Have you heard of bookcrossing? It’s the practice of leaving books in public places so that others can pick them up, enjoy them, then return or place them in a new spot for the next reader. This book sharing movement has expanded to leaving books on public transportation and is a fast-growing global effort by the Books on the Move campaign. I found out about it when I read “Turning Public Transportation into Mobile Libraries” on Public Libraries Online. (Check it out here.)
Hollie Fraser started this latest trend in bookcrossing in 2012 when she began leaving behind copies of books she had enjoyed on London subways for others to read. She established Books On the Underground and before long, authors and publishers were donating additional copies for readers to find and share. The idea caught on and a year later, Fraser and Rosy Kehdi started Books On The Subway in New York City. Books On The T is the Boston version of the program and enlists volunteers called “book fairies” who hide books for readers to find all around the stations, then use social media to promote the locations.
Fraser and Kehdi have helped the bookcrossing movement on public transportation to expand to many major cities the United States, Europe, Australia and Canada.
Isn’t this cool? Have you seen this happening in your town or city?
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Book Club Mom 
It’s a bit like the Little Free Libraries that have cropped up around the country. Love the idea!
I know isn’t it great? Thanks for reading, Carrie!
As a writer, I love this idea: for most of us, the drive behind what we do is to share our stories with as many people as can possibly get something out of them. And at some point, those copies have been purchased so it’s all to the good. Literature, like oxygen, needs to circulate.
You are so right! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Happy reading and writing, Jan!
I’ve never heard of this before but just love it!! I could well imagine taking part and next time I’m in London I’ll have to look out for one! 😀 I wonder how well it would work in smaller towns and villages…The underground is ideal as it’s dry and at a constant temperature!
Such a splendid idea! A booklover’s dream. 🙂
Sadly, in this day and age, I have a feeling many people might shy away from an abandoned book in a public place (“Where has THAT been?!”) or call in a bomb squad. Still, I have been known to leave my own books in odd places (the National Library in Edinburgh being my favorite) and I always leave a book (not one of mine) behind when I stay at a vacation rental.
Great idea! I’ve seen little book sharing or drop off places crop up here and there, but haven’t noticed books on the subway yet. I’ll have to look for them – and maybe bring my book along to hide in some strange place. 🙂
Oh my gosh, what a flashback! I joined BookCrossing many years ago. I have all their stickers and post-it notes. I was very active in it. I always brought my books when I traveled and tracked