Sunday Salon ~ read and release

Have you ever heard of BookCrossing?  The idea behind BookCrossing is simple — label, share, follow.  In other words, read a book and pass it on.  When we register the book, BookCrossing provides it with a special tracking number and a note explaining the concept. We can print out labels with that information or buy packages of labels, if we prefer.  With the information provided, the next person will know what to do, if so inclined.  We can then release our little book traveler for a stranger to find in some public place, like a park bench, a bus seat, or a waiting room.  And you can track the book as it travels from person to person.  Books are out there, traveling all over the world using their very own BCID (BookCrossing ID) passports.

I joined a decade ago, but only released one book "into the wild" before I got busy with other things.  In a conversation with my friend Emily, I mentioned BookCrossing and she immediately got online and joined.  I've been thinking about putting books outside my apartment for neighbors to take (for free) as I try to reduce the clutter, so it was a light bulb moment for me, too.  I've already started setting aside books to register and put on my patio for neighbors.  I wonder how many readers live in the apartments around me.

One of the things I like is the "journaling" about books that have been released.  It's especially fun if you find a traveling book.  Here's the story of that first book I set free in 2003.  Years later, I wrote about that book here on my blog — Three Women by Madge Piercy.

ArmchairBEA

Tomorrow is the kickoff for Armchair BEA.  While others are attending Book Expo America and the Book Blogger Convention in New York, we'll be doing our own book thing with each other, right from the comfort of our own armchairs.  Details from the organizers:

"On Monday, we will have a quick kick-off post with a brief summary of what to expect throughout the week.  On Tuesday, we break the ice and open up the excitement to all of you with our annual introductions.  In New York City, bloggers, authors, and publishers will be networking throughout the week, and it is during this time of Armchair BEA that you get to do a bit of networking from the comfort of your own home."

We book bloggers who are participating in ArmchairBEA (sign up here) are to choose five of these questions for our Tuesday introductory posts:

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself:  Who are you?  How long have you been blogging?  Why did you get into blogging?
2. Where in the world are you blogging from?  Tell a random fact or something special about your current location.  Feel free to share pictures.
3. Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA?  What brought you back for another year?  If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event?
4. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013?
5. Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.
6. Name your favorite blog(s), and explain why they are your favorite(s).
7. Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?
8. If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?
9. What literary location would you most like to visit?  Why?
10. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?
11. Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

Are you signed up?  Let me know if I should visit your blog this week.

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