Most of you have probably heard of Bookcrossing.com, the site that allows you to release a book back into the world by leaving it somewhere, then trace it’s onward journey via the internet. So far they have nearly two million books registered and a quick look at my local area shows that a book was released just 9 minutes ago a a nearby train station!
Well on the same theme of books I found (online) an interesting store in Baltimore called ‘The Book Thing’. started some six years ago by a guy called Russell Wattenberg, the book thing is a giant store that gives away books to anyone for free!
Wattenberg motivation is simple “What I try to do is take the books from people who don’t want them and give them to people who do want them. There is some selfishness involved, because I figure that if everyone reads a lot there’ll be more people to have intelligent conversations with.” He says.”I hate seeing good books that people can use in boxes in people’s basements or collecting dust on shelves; especially when there are people who don’t have the money to buy a new book or ready access to used books.”
‘The Book Thing’ was started when Wattenberg was managing a local Baltimore Pub. He started by giving away some old books to a group of school teachers who used to visit his bar for Happy Hour on Fridays. pretty soon word spread a people were soon donating books at his bar saying “This is for your book thing.” Hence, The Book Thing of Baltimore, Inc.
I really like both those ideas, and both are very similar to ideas I had when dreaming about starting my own little coffee house called ‘PoshCoffee’. Maybe one day I’ll do that.
—
BookCrossing.com
The Book Thing (Baltimore)
Wahington Post article about ‘The Book Thing’
PoshCoffee
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 5:56 am
I love book stores, but interestingly enough I don’t really read books. Well no, I do, but it takes me forever! I picked up a book in New York nearly a year ago, and I am still reading the damn thing (Subwayland by some guy called Randy).The irony is that I also love to write. I’ve been writing my ‘Meanwhile‘ articles since 1997 and I kinda plan to release a little book of ‘Meanwhile’s’ this year, only I am a little concerned that no-one would be interested. Having said that there are nearly 2000 people on my ‘Meanwhile’ email list. (Shameless plug : Go read the Meanwhile site and join my list!)
We have a dock-off-great-big Borders near here. It’s a cool place to go if you want to see magazines from everywhere. It has all these cool arty mags that I sometimes buy and then put in my lounge causing people to say things like “Simon always has these cool arty magazines.” :-)
Now, on a different subject, is the word “drug” able to be used in the context that Erin just used it in? I’m not too sure. Surely the word is dragged, it certainly is here in the UK, and we have a Queen, so there!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 8:16 am
See, all the quality stuff that the King can bring :-)
Evanstar, in that picture of yours, which one is Star? :-)
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 8:24 am
Ah, well that’s useful to know. For the record, in my picture I am the one in the middle.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 4:29 am
I like that concept, I’ve never heard of an entire store dedicated to free books! I do love used book stores and frequent them often. There are always the most interesting people in the less trendy places. When I go to Borders or Barnes & Noble I feel like a snob.
Anyway, There is something about old books (maybe the smell?) that is really enjoyable – I’d by used to new anyday.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 5:09 am
This idea is fantastic. I see so many awesome books stored away forever for nobody else to see. Even though I am lucky to afford my own books (and maybe I am a snob, because I love going to B&N), I know so many people who would benefit from this idea. And more smart people around is something the world definitely needs.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 5:32 am
I prefer to think of myself as a pacifist in the Starbucks Army being drug along against my will :)
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 8:06 am
Wow, I had no idea about bookcrossing.com. I looked up my area, and there are several books that have been left. I think I’ll go take a look.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 8:20 am
I’m on the left.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 12:06 pm
That’s just too cool! Thanks!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 16, 2005 at 5:37 pm
no, i wasn’t a regular viewer then, so i dindn’t see your new lounge. what an improvement! it looks so inviting. i especially love the windows with sunlight streaming in. i think i would live in a glass house if i could. i would even walk around naked. as it is now, i rarely make it home in the evenings while the sun is still up, so i’ll stick with my mortar and brick house for the time being…but one day, world beware!