Monday, July 23, 2018 12:16 PM

The dumpster is covered with books: atlases, histories, novels in several languages, and various sacred texts. Traditionally, we don't discard those texts, but the people throwing them out might not know that. Digging through the stacks, I uncover the slot on the dumpster's lid and look inside. It's completely filled with books, plus a few DVDs and magazines. I suspect that someone might be clearing out a relative's apartment, not caring what they find or not having the time to select and save things. I take a few books, including the sacred texts: volumes of prayers and psalms, apparently editions for soldiers, with surprisingly beautiful designs, plus an amazing reproduction of a fifteenth century illustrated bible. I wish I could bring all the remaining books to a Give-and-Take box or to a bus or train station's bookshelves, but I don't have a way to transport them. Perhaps magical book fairies will spirit them away during the night.