I cannot live without books.
– Thomas Jefferson

Book shopping is like being plopped in a pile of fluffy puppies and told to take your pick. And that you don’t have to stop at just one.

The moment my fingers brush the door handle, the books inside chirp like we’re finally being reunited after I foolishly strayed off course during migration. “What took you so long? We missed you.”

As I open the door, the sweet waft of paper and promise shoots straight to my brain. Where it obliterates every iota of financial responsibility and spatial common sense.

Space? Of course I have space. It’s just a teeny tiny paperback. Even across state (and Canadian) lines, I can hear my army of bookcases cough “bullshit!” in practiced unison.

As I walk the aisles, my mouth opens and eyes widen in awe of the talent that created these bound wonders. I can hear faint whispers of “chooseme chooseme chooseme.”

I don’t stand a chance against their siren’s song.

I select my newest treasure with reverence, and my heart races as my feet compel me to the register.  I went in for one $5 journal, but I come out at least three books happier and poorer.

Since going freelance, I’ve met several fellow copywriters. And we all share this same addiction affection, even if our favored genres and subjects differ.

Books come with the territory of being what we are—keepers of the written word.

There’s an exception to every rule, but I’ve not yet met that writer. If I do, I’m not sure I could relate. Our topic of conversation will quickly turn to the weather.

How deep does your love of books run? What are some of your favorites?

One response to “Readers and Writers: Two Sides of the Same People”

  1. Keeping Silent: A Book Lover’s Personal Victory | Rubber Ducky Copywriter Avatar

    […] frequented libraries; they were our only steady supply of books because we had neither the money to buy them nor the space to keep […]

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I’m Erica Wall.

Erica Wall, Rubber Ducky Copywriter

Award-winning copywriter.
Real-world creative writer.
Multi-cup-a-day coffee drinker.

Answers to a cat.

Present and ready to write.

Resolutions for 2026

  • Block off three hours a week to write
  • Delegate more to reduce overwhelm
  • Clean up and clean out home office
  • Practice finishing what I start
  • Practice good habits and let results be whatever they’ll be

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
> Stephen King

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” 
> Ernest Hemingway

“Cut out all these exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.” 
F. Scott Fitzgerald

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
> Douglas Adams

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” 
>Albert Einstein