The challenging part of reading is deciding what to read next. Sure, recommendations from friends are great, but if they recommend a popular book, finding a copy at the library can be a challenge. Likewise, I keep a To Read list on my smartphone via the Goodreads app – but if my next read isn’t available, I’m back to square one (or for Settlers of Catan fans, hex one).
What do I do if the book I wanted is not available at the library? I take a chance on something else. There lies the beauty of the library: the reading options are nearly endless, and right at your finger tips. I walk the stacks, scanning the shelves until a title, subject or author catches my eye.
And yes, in this case, I occasionally do judge a book by its cover (but not always).
My most recent random choice was a volume of the comic Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai, The Mother of Mountains. I heard of the Usagi Yojimbo comic over the years, and its influence, but never read a single page. So I took a chance.
A few pages later, I was hooked. I have since checked out another volume from the library, and purchased two others 
from a local comic shop. I have a new favorite comic—and artist—all because I took a chance on something I didn’t plan to read.
Another random read was Searching for Bobby Orr by Stephen Brunt. It is no secret I am a hockey fan, so when I spotted a book about the pride of Parry Sound, Ontario in the Biographies section, I knew what my next read would be.
My goal in 2013 is to read more books outside of my ‘comfort zone’ (familiar authors, fantasy, science fiction, and humor), and the Capital Area District Libraries are already helping. I began 2013 not even knowing about Stan Sakai, and now, I am a devotee who owns a couple of his books (with more on the way, I’m sure).
March is reading month, so take a chance on something random at the library—you just might find a new favorite book.
- Daniel J. Hogan writes humor and draws comics for clattertron.com. Follow him on Twitter, @danieljhogan.
Filed under: My'brary Adventure
