The Wanderlust Librarian | The Beauty of the Snap Decision

My life is ruled by a schedule.

When I'm at work, it tells me what desk I work at a specific time. When I'm at home, my daughter's soccer dictates where I'm supposed to be to take her to practice or games. The alarm blares and tells me when to wake up in the morning. At night, Jimmy Fallon is a gentle reminder that it's close to (or past) midnight and it's time for me to go to bed. 

About a month ago, a friend had offered me a chance to see a movie in a private screening about 3 weeks before its general release. It was in Los Angeles. The schedule-bound bloggess told him to "have a great time". I was sad. I really wanted to see the movie. This movie is based on a best selling book. To read a fair review of the book, please click here. If you'd like to request this book in the library system, make sure and click this link and pick your format! 

My daughter, Scout, told me that I would be stupid if I didn't take a chance and just go. In less than 40 minutes, I made the decision to do it. I was terrified. Never in my life had I made any travel decision as quick as this one. Take a good, strong look at this post that I wrote. I'm a planner by nature. I have binders dedicated to the trips I take!  Then I read my own words: 
     
        There is no perfect way to plan any trip.

Oh, bloggess... were you so wise as to know that there was going to be a time when you would be advising yourself? Because it certainly felt like it when I read it. 

I had the mode of transportation, but I still needed to make sure I had lodging. In a loving act of kindness and heart, friends eagerly offered up a couch to me for the duration of my last minute travels. 

This decision, though, was not without its challenges. On my drive up to Los Angeles, I started to cry because this was the scariest thing I've ever done! My schedule-bound self was distraught and manifesting itself in tears and tantrums. It must have looked weird to the people in their passing cars to see a girl crying and blathering on to herself. 

Everything turned out fine. I got to Los Angeles safely, saw a fantastic movie (that I paid to see again) and made it home without any incident. 

Would I do this again? Probably not in the near future. It's just too scary and unknown (and I'm a chicken!!). 

Readers, I will say... Take a chance on yourself! Take a chance on doing something different! Surprise yourself! You're definitely worth it! 

xoxo
The Bloggess

The Wanderlust Librarian | The Bookstore

It's true. I work at a library and yet... I still go to the bookstore. I cannot get away from books because they are so magical. Bookstores, for me, are places where I feel I belong when i'm not at work. They're full of delicious paper smells and things I love to look at. When I was in college, bookstores were places where I could study, grab a cup of coffee and just people watch... all for the price of a coffee. Nowadays, most bookstores have Wi-Fi, so one could have the added bonus of having their computer, studying, drinking a coffee and people watching! 

Luckily, I'm not the only person who gets my inspiration from the bookstore. 

Check out these books! 

My Bookstore: writers celebrate their favorite places to browse, read and shop

The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap

If you're reading this, you've probably taken a look at my last post about the Last Bookstore. If not, check it out here! I found that there were WAY too many pictures to put in that post, but i'm happy to share them in this post.

Until then, have many literary adventures! 

See you next week! 

I love the screen on this desk.
I wish the library had one! 

The performance / lecture stage 

Eye need a penny!!! 

Book birds! 

This confounded me, but it was cool to look at. 

Sheet music bursts out of its confinement

I could not get enough of this sign. 

Every great bookstore has a
Mystery Door! 

The Wanderlust Librarian| Books in the City of Angels

On my travels, I try to visit one new library or bookstore. When I say "bookstore" I'm not talking about a chain bookstore or one in an airport. I refer to a local store that is exclusive to that city. I work in a library, so it's only natural that one of my comfort zones is around books. 

An information desk made of books?
In a bookstore? Genius! 

Before I went to Los Angeles, I read a great article on KCRW about a place called the Last Bookstore. The Last Bookstore.....ominous, isn't it? In a time when many people turn to the Internet to purchase their book-wares, there are still gems in cities around the country that still cater to rows of tangible literature! The pictures in the blog really drew me in and made me crave this place as a destination that I needed  to visit. Check out my blog inspiration, here! 

The Last Bookstore's previous life was a bank!

Even though I go to Los Angeles frequently, it's much like San Francisco in that there are many pockets and neighborhoods that I am yet to explore. It's intimidating to me because I'm not as familiar with the neighborhoods, but that doesn't mean I'm not ready to embark on an adventure! For the first time in my life, I took the Los Angeles Metro System. The Last Bookstore was a few short blocks away from the Underground Metro stop. It was convenient and fun! 

To say that The Last Bookstore was a wonderland would be an understatement. There was a whimsical feel once you entered the building. Not only were there books and records (music records!!), there was art made from books and paper. 

The first artwork that greeted me
as I walked into the store

Books FLY off the shelves here! 

A really cool art wall WAY up high towards
the ornate ceiling is made from tons of
paperback books! 

Art was everywhere. The walls, the front desk, corners and upstairs... art helped to define the space in a new and interesting way. Upstairs, there are artist spaces and display areas and  magical book maze called the Labyrinth. 

The view from the second floor
looking down onto the entrance

The Labyrinth is a maze of books that takes up half of the floor. I was reminded of Hogwarts and a place where books live. The best part? All books in the Labyrinth are $1 per book. I can't even BEGIN to describe the magic, so enjoy these pictures! It's too good to be true! 

A magical place where the books are
separated by color! 

An old bank vault houses fantasy books 

A book tunnel of epic proportions! 

You can walk THROUGH the book tunnel!!! 

Do you have a suggestion for me? Share it in the comments! I write down the names of these places in a notebook I carry with me always! My eyes and ears are always open to these wonderful warehouses of literature.. Friends who know I am traveling somewhere are quick to share where they go or what they've heard. I love these suggestions. I, in turn, will share the same knowledge to my friends and family.

Book adventures are out there. If you find yourself in Los Angeles, do yourself a favor and visit this amazing place. You won't be disappointed! 

I dare you peek into the Last Bookstore when you
visit Los Angeles!!