Books

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I joined AAUW (American Association of University Women) when I retired. I had attended a program they sponsored a year prior and was impressed at the quality of the program and the discussion that ensued. It felt like a good fit for my progressive sensibilities — a surprise in this time of ultra conservative politics and treading on tip toe around multiple topics that we used to be able to discuss civilly.

One of the activities of the Bethlehem AAUW is an annual used book sale that funds the scholarships we give to young women graduating from high school. I hoped to get involved with AAUW activities, but didn’t think it would be so soon. The call came last fall just after I joined. Would I please consider becoming the “chair” of one of the book sale sections — Biography, specifically.

I had not been to the book sale ever, so I had no idea what this meant.

“Oh, you put prices on books and organize your section by categories,” she said. “Don’t worry, you’ll have help. The woman who used to be chair died last year and her helpers will help you.”

The glitch was that I would be unable to be at the pre-sale or sale days because of a trip that I planned with my daughter.

“That’s ok. We’ll figure something out,” she said. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”

I had wanted to be an active member of the group, and here was my chance. So, self-doubts left behind, I said yes.

So all through this April — every morning from 9-12-ish — volunteers assembled at the Bethlehem Ice Rink (now devoid of ice!) to sort books into general categories (Like Biography, Crafts, Music), then the next volunteers sorted those categories into other categories (e.g., bios of presidents, presidents’ wives, literary bios). And then price them ($1, $2, up to ?) so they would sell.

Sound boring? I have had a ball! No, I’m not OCD. But I am an eager learner whose hunger to learn something new is insatiable. And I learned . . . a lot. Just in Biography we must have had over 900 books that we kept/sorted/organized/priced and many more that we discarded due to age, condition, relevance, etc. In doing so, I learned about many people I hadn’t known (from the flaps, back of the book, skimming several pages) and eras I hadn’t been familiar with and events that were interesting. I found a ton of books I would like to read (but disciplined myself to buy only 6). I interacted with wonderfully interesting women who also volunteered to sort/price/etc. and got to know names and interests and personalities I would like to get to know better. It was fun and informative. Who would have guessed? I’m now looking forward to next April. . .

Come to the Ice Rink and discover bargains and stories and books . . . many, many books!