Discovering Random Books

I just finished "The Reader." I don't remember where I picked it up, but I think it was off the $1 shelf at our local bookstore, Orca Books.

I didn't read the description or look it up online. I just started reading it. I kind of love the randomness of just picking a book, opening it, and entering the author's world. You get what you get.

I appreciate recommendations from friends and folks I know have similar interests, but the serendipity of a random book is fun.

It's yet another reason I love libraries and bookstores. You walk in, and someone has curated a collection for you. You don't necessarily know why, but you know you want one.

I have the luxury of living near Evergreen State College, which has a wonderful library that is open to the public. Paired with our local Timberland Regional Library, I'm never lacking for new reads.

Yesterday, I walked by a bookshelf and the word "mushroom" caught my eye. I fought my initial urge to keep going to a nearby table to work and stopped to look. I found a lovely new book titled, "The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins." The first few pages hooked me. I'll share more about it as I go, because I've already saved a few impactful quotes for these trying times.

Speaking of capitalist ruin, I have enjoyed my move to Storygraph from Goodreads (owned and algorithmed by the evil Amazon empire). I hope you'll connect with me there!

☮️❤️📚