Ranking in Time Magazine’s List of 100 Greatest Places of 2018 is the Austin Central Library. That’s quite an accomplishment, considering this is a list of unique places to visit around the entire planet of Earth.

If you haven’t seen it for yourself, head over there to celebrate National Read a Book Day! There’s plenty to see, along with over 300,000 volumes to read. That means that if you’re a little bookish, you might want to allow yourself several hours. Tip: the library is beautiful any time of the day, but my favorite time to go is at night.

A Photographic Tour 

Beautiful view of the library as seen from the 2nd Street bridge at dusk.

Photo of an art piece on display.

Kids love their special space!

Floor after floor of books!

Non-fiction, anyone?

Looks like the Library is planning for our future!

These little toys were printed on the Library’s 3-D printer.

Can you see the computers in the distance?

This is CAW, the signature art piece for the Library. Commissioned by The City of Austin Art in Public Places program (AIPP), Christian Moeller hopes that it will be something we won’t tire of looking at.

His goal is for his rendering of a giant cuckoo clock to be an object of character that grows on us and becomes a friendly companion during our hours of contemplation and thought.

Thank you, Mr. Moeller. Your work is accomplishing exactly  what you wanted it to do.

Seating for small groups.

Lovely second-story outdoor reading deck.

Comfy nook overlooking the street below. Bet all those people wish they were up here reading!

Expert staff!

Abundant electronics check-out station.

Books on display.

Outdoor book drop.

Quotes in iron panels over the exit. How creative is that?

My Recommendation for Your Next Read

On a recent long trip in the car, I asked my favorite ten year-old if she wanted to read something together and then discuss it from our differing perspectives.

Up until now, she has let me be the one to choose the “chapter” books that we’ve read aloud, two heads on the same pillow, whenever I’ve had the high privilege of reading her to sleep.

She’s growing up, though, and I would like to know what she enjoys reading when she’s the one choosing the book.

There’s only one problem with that, for me, that is.

I Have High Standards

Standard Number One: Time is so valuable, yes? In days gone by, I would force myself to finish every book I started. Now, not so much. If it ain’t no good – I ain’t taking the time to read it. (Y’all know I enjoy saying ain’t from time to time.)

Standard Number Two: Talking dogs as the main character? That fits under Standard Number One. Ain’t reading a book about a talking dog.

This Book Exceeds My High Standards

I just loved it! In fact, it was a page-turner, and I didn’t want to put it down. Every morning, before the sun came up over the Fairmont Hotel, I was down at our apartment’s pool, perched with my feet up on a chair, coffee in hand, focused on the bright screen of my iPad. Part of the time, I was probably bug-eyed, because there were surprises along the way that I didn’t see coming. Other times, I had to wipe a tear on the sleeve of my t-shirt, because there were some really tender moments.

Had I been able to sit by the pool and finish it in one day, I would have.

There’s Also a Movie

My granddaughter and I will hopefully be able to watch #SoB.Itthemovie together soon. I can hardly wait to see if my mind’s eye matches the movie screen’s depictions. No matter what, we’ll have lots to discuss, next time both our heads hit the same pillow.

Happy National Read a Book Day!  

Encouraging intentional adventure through the pages of a GREAT kids’ selection,

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