Why I Don't Use the Library Part Three: The Finale

Using the library as a youngster, I learned the meaning of Be Sure Your Sins Will Find You Out.

I always read books way ahead of my age level. I was reading Nancy Drew in first grade. I was reading young adult books by third grade. All about boyfriends and girlfriends and first kisses and then some. I became totally addicted to a series of very deep and profound young adult books, I simply had to read them...Sweet Valley High. I read both Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High for awhile, but preferred the high school set until one day on the way home from piano practice, I turned to my sister while reading the back cover copy and asked..."what does seduce mean?"

My mother was horrified. Shortly, I was told I was no longer allowed to read these books. But, friends, I was addicted.

Since I generally had free reign in the library, I learned a trick. If I brought a little tote bag with me, I could hide the Sweet Valley books in it and carry in hand the more acceptable books. (I checked out at least ten at at time) I fed my addiction this way and all was well, until we moved from Iowa to St. Louis. My mother, having a strict moral code, requested a list of our fines so we could pay them off. She then discovered...da dum. That I had been sneaking the Sweet Valley books. I got in trouble, but mostly felt ashamed for not being able to reign in the addiction.

It's not the library's fault, but it's a somewhat negative memory associated with the library...and I guess in the end it all comes down those pesky fines again!

Read Part One
Read Part Two