3 minute read
Summer reads
by Sean McCarthy
Whether you want to immerse yourself in a thrilling mystery, be captivated by science fiction, or be transported through history, books can be page-turning adventures that engage and inspire, inform and entertain – fodder for the mind, the soul, and the imagination.
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So if you want to explore the world more deeply or you just want to escape from it, the universe of books can be a portal to a richer life experience.
The Westport Friends Annual Book Fair offers book lovers a treasure trove of opportunities.
After a two-year COVID-related layoff, the Westport Quakers will host their event for the 59th year, offering visitors a vast potpourri of titles from which to purchase. The fair is held rain or shine from July 9 through 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Westport Friends Meeting House at 938 Main Road in Westport.
“This is very much a community event, something that people look forward to every year,” says Buddy Baker-Smith, a volunteer with the fair. “It’s a unique festive celebration of books and reading for all ages. It’s wonderful to see the excitement and delight on faces young and old. People really enjoy being around others who share a passion for books as much as they do. We see a lot of familiar faces each year.”
This year the Book Fair will feature 30,000 titles in quality condition, all of which are donated by the community. They will include all genres and interests. Proceeds go to property maintenance for the Friends Meeting, but a large portion of the income goes to an Outreach Fund that contributes to local and regional organizations devoted to social justice issues such as food insecurity and immigrants issues. Over the past several years proceeds have averaged approximately $30,000 annually.
“Many people schedule their summer vacations to coincide with the week of our book fair,” says Gretchen BakerSmith, a volunteer with the event. “This is a way for us to be involved in the community and the community to be involved with us. Our building is used by many groups of people from the community throughout the year.” Guests may show up at the event looking for a specific genre and discover something that surprises them.
“People leave with boxes full of books,” Buddy says. “There’s a joy of finding books you’re looking for as well as finding a surprise treasure or two. Everybody loves how affordable the prices are.”
In general, most books at the fair sell for 10 percent of their original price. All of the books are in quality condition.
“We’re not interested in selling books for maximum profit,” Buddy says. “It’s really about creating a fun event where you can find something you love.”
All of the books are categorized by subject, such as history, romance, mystery, science fiction, hobbies, et cetera. They can be in a variety of forms, such as paperbacks, hard cover, or coffee table books. You may even find a book which is autographed by the author. In addition to books, the event also offers children’s toys, jigsaw puzzles, books on tape, DVDs, record albums and CDs. Cash and checks are accepted, and credit cards are accepted on the 9th and 10th. Unlike past years, there will be no food available at the event due to COVID safety measures.
The Westport Friends can be found on Facebook, or reached at Westportquakers@gmail.com. Their phone number is (508) 636-4963.
