In Link Love

Link Love: Books vs. the internet

Posted on 7 Comments
Link Love

I was inspired this week by the title of the post from It’s Nice That about Ben Longden’s bookshelf. Just as much as we love pens, paper and stationery, I suspect that many of us also love paper books. It’s one of the things I’ve missed most during the time of COVID-19 — going to the library and bookstore. Sure, I still download books from the library and buy books used from Half-Price Books, Ebay and Goodwill Books but it’s just not the same as wandering up and down the aisles of a bookstore, wandering into a thrift store or wandering through the stacks of the library.

If you’re a letter writer, keep an eye on the new Postmaster General. The newest Postmaster General is the first to be hired into the position who has not come from within the postal service. Many are concerned that the changes he will implement may force more privatization of a public service which might limit service to inner city and rural areas, the people in most need of postal services.

Finally, if you apply the Disney filter to your dog photo on Instagram, please, please, please, tag me on the photo because I absolutely MUST see the cuteness.

Pens:

Ink:

Pencils:

Notebooks & Paper:

Art & Creativity:

Other Interesting Things:

COVID-19/Pandemic-Related:

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7 comments / Add your comment below

  1. Hi Ana, you are so right to say we need to keep an eye on what is happening to the USPS. I suspect you have been aware of the desire by some to privatize the USPS, like I have. That’s why I’ve bought the 3 different versions of your Keep The Post Office Public rubber stamps.

    The newest library in Lee’s Summit (Mid Continent Public Library) has a drive up window. I can put books on hold, and drive up to get them. It isn’t the same as browsing though, and I miss that too.

    My brother, who lives in Chicago, bought from your store, and texted what I think you wrote on his receipt. It was about Italian beef sandwiches. I found a recipe that people swear is just like it (as can be). https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/16427/slow-cooker-italian-beef-for-sandwiches/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=Search

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Lori! The local libraries in the KC area (Mid-Continent and KC) offer pick up services. I think the Johnson County libraries do as well. And all three have lots of digital content available. I just miss the random things I find wandering in the stacks that I didn’t even know I was looking for.

      As for the post office, attempts to privatize, would leave the most vulnerable communities without postal services readily available to them and would require going to a centralized office to pick up mail and packages which would be difficult for older citizens, people with disabilities and the poor. As much as we fight for more availability of internet services, the post office is still a necessity for so much. This pandemic has proved how vital they are!

      And yeah for your brother sharing his note from us. There was a restaurant way out in Overland Park that served authentic Chicago hot dogs and Italian Beef that I would take Bob to for lunch on Saturdays, pre-pandemic. I wonder if they are still in business?

      Reply

  3. I am a letter writer and very unhappy about all the changes being made to the postal service. It hasn’t affected letters being delivered as far as I can tell, but ordering packages is always an adventure. I recently had one come from Castle Rock, CO by way of Portland, OR. I’m in NC. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
    Also, have you ever tried https://www.betterworldbooks.com/. I have ordered from them quite a bit, their prices are good and they are very focused on giving back. For each book purchased they donate a book to someone in need, their packaging is also eco friendly, and they award annual literacy grants. I love browsing bookstores, too, but if I can get more books for the price of one hardcover and also do some good that’s what I prefer.

    Reply

    1. Jackie, I agree about shipping packages being an adventure! I had a package from Vanness go missing for almost a month. It did finally turn up, only after I had them reship it, of course. I sent the reshipped package back. It delayed reviews which was a headache.

      Thanks for the link to Better World Books. I will waste, I mean enjoy, the better part of the morning looking for more books to barricade the front door with.

      Reply

  4. I shipped an odd package to meet a Letter Writers Alliance initiative task on July 20. It still hasn’t made it to them. I hope it does, as it had to be something other than an envelope or box. I used a ziplock bag. That would be to Chicago. My last tracking update was August 3.

    My brother shipped a large package to me on July 9 from Chicago. It got here July 27.

    I ordered from Atlas Stationers in Chicago. It will be interesting to see if it arrives quicker.

    Congress (on a Lame Duck unrecorded voice vote) passed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) in 2006. It required funding healthcare and pensions for the next 75 years in 10 years time. The USPS did it, but the plan worked to saddle it with debt.

    I pay bills by mail, have pen pals, buy more stamps than I can use to help the USPS. Ana is correct on who really relies on the USPS. My fear is a privatized mail system would not support walking routes. We would all have to rent boxes at remote (not on our streets) locations. Not everyone could afford to rent a box. Very doom and gloom I know, but I’m thinking how the private sector would see what to cut to maximize profit.

    I hope I have not broken any rules with my post. I just want to keep the USPS, and strengthen it with Postal Banking.

    Reply

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