throughout March, and read almost none of them as library holds and ARCs came up, but I cannot complain at all, because it was a fabulous month with quite a few new favourites discovered! I read more books this month than I have since I started tracking my reads years ago, so we reached a new record in March!

Book 1: The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu

This book drew me in with the synopsis, but unfortunately it was not for me. I found the main character spoke with too much slang, and since she narrated the entire book, it was hard for me to get past. There were also a lot of parts to this book all wrapped together, and it felt like too much for such a short book. So my first book of March was not a success, but luckily things looked up!

Pictured: The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu

Book 2: The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

I read The Queen of the Tearling in February, and this was book 2 in that series, so I picked it up next, wanting to dive back into this world. While reading the second book in the series, I didn't enjoy it as much, but once I got to book 3, I appreciated the journey that book 2 was. The Queen of the Tearling set the stage for the trilogy, and this one followed up with action and plenty of events.

Pictured: The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Book 3: The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

I had to follow it up with book 3, The Fate of the Tearling, to end this trilogy off, because I wanted to know what happened. This book put a lot of book 2, The Fate of the Tearling, into focus and provided explanations for the previous book, that I found really satisfying. Throughout the entire trilogy I lvoed the theme of justice, and right & wrong, and ethics and religious influence on a community, and moral actions. I thought book 3 specifically led to quite a few thought-provoking situations along these lines, and I enjoyed watching them be debated and considering them myself.

Pictured: The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Book 4: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

I wanted another fantasy book next, but I wanted a faster-paced stand-alone book that would grab me and bring my focus away from the Tearling, and this book not only met, but exceeded my expectations. I was immediately drawn in to this magical and secluded island, immediately connected with the main character, and I loved the multiple POVs to show different aspects of the events taking place on the island. Young did a wonderful job of bringing magic into the story and keeping this slightly urgent pace, to keep the reader wanting to turn pages. I flew through this book and absolutely loved it.

Pictured: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

Book 5: Circe by Madeline Miller

Based on the synopsis, this book seemed like it would be filled with gods, magical abilities, fighting, and this action-packed plot. This book let me down. I have heard many good things about the book, and I can defintiely understand why someone would love it, but the writing really lost me. I thought it had a dream-like writing that made it feel vague, even during major plot points. The plot itself was okay, but while reading the book, everything felt like an anecdote that was still leading up to big events, even when it was a big event, and so the book seemed to rag on in a very slow fashion waiting for something that already happened. 

Pictured: Circe by Madeline Miller

Book 6: The House at the End of the World

I decided to move along to a thriller, because I was craving something much faster-paced, that would have more urgency and suspense than Circe had, and I chose correctly. I was not expecting the amount of suspense and anxiety I would feel in reading Koontz's book. This was so excellently crafted to provide information at just the right moments, to have the reader connected to the characters, and hoping they survive, catching glimpses of their past to really feel for them, all while this plot is unraveling, and going nowhere good. This was a brilliant read that will have you completely captivated.

Pictured: The House at the End of the World by Dean Koontz

Book 7: Nettle & Bone by T Kingfisher

This book also exceeded all expectations. This was a new-to-me author, so I only had the synopsis and a couple good reviews to go off of, and I am so glad I picked this one up! The first chapter drew me in, the next couple chapters slowed a bit to create a foundation, and then we were off running again in this adventurous and witty story. I absolutely loved the characters, which included but were not limited to: a demonic chicken, witches, magical godmothers, nuns, royalty, dogs made of bones & magic, and ghosts. This was as thrilling as it was funny, and I was constantly chuckling. This was a rag-tag team going on an impossible mission and I loved every moment, from the goblin market to the convent. I highly recommend this read!

Pictured: Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

Book 8: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

This was chaos from the first page, and I did not catch up, even as I closed the book. This dark academic fiction is based around a school for wizards of varying powers and abilities. Sounds good, right? Of course! However, the execution left me confused. The magical abilities didn't get explained as much as I think they needed to, and there seemed to be a lot of exceptions even once I understood them a little more. The idea of this was great, but I found it somewhat confusing. I haven't decided if I'll pick up the rest in the trilogy yet. Stay tuned!

Pictured: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Book 9: The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford

I rushed to fit in a library book before I went on vacation and this one exceeded expectations. The Mandy Daughters of Afong Moy was a generational book handling trauma, inherited habits and perspectives, and really had this adventurous tone as it shared the difficulties of each of Afong's descendants and her own experience. This was beautifully crafted and woven together in such a masterful way. Ford made me a fan and I'll be looking to pick up more of their works. 

Pictured: The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford

Book 10: The Little Old Lady Strikes Again by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg

To start my vacation reads I picked up a sequel to The Little Old Lady Who Broke all the Rules accurately titled The Little Old Lady Strikes Again. This met the expectations set out in the first and I enjoyed seeing where this retired group would continue their illegal activities. The group of characters has good variety, and we get to know them slowly throughout the books since the focus is on the plot and events that this group gets up to. I have enjoyed both of these and am looking forward to the next!

