Book Talk: On Little Free Libraries

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I love Little Free Libraries. They’re tiny bastions of kindness that share the greatest thing in existence for free: books. I became a LFL Steward in September 2024 as a means of honoring my dad’s memory, contributing to my neighborhood and community, celebrating my innate librarian, and spreading joy and empowerment via my favorite things.

It’s an absolute delight to stock the library with books, and to see that people are taking and leaving them in kind. To make mine welcoming, I added a flower box underneath that I fill with seasonally appropriate blooms (faux rather than real, as, unfortunately, I have a black thumb!), as well as a tin inside containing handmade bookmarks, along with those sourced from book boxes, indie bookshops/businesses, independent creators, and more.

For me, Little Free Libraries are not only a source of happiness, but of motivation, as well. Per doctor’s orders/chronic illness management, I have a goal of a certain number of steps per day; this is no small feat for me and not one I’m currently able to achieve, but to help with this vital aspiration, I’ve arranged my walking route to pass as many LFLs as possible — which, as of now, totals three. They urge me on when the going gets tough (which, let’s face it, is pretty much always), giving me something to look forward to along the way. I listen to audiobooks or bookish podcasts as I go, immersing myself in the literary world, savoring sunshine and fresh air, and hoping to find some surprise gems at each library.

Below are three books I've enjoyed that I found in local LFLs:

• Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
• Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore
• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

And three favorites I put into my LFL (duplicates, as these are personal collection staples):

• Good Girl by Aria Aber
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Simply put, Little Free Libraries are magical. They are works of art (literally, in many cases!) and great equalizers that enable everyone to discover meaningful titles — and, therefore, entire worlds — without limitations of privilege, location, or time. Like brick-and-mortal public libraries and bookstores, they’re indispensable to humanity and should be prized and celebrated: the more, the merrier!

What are your thoughts on Little Free Libraries? Are you a Steward, or would you like to be? And do you have any near you that you enjoy visiting?

🖤Amanda

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