Book Crossing

[Plocket]

I hope I'm allowed this little advert!

I recently bought a book second-hand, and inside was a label saying that the book was registered on BookCrossing.com, so I went to have a look. I have registered and reported that I now own the book, and I've listed a couple of my own that are now available.

I'm not sure of all the details yet but thought it would be fun to see what happens to second-hand books, and hope that when I pass on my books (or leave them to be found somewhere!) the next owner will do the same.

So is anyone here a member? If you aren't but think this sounds like fun, have a look at BookCrossing.com

[Jasmine]

I joined this briefly after I found a BookCrossing book at the Town Hall but I couldn't cope with the constant stream of emails. Maybe I signed up for the wrong amount of info because I found the same with Freecycle when I joined a while ago but now I've rejoined I get one email a day, if that, with all the info on it.
I think it's a great idea Plocket and still look out for BookCrossing books lying around!

[Plocket]

I crossed most of the boxes with regard to sending me e-mail information

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with leaving books around yet, but might one day pluck up the courage to wrap one in a clear plastic bag to leave in a cafe or something. What a lovely surprise it must be to find a free book

[Jasmine]

I was quite excited about it - I didn't take the book as it wasn't one I wanted to read but it's such a good idea. Although I pass books on to my MIL and she passes them onto a friend and they keep going which makes them worth their cost.
I must have left some boxes unticked as I got individual emails telling each book that was 'on the loose' in my area ;D

[Plocket]

I swap some books with a friend of mine and usually give others to charity. Although the charity doesn't benefit this way, I'm fascinated by the idea of where my book travels to

If you're interested you might be able to untick the boxes on your account.

[Jasmine]

I might go back and look at it more carefully.
Another source of fantastic, hardly look read books, is the Christmas Fair (and presumably the Summer Fair) at the boys' new school. I was on the book stall at the Christmas Fair and there were some great books for sale - 50 p each.
But like you say, it is fascinating thinking about where your book goes - my MIL and I take books to the States and leave them in the villas we rent (most villa owners have a little 'take one and leave one' library. Some of those books must travel 1000's of miles.

[Barbara]

lots of bowlers do that as well, some charge 20p, most are free, you put books on a table in the bowls hut, and take whatever you fancy, some must go round and round and........

[Plocket]

I like the idea of swapping books on holiday. I've never thought of doing that but will definately take a couple specially to leave behind

There must be a lot of places that do it Barbara, whether for free or for a small sum. I like the idea that books get owned by lots of people. I've always given mine to charity but was a bit surprised when my friend recently told be that in her shop only the best quality ones are re-sold. The rest are recycled rather than redistributed. I'd love to see what they chuck out

[Jasmine]

Our little cottage hospital sells books for 50p each as well - all proceeds to the hospital.

[Plocket]

50p is good. I guess second hand books vary depending on where you go. Our Katherine House Hospice shops sell paperbacks for £1.50 but I did check with my friend and she thinks they will sell books if they are in good condition, even if they have got a sticker in the front.

Our building society (only one branch!) sell second hand books sometimes for local charities. And our library sell off books that are looking a bit tired.

[Barbara]

Off topic a bit I know, but I read last week that people with wood burners and open fires are buying books to burn in them because it's cheaper.

[Plocket]

OMG that's dreadful!

[prodigal gardener]

Nnnnoooooooooooooooooo - thats awful - you cant burn books Im going to have a look at that bookcrossing thing. I love books ;D:)

[JennyWrenn]

Ooooo I love your new Avatar KL

At our local Tip there is a box of unwanted books and if you want any I think you leave a small fee

I love to rummage thru books and as a child was always taught to treat them with respect

I never "dog-ear" pages but use a bookmark

The smell of a new book and the joys within <sigh> <bliss>

I think if I saw a book left in a cafe I would feel awful just walking out with it - people would think I was stealing i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/lipsrsealed.gif

[prodigal gardener]

thanks Jenny - its on the modify your profile page! One of the local branches of Tesco has a table full of free books that people leave, they have a tin for you to make a donation - I have got a couple of good ones from there Bookcrossing looks good, not much activity in this area tho - thats about to change !

[Barbara]

Thats right KL, it only takes one person to start something like this.

[prodigal gardener]

Ive joined bookcrossing and have registered a couple of books that I am going to "release" Just need some plastic bags now as the rain appears to be never ending ! Its very exciting actually - I cant wait to let them go . . . . . ;D

[Plocket]

It is exciting isn't it? I've got a couple ready to go but I haven't decided where to leave them yet

[Ladygardener]

I must check it out, what a good idea. I too usually pass most of my books to friends and family but there would be some they don't read. I give quite a few to our local post office too, they're really handy as they sell them for charity quite cheaply too.