the only way I could get books was with the help of a sexual magazine cover

I used to be quite the book worm when I was growing up. I read all the Sweet Valley books (both middle and high), the Babysitter Club, R.L. Stine nightmare books, anything by Beverly Cleary, and more. The list just goes on and on. To be frank, I miss my passion for reading. Ever since I started using the internet more and more, my love for books have been put aside. Sad but true. I want to get back into it.

Before I graduated from college, I got my for-fun-books from the school library. I probably could still do that now as an alumnae, but I really don't feel like driving 15 minutes just for a book or two. Instead, I recently discovered a small public library super close to me. Apparently I have been passing the place for months now, and it was only last week I decided to actually look over and see what building it was. It's almost sad that I did not look sooner, but better later than never, right?

I decided to go this afternoon rather than put it off and never going. After requesting to get a library card, I had to give some kind of proof that I actually live in the city. I'm not a permanent resident here in Rochester, even though I have been living in the city since fall 2005. Clearly my Texas driver license would not do its justice. Even my local school ID wouldn't either. You would think that after almost five years, I would have some "proof" and that I'm just not traveling through and plan to steal their books. I mean, I can understand why they want the proof; it's just annoying. Even I have the same issue with Planned Parenthood even though I have been going to the same place since 2007.

Anyway, in order to get that library card, I had to have some kind of proof that I actually live in Rochester. The internet/electricity bills are being addressed to Sean this year, so that was out of the question. I hardly get any mail myself, and when I do, it usually goes into the trash. After a quick trip back home, I found a recent magazine that I haven't flipped through yet. The end result? The librarian was willing to accept a torn cover of the latest Cosmo magazine that was all about improving your sex life.

Texas ID = reject. Local college ID = reject. Sexual magazine cover = accept. Really world, is this what it had to come down to?

Regardless of all that drama in my life (yes, I'm exaggerating), I finally left with two books in hand. One of them is "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult. A few people have raved about this, so I decided to give it a try. I also checked out a copy of "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Spark. I'm almost ashamed to admit that this will be the first book by him that I will be reading. I don't know why I haven't already. I'm excited for the day to be over so I can curl up in bed and start one of them. :)

Are you a book lover? If so, do you have any books that you strongly recommend?