I’ve always loved libraries. They are proof that we’ve made some progress as a society. Free information for the general public, archives of history, literature for the masses.
My friend Mandi says that “a library is the last place for an introvert.”
When I first moved to Calgary, the library was my sanctuary. I would nestle into one of the comfy chairs in a suburban library, surrounded by mothers and young children scouring for picture books and movies. On the weekends I would take the train down to the Central library and surround myself with the homeless, the freaks and the leftover hippies. I would scour the shelves for CD’s from local bands, and the entire discography of every member of the band Uncle Tupelo.
I still remember pulling Joseph Heller’s Catch 22 off-the-shelf, and realizing shortly into the book, that my life would never be the same. I think about finding Slaughterhouse-Five and being properly introduced to Kurt Vonnegut. I can’t forget going through Paul Newman’s filmography on DVD while being alienated and alone in a new city.
(Ps, The Sting and Sometimes A Great Notion are underrated gems)
The last 10 books I’ve read (from the Calgary library) *This list has not been updated*
Rebirth: A Fable of Love, Forgiveness, and Following your Heart
by Kamal Ravikant
Perfect Youth: The Birth of Canadian Punk
by Sam Sutherland
Get Started in Self-Publishing
by Kevin McCann
Comedy Writing Secrets
by Mark Shatz
Barney’s Version
by Richler Mordecai
On Writing
by Charles Bukowski
How To Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia
by Mohsin Hamid
New Slow City
by William Powers
Purity
by Jonathan Franzen
Undermajordomo Minor
by Patrick deWitt