We donate them to legitimate charities. If your charity would like to get on this list, please send a request on your charity’s letterhead to us at Friends of Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston, VA 20190.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Time to Exhale
Monday, September 28, 2009
Revisiting an Earlier Comment
Why won't we be there? Because the ban on backpacks isn't enough. Until you ban dealers from bringing in those huge plastic bins that block the walkways and until you ban them from snatching everything then carelessly throwing books in piles all over the place, then this sale really isn't reader friendly.
And the most ironic part of all of this - we're retired booksellers ourselves.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
We've Been Blogged
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wordzzle

The words for this week's ten word challenge were: Tibetan sky, symbols, won’t you come home Bill Baily, shadow figures, brain cortex, practice makes perfect, life, start of school, lavender, chow down And for the mini: mental hospital, falling leaves, apple cider, packing crates, clues
Blogger:
The Semi-Annual Friends of Reston Regional Library Used Book Sale is a great place to find a treasure that may change your life. Whether you dream of hiking under a Tibetan sky, growing and harvesting lavender, singing the old tune, “Won’t you come home Bill Baily?”, or understanding the intricacies of the brain cortex, we probably have a book or CD about it. Many people visit the fall sale because it’s at the start of school. One woman said yesterday that she found every one one of the books for her daughter’s AP English class in our literature section. One reason our book sale is the best in the region because we clearly mark everything that needs to be identified, using symbols or words. This sale we have received many compliments about the way the sale is organized. That’s because practice makes perfect. We have been doing this for years and years, and have learned each time how to implement things better the next time. Another reason for our success is that we have the best volunteers in the county, that’s for sure, and we take good care of them. One of the enticements to work the sale is that we chow down on food donated by local merchants that is truly tasteful. The third reason for our amazing sale success is the shadow figures such as Pam, Anne, Ron and Cheryl who make sure everything behind the scenes is on track as well. This is an amazing team, and it benefits the library by over $30k each sale. Good job everyone!
Next Week's Ten Word Challenge will be: family, cheese cake, 20 years ago, refrigerator, laugh and the world laughs with you, bath brush, zombies, African violets, butterflies, holding hands
And for the mini: monsters in the closet, roughly, bowling, menu, Pennsylvania
Thursday, September 24, 2009
SAY IT ISN'T SO!
Book Sale Bonanza!
September 26 at City of Fairfax Regional Library
Come learn more about the 1930s and the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Writers Project when the City of Fairfax Regional Library celebrates “Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story,” an event presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian Channel’s documentary and David A Taylor’s book. The library’s Virginia Room will display photos of Fairfax County during the 1930s and will collect oral histories from Fairfax County residents, plus a series of events will offer glimpses into the culture of the 1930s, including the following:
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
New Floor Plan
Ready, SET, Go!
And we mean that about sets! You wouldn't believe how many great sets we have on offer this week at the Semi-Annual Used Book Sale!
As always, we have many Great Courses on audio CD or cassettes (depends on the series). Examples:
America and the New Global Economy
American Ideals: Founding a Republic of Virtue
Argumentation: The Study of Effective Reasoning
Augustine: Philosopher & Saint
Big History: The Big Bang, Life on Earth and the Rise of Humanity
Business Law: Negligence and Torts
Classical Archaeology of Ancient Greece and Rome
Confucius, the Tao, the Ancestors and the Buddha: Religions of China
Quantum Mechanics: The Physics of the Microscopic World
Quest for Meaning: Value, Ethics and the Modern Experience
The Book of Genesis
The Foundations of Western Civilization
The Great Ideas of Psychology
The Historical Jesus
The History of Ancient Rome
The History of the English Language
The Joy of Mathematics
The Joy of Science
The New Testament
The Old Testament
The Story of Human Language
The Theory of Evolution: A History of Controversy
And more!
We also have sets to help you learn Colloquial Persian, Italian, Portuguese and/or French. Or enjoy Lee's Lieutenants or Sci FI of MechWarrior Dark Age – 26 of them, or, or, or….!
And this isn't all of the sets on hand! They are located in the hall on the metal shelves, right across from the Pay Phones and they're bargains!
Monday, September 21, 2009
3-2-1 GO GO GO
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wordzzle
And for the mini: mental hospital, falling leaves, apple cider, packing crates, clues
Friday, September 18, 2009
Book Sale News
/kw
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
One Week to Go
It doesn't seem possible, but it is true. One week from tonight we will begin our Fall 09 Semi-Annual Used Book Sale!
3. Dealers. Some non-dealer patrons ask us why we allow dealers to come and purchase so many books. Some of our dealer and reseller patrons have been loyal and faithful book buyers for years. We appreciate their business. We know there are other book sales, and they choose to spend their money with us. If the non-dealer patrons would or could purchase the volume of books the dealers do, we could ban dealers. But we wouldn't because we LIKE our dealer friends, and we LIKE our non-dealer patrons, so we just ask that everyone give others a measure of grace. If we all act like we are civilized, we will
4. Backpacks -- we banned these during the Children's Book Sale and it was such a more pleasant environment that we will continue this practice. No backpacks -- not the kind that holds stuff and not the kind that holds kids. If you have to bring little ones, please be aware that there will be NO children's books, and that we will no longer allow backpacks to carry the kids in. Fire Marshal rules prohibit strollers.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Book Review Monday

Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wordzzle

Each week, Raven at Raven's Nest gives us 15 words to work into a paragraph or short story. One can do a mini (5 words), the challenge (10 words) or the maxi (15). This is a great opportunity to get your literary and imaginative juices flowing. We'd love for you to join us! Just e-mail us for details!
The days at the beach were lovely. While Hill was acutely aware that he was a slave to Laila’s whims, he tried to be stern and firm and all those things that Ward Cleaver had been. But Ward hadn’t been subjected to Laila’s brand of perseverance! Fortunately, her “full speed ahead” was counterbalanced by the lovely and calm Louisa.
The beach was at the base of a mountainside where the rocks went down right into the ocean. This made the water an excellent place for harvesting sea urchins for dinner, the preparation of which was a specialty of Louisa’s. She added fresh herbs, carrots, and a light white sauce served over rice. It had become a favorite in no time at all.
During the day Hill and his ladies went for rides in an ocean going canoe, with a small electric propeller motor to help them maneuver in between the huge rocks. The chatty little girl was the perfect foil for the intensity of Hill’s feelings for Louisa. Every time he felt himself drunk with her presence, Laila sailed in with an idea for some lark that would require his full attention to deter or fulfill.
The last evening before they were to return to the city, Hill arranged for Laila to play with the landlady’s children while he and Louisa went out for a ‘grown-up’ meal. They dined al fresco at a small place called Caiman Y Camarones (Alligator and Shrimp). A charitable travel guide would call it a hole in the wall. Yet the food was delicious – freshly caught fish and locally grown produce. More importantly, the privacy was complete. The waiter was attentive without being intrusive. The couple talked about inconsequential things for a while and then fell silent.
“Is something wrong?” Louisa asked.
“No, everything is just right, “he answered. “This is the first time I’ve been able to spend time with you alone since we were in the U.S.! I love Laila dearly, but she’s a full time occupation!”
Louisa laughed. “Yes, she is intense. But that’s wonderful. She cares so deeply about everything. That’s a passion that is difficult to maintain as we age.”
“What would you know about aging?” he asked playfully. “You look young and beautiful and . . .” he trailed off.
“And what?” she asked softly.
“Totally out of my reach,” he finished. “I want to get to know you and there’s always this sparkling 6 year old presence in between us.”
“And what would you do if you knew me better?” Louisa asked.
“I’d ask you what you’re doing for the rest of forever.” he replied.
“Yes,” she said.
“What?”
“The answer is yes. If you’re asking me to marry you, the answer is yes.” Louisa stopped, surprised by her own boldness. “I can’t imagine life without you and Laila. I love being her nanny/tutor, and I’d like a more complete relationship with both of you. But I’m an old fashioned girl and I don’t believe in friends with benefits. It’s all or nothing.” She relaxed into her chair, finally having spoken the words that had been bottled up inside her for weeks.
Hill pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket and opened it toward her. “I hoped we’d get to have this conversation,” he said with relief. “Will you marry me?”
Next Week's Ten Word Challenge will be: dangerous, engine, sullenly, bespoke, evergreen, bauble, medicine, freight, destined, tinsel
And for the mini: carbon, feelers, outright, ballet, fizzing
Friday, September 11, 2009
DONATIONS SUSPENDED
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Fall 2009 Toplist
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
And Now For Something Completely Peaceful



