In the heart of summer, when the days grow long and the spirit feels light, opportunities for fellowship and service often blossom in unexpected places—even among stacks of secondhand books. At its core, Christianity emphasizes love, community, and stewardship. These values come alive in events like the Annual Summer Book Sale hosted by Friends of the New Milford Public Library.
Though not explicitly a religious gathering, this book sale reflects deeply Christian ideals. Sharing resources, supporting literacy, and building bridges within the neighborhood mirror Jesus’s call to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Every donated book represents generosity. Every purchase supports a library—a cornerstone of learning and inclusion. In a world that often prioritizes consumption, events like this invite us to practice mindful giving and humble receiving.
For Christian families, this sale is more than a chance to find summer reads—it’s a chance to model compassion, simplicity, and stewardship to the next generation. Encouraging children to choose books that inspire kindness, truth, or historical understanding aligns with Proverbs 22:6: “Start children off on the way they should go…”
And let’s not forget the joy of shared discovery. Browsing books together fosters conversations about stories, values, and faith. Whether it’s a novel that echoes themes of redemption or a biography of a faithful leader, each page can reflect God’s presence in everyday life.
If you’re in the New Milford area this July, don’t miss your chance to participate in this meaningful tradition. The event runs from July 11–13 at New Milford High School—and this year may be the last one for a while due to library construction.
Be sure to stop by and support this act of community kindness: https://friendsnmpl.org/annualsummerbooksale/.
In giving, receiving, and sharing stories, we live out the love Christ calls us to—page by page, heart to heart.