Hermit Research Methods (Sunday Salon).
So far I have finished three novels in 2009 so I am very pleased with myself. The last one I read was THE ELECTED MEMBER by Bernice Reubens which was an excellent study in paranoia (in particular of silverfish).I have accomplished this through becoming a hermit and not going out. In fact I think I have only been out of the house once since 2009 began, and that was to give Hodmandod Minor a lift to his volunteering 'job'. It felt a little weird to have the open sky above my head for the short walk to the car, and as I started the engine the thought flitted across my mind that maybe I had forgotten how to drive - but luckily it came back to me.
On Friday I made the very useful discovery (to a hermit) that my local library does interlibrary loans. I don't know why but I'd always assumed that I'd have to go to the main library in town for this, but no...and furthermore the librarian at this local library agreed to my request that I order my books by email, so I don't even have to go there. Now all I have to do is figure out how to get them to deliver them to my door...perhaps with the groceries, that would be good.
Labels: Bernice Reubens, interlibrary loans, libraries, Sunday Salon, The Elected Member
posted by Clare Dudman at 3:18 pm
16 Comments:
I'm afraid I became a bit of a hermit over our winter break. I found myself in pj's late in the afternoon and had to quickly dress before my husband arrived home from work.
I did a lot of blogging, however. Surely that counts as socializing?
Hah, pjs in the afternoon - that sounds familiar!
I like the way you think, Clare! I've recently discovered my local library's inter-library loan service as well. Unfortunately, it can't be relied on for much. Eventually I'll have to bite the bullet and buy access for some months to Yale's library.
Thanks Debra, I too shall have to be making an excursion soon - the British Library are pretty good about sending out most of their stuff from the document supply centre - however I am hankering after some books from the seventeenth century.
Miss Hermit,
I use our four-county system for inter-library loan, but it's astonishing what they don't have. But I live a hop, skip, and jump from the library. Even a hermit can manage that!
Not a VERY lazy hermit, Marly! :-)
I like your idea of home delivery for library books. I've been using the internet to order books for some time now, just recently signed up for email notifications for when those books come in. Still have to wander out to get them, all of six blocks away, maybe, but what a looong six blocks in winter.
As someone prone to hermit tendencies, I fully appreciate that feeling of shock at an open sky above and feeling rusty about driving a car again ... totally! :)
Yes, Mary, I've signed up for email notification too - it 's all so more efficient this way, isn't it? I suspect that you have good reason to not want to walk five blocks with all that snow I think you have. I don't even have that excuse - it's just a bit cold (what a wimp).
Yes, Kay - surprising how quickly one gets addicted to the hermit experience!
I've already forgotten how many books i've read in 2009, but it must be over ten. I manage this by lounging in bed til midday or so devouring the written word on days I have off work.
The cats love this habit and fight for lap space.
The last few days I've been reading Austerlitz - wonderful stuff!
Ten! I am mightily impressed. I thought I was doing well with my poultry three. Lounging in bed sounds like an excellent tactic.
Reading much about chickens, Clare? :)
Aargh, now how did I do that? Maybe I was hungry. :-)
Let this be the year of the hermit! I don't think I've been out yet this year - the weather is hardly encouraging me.
And I seem to have stumbled onto a great crop of books from my shelves. Not a dud yet. I've got two to finish off today, on the last chapter of book, then its a short stroll to the book case to grab a couple more - a sideslide via the kettle for some tea and a hop skip and a jump to the blankets and cushions of the lounge.
See you in spring!
Silverfish eat books, don't they?
I'd been quite proud of the fact that I never left my house from Christmas Eve until the Friday... but you've definitely beat me to it! :)
Ha, Jem - I love your description of your little treasure trove - mine have been a little like that too. No, not a dud in my selection either (although I have a slight aversion to that word:)).
Yes, Barbara, I have it on good authority that they do. We have some silverfish in our kitchen when it's warmer, and I worry about my cookery books. I have to say they give me the creeps and I can quite understand Norman - the character in the book - becoming paranoid about them.
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