Bookcrossing [Archive] - Book Club Forum

Janet

18th January 2007, 18:21

Having had a conversation with someone on here about Bookcrossing (sorry, it's slipped my mind who it was), I said that I'd registered and caught one, but that I hadn't manged to release any because I hate parting with books!

Well, I've taken the plunge, and found four. One of which I've read, and the other three that I'm unlikely to read.

I have registered them, and also found the one I caught so that I can release it back into the wild.

I'm off to Stratford-Upon-Avon tomorrow, so I'm going to find somewhere to release them then!

The bcid numbers are as follows:

898-4765761
546-3319308
147-4765785
193-4765792
051-4765805

If you haven't used this site before, You can enter the number here (where it says bcid) to see how it works! (http://www.bookcrossing.com/search)

Kell

18th January 2007, 18:34

Yes, I bookcross, though only with the books I swap - I automatically go along & register them before posting. Of course, I don't do that if I'm selling them... I've managed to catch a couple of travelling books too - that's how I found my way to the book crossing site inthe first place. It's a great way to keep track of where your books end up (providning that the recipients actually do register that they've caught them on the site) - all over the world!

MHL1971

19th January 2007, 08:38

I do. I think it more fun that give the book away to the charity shop. I am still new to it because i only released three. One end up in Italy and the other two i didn't get any news. I started it when i found one on the ferry instead of sending it to lost property i keep it to myself to read it. I just find a group on yahoo about kent book crossing. Hopefully we will meet soon, chat and exchange books. I have a few on my pile for them!!

Marie

Janet

21st January 2007, 15:01

I released one in a garden centre on Friday - I shoved it inside a dovecote, so hopefully the staff won't find and remove it! :lol: I forgot to 'liberate' the other three I took with me, so will find somewhere to release them this week.

The Bookcrossing site said there was one in Robert Dyas Ironmongers in Stratford-Upon-Avon (there was a 'photo of it, propped up in front of some rat poison), but when I went in, it had gone. I guess the staff removed it.

mrstrecool

21st January 2007, 22:20

I have read 2 books through Bookrings on Bookcrossing and released 1 book. I left it on a train and was made up when I got my first journal entry saying it had been picked up. It has since been passed on again, it's interesting to see where your books end up.

Ronny

21st January 2007, 22:28

I've done bookcrossing for awhile now about a year, I've released 80+ books, in 2 countries, one of the first people I met over here was a fellow bookcrosser I ran into at a book club meeting and today I had my first journal entry from a finder of one of my books :)

I think it's interesting when people do make entries.

Sugar

22nd January 2007, 00:06

I've released half a dozen books "in to the wild" but none of them have been caught. I have "caught" a couple and re-released them, the first one I didn't bother registering, I just moved it and left it somewhere completely different. That one did get caught, the lady was new to book crossing, and sadly it doesn't look like she ever did anything with it afterwards.

JudyB

22nd January 2007, 09:42

Having had a conversation with someone on here about Bookcrossing (sorry, it's slipped my mind who it was), I said that I'd registered and caught one, but that I hadn't manged to release any because I hate parting with books!

Hi - it was me! Definately want to have a try at this - keep looking thoughtfully at my bookcase and think I've found one to release - one that I didn't enjoy hence the ability to 'let go'. We did find one in our library last year which was what brought the whole idea to my attention. We left it where it was and it did disappear - I think I noted the number down so I could try and track it.

Janet

22nd January 2007, 10:13

Ah yes - sorry I forgot you! :D

As I forgot to release 3 books when I was away at the weekend, I need to find somewhere local to take them. I want to try to put them somewhere where they won't be moved by staff (eg if I left them in a shop). I thought maybe somewhere like a doctor's waiting room would be good, but I'm not bold enough to walk in and leave one if I haven't gone there for an appointment!

I might leave one on the Park and Ride bus if I go into Bath tomorrow!

JudyB

22nd January 2007, 17:39

Park and Ride sounds good.

~V~

23rd January 2007, 00:05

i'v been wondering if i should register books i put on RISI on there?

i am a member and do receive alerts, but nothing in my town.

i work in a college, and also at an outreach centre for it, and so can release books at work easily. seems nobody else here does it though *shrug*

Kell

23rd January 2007, 07:01

That's a good idea, V - all the books that I swap get registered, though only a few get logged at the other end (which is a shame, but there you go). I like being able to see where they end up...

~V~

23rd January 2007, 08:31

That's a good idea, V - all the books that I swap get registered, though only a few get logged at the other end (which is a shame, but there you go). I like being able to see where they end up...

weird really, as you'd expect the two to go hand-in-hand.

