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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
 Posted - 04/16/2006 : 16:59:54
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Another literary thread, yes, but I think this is an interesting phenomenon. And I don't care.
According to wikipedia book crossing is:
"The practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise. The idea is to release books into the "wild" to be found by other people, often strangers. The analogy is with the ornithological practice of ringing birds to track their movements."
A book gets released via the bookcrossing website and is assigned a code. You plug in what book you're willing to release, you get a code and you write it inside the cover along with instructions on what to do with the code. You then leave the book, yes leave it, in a public place. Someone will pick up the book and the hope is that they will plug the code back into the website and write a journal entry, stating where they found the book and what they thought. That person then leaves the book somewhere and a new person picks up the book and plugs the code and then they leave it and so on and so forth... so you get to follow the movement of the book.
According to wiki there are places like starbucks that have bookshelves especially for this phenomenon called "Official Book Crossing Zones". It's not just a British thing, it's completely international, if you check the website the movement exists in Spain and France and so on...
I think this is pretty ace and am definately going to release a book (probably underworld - the piece of crap) into the wild and try to hunt out some of the "OBCZ's".
As soon as the website behaves itself that is.
Just found this website which contains a clicky map that can help you find Official Book Crossing Zones in your area and the location of books in each each 'zone'. Not sure if it's comprehensive though.
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Edited by - starmekitten on 04/16/2006 17:15:20 |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2006 : 17:27:35
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Oh this made me happy. That's great! The plugging in the code part sounds very Atwood-ish and sci-fi.
Speedy, in that last website Tre linked to, did you see the part that said "Saskatchewan has no zones"? Get on it!
I’m the only one who can say that this light is mine
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Apesy
= Cult of Ray =
USA
411 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2006 : 17:33:19
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Having official drop-off spots seems like it would take all the fun out of it...what's so exciting about finding a book in a spot at Starbucks designated for swapping books? What's the journal entry going to say? "Yeah, uh, I found a book at Starbucks...on the bookshelf!" Finding one randomly on a park bench or in a food court or something seems more fun.
I think I'll sign up for this and leave, hmmm...I don't know. I'll find something I don't want anymore and leave it somewhere on my college campus this week.
EDIT: On second thought, after browsing the site my principal problem is that people seem to only be leaving garbage books -- at least in my neck of the woods. Nerds Who Kill: A Paul Turner Mystery? Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss 30 Day Plan? How to Live with a Neurotic Cat? No sir, I think I'll actually try parting with a book that I would most certainly consider classic. Come to think of it, I do believe I have two copies of Salinger's Franny and Zooey. One's on the bookshelf right behind me. I'm going to go see if I can hunt down the other little bugger...my friend has it, I believe. Man, this is starting to really excite me, actually. Thanks for the heads up on this whole BookCrossing deal.
-=Apesy |
Edited by - Apesy on 04/16/2006 18:05:38 |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2006 : 19:03:12
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This was fairly common for me to do in Europe, I'd just leave a book when I finished it - that was part of the reward! I don't have to carry it in my backpack anymore. I left 'em on trains, in dorms, cafes, all over the place. But I always wondered what happened to them. Would be cool to be able to look in on it some time down the road and see what hands it had crossed.
 "If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2006 : 19:28:31
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This sounds like fun. I think i have two copies of FOUNDING BROTHERS, perhaps i'll put one in the wild.
-Brian
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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2006 : 02:22:03
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I'm just about to take a walk down to the park and release my first book. Neal Stephenson - Snow Crash (I didn't like it). I've just been reading on how to go hunting for books as well. If you find your location on the hunting section of the book crossing website you'll get a list of books, where they were released (park bench, bus stop, dominos pizza.....) and how recently and you can go try to find them! I can see my flitting about London in a couple of weeks, hunting for books!
What I like about this is it's pretty self propelling. I know if I found a book out and about with a code and instructions I'd go with it.
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2006 : 04:45:16
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It's a fantastic idea. Will be interesting to see how much it catches on, and if it works as it is hoped it will. I am not sure it will, but I hope I am wrong.
 I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2006 : 18:06:49
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A friend of mine's uncle used to leave books he'd read on the side of the road for people to find.
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2006 : 20:09:45
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"released" my first book, THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, today.
-Brian
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2006 : 05:26:15
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I like to keep mine so I can't do it. Maybe if I hate the book I will.
I have seen a similar thing done for years with copies of The Daily Sport.
I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2006 : 10:50:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Homers_pet_monkey
I have seen a similar thing done for years with copies of The Daily Sport.
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pixiestu
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2564 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2006 : 12:53:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Homers_pet_monkey
I have seen a similar thing done for years with copies of The Daily Sport.
Oh the joyful days of being 8 years old and finding a newspaper with boobies in it!
"The arc of triumph" |
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Apesy
= Cult of Ray =
USA
411 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2006 : 17:24:16
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Salud, Barnes & Noble edition of The Metamorphosis and Other Stories. We had a swell run, but my newer Random House collection of Kafka's complete short stories makes you obsolete to me. I'm sure somebody nice will find you huddled on top of Henderson Hall's first-floor Coke machine and give you a good reading or two, though, so chin up!
-=Apesy |
Edited by - Apesy on 04/19/2006 17:25:20 |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2006 : 04:20:02
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quote:
Originally posted by pixiestu
quote:
Originally posted by Homers_pet_monkey
I have seen a similar thing done for years with copies of The Daily Sport.
Oh the joyful days of being 8 years old and finding a newspaper with boobies in it!
"The arc of triumph"
And even more joy when you found half a copy of Razzle in a bush.
I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2006 : 10:47:26
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Much as I like the idea, I think I might be slightly guilt-racked if I just leave books somewhere and not give them to a charity shop. At least that way there might be some good of them...
 I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2006 : 12:32:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Homers_pet_monkey
And even more joy when you found half a copy of Razzle in a bush.
Bramble mags!!
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2006 : 15:16:46
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Them's the ones. Cheeseman knows it, he's just not letting on.
I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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book crossing
