“Never, never, never give up” – Winston Churchill. Things happen. They happen to us when we least expect it. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed, overworked or scattered, I turn to my blog which is my little shelter of stories and freedom. My stories ground me…
So today, there was this amazing event at my independent bookstore of choice where everybody was able to stroll around in the basement and get all the books 50% off. Say whaaaat? I was there as soon as I was able to peel myself off…
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
If you followed my blog for some time, you might have realized that I am obsessed with reading and books. Also, I am at my “happy” [What is happiness?] place when I enter a bookstore; especially independent ones. When I moved to Ottawa not too long ago, Petit Joel and I discovered our new neighborhood and I was delighted and in awe when I walked into Black Squirrel Books. What a gem of a bookstore. With my never ending list of books that I want to read, it comes in pretty handy to find so many second-hand editions while browsing through the shelves upon shelves of amazingness.
The bookstore specializes in academic non-fiction, in buying and selling used books of merit but there are many different genres available. You will find books on History, Art, Biographies, Fiction, Sociology, Children’s books, Manga’s, Psychology, Philosophy and so much more.
I love the unique and cozy setup by only somewhat separating the books and the café area. Comfortable arm seat reading chairs located close to the entrance/window area let you take advantage of reading close to a bookshelf (to simply grab another book) and people watch while sipping a cup of latte. This simplicity yet the pretty array of decorations found throughout the bookstore make it feel like I am at home and just give this comfortable feeling to stay here forever and never leave.
The food menu is kept to just a couple of simple items which I prefer. [Try the latte and the little tarts that they warm up for you! – also the brownies!] Other than that you might enjoy an Espresso, a cup of Kushmi Tea, Iced Coffee or tea.
Black Squirrel Books is an independent store, and prices reflect that. You will find first editions or signed copies of books significantly under the normal market price. So if you are in search of a screaming deal on books, you know where to go now. Also, you basically select your books of a seemingly sheer volume of used books. Oh, this awesome smell of used books [nerd talk]. You can easily lose yourself in all the books, which is basically exactly how I like to spend a day/rainy day/snowy day/every day. It is a great place to study and write as well. [I am actually sitting in the bookstore now while I am typing this and I was able to write two papers for University earlier!]
Weather permitting, there is also a dollar cart outside the bookstore to pick up a great copy and browse even more. Being a somewhat regular here I have to say that it is very easy to approach the book-loving staff and get a great book recommendation or have a little philosophical chat.
I am a fan of supporting local businesses, especially those who are about literature and education rather than buying my beloved books in “big-name bookstores” or online. I love that, these little independent bookstores are just very personal and not commercial.
Basically, this is just my idea of the perfect sanctuary – tons of cheap books in a comfortable environment. Enjoy some more pictures if you would like.
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 8 am -9 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 9 am – 7 pm
1037 Bank Street, K1S 3W9
Call (613) 422-9050
Happy reading, everyone! Stay connected with Squirrel Bookstore on their Facebook Page. Check out the homepage here. Do you know of any other independent bookstores in the Ottawa area that you can recommend? I would love to hear from you.
“My sorrow, when she’s here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane” – Robert Frost There were a couple of really nice, sunny, warm…
I just saw my next tuition for my Master is due end of November and I wondered why this is so expensive. Shouldn’t education be free? I don’t want to get off on a tangent here but someone asked me the other day what my…
I received a message today from a friend who is so happy because she purchased an at-home exerciser. Wow, congratulations – this is a great start of self-improvement. But finding a free workout video on Youtube is even better. Or running in the park/nature. It all sounds awesome. Give yourself a pat on the back. You have come so far. If this works for you, great! Since I am full-time student again, I have access to the University gym. I went there a couple of times since the semester started in September. This is what I experienced/learned:
I found a great Youtube video for core-strengthening that showed me how to twist my body from side to side and to really wring that spine. I am watching it with my headphones on so I don’t disturb anybody. All my joints are clicking! That must be the sign that I am doing something right, no? Who knows! [I heard this weird sound of joints clicking today when I sat next to “someone” in class!] Are all the ligaments that hold your body together soar or straightened out by now?
So, now that I am all good and warmed up I have to complete this video of forty-five minutes-beginners Yoga. Of course Burpees follow, and who ever does that for fun? Maybe my brother when he finished the Spartan Race. Whenever I do burpees I look like I am having some type of fit or spasm while I try to climb up a tree or slide down a rope.
…. six, seven, eight, forty! Awesome. I am done. I did forty perfect Burpees after my Yoga workout. [Be aware: I am still at the University gym!] I guess, I burned all the calories that I ate before when I enjoyed this awesome bagel with cheese and egg, right? Maybe I burned a little more, because I kept my glasses on and they kept fogging up constantly. Sounds like a good workout to me.
My heart rate is up – my heart is pounding so maybe I should just check my emails or messages quickly to feel more comfortable and bring it back down to zero. I do have my phone with me after all, so maybe someone sent me a message that I have to respond to immediately. I just cannot miss any messages, email or anything else because it is all so important. My workout-music does not really work today. The audiobook I downloaded sucks but I really want to exercise. Does my sports-bra fit correctly while I respond to emails? I am all sweaty from this tough Yoga/Burpee workout so let’s just go to the bathroom and fix myself up a bit.