Pictured: The Little Old Lady Strikes Again by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg

Book 11: Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

I picked up my kindle next and dove into another sequel. I read Keeper of Enchanted Rooms in December of 2022 and was so eager to pick up Heir of Uncertain Magic after finishing that one. Luckily I was approved for the ARC! I am loving this series (I say series in an optimistic hope for another book with these characters). I absolutely loved getting to know these characters and see them progress past magical hurdles and events. This historical fiction includes magical elements in such a great way, and this book did a fabulous job following up the first in the Whimbrel House adventure. I highly recommend these for a quick, endearing, magical, and adventurous read.

Pictured: Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

Book 12: VenCo by Cherie Dimaline

Continuing with my ARC list on NetGalley, I picked up another magical read with an adventurous plot: VenCo by Cherie Dimaline. This was a slower-moving plot than I was expecting, with a larger focus on characters. I was expecting magical battles, witch hunting, and a gripping page-turner, and this one didn't quite fit that bill. The magical battles seemed anti-climactic, the witch hunting was fairly calm, and overall it wasn't as suspenseful as I'd hoped. My lower enjoyment could simply be the expectations that I had based on reviews going in. The story focused on the backstory of characters that we don't see development for and had a calm tone, even during high points in the plot, which created a less suspenseful feel throughout.

Pictured: VenCo by Cherie Dimaline

Book 13: Wolfsong by TJ Klune

I turned to my third ARC next, Wolfsong by TJ Klune, which kept me in the fantastical realm. I had not read a synopsis for this one and went in completely blind, only having Klune's other works to give me an idea of what to expect. Klune is great at using fantasy as societal commentary, showing different types and situations around love, acceptance, and an incredible array of emotions. This was a perfect found family novel, where we meet an MC who goes through so many tragic situations, and fins the people who help him get through these and grow as a person. This was a slow-moving story that dove into loss, grief, acceptance, love, and hope, all while balancing this thrilling plot including magic and werewolves. This was a great story showing why Klune is one of my auto-read authors!

Pictured: Wolfsong by TJ Klune

Book 14: Good for You by Camille Pagan

I then read Good for You by Camille Pagan. I chose this one because of the cover and thought it would be a good vacation read, but was not expecting the amount of emotion included. Pagan has woven a story of loss, grief and hope of moving on after losing a sibling in a tragic accident. This was well done, although I did have some issue with some of the MC's decisions, but I think this showed that grief can really alter a person and change their outlook on life, which was well done.

Pictured: Good for You by Camille Pagan

Book 15: The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

This I went back to a magical read with The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy next. This was a generational story as well, but we didn't get to meet the characters quite enough to really create some bonds between the reader and the women highlighted. The idea of the story and the plot itself was good, but without the connection to the characters, I felt the book was lacking. We also saw the same issues arise with a few of the characters and this felt repetitive and easily avoided, which also took away from my enjoyment. If you're looking for a witchy read, I'd recommend, but I'd recommend others first.

Pictured: The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

Book 16: Cleopatra's Dagger by Carole Lawrence

To end my vacation, I started Cleopatra's Dagger by Carole Lawrence on the last flight of our week. It hooked me right away, with a female MC going against societal norms to be a journalist in the 1880s. I loved the NYC setting and feminist commentary. This was a great mystery where the reader is suspicious of everyone and not sure who will be the murderer will be until the reveal. It wasn't who I thought it would be! I loved this one.

Pictured: Cleopatra's Dagger by Carole Lawrence

Book 17: Stoneblind by Natalie Haynes

I grabbed my bookclub book next so I would have time to finish it before our meeting. Stoneblind, by Natalie Haynes, was a let down. The synopsis and title made me believe this story was about Medusa, but in actuality it covered the paths and events of many gods, and Medusa was a fairly small character right from the start. This had some parts that seemed completely unnecessary to the story as they didn't relate to anything else, and had the most unlikeable characters. I defintiely would have quit reading this one had it not been for bookclub.

Pictured: Stoneblind by Natalie Haynes

Book 16: The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson

Lastly, I ended the month with the sequel to The Kind Worth Killing. The Kind Worth Saving was a perfect follow-up. It kept the same thrilling tone, unexpected turns in the plot, and we saw a few of the same characters again which was nice to see where their story went following the first book. This was a classic Swanson in terms of fast-pace, little description, and a page-turning plot.

Pictured: The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson

So all in all, another good month! I was fortunate to go away for a week on vacation, so some of these books I read curled up in my reading room with snow falling outside, and some of these books I read on a beach in the sun! A great balance and two perfect backdrops to enjoy a book.

If you're interested in individual reviews, following along with my reading updates or chatting about books, check out my Instagram page @reading.with.t !