The Second Book Give-away

I wish I had counted the books that we brought to church yesterday.  We estimate that there were 100 or more.  We also brought vintage Golden books--some from my childhood--and music, including songs from the 30s and 40s from my parents.  I set aside a book of poetry for Jake Schepers, himself a poet,  and gave David Banga two Dutch psalters and my cherished split page Scottish hymnal that Jim gave me during our year there in 1971.

I sent out an email on Friday and know that several books were selected even before the church service.  I made an announcement at the end of the service referring to Maria Kando's mantra saying that many of the books "sparked joy" for Jim and me but that it would spark even more joy if people took them home with them.  There was laughter!

It did spark joy to see "Fire, Fire" and "The Monster at the End of This Book" in the pew ahead of us going home with a little three year old new to our church.  And my own old "Miss Frances--Ding Dong School" books chosen by Mary Brown who liked the old illustrations.  And the Snite Museum volume that was a "Godsend" to Wendy Baxter Banga because she was teaching a class at Trinity on works at the Snite.  And the Updike volume of short stories that Jeff Snapper said was a treasure.  The Lincicum daughters each had a volume in hand--the older one wanted a study Bible--but I'm not sure if she left with it or not.  Scott DeVries followed up on my announcement by saying her dad was trying to convince her to take Harry Potter instead! No concern about witchcraft there!  Leah Hanstra was looking through the piano music and took some with her.

I'll clear the table at church temporarily tomorrow and then put them out one more week.  What is left can be donated to Better World Books.  I am curious to see what did not seem of value to anyone else.