JudyB

23rd January 2007, 09:32

Right - I've now registered and chosen and labelled a book. Where's a good place to release it - are charity shops a good idea?

Purple Poppy

24th January 2007, 20:30

On a bus!

Kell

24th January 2007, 20:36

I found a book today & thought it might be registered, but it's not, so i now have a copy of The Opposite of Fate by Amy Tan - hurrah!

Purple Poppy

24th January 2007, 23:37

:lol: :lol: :lol: You're like a magnetic book collector. All the books just fly to you!

Kell

25th January 2007, 07:00

I know, it's strange - but Dale can't complain if I'm not BUYING them - if I find a book on the bus or an a park bench with no obvious owner, I'm not going to leave it there - the chances are it'll just get put in a bin or lost in a mess of other lost jumble - I'd rather make sure it got a good home where it'd get read. Of course, if I found it in a place where it's obvious that someone may have just accidentally left it (say, in the staff restaurant), I'd send out a message saying I'd found a book in such & such a place, & would whoever owns it like to come & pick it up? but if nobody then claimed it, i'd class it as fair game, read it & then pass it around - it's what books are made for. :)

Laramie

25th January 2007, 16:06

whats bookcrossing?

Janet

25th January 2007, 16:51

whats bookcrossing?
It's a system whereby when you've finished with a book, you register it here (www.bookcrossing.com) - registering a book gives it a unique number. You print off labels and write this unique number on it, and stick it into the front of the book.

You then 'liberate' the book somewhere - a park bench (in nice weather!), a cinema, a restaurant, a charity shop...

Then, you go back to the site, with the unique number, and put details of where the book is.

The idea is that someone will find your book - go to the site and log where they've found it. Read it, then, using it's unique already-registered number, they leave it somewhere - put details of where they've left it - and the cycle starts again.

Laramie

25th January 2007, 17:13

o, cool

thebookgarden

3rd February 2007, 22:31

I have caught a few wild books! Though as I bought them amongst small lots of books bought for resale, I have put them up for ransom! I did assuage my guilt at this by registering their wherabouts on book crossing though!

Does this make me a bad person?

The Library Nook

3rd February 2007, 22:35

I used to be a really active member and am actually planning to release some books tomorrow, will be the first time in ages! My name on there is rainbowandrain and I need to update my bookshelf!

thebottle

3rd February 2007, 22:43

Very interesting, I'm going to start doing this.

The Library Nook

3rd February 2007, 22:55

Very interesting, I'm going to start doing this.

Go for it, although it is very addictive!

sib

4th February 2007, 16:51

I´ve swapped a few books. I think it´s a good idea when a book´s just been sitting on the shelf for ages. By swapping you both get a new book to read for nothing, rather than just letting an old book rot away on the shelf.

lovesreading06

5th June 2007, 20:42

I used to use bookcrossing but i stopped because i'm scared incase police say that litting.

I did get a few catches.

angerball

5th June 2007, 22:14

I don't do it, and I don't think I could. Call me overly sentimental, but I hate the idea of just leaving one of my books somewhere. What if no-one picks it up, and it just sits there! Or worse - what if someone tosses it in the trash! :motz:

happyanddandy

6th June 2007, 17:51

I have looked at the website but not joined in - I must identify some books for release and register :smile2:

JudyB

6th June 2007, 18:38

I've released quite a few but haven't heard any more about them. I put them in a charity bag as I had to know that they would be safe!

Inver

7th June 2007, 09:04

How did I miss this post ages ago.

I have been doing Bookcrossing for ages....have a browse on my bookshelf

http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf

I have left books all over the place and had a few picked up. We have a couple of official OBCZ 'official bookcrossing zone' bookshelf at the Belmont Cinema cafe/bar, where people can drop of and pick up books.

Janet

7th June 2007, 16:29

I've released quite a few but haven't heard any more about them. I put them in a charity bag as I had to know that they would be safe!
I think I might do that with my next lot. I 'released' one in a dovecote in a garden centre (indoors) as I thought that might be safe, but that was the last I heard of it. :(

Janet

22nd June 2007, 20:20

I 'liberated' 7 books today in the Oxfam bookshop in Chippenham, Wilts. I hope someone finds them!

Janet

23rd June 2007, 17:57

I 'liberated' 7 books today in the Oxfam bookshop in Chippenham, Wilts. I hope someone finds them!
Someone found and bought one! One Child by Torey Hayden! I bought this when I did Pyschology AS level a few years ago because it deals with 'attachment theory'.

