The Beauty of Books

For several years, Pris and I had been trying to coordinate our activities with the Potomac branch of the family so that we could time a visit to coincide with one of the annual springtime events that takes place in nearby Bethesda, Maryland.

A small table in the vast collection of books
at the Stone Ridge used book sale holds a few
notable titles from the Shriver estate.
(Bergeron Image)

Each year, the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart conducts its annual used book sale, the proceeds of which are used to help its scholarship fund.  This year, we finally made it.

I love used book sales.  It’s one of the few settings in which a bookworm like me is able to browse while letting serendipity take over, because there is simply no way to know if a written treasure may pop up.

At Stone Ridge, thousands of books are arranged on tables set up in three large rooms, one of which appeared to be a gym. 

When we arrived, my daughter Denise, Pris, and I split up to go our separate ways to begin our book-buying journeys – nobody wants to wait for me.  I simply take up too much time at any given table where I may zero in on a particular classification of titles that captures my attention!

Our collective stash of "Stone Ridge"
books stands ready to pack in the minivan.
(Bergeron Image)

I had already filled a cart to about two-thirds full, when Pris found me.  She pointed to a small table two rooms down.  Upon it rested the remnants of a collection of volumes from the former Potomac estate of Eunice and Sargent Shriver – deceased sister and brother-in-law of the late John F. Kennedy.

Interestingly enough, the title from one of those volumes was “The Right to be Wrong,” subtitled “Ending the Culture War Over Religion in America.” 

As I read it, I’ll always wonder who made the numerous notations and underlining, yet never seemed to get past the first part of the book.

Ironic, isn’t it?  It was published not long ago – in 2005, and the culture war over religion seems to be picking up an even heavier head of steam just as Americans are entering into a presidential campaign. 


 Click on any image for an enhanced view.