A Library at My Fingertips

One of my favorite places in the world is the library, any library, and I can get lost in one after just a few minutes and then realize I've spent hours browsing. I used to be embarrassed when I was a teenager and they called me a "bookworm," like it was a bad thing, but now I'm proud to be one. Also, I'm not 100 % sure, but I think I'm the only one from my high school graduating class who can call herself an author, so there, LOL.

My library. Heaven, to me. I spend a lot of time here.

I've always been just a little bit behind on anything new in the digital gadget craze, preferring to sit back, observe and then let them work out the kinks before I jump in and spend my money. Well, I said I never would, but I finally broke down and recently bought myself an electronic reader thingy - the Nook from Barnes & Noble. Yes, I know, everyone else has had a Kindle for years while I resisted. I bought a Nook because it was pretty cheap and I had a few B & N gift cards sitting around. I can't afford an iPad right now  - we're looking at 2 kids in college later this year - and since I have a newerish laptop and iPod anyway, there didn't seem to be a good reason to spend the money for something that does what both of those gadgets do anyway. 

While I resisted, I told myself I loved the feel of paper pages too much to use one of those things when I read. I still read real books, but I have to admit, the Nook is fun. Fun for travel and for when I'm in waiting situations - i.e., the doctor's office or the fitting room at any store in the mall with my daughter, while she's trying on clothes. Perfect.

I love that it's white and bright instead of dull gray and that it easily slips into my purse too. Unlike the Kindle, the Nook allows you to download e-books from the library for free. You know I love a bargain and the first thing I bought at the B & N store was a collection of 25 classic novels for $.99! Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Wuthering Heights, Emma. There are also hundreds of other free e-books out there.

Of course, I couldn't let it get scratched and because I didn't really fall in love with any of the ridiculously expensive leather cases for it, I made my own.

This is just a variation of the letter case/needle case in my book The Civil War Sewing Circle. I adjusted the pattern for the length and cut it an inch wider than the Nook on either side. Added a piece of batting instead of interfacing for more padding. Again, a perfect and cheap solution. I need to get a small piece of Velcro for the inside flap and then sew the decorative button on the front.

This was so easy, I think I'll make a few of them so I can coordinate them with  . . .  my daughter's outfits, LOL. I'm not the only "bookworm" in our family.