We did the Donegal dash today. Took the bus to Donegal town to return and pick up library books and do some other errands. If the bus is on time, we have 70 minutes on the ground to do what we need to do. Today, the bus was late due to numerous roadworks going on, but we had enough time to do most of what we wanted to get done and got back to the bus stop just as our bus home was coming around the Diamond, which is the town square and is actually triangular in shape.
A few weeks ago, a friend sent me
this link to an article and Fresh Air interview the author did about this book:
It was fascinating, particularly because Bill and I did a couple of projects some years ago now involving progressive churches, which is what this book is structured around. I was thrilled to find it at the library and really looking forward to reading it. While I was looking for this book, I discovered a previous book by the same author which also seems excellent. That's on its way, but not here yet.
After the library, it was off to the Animals in Need charity shop. I made a beeline for the books and found a couple.
To be honest, I have no idea whether or not I will like either one of these books. But that's one of the great things about charity shops here in this nation of readers. There are always tons of books. Sometimes there are unexpected gems mixed in among several copies of the same popular novel. But they're cheap, staying out of landfills, and the money goes to a good cause--in this case, to care for critters. If I think I might like a book, I'll grab it and see. If I don't like it, I'll stop reading it, re-donate it, and know that my small bit of cash went to a good cause. I picked up the The Binding because of the author. I hadn't read any of her work until earlier this year, when I read and reviewed
The Silence Factory, which was one of the best novels I've read this year. That wasn't the sort of book I'd usually read, but I was intrigued by the idea of silence and wanted to see how she handled that. After I read and loved that book, I knew I'd be keeping an eye out for more books by Bridget Collins and today was my lucky day. I've read good things about The Alice Network and although I enjoy historical fiction, this isn't the kind I usually pick up. Who knows? I might love it.
Finally, while I was standing at the bookshelves, Bill walked over to the kitchenware shelf and found a short fairytale on a mug. I glanced over at him and he beckoned me over. 'Look at that mug,' he said. 'It's coming home with me,' I replied. 'I thought it might,' he answered.
7 comments:
I always enjoy a visit to a charity shop and I always make a bee-line for the books. Once I've read them they go back for others to read and as you say the money goes to a good charitable cause ... these days they need all the help they can get.
LOL at that mug.
All the best Jan
And you have some charity shops that are all books! When we were in Belfast several years ago, we didn't make it to the Oxfam book shop, but in the neighborhood we were staying in there was one called (I think) War on Want. We picked up a book and a couple of cross stitch magazines there :-)
I love going to charity/thrift shops but haven't been able to do much of it lately. I don't even have time to blog and/or read blogs much at this time. That being said-it is lovely seeing a post from you here. Happy Reading! Hugs- Diana
ps-Cup is so funny!!!!
Somehow “church” and “progressive” don’t seem to fit together well, but that probably more reflects my ignorance than what is happening. I am sure you will chortle at your mug many a time. And Bill will probably crack a smile too.
I always head straight for the books, Diana :-) I'm sure that the new adorable addition to your family keeps you on your toes!
Lots of progressive churches out there, David, populated by fine people doing good work. The ones I've been involved with have each been unique in their underlying structure. One Christian-based, although open to other points of view. They preferred to refer to themselves as Christ followers because of the way other forms of Christianity distorted the faith and didn't seem to actually be focused on Jesus' teachings. Even so, they embraced this crazy feminist woman for whom secular Buddhist psychology/philosophy is what makes sense. They got kicked out of their larger church group because of their stance on equality for LGBTQ+ people, among other things. Another was a mix of all kinds of people--agnostic, Buddhist, progressive Christian of various kinds. Those were the two I was most heavily involved in, but I've been in others for different projects. After all, the Jesus depicted in the Bible is a pretty progressive guy in many ways. I've also been involved with people who don't seem to be at all familiar with what is actually said by Jesus in the book. They were big on cruelty, punishment, and hate, but didn't have much to say about welcoming the stranger, caring for the poor, and loving thy neighbor!
David--I should make it clear that my involvement with the last type of Christian I mentioned was as an outsider. They knew I held a worldview quite unlike theirs. Maybe they thought they could convert me--I don't know--but I was clear about who I was.
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