My daughter told me about this website: www.BookCrossings.com

The concept is to register books, then pass them along by leaving them in places where other folk can find them. With any luck the people who pick up your books will log on and let you know where your books travel to... and (hopefully) find books that others leave at a "crossing" There are crossings all over the world... and of course, you can identify new crossings, too.

I've been meaning to clean out my bookshelf anyway, so I'm gonna start doing this. Let's see... at the Campus Center... the State Museum... a rest area on the Thruway... I'm sure I'll find good places to pass my books along!

If you like what you see on the website, and decide to register... let them know you were referred by Wyldflower... (I use that name EVERYWHERE!)

Back to the bookshelf now, to see which books I am willing to part with!

Okay... now that I have "released" half a dozen books, I come across this quote:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
For as to the dispersing of Books, that Circumstance does perhaps as much harm as good: Since Nonsense flies with greater Celerity, and makes greater Impression than Reason; though indeed no particular species of Nonsense is so durable. But the several Forms of Nonsense never cease succeeding one another; and Men are always under the dominion of some one or other, though nothing was ever equal in Absurdity and Wickedness to our present Patriotism.

-David Hume (Letters)
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sooooooooooo...
I've decided that I should only disperse books of nonsense (many of which make much sense!) Next books I'm releasing will include some Tom Robbins fun (Even Cowgirls get the Blues and Still Life with Woodpecker)

Pamram... I saw that you joined, too... anybody else?

<FONT size="1">Edited to add credit to quotation</FONT s>

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Wyldflower on Jul 22, 2002 ---</FONT></center>

Yes, indeed, Wyldflower--though haven't dispersed any books as yet. I've got lots to do. Actually, there's two perfect spots near me. One very close that I get a kick out of has a historical plaque--the first roadside picnic table! How cool is that? Another is a very nicely kept rest stop just a few miles up the highway. I absolutely love this concept. Our little library receives lots of donations--many times duplicates. These are sold usually for .50 for paperbacks and $1.00 for hardcover. I'm always happy to look for a particular book. Whatever I don't have on my bookshelves that I'm willing to part with, I'll get from the library. I haven't registered any books yet, but I will soon. Thanks for the tip!

Oh, as for a new name--how about "Miss Marzipan" or maybe simply "((((HUGS)))))"

Even thugh I work at a Library and kind of have to shudder at the thought of just leaving books on their lonesome, I have to admit it's a cool idea--I've not released any books yet, but maybe I will soon.

I know what you mean, Pat...
I'm being careful about where I leave books... places where there are likely to be READERS... I've left books at a rather "literary" coffee shop, at the State Museum, and at work (University at Albany)

I watched one book at the museum ... two people looked at it and put it down again... the third person picked it up... I'm not counting on the people who take the books posting, but it would be neat if they do!

I'll be releasing a few more books today. Basically, I need to de-clutter my life, and I'm only holding onto certain books that mean a lot to me...

BTW... the Guthrie Center is listed as a Crossing place... two books had been left there. (The location in the directory is Great Barrington, not Housatonic)... The next time I head in that direction I'll leave books there too!