Today I drove to Vroman's Pasadena for the sheer pleasure of walking through an independent book store. Their staff is completely in love with their jobs and helpful. They know their inventory inside out.
Also, they allow local authors to put their books on the shelves in their consignment program.
It makes me smile to see The Pinata-Maker's Daughter shelved next to a work by Janet Fitch or by Lisa See.
Yes, I spent way too much money on books today. But I share my books after I have read them (usually) so the books get well used. I bought a second copy of "The Panopticon" after I gave the first one to my daughter. I just have to read this book again.
The joys of reading are without number.