I am really glad I took this email break because I could have missed out on TravelAdvisor news, bookstore and farmers market deals as well as the newsletter from the University. Hey, you never know. I also have 500 LinkedIn-requests and someone wants me to send him my journal that I have written because he thinks it is amazing. Weird, because I wrote it almost while sleeping of exhaustion. Isn’t it important to have a clean inbox as much as having a healthy, strong body that functions? Yep! Just unsubscribe some “friends” on Facebook and it seems like a refreshing walk on the StairMaster. Yay, the latest Language Newsletter! One more minute.
Okay, all jokes aside; we are on to pushups now. Here we go! I try to keep in mind that the guy working out next to me told his friend that whenever it hurts, it counts as exercise. He looks good. He is in shape. Damn, he took his shirt off to show off his six-pack. Let me take a picture secretly and send it to all my friends in Germany to see how awesome this University Gym is. Done!
A couple of pushups to go and I am done. Wow, this floor is so filthy. Doesn’t anybody ever clean here? Thankfully, I don’t have OCD. And they want me to use a towel to work out. Okay! Let’s analyze the dust and refer it to something philosophical. That works. Then take some quick notes on my phone so I won’t forget to write about it after. This being said, the girl next to me is torturing herself on the Treadmill. She is going crazy while reading a book at the same time. In the meantime, this would be me instead.
“Maybe, I should finally finish my book and have it published”, I think while I pick up my towel from the Yoga mat. My book needs some improvement and major editing but it is pretty much done otherwise. Does anybody get rich writing books these days? Everybody writes a book, no? What is this girl reading anyway? If a book keeps one captured while running at that pace, I NEED TO READ IT! So I ask her. She hits the “STOP” button on the Treadmill and talks to me. She hates working out at the gym. So do I. We go downstair to have a coffee (and a muffin) at Tim Hortens and talk about the book she is reading – and the one I am working on.
I guess, this is considered the cooling down after workout. I have earned it.
…”and seeing that it was a soft October night, curled once about the house, and fell asleep” – T.S.Eliot. I don’t know what it is about autumn or especially October that makes me feel good, happy and inspired. It is a new season and everything…
“No one can build you the bridge on which you, and only you, must cross the river of life,” Nietzsche Philosophy is great. I have read a lot; understood, maybe half of it, if that. However, after watching the saddest movies on this planet, I am…
One of my bookshelves and I. And this hair of mine is growing like crazy. Awesomeness!*
Time flies. As I always say. I studied a lot, learned a lot, read a lot but Friday nights are just sacred for me to unwind, relax and reflect. There is always some time to maintain this blog however; simply because I love to write and share things. Here are my Friday’s Five Things. Enjoy!
Black Squirrel Books in Ottawa
Reading: Even though I have to read a lot for University, there is (and always will be) time for pleasure-reading. I am officially reviewing books for Harper Collins Canada now and they already sent me a copy of – Wally Lamb’s I ‘ill Take You There, which is fantastic and keeps me up all night even though I should sleep. It will be released end of November! Stay tuned for a book review soon!
Watching/Listening to: Besides documentaries for University I watched Paw Patrol with Petit Joel. He is obsessed with this show and I like it too in a way. [It is not dumb like some other kid’s shows I mean.] We do not have regular TV because we decided not to; however, we enjoy Netflix here and there. It is really special for Petit Joel to curl up on the couch next to me with blankets and (salty) popcorn and watch a bunch of Paw Patrol episodes on a Friday night before bedtime. Sacred time. For both of us. I found out about the podcast How I Built This on NPR and I listen to it every day on my phone when I get a chance – that’s how good it is.
Discovering/Learning: My neighborhood is pretty new to me and Petit Joel and I still discover. As far as eating goes, I love to purchase local vegetables, fruit and whatever is in season. I was happy to find out about Bryson Farms and that they deliver organic, locally grown veggies right to my door. However, it is way more fun to physically go to a farmers market, walk around, browse and discover. Needless to say, I am fortunate again. There is a really awesome one located at Lansdowne Park every Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. Lastly, if you are into art, Watch this amazing video which is a collaboration between surrealist painter Salvador Dalí and Walt Disney. I love art and cannot wait to visit The Ottawa Art Gallery and all the other museum that are around here.
Thinking About: A lot of things actually. That the workload for this Master is very intense. Time management is a good thing but it can become a little overwhelming and tiring at points. Sometimes I have to be careful what I wish for. Then again, I love linguistics and what it is all about but when there are three papers due, a journal synthesis and an oral presentation in one week, it is sort of INSANITY. Playing with Petit Joel, spending time in nature and at the playground keeps me grounded and makes it all manageable.
New month, new journal.
Looking forward to: Seeing my husband again. I am literally counting the days when we can pick him up at the airport and spend quality time time together. This is what it is all about. Even though we cannot be together all the time, we still are so close and able to manage this long-distance relationship very well – even throughout challenging times. The key for us is trust, respect, compromise and care.
*You know why my hair grows so fast? I don’t do anything to it. Read my hair routine here.
Have a great weekend.
Hey there. It’s me! Do you still remember me? Yeah, I used to write here daily. Those times are O-V-E-R; at least for now. My main address is the University library. You can find me on the third floor buried under a pile of books…
