Bookaholism

The Orange County Library System consists of 34 branches spreading all the way from La Habra, in the Northern part bordering LA County, to San Clemente at the Southern tip. Shortly after becoming a member, I figured out the system: for a measly 25 cents, you can order any book from any library to come to the library of your choice. Besides this wonderful cooperative system, there are hundreds of e-audiobooks available online, some of which can be downloaded for free onto a CD.

I have basically raped the system in the past few months.

It was the best thing that could happen to me since I had developed a horrible habit of purchasing books and not reading them. Now, I just borrow them and when I don't read them, I don't feel as bad. Let the government pay for it.

The problem is, I am a bookaholic, and by that I mean I need to be around books, surrounded by volume. I don't necessarily have to read them though, at least not thoroughly anyway. As long as I browse through them, and get a bite here and there, it does the job. Just like a kid in the candy store taking bites from different kinds of candy, being satisfied at the end.

Books make me feel safe. They contain words from others like me that felt the same way I did at some point. They give me hope and direction, however imaginary. With books around me, I don't feel alone.

If I were to choose a place to die, it would most likely be in the library, probably a home library sitting on a sofa in front of the fire place.

That's the most ideal place to die.