First Baptist Church of Herndon

Return of the Bookstore

Linda Soller | Jun 26, 2023

In the late 1980s and into the 1990s one of our favorite family things to do was visit the bookstore. It was especially exciting if we had dinner out first. We wanted our children to value reading as much as we did. Getting a new book was never a problem. The store was Barnes and Noble. I’m not sure how you measure the  success of any parenting approach, but both daughters and all four grandkids love books. I will chalk that up as a success. So, it should come as no surprise that we adults were saddened when our local Reston store closed in 2013. The electronic age was claiming another victim.

Recently I learned that the bookstore was returning. The new store would be a very short distance from the original location. I was so excited. One of the first things I did was plan a visit with two of the four grandchildren. There would be purchases of new books and snacks, maybe coffee for me. We would look through the books and talk about our favorite things and activities. I had it all planned.

The day came for our visit. It was rainy, which made it seem like the perfect adventure. The two girls loved it. Everything was new and magical.  They asked if they got to keep their books. I said yes. The six-year-old said and we don’t have to take it back in two weeks? I said no it’s yours. They smiled. I didn’t tell them the real reason I was so happy about the new bookstore. To me it represents a company saying – we refuse to be forgotten. The written word can be used in so many ways. It’s not lost on me that here you are reading this blog on-line. But there is something special about holding a book in your hands, seeing the illustrations on the pages, or not. There is a strength in the bindings and paper. It says this book is physically here for you to entertain you, to educate you, and to even transport you.  When you hold a book, you feel there is a value and permanence to it. It’s the same feeling I get from my Bible.

Be the love in the world  : )   Linda