I the idea is really quite simple. Entice people to read more and try to generate some dialogue centred around the art of reading and any social issues that may arise through our everyday experiences from reading. How to do it? Just leave some books lying around in public places. Attach a sticker with a cute little owl reading a book and the instructions on what to do and the project is up and running.
I've actually been doing this for years sans the sticker. It wasn't until I had a chance encounter with a guy in a laundromat in Copenhagen Denmark that I decided to develop a formalized project to follow the exploits of the books I leave behind. I had just finished dropping a book off on one of the folding tables in the laundromat when this guy walks in sees the book sitting there and wanders out loud where the book had been before it made it's way there. I had never really put much thought into where the book would end up. I just left them wherever I felt someone would come along pick it up take it home and read it. What they did with book after reading it I never contemplated. I became intrigued with finding out what happens to these books if I encouraged the people who found these tomes to pass them on by leaving them in public places when they were done with them. There are other sites that do this exact thing such as the book crossing site I have listed under the resources section. What I hope makes this project unique is that it is not meant to be a business but more of a gathering place for like minded people to follow, discuss and contribute to this project. This blog will serve to be a forum for my views on reading and other associated topics from which I would like to generate further dialogue. I hope you enjoy this blog and I look forward to hearing your comments and offerings on the art of reading.
