At the risk of being extra dorky, I thought of some other lists of four (four more lists, to be exact) that might be fun/illuminating/not horrible.

Four intimidating books I haven’t read, but plan to someday, once I finish reading all these comic books graphic novels:

  • Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne
  • The Arcades Project by Walter Benjamin
  • The works of Ludwig Wittgenstein
  • Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Four things you will likely never hear me say:

  • I have to agree with Focus on the Family here.
  • No coffee for me, please; just a nice cup of tea.
  • Hooray for Microsoft!
  • I have no opinion on the matter.

Four songs I listened to a lot last year (the first three of which I downloaded from Emusic, an online music subscription service I recommend–MP3s with no DRM):

  • “A Fond Farewell,” Elliot Smith
  • “July, July!,” The Decemberists
  • “History of Lovers,” Iron and Wine / Calexico
  • “Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson (what can I say, I’m a trendy jerk. Plus, I’m a sucker for the PowerPoint)

The first four libraries I remember visiting, and what I think I remember about them:

Russell Library, Middletown CT children’s room with spiral staircase

A photo of the Russell Library (Middletown, CT) children’s section as I remember it in the mid-to-late 1970s

  • Meriden Public Library, Meriden CT: Going to evening story time in my pajamas. Getting a (paper) library card and learning how to fit it in the little envelope it came in.
  • Russell Library, Middletown CT: Orange decor, white “tulip” tables. (After writing that, I found the photo above. I’m right about the tulip tables!. The photo is in B&W, so I can’t confirm the orange. Now that I see the photo, I remember the spiral stairs, too. There are more photos at the Russell Library photo archives.)
  • Levi Coe Library, Middlefield CT: I think I checked out many of the classic childhood series books from this library (the Wizard of Oz books, Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain, maybe some of the Narnia books). I bought a copy of Plato’s diaglogs at the book sale because I liked the green leather on the spine and because it looked very mysterious and old. I belive I still have that book at my parents’ house.
  • Wesley School library, Middletown CT: I am sure that I checked out The Voyage of the Dawn Treader here, as I can picture that cover staring at me in the wire rack. I also checked out The Dragon’s Handbook over and over again. I haven’t seen that book in over 25 years; maybe it is time to hit abebooks for some nostalgia.

Updated 2008-02-06: Fixed some broken links for the images.