Yes, we did, and books were a lifeline.
It’s been five years this month that we went into hiding. The start of the pandemic is not an anniversary to celebrate, but it is worth noting. At the beginning of the pandemic, I didn’t want to read—a sure sign something was off in my central nervous system. Two months later, when I finally could pick up and finish a book again, I “read like a madman” as Holden Caulfield would say. Madwoman. For about a month, I reread books that were on my shelf, then realized my local library was providing curbside delivery, which changed everything. I had always been a good library patron between purchases, because I also know that buying books helps authors pay the bills. But suddenly, the library became the third thing that saved my sanity (behind my family and yoga, one of which was short-lived).
Last week, I went back and read entries from my journals in 2020 and 2021 and found this one:
The library opened its doors to patrons yesterday, which was significant, and forced me to count backward. It’s been sixteen months since I checked out a book inside. Since May of 2020 I’ve been sheepishly driving to the curb and watching employees walk my books out with gloves and mask, handing them through the open window, thanking me while suppressing the urge to apologize. My friend who works at the library told me that employees are relieved when someone calls to pick up their book curbside. “We’re all bored these days,” he said. “Without patrons there is less to do.” This goes without saying, but the process made me feel like I was indulging in luxury during a time of crisis. Still, I was craving the graciousness and familiarity of my library, and I was there almost every week. At the end, I was surprised they had to ask the make of my car, but that’s a touch narcissistic considering it’s the central branch.I drove up yesterday to return a book in the drop, and saw the curbside signs were removed, a couple going in, and a man coming out. We’re open! I read the sign on the door to make sure, but I still couldn’t go inside. Not yet. I’m saving that moment to make an occasion of it. The coffee shop inside is open, I assume, but it seems too much to imagine I’ll purchase a drink and walk to the hold shelf. And yet, this may be the one moment that makes me believe we made it through.
I titled that entry, “Did We Make It Through?” Yes, me of 2021, we made it through the pandemic. Since then, we’ve all made it through a few more things, thankfully none as dramatic. And we’ll have more things to make it through. Whatever comes around next, I’ll have a book by my side. Reading has saved me in so many ways. You, too? If so, send me a message. I’m collecting stories about how reading saves and changes us, and I’d love to hear yours.
In the meantime, it’s the weekend. Do you have a book to read? If you don’t like to read, pick up a children’s book. You can find stacks of these at your local library! Or, treat yourself with a trip to your local bookseller and buy one. The author will thank you. Or here’s a short one to back up this entire post: How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen. You can read it in an hour, maybe less.
This weekend, I’ll be reading Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, which is not a children’s book, but a thriller set on a remote island near Antarctica. This is where I’m spending Sunday afternoon.
Happy Reading!
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