Welcome to My Library

Hi there!

Welcome to The 3rd Place. I came across this this video that talked about US Sociologist Ray Oldenburg and his book, The Great Good Place. Basically we live in three different "places" throughout our lives. We have the "First Place" which is considered your home/living space. Our "Second Place" is typically our place of work and the "Third Place" is place outside your home or work where you can relax and hang out within the community.

This, the book community albeit the library or your favorite bookstore/cafe, that in which I can read is my third place. I had always loved to read. My mother used to take me to the city library for children's reading sessions and it was always one of my favorite activities. Back in 2011 I had found that this love of books I always had was also one of my passions. I then started my first book blog, Girls on YA Books which I spent a good 3 years dedicated to. As I grew older and school became more taxing I unfortunately lost track of the blog.

I really should have just stuck to it, even if it meant only posting

once a week o a few times a month as I was gaining a great

amount of following and publishers sending me ARCS). However,

things happen in its due timing and is for the best in this case.

Now bring me past college graduation from my local university, BFA degree in hand. With more times on my hands I decided to give it another go...which fell short (I had also tried during college in which I failed as well).

Another year later and here we are. Stuck amid pandemic lockdowns I began to understand more and more that if my time is not spent reading or painting, I find it loses its glimmer. I'm just not made out to work under another's authority. Be it my Capricorn or my INTJ-T nature, I'm meant to be my own boss and have my living come from what I love most. So, at the beginning of the lockdowns I dedicate more time and money than I have since graduating into my art career. I was going to invest. And I did.

Though something was still missing. A few days before writing this post, I was lost (still am a bit if we are being honest, though I feel more centered than ever) and unhappy with my work situation. This was the instant I found my new goal. I needed art to combine with books. I had this brilliant path envisioned for my future and something to focus my energy into for a more positive mental and physical heath state. I had been reading, no, consuming books again. Like 3 in one week - something I had yet to do in years. The thrill and the intoxication from jumping into one world to another had been lost to me for quite some time. I was eager to embrace it in all its warmth again. It may be the previously mentioned thrill and intoxication that made my mind lose its grip and jump onto this new idea but...here I am a new website and idea in tow, writing this intro blog post.

Here I am, in my third place and feeling at ease and content with my "places".

I am here to once again share my thoughts and opinions on books of my interest. I am currently 23 years old and still have a love for YA (young adult) fiction. I mean, I know I can still squeeze myself into the title of "young" adult but there are some books I've read so far that made me feel old now that I've passed through those teen years, a virgin to teenage romances. So, you will still see a lot of focus to that genre. Though, that being said, my "matured brain" is more inclined to read adult books such as fiction and non-fiction on the adult level though it may be more rare in comparison.

I am here to express my love of my most favorite books in the language of art, fandom art. I will be selling bookish art such as bookmarks and other fun merch based off of the books mentioned on this blog.

I am also here in hopes of my biggest dream yet. Yeah, that plan I had mentioned after a reading high...

I live in Albuquerque, NM. Not only are we low on indie bookstores right now, I feel like the community of readers is missing. Who knows, maybe the've been sneaking by me but I want to create an interactive independent bookstore. I want to have a spot where book lovers and lovers of fun, interactive spaces could unite...and those of the latter that may not be so reading inclined to find something thats perfect for them.

I truly believe the world benefits from those who read. The reader is investing in themselves, their minds, and the environment around them also reaps the rewards. I believe there is a reader in everyone though not every reader may find themselves on the same page. I feel like having a space like this would be great for our community and that there needs to be more of them in ever community. You all may have heard the following quote:

"Bookstore's are the heart of the community" - Unknown

I want it to be one my city's third place, not just mine. I want this bookstore to be able to give back to the community not just in books and a fun, safe place to do so but to also give back monetarily with scholarships. To start, each purchase that is made from my bookish art directly is going into the funding for this bookstore project.

(If you're also a local to the ABQ area and are interested in getting in on this idea with me, please feel free to contact me!)

I know its very big picture but that is where I am at.

That is why I am here.

Welcome to my library (mind and actual shelves of books).

I look forward to starting this journey.