BEST Blog Post U Will Ever Read!

It's hard for me to avoid superlatives.

THIS IS THE BEST COOKIE YOU WILL EVER EAT!

THIS IS THE FUNNIEST VIDEO YOU WILL EVER SEE!

YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO CRY MORE THAN YOU EVER HAVE READING THIS BOOK!

Maybe I just want to challenge the claim.

I had better cry buckets. Or I had better have the uncontrollable urge to forward this email to 47 of my closest friends.

It's just, how can you not check out something so enticing? Especially online. Those videos that promise heart-wrenching stories or side-splitting laughter.

Bring it on, I say. There is so much information being thrown at me every day, I only want the best. Or the saddest. Or the most inspirational. Or the most delicious.

Not that these things always meet my expectations. I am often reminded of this:

But I am not deterred! I will stay curious to find the next BEST thing.

Ah, Yes. Right This Way.

"It had a red cover."

"The author's name had a 'q' in it."

The main character has a cat and works in a bakery."

Oh boy! I love a good book-finding challenge!

All right, all right. Sometimes it gets a smidge irritating trying to read the mind of whatever random patron is giving me very minimal information.

Here's a tip: be prepared! We can only do so much.

Thanks to Google, I just type in whatever the patron says, then keep modifying my search terms and see what I turn up.

I once spent close to 20 minutes searching online to find a particular mystery series. Every time the patron (an older woman) remembered another detail, I typed it in. My, the satisfaction when I hit up on the correct title!

If the patron does have some helpful information, though, I like to think of it as a challenge to remember a particular author or title. (J.K. Rowling's new book published under a pseudonym? The Cuckoo's Calling. As if I wouldn't know that!)

I'm always happy to help a patron remember a particularly elusive title. I feel like Super Librarian! As he or she exclaims in awe over my skill, all I can do is bask in their admiration.

"It's no trouble," I say. "That's why they pay me the big bucks."

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An Introverted Summer (Hint: I've Been Reading a Lot)

Aaaahhhh....

Please excuse my absence last week. I was breathing a sigh of relief and celebrating the fact that I am officially DONE with my summer classes and DONE with one year of my graduate degree! One year down, one to go!

So, I've got a couple weeks of freedom (well, as much freedom as a full-time employee has) until the fall semester begins.

That means, it's time to reread Harry Potter! I am currently on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Hello Marauder's Map, Remus Lupin, and Crookshanks. I've been trying to catch up on other books, too. Time off from classes = more time to read! (Since I am studying to be a *real* librarian, this is not lame. It is professional development.)

Since my vacation is long over, summer has been a smidge dull.

Not quite as horrible as Harry's summers with the Dursley's, but dull nonetheless.

A bright spot this past week was a party with friends. Outside games, delicious food, hilarious conversations...the kind of fun that I don't get to have too often. It made me miss college, when I always had people to hang out with.

As an introvert, it's always been easier and more comfortable for me to relax by being alone. However, introverts get lonely too! I have come to appreciate my time with friends, as it seems opportunities are rare these days.

ANYway, we had a bonfire at the party, complete with roasting marshmallows. It was perfect for a chilly night (what is up with this August cold??), except for the sparks zooming and crackling towards me. Yes, I am a fire wimp.

You may be surprised to learn this, as I have such a sweet tooth, but I am not really a huge fan of marshmallows. Happily, there is yet some junk food that I can resist. Even marshmallows roasted to a perfect golden brown.

Of course, I was absolutely exhausted by the time I got home. Social interaction is draining! But it was just what I needed. It's been great to get out and relax without the pressure of assignments due. I've been catching up with friends with phone calls and Skype, and it feels lovely.

So here's to summer! To Harry Potter! To friends, to fun, and to a break from classes.

Now I'd like some warmer weather, please.

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