Waitlisted

I'm still waiting to read A Dance of Dragons...I'm next on the hold list at my library, but it's been "In Transit" since Friday! On Sunday I thought, "Well, I've waited this long...I can wait one more day rather than going to Half Price Books and buying it," and I thought the same thing yesterday, and now it's Tuesday and I'm kicking myself. Shoulda bought it Friday, and then I could have read it at the beach last weekend.

My IDEAL Library would have:
Desks and chairs in a quiet space for studying, reading, and writing
Small meeting rooms for group discussions and study groups
A kids area separate from the adult area/study area so they can be loud and not disturb others
Summer reading programs for kids, teens, AND adults
Access for members to online databases such as JSTOR
Computer access and printer/copier access
A decent lending library with the ability to send for other books at nearby libraries
A good supply of newer books I don't want to buy in hardcover as soon as they come out

San Antonio is building some new libraries, so I sent an email to the director hoping to get my input at least heard, though I doubt that it will make a difference. So far the best library I have been to in Central Texas as far as space goes is the Round Rock Public Library. The Cody Branch of the San Antonio Public Library System is one of the WORST. The kid's area kind of rings the entire library, and their sheiks and tantrums ECHO in the high-ceiling room. (I'm sure my son will be among them soon!) There is one big meeting room but it is almost always in use and not available for regular patrons to reserve. It's a terrible space.

Alas, maybe someday I'll be wonderful enough to grant the city funds for a library in my name, and build it to my specifications!

A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin

I'm not sure what made me start reading The Game of Thrones, but I have to confess that I am HOOKED. I finished the fourth book last week and have been checking the status of my library hold (4 of 16!) twice a day in anticipation of reading the next one.

I'm also not really sure why I like them. The rape, the foul language, the torture, the terrible deaths of great characters...at the end of the first book I was sure that I wasn't going to read the second one. But then I did. I couldn't stop myself. It was like a train wreck and I couldn't look away! By the end of the second book, I gave in. I was going to read all of them. They are captivating. Gritty, realistic, and totally captivating.

My favorite characters are Daenerys (of course) for her epic victories, Arya Stark for the unpredictability of her story and her quirky spirit, and Tyrion because he's such a good guy--loyal, caring, responsible, curious--but he's on the wrong side!

When I started reading, I was under the impression that the series was complete, and was surprised to find that there are three more planned books after the one I am impatiently waiting for from the library!

It takes me about a week to read each book, with about 3 days to a week wait time for my library hold to get through, so that's really all I've been reading for the past month and a half!