Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been enamored with libraries.
At a very early age, six or seven, Mom introduced me to the local library and I instantly fell in love with the environment.
To this day, I have a vivid picture walking up the marble staircase, the shelves of books, the wooden tables and chairs, and the vintage catalog pull out drawers lined with thousands of cards, perfectly in order, compliments of the Dewey Decimal System.
My very first date was at the public library.
I must have been around 10ish. Susan Popovich, a beautiful girl with long black hair, fell head over heels for moi after seeing me perform in a school play.
I asked Susan where she wanted to go on our first meet and she left it up to me. I recommended the library and she said ok. Dating was so less complicated back then.
Susan met me outside the YMCA on Saturday at noon following my swimming lesson. Like a man, 😉 , I nonchalantly took her by the hand and we made the 10 minute walk through the concrete jungle of downtown Getty Square to the public atheneum.
All I remember was Susan and me standing side by side, thumbing through the catalog system, looking for something interesting to read. We scribbled our choices with short orange yellow pencils on small scraps of paper then hunted the aisles to take our books back to sit side by side at the wooden table.
And that’s the story of taking my first love to one of my first love’s; the library.
Nevertheless, I always have a stack of books by my side that’ I’ve borrowed from the library. Other than one book I purchased, here’s what I currently have checked out:
“Curious – Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life” by Todd Kashand, Ph.D.
One of my greatest gifts is I’m curious about everything; situations, information, and mostly people. I’m not certain if this book will teach me anything new but I’m curious to find out.
“A More Beautiful Question” by Warren Berger
As a coach, questions are my life blood. I ask more questions of my clients than you’ll ever know. I hope to take away one golden nugget from this read to better serve my clients.
“Turning Pro” by Steven Pressfield
I purchased this book because I loved Pressfield’s previous work called “The War of Art” not to be confused with “The Art of War.” “Pro” talks about the habits of an amateur vs. a professional. They think differently. Act differently. A must read if you’re a business owner.
“Essentialism – The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown
This book was referred to me by friend and fellow writer Tom Phelps. The premise of this read is to narrow your focus and work on the most important stuff where you can add value.
“Don’t Stop the Carnival” by Herman Wouk
I heard Michael Riedel, the theatre critic for the NY Post, recommend this one. It’s the story of a New York City press agent who, facing the onset of middle age, runs away to a Caribbean island to resuscitate himself as a hotel keeper.
“1Q84” by Haruki Murakami
Novels never keep my interest. This one is different. Aomame and Tengo are the two main characters and Murakami’s a master at keeping your interest as he goes back and forth between the storylines.
Other than “1Q84,” there’s zero chance I’ll finish all of these books.
However, every now and then, I’ll finish a work that’s worthy of my debit card, like “Turning Pro,” and I’ll go to Amazon to put it in the shopping cart to find it’s way home to my own library.
What are you reading?
Photo my Melissa Mayntz.
Excellent. I didn’t realize Steven Pressfield had another book. Am buying that today. Sounds perfect
“Turning Pro” is great. I hope you enjoy it.