Set A Book Free

Today I had a good idea. A great idea really. I had just finished a really great book, and typically I would have happily shelved it, content to have another good book in my personal library. But having discussed this book with a friend, I thought to make it a gift to him, which is a nice thought. But I then imagined him finishing it, and happily shelving it with his books, rather than it being happily shelved with mine, and the thought had less appeal. I don’t know why, I guess I’m selfish. But here’s where the idea came in. What if I gave the book away, on the condition that the recipient would likewise give it away when he finished it? And here’s where the idea gets a cool, tech twist… what if you could track where it went?

Certainly such an idea can’t be that original I thought, and some searching online found that it was not. I found a few web sites that facilitate the free swapping of books by mail, but that’s not what I was looking for. I wanted to turn a book loose, to be found, read, tracked, and turned loose again. I found my idea, already in full fruition at BookCrossing.com. The site offers all of the features I was looking for, and so I registered my book, and gave it to James. Tonight I printed up some labels to use for future releases, the first of which will be my own book, which will be set free in the wilds of Washington, DC tomorrow. May it find a good reader, and be passed along many times.

Five years ago, I entered five dollars into the Where’s George site. None have yet had any of their travels recorded. I hope the books I release do better.