The book sale today was a little disappointing. We had about 200 books from kid’s books to cookbooks, psychology books to humor books and a whole range of fiction. Of course I was hoping for a crowd of people when the sale started. One person appeared just before noon and she bought seven books and had a great time. After that others just trickled in. One other person bought six books and the rest between one and three.
Then there were the ones that came to look with no intent to buy. To one of them I jokingly said, “I don’t see any books in you hand!” And she replied that she just didn’t have time to read. Since she had a slightly wistful tone to her voice I countered with a “there’s always time if you make it even if you have to squeeze in five minutes here of ten minutes there.” I don’t know why I even bothered. People who say they don’t read because they have no time never want to be reminded that what they are doing is making an excuse.
Nonetheless, I have an envelope with about $50 in it and when the books are selling for $2 hardcover and $1 paperback that’s not too shabby. The sale continues tomorrow staffed by a coworker. Any books that may be left after the sale will be offered to our clients and any left after that will go to Goodwill. And of course, all the money raised goes to the United Way. Everybody wins.
On another note, the wonderful Lokesh emailed me a link yesterday to Out of Panic, Self-Reliance, an op-ed piece in the New York Times written by Harold Bloom about what Ralph Waldo Emerson has to teach us about the economic crisis we now find ourselves in. In spite of the article being by Bloom, it is very good.
Thank you to everyone for all the happy blogiversary comments. You are all so kind it’s sure to keep me going another five years! Everyone who played the match the nickname to the author game got them right and got their name tossed in to the drawing.
Now for the drawing. Listing everyone in Excel and then turning to the random number generator, the winner is…Dorothy!
Thanks for playing everyone. And thank you all for reading!
Oh, my! I think I got my answers in just in time, and I’m glad I did! Thank you so much Stefanie — this has been a fun week, and it’s so kind of you to give away all these books! Yay!
Thank you again for the two books I won last week! …
Yes, people who “don’t have time to read” just don’t want to read. You have to want it to have time.
Oh how I felt for you with that person who didn’t have time to read. I would have said exactly the same thing – possibly twice as I am mindlessly persistent. What a shame I can’t nip over to your book sale in my lunchbreak. Still, it sounds as if you will have raised a very comfortable sum of money by the end of it, and the people who got books will be very happy.
And congratulations to Dorothy -Yay!! And thank you too for the wonderful week of book prizes. Here’s to another five years (at least) of blogging.
Aw shucks Stefanie, you made me blush (you could probably see it from all the way across the ‘pond’).
Anyway, congratulations again. The week of prize-giving was a characteristically generous and wonderful way to celebrate your blogiversary. I discovered your blog at the start of the year and I’m very, very glad I did. Thank you for writing it!
Congratulations, Dorothy!
I’m sorry the book sale didn’t do better. Each year Centenary College in Shreveport hosts a book sale and people contribute all year long (there are special bins for the donations). One year I put in 3 boxes of books. The sale is then held in the Gold Dome, a huge facility, and the place is overrun with books. Book lovers look forward to it all year and sometimes have to make several trips to haul out their booty.
As far as I’m concerned, there’s never enough time to read. But, that doesn’t stop me. I read every chance I get. I’ve always believed that we make time for what we want to do.
Congrats on your blogversary! I’m sorry I missed the original post but am still so happy you started blogging…even if I don’t always comment I always read and learn something from your site.
Congrats to Dorothy!
Yea, I never get the whole, I don’t have time to read thing either. I mean, even when I’ve had a major crisis going on in my life I found time to read – actually, it’s what kept me sane. I hope that will always be the case
Dorothy, you did get in just in time. Yours was the last number and I honestly didn’t think you had a chance since the number generator had been coming up with numbers in the middle of the ranges all week. You are definitely book lucky! Too bad there is no bookish Vegas
Okie, you are welcome. And thank you again too. Books will go in the mail Friday.
Rebecca, you are exactly right.
Litlove, I almost did keep at her, but then something clicked and I realized how many times I have had similar conversations and how pursuing it just ends up making me sad.
Lokesh, I was wondering what was making that glow in toward the east. Thank you for your very kind words. It’s my turn to blush.
Jenclair, now that’s a book sale! If I ever go to Shreveport I will have to try to go while the sale is on.
Lisa, true, never enough time, but always time.
Courtney, thank you so much!
Iliana, I know what you mean about reading during a crisis. Here’s to bookish sanity!
You think people could squeeze in even a short story (and some of them are Very short!). Every time I see people staring mindlessly out the bus window with nothing in their hands I think they could be using this time so much more effectively—by reading!
I like your United Way booksale–much more exciting than our work efforts!
Happy Blogiversary and congrats to Dorothy!
The book sale sounds like a success, if not a smashing success.
Hmm. I think I don’t have time to do housework.
I commented on the last post but mainly cos I wanted to play the fun game! I’ll now go back and double check my answers against everyone else’s [smile]