I'm so pleased! Thanks to Judy for the charity shop idea! :D

JudyB

23rd June 2007, 18:02

Someone found and bought one! One Child by Torey Hayden! I bought this when I did Pyschology AS level a few years ago because it deals with 'attachment theory'.

I'm so pleased! Thanks to Judy for the charity shop idea! :D

Thank you - wish it had worked for me:lol:

TammyRich

1st July 2007, 22:18

I caught my first one in a charity shop last week. I've been aware of bookcrossing for a while and keep meaning to do it but am not sure where I would leave one. I keep imagining that I will put it down somewhere and then someone will come running after me and say "you've left this" and I'll get all embarrased.:blush:

Anyway I saw the bookcrossing sticker on the spine of the book and got all excited and bought it straight away. The book really wasn't my sort of thing at all!! Anyway I've put it on my swap list on ReadItSwapIt. Last journal entry for it was 2004!!

Janet

2nd July 2007, 06:46

What book was it? It's good to find one, even if you end up not liking it (as I did with the only one I've ever caught, Defrosting Edmund, which I gave up on after about 1/3 of it!

TammyRich

2nd July 2007, 18:01

:blush:It was called "Lust"! Bout a guy who can imagine anyone he likes and they'll appear and start stripping off and ... well you can imagine the rest. It's kind of a high brow comedy erotica sort of book and I didn't read the blurb on the back although I should have guessed by the cover picture of a courgette and two tomatoes strategically placed!!!!

Janet

2nd July 2007, 18:55

Janet

18th September 2007, 12:33

I left Number Ten by Sue Townsend in a charity shop in Chippenham. Whoever bought it didn't register it but left it in a hotel room and someone left a note to say they'd found it today - in Toronto, Ontario, Canada! :)

WillowFae

18th September 2007, 14:09

I tend to do more bookrings and rays than releasing - I've read some great books that way and all it's cost me is the postage for sending it on afterwards. I've also been to a couple of bookcrossing meets and picked up LOADS of books that way :)

burghead lass

22nd March 2008, 16:01

I joined Book Crossing last year and have only just put all my books on. My name on there is HeathersLaw I would love it if anyone would like to be my friend.

Heather

The Library Nook

22nd March 2008, 16:24

I will be your friend:) will go and add you now!

The Library Nook

22nd March 2008, 16:25

I can't find you on there :(

prospero

22nd March 2008, 16:26

I don't think I could let a book go. :(

I've bought and given away three books as presents recently and I could only bring myself to do so as I already have my own copies!

burghead lass

22nd March 2008, 17:38

Hello a.book.in.the.life

I joined Book Crossing last year and have only just put all my books on. My name on there is HeathesLaw I would love it if anyone would like to be my friend.

Heather

No wonder you can't find me I can't spell my own name :lol: it should be 'HeathersLaw' I missed out the 'r':lol:

Hello prospero

I can give away books as I need to leave room for more there are some that I will not part with like Harry Potter, Le Child's Reacher and books that my son gave me in a present. I like to pas boks on so other people can read them and get enjoyment and save money too.

The Library Nook

22nd March 2008, 17:49

lol will try it again!

Janet

22nd March 2008, 18:16

I joined Book Crossing last year and have only just put all my books on. My name on there is HeathersLaw I would love it if anyone would like to be my friend.

Heather
I've added you (although I haven't released any books for ages - must rectify that) and changed your post above so your name is correct. :)

I'm Bagpuss1966 on there. :)

The Library Nook

22nd March 2008, 18:28

I am rainbowandrain if anyone wants to add me:)

burghead lass

22nd March 2008, 19:03

Hello Janet and a.book.in.the.life I have added you both to my freinds list.

Spooncat

6th April 2008, 13:40

Whilst on a walk this morning I found a book crossing book on a bench! Having looked at the web site I think its something I could get into sounds cool:mrgreen: Anyone else found any or is a member ?

Michelle

6th April 2008, 13:52

http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2534
http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=175
http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4994
:)

The Library Nook

6th April 2008, 17:39

Well done, enjoy being involved!

Kirstykat

9th April 2008, 12:40

Could someone explain what a bookcrossing actually is,please? :doh:

Ta

supergran71

9th April 2008, 16:33

Thank youKK that has been baffling me too:blush:

Michelle

9th April 2008, 17:18

I'm sure that those who use it regularly will be able to explain even better, but here is the faq from the site:
http://bookcrossing.com/faqs

Ronny

9th April 2008, 20:58

Bookcrossing allows you to mark your books with a tracking number, make a journal entry and release information, so that when you give them away they can possibly be tracked. Of course the person receiving them has to be willing to participate, of the hundreds of books I've registered and released only about 6 have made journal entries. It also allows you to see "wild' book releases in your area so that you may go pick them up. I think it's a fun site, I wish more people in my area would make entries though :)

VickiH

10th April 2008, 06:59

I'm a member and have released a few books over the years but never had anyone find them! I'm signed up for alerts when books are released around me but again, not had any luck so far :D

Janet

10th April 2008, 07:28

I'm a member and have released a few books over the years but never had anyone find them! I'm signed up for alerts when books are released around me but again, not had any luck so far :D
Hi Vicki - welcome to BCF. :)

I've had a couple found, which is really exciting.

I found one in a charity shop in Penrith (it was listed as being there so I specifically went to look for it).

Because of this, I left some registered ones in a charity shop in Chippenham - someone made an entry saying they "didn't think that was the idea..." but at least I knew they'd be 'safe'!

I put one in a dovecote that was for sale in a garden centre as I thought it might be easy to find and unlikely to be moved by the store owners but it was never found.

I don't like the idea of leaving them in the open in case it rains and they get damaged, but sometimes it's difficult to know where to leave them.

I didn't realise you could sign up for alerts to releases - I will check that out.

I suppose if someone like my Aunt found one, then it would be 'lost' as she's never used a computer in her life and wouldn't know what to do!

Kell

10th April 2008, 18:37

I've only ever really registered books that were getting swapped out and I've never found one yet - but I keep hoping that one day I will!

JudyB

10th April 2008, 19:32

Hi Vicki - welcome to BCF. :)

Because of this, I left some registered ones in a charity shop in Chippenham - someone made an entry saying they "didn't think that was the idea..." but at least I knew they'd be 'safe'!

I did this with a big pile of books I got rid of last year - I haven't heard from any of them - and like you I wanted to keep them 'safe'. I read somewhere that someone found one on a bookshelf in IKEA.

Janet

10th April 2008, 20:39

I did this with a big pile of books I got rid of last year - I haven't heard from any of them - and like you I wanted to keep them 'safe'. I read somewhere that someone found one on a bookshelf in IKEA.
Oooh - Ikea is a good idea, as is MfI! Thanks for the idea. :)

Inver

11th April 2008, 10:04

Exciting...well done. Never found a completely wild one, but have gone looking for releases on occasions. Signing up for release alerts sometimes works although sometimes by the time they come through, it is a good few hours since the release.

Happy Bookcrossing.:D

lovesreading06

31st May 2008, 22:51

I would love to do this again but i'm scared incase there think i'm littering. I know you can get done for littering.

madcow

2nd June 2008, 11:03

I've just signed up to this today so I could leave a message on a bookring book. Need time to explore the site properly it looks fun :)

supergran71

2nd June 2008, 12:53

Let me know what you think MC, I keep thinking of joining.

Janet

19th September 2008, 16:30

I took four books into Bath last week. I put them in sealed plastic bags and wrote "Free Book - Please See Inside Front Cover" on the outside and I left two on the Park and Ride bus, one on a bench outside Bath Abbey and one in a 'free' newspaper rack.

I thought they might be really good, obvious places.

However, no luck after one week.

I know someone found the one by the Abbey, because Mum and I passed the plastic bag in the gutter of a road nearby (litter bugs! :irked: ) but nobody has been on Bookcrossing to say they've found them.

I realise that they might not have the internet, but it's really disappointing. :( I've only had three 'caught' and two of those were in charity shops. The third was in a hotel (not where I left it) and the 'catcher' said she would release it in her native Canada after reading it, but that was back in January and she hasn't made any release notes.

Has anyone here who participates had any luck recently? It's rather put me off trying again.

Inver

20th September 2008, 11:16

I released one recently at a busy garden center, but no luck. We have a OBCZ (official book crossing zone bookshelf) here in Aberdeen at the Belmont Cinema cafe. We have a monthly meetup, and qutie a healthy bookshelf where we swap and leave books, but a lot of them are taken too and never journalled. It is a bit disheartening I know. I tend to try and release books I am not too bothered about being journaled and maybe offer others I want to share as bookrings/rays I have enjoyed. It is exciting when you see a book being picked up and taken though, every hopeful they will join or journal it. Keep trying you never know. I did have one book turn up in India once!! Would lovel to know how it ended up there!

kb.marsh

20th September 2008, 20:05

I have what might be a silly question about bookcrossing, but I've been sent PMs from people but don't know where to go to read them?! Can anyone help? Thank goodness they get emailed to me too!