mostly david ephgrave

I’m enjoying being a member of my local library once again. For twenty years, they spelt fear. This was due to a misunderstanding regarding an overdue book that I swore I’d never had, for which the fine was never settled. Until April this year, when I finally decided to face the music and attempt to renew my membership, I felt nervous whenever I ventured near one. What if they had posters of my face up? Thankfully they didn’t, the fine was waived and I’ve been making the most of the luxury of borrowing books ever since. It’s wonderful. It makes me wish I’d fixed the situation sooner; just think how well-read I’d be if I had. I used to have a bit of a hang-up about reading books I didn’t own. There’s something satisfying about seeing them all up on a shelf (though it would have to be a long one). While I still love buying books and increasing my collection, to just do this isn’t cost- or space- effective. Who cares if you’ve paid for it * ? It doesn’t improve your readi...

There’s something unsavoury about borrowing FHM from the library. Not that I've ever done this, but if I wanted to, I could. I rejoined my local library last weekend, after a twenty-year hiatus – and on doing so, I spotted For Him Magazine on a spinny stand by the doorway (presumably positioned there to aid a fast exit). It’s not the sort of thing I expected to be stocked, which goes to show how much libraries have changed since I was a kid. I can’t imagine who'd want to take it out. FHM isn’t exactly high literature, other than where you might expect to see it in an uptight newsagent's. It’s barely reading matter. If you’d sooner borrow a much-thumbed copy than pay £3.99 for an issue of your own, you’re as tight as you are brave. I couldn't face a librarian’s judgement. The reason for my extended bibliothèque break was fear. The last time I tried to draw something out, I was accused of having kept hold of a book for months that I swore I'd never had...