They say you should never judge a book by its cover. & this past weekend, I did nothing near that. Literally. I got to nerd the fuck out by volunteering at the Newberry Library bookfair. I love the Newberry Library! I don’t frequent it as much as I should, sadly, but that’s a work in progress. I was a little bummed when I learned there were other cool activities going aside from the bookfair during my shift, at what I thought was already a fun thing to do! I should’ve submitted myself for another shift!! Grrr— Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve! Anyhow, it was such a good way to nerd out & do me & be around what I like/ love. I was checking everything — & nearly everyone 😉 out. Lol. I did not discriminate. Literally. 😊

A few months back, I donated a copy of The Cubicle Diaries Volume III for the bookfair & as I was there, I realized I should’ve donated more!!! Screw the profit! I’m more concerned about getting my product around! Great marketing! But whatever, I donated a copy & looked for it as I surfed the stacks. I had no luck finding it. There were so many books! It was literally like looking for a needle in a haystack. & I had to let the customers have the upper hand by not getting in their way. I couldn’t make it that obvious I was pleasing my own needs being around so much art! Plus, what if someone had already snatched it up!?! I’m hoping that.

It was great seeing all the random people, being around all those immortalized authors. In a way, I felt like the guy from You, the show now on Netflix that most don’t know started out on Lifetime! Fun fact. I’m also, in a sense, like Penn Badgley’s charter on Gossip Girl. Anyhow! Books! Because that’s what matters. They’re all recycled. Books are truly the gift that keeps on giving. There’s a nod toward my series of short writings under the name, Clouded Judgment. [keep scrolling]. It’s funny how I got to “experience” that moment in reality as I gazed at all the books instead of just writing about it 2 YEARS PRIOR! WOW!

I was able to bounce around from genre to genre. I was OK, for once, just being a window shopper. I was reminded being a floater had an advantage. The cookbooks were cool. They gave me some food for thought 😉. The books on film & entertainment had me thinking… The travel section: I was like, thanks for the ideas, but I’d rather experience in real life than read. Yes, I could’ve got some leads, but that’s where I challenge myself by “figuring things out.” They gave me a lead for research, so there you go! Someone, or people, donated a bunch of theatre playbills. They dated wwwaaaaaayyyyy back & it got me thinking about my collection of playbills & how I should be going to the theatre soon! I think the blank book section hit me at a soft spot. The opportunity for anyone to write a story, good or bad, I’m for. We don’t always understand art, but that’s OK. That’s kind of the beauty of it. It can be for their eyes only, or for the world to see. Writing, physically, as in pen to paper, I find very therapeutic. That’s why when I’m not blogging or writing & creating future best sellers, I’m writing, writing. I think we all have a story to tell, but it’s up to the individual, or writer 😉, to make it a page turner. I wish I donated books for that section, to give anyone the chance to write. Now, I’m pondering on how important “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield is! The mystery section had me thinking, who are these people? Especially the hotties!!! Please, speak nerdy to me. I had a moment of stillness in the self-help & psychology section. LOL. I was like, not today! 😊 I tried to keep my distance from the classics section. I could feel myself melting every time I got near it. I would be like, yup, I have that one on my bookshelf! The comic books section: I bet people were fishing for gold there. I was also sneaking a peek there to see which ones have made it to the big screen. I’ll admit, I’ve been sucked into the Marvel universe. I’m SUPER excited for the sequel to Doctor Strange. Marvel’s 1^st horror movie! [happy face emoji with hearts as eyes]. I’m also excited to see Robert Pattinson as The Batman. Reminds me, I need to que Gotham. & I’m fascinated with the whole Arrowverse going on. The photography section: in case you didn’t know… photography is a[nother] hobby of mine. It was funny because an aperture book kept standing out to me & I always use aperture. It reminded me how I have been longing to take a photography class! You can teach yourself, but it’s always good to get fresh takes on things. Language books: teach me something new! I was fixed on learning how to say, There’s something in the coffee in any language possible for the longest. No witchcraft books in the religion section. Hmmm… I’m concerned. Or maybe my big eyes didn’t cross any. I did still have to work! I was nostalgic & felt like a kid in the children’s section, thinking anything can magically happen. There was a sense of warmth being there. Then, being in the fiction section, I knew anything can happen in fiction 😉! Hahaha.

The bookfair was organized by genre, yes, but I think the more exciting part, & possible intent, of it is that the books, & DVDs, CDs, games, etc., weren’t highly organized & broken down, so it gave one the opportunity to really expand their horizons & discover more. OH! & I’ll share, with there being various people coming in & out, especially in the city, & with the Newberry being just a rad place in general, you best believe I experienced A LOT of people with BO! I was like, oh no! Next section! People walked away with boxes of books! I overheard many people asking themselves & fellow patrons on how they were going to carry all their goods on the train!?! Ha! City life! 😊

I prayed the entire time I wouldn’t get a papercut or slice myself on a book end. Bookends. All that’s in between. I like volunteering. I don’t do it often, but I do it. I’m all for giving back. & what was even more of a rewarding factor was that I received an email from the Newberry Library stating this past bookfair was the most successful one they’ve had thus far! Could it be because of me?! Of course! That’s [kind of] what they alluded to. 😉 hahaha. Was it because there was an actual author/ celebrity there doing manual labor & not being paid to be seen or sign books or give a read? Who knows!?!? I was trying to be incognito, but you know that paparazzo, they will find their way. Plus, aside from all that, I have a deep interest in the Newberry. I totally feel it. Never underestimate the power of the library & more importantly, NEVER judge a book by its cover.