Saturday, September 5, 2009
Wordzzle Saturday

Play Wordzzle with us!
Louisa was wonderful in that role. She was tutoring Laila brilliantly, making it a science lesson to eliminate the mildew stains from the bathroom shower, a math and language arts lesson to organize all the kitchen supplies in alphabetical order, and taken lots of time outside with Laila so the child would have the liberty to explore her world. This was all good. So why did Hill keep waking up from that nightmare where he was going ninety miles an hour and about to wrap himself around a telephone pole?
Still, he was whistling as he walked home from the university that afternoon. He came home to find science class wrapping up. The girls had just finished performing surgery on some cocoons. There were strands of gooey silken stuff all over the table. Laila looked up at him, pleased with their efforts. “This is so cool! Every caterpillar makes a copy of the same kind of silk the others use. But the silk itself is a singularity in the animal kingdom! No matter how hard they try, scientists haven’t been able to duplicate it. Did you know that the ancients used the silk for wounds? Spider silk too! And did you know that the state butterfly of Florida is the zebra longwing? And that they have a very complex social structure? And that their reproduction is really interesting. You see…”
Here Hill interrupted her by holding up his hand in the “stop the traffic position”. “Laila,” he said, “take a breath!” He continued, “I know you’re excited about what you’re learning, but you need to give other people a break. We don’t listen as fast you talk. And my brain certainly doesn’t switch topics as fast as you do! Give me time to follow.” She blinked at him, astonished to find that her favorite scientist wasn’t as completely thrilled as she was with her stream of consciousness broadcasting. But then she smiled and happily said, “Okay!” And then what she had said hit him, “why are you talking about Florida? We’re in Spain!” Laila laughed, “because my favorite butterfly in the book you bought last week was the zebra longwing. I had to translate the Spanish beneath that photo word by word. By the time I finished I had learned so much I was BURSTING to share it.” He laughed, pleased with her exuberance.
Louisa looked up. “Welcome home. How was your day?” Hill turned to her, “ah, a normal greeting. Thank you. It was fine. How was yours?” Louisa grinned, “a bit tiring but very good!” She went on, “You have shadows under your eyes. Are you not sleeping well?” Hill was at once embarrassed. “Well, it’s been hot you know. “ Suddenly he was inspired. “Look, this is a holiday weekend in Spain. Let’s go to the beach. We’ll take the tent and camping gear and just go enjoy time away. I’m sure the sound of the surf will lull me into hours of great sleep.”
The ladies jumped up and began cleaning up their science project, clearly excited to head out for a new adventure.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Volunteers?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Puzzling Intake

It's that time of the year again -- the Reston Regional Friends are collecting jigsaw puzzles for our puzzle sale in November. Please bring your puzzles, with lids taped shut, to the circulation desk to donate. Please ensure that the puzzles are complete.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Semi-Annual HUGE Sale
- Something for everyone:
- Fiction (Paper and Hardback)
- Cookbooks, Hobbies, Self-Help
- Sports, Mystery, Science Fiction
- History, Computers, Business
- Poetry & Literature, Humor and MORE!
- Fiction (Paper and Hardback)
- Prices range from .50 for rack paperbacks to $1.50 for hardbacks in like-new condition. Higher prices may apply for exceptional or rare books.
- We restock all day every day of the sale, so shop early and shop often! Some book types sell out sooner than others, so it's better to come sooner than later.
- There will be no children's, young adults, or teacher specific materials.
- No backpacks of any kind -- the ones that hold children or anything else.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Guns, Germs, and Books

The DVD series is actually Guns, Germs and Steel and it was a very well regarded National Geographic series based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book of the same name by Jared Diamond. Our copy is $18.50 at RestonFriends1.
Perhaps something more peaceful appeals to you? How about

Verdi? Nabucco, Verdi’s third opera isn’t exactly peaceful, but it is
music and they say that soothes the savage whatever. This Deutsches Gramaphone recording on CD is of the Berlin State Opera Orchestra and gets excellent reviews. Our copy is only $16.50 at RestonFriends1.
And finally, something to stimulate your palate. Roger Verge’s Vegetables in the French Style by the creator of Moulin de Mougins in the South of France is enticing enough to turn a meat eater into a vegetarian. Interesting recipes are accompanied by beautiful photography and excellent recipes. Our copy is new, and only $28 at RestonFriends1.
These and many more are available at RestonFriends1. If you are a current

local Friend, we can get them to you without you paying shipping costs. E-mail us!
/kw