Are you passionate about reading and do you have a bookshelf full of books that you won’t read again? Would you like to share your books with people all around the world? If so, bookcrossing is the perfect practice for you.
Today, we’d love to explain everything related to the topic, you’ll learn all about this global practice and how you can join the bookcrossing community.
What is bookcrossing?
Bookcrossing is a global practice in which book lovers register and tag books to leave them in public places such as parks, cafes, train stations, airports, etc. with the goal of others finding them, reading them, and then passing them on to someone else or leaving them in another place to be found again.
In this way, books can travel all around the world and be enjoyed by different people.
History of bookcrossing
Bookcrossing was founded in 2001 by Ron Hornbaker and his wife Kaori. The idea came to them while on vacation in Hawaii when they saw a book on a bench with a note that said “Read me, then leave me for others to enjoy too.”
This simple idea became a global movement and now there are over 1.5 million registered and tagged books in over 130 countries.
How bookcrossing works
Bookcrossing is very easy to do. First, you need to register on the bookcrossing website (here). Once you’ve registered, you can tag your books with a unique code and leave them in any public place you want.
When someone finds your book, they can enter the code on the bookcrossing website to register the find and then decide if they want to read it and/or pass it on to someone else or leave it in another place for someone else to find.
Benefits of Bookcrossing
Bookcrossing is not only a fun and exciting practice, but it also has many benefits. Here are some of them:
Promotes reading and love for books
Bookcrossing promotes reading and love for books by allowing people to share their favorite books with others around the world.
Promotes community and connection
Bookcrossing also promotes community and connection by allowing people from different places and cultures to connect through their love for books.
It’s a sustainable way to share books
Bookcrossing is a sustainable way to share books, as books are reused instead of being thrown away or stored on a shelf forever.
Where to leave a book for Bookcrossing
One of the best things about Bookcrossing is that you can leave your books in any public place for others to find and enjoy. Some popular places to leave a Bookcrossing book include:
- Public libraries: Many libraries allow you to leave books in their book exchange section.
- Coffee shops and restaurants: Some establishments have book exchange shelves where customers can leave and take books.
- Parks and plazas: Leaving a book on a bench or fountain in a park or plaza is a great way to share your love of reading outdoors.
- Public transportation: Leaving a book on a bus, train, or plane is a fun way to surprise someone with an unexpected gift.
- Cultural events: If you’re at a cultural event, such as a book fair or poetry reading, you can leave a book in a designated area for book exchange.
Remember to label your Bookcrossing book with its unique identification number and information on how to enter its code on the Bookcrossing website so that the reader who finds it can register its location and share their opinion on the book.
Tips for Bookcrossing
Bookcrossing is a fun and exciting activity that allows you to share your favorite books with readers all over the world. Here are some helpful tips to make your bookcrossing experience more effective and enjoyable:
- Properly label your books
Make sure to properly label your books with their unique identification number and necessary information for readers to register them on the bookcrossing website. Consider including a personal note or recommendation inside the book to make the reader feel more connected to you and the book.
- Leave your books in public places
One of the best things about bookcrossing is that you can leave your books in any public place for others to find and enjoy. Think of crowded places where people have time to read, like cafes, libraries, or parks.
- Maintain a positive attitude
Remember that the goal of bookcrossing is to share your love of reading with others, not necessarily to get comments or rewards. Keep a positive attitude and enjoy the process of sharing your books with the world.
- Participate in the bookcrossing community
Join the bookcrossing community online and participate in forums, groups, and discussions. Share your bookcrossing experiences and meet other readers passionate about this activity.
- Be careful when choosing the books to leave
Make sure the books you leave are of good quality and in good condition. It’s also recommended to choose books that you think may be interesting to most readers.
- Respect the places where you leave your books
Make sure to respect the rules and regulations of the places where you leave your books. Don’t leave books in inappropriate or potentially dangerous places for readers.
- Enjoy the excitement of sharing
Enjoy the excitement of sharing your books with readers all over the world. Even if you never receive a comment or thank you, the important thing is that you’re helping to promote the love of reading worldwide.
What can I do with books I no longer use?
There are several things you can do with books you no longer use. Here are some options:
- Donate them: If the books are in good condition and still useful, you can donate them to libraries, schools, charities, hospitals, or even friends and family who are interested in them. This way, the books can continue to be useful for other people.
- Sell them: If the books have some economic value, you can sell them online or in second-hand stores. There are many websites that specialize in the sale of used books, such as Amazon, eBay, and BookFinder.
- Trade them: You can also trade your books for others that interest you. Websites like BookMooch and PaperBackSwap facilitate the exchange of books between users.
- Recycle them: If the books are no longer useful to anyone and cannot be donated or sold, then the most responsible option is to recycle them. Many cities have paper recycling programs that accept books.
It is important to remember that books are a valuable source of knowledge and culture, and we should treat them with respect. Instead of throwing them away, it is better to find a way to make them useful to someone else.
Bibliography and References
Bookcrossing.com. (2023). What is Bookcrossing? Retrieved April 6, 2023, from bookcrossing
Gómez, M. (2019). The book-crossing phenomenon: sharing books to change the world. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.tendencias21.net/El-fenomeno-bookcrossing-compartir-libros-para-cambiar-el-mundo_a45184.html
Gallego, A. (2017). Bookcrossing, the literary community that feeds itself. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.eldiario.es/hojaderouter/internet/bookcrossing-comunidad-literaria-retroalimenta_1_6040399.html
If you want to be part of the bookcrossing community, do not hesitate to register on their website and start labeling and leaving your books all over the world.
It is a fun and exciting way to share your favorite books with other readers and encourage a love of reading worldwide.
Join the bookcrossing movement today!
FAQs
It’s not necessary to register on the bookcrossing website to leave or find books. However, if you want to register the books you leave or the books you find, it’s recommended that you register so you can follow their journey and see who has read them.
Yes, you can leave any type of book in bookcrossing as long as it’s in good condition and appropriate for all ages. However, it’s recommended that you choose books that you think might be interesting for most readers.
Yes, you can leave your books in any public place where people have time to read, such as cafes, libraries, parks, etc. However, it’s important that you respect the rules and regulations of the places where you leave your books and that you leave them in safe and appropriate places for readers.
There are several things you can do with the books you no longer use. Here are some options: donate them, sell them, bookcrossing, exchange or recycle them.
