Bookcrossing’s something interesting I read about in The Guardian today.
Bookcrossing first began in America in April 2001 and has now taken off throughout the world. It is now hitting Manchester, England. According to The Guardian, “almost half a million books have been ‘released’ and there are more than 146,000 members worldwide. Books are left behind (or released into the wild). They contain a unique identity number which is registered on the website (bookcrossing.com).”
When someone finds a book, they can register on the website and track the journey it has taken before it reached them. Online reviews can also be left. The process is repeated when they finish the book and leave it somewhere else.
Emails will be sent to them informing them of what happens to the book after it leaves them – provided someone who finds it registers with the website.
The books are left all around the city – in taxis, buses, restaurants, cafes etcetc. The books carry on them, messages such as “Take me home”, “Read me”, “Look inside”, to indicate that it’s a bookcrossing book.
I think it’s a really cool idea! I’m not sure how people in other cities behave, but I wouldn’t have this in Singapore just yet. Knowing how typical Singaporeans are, the books will most likely never pass through more than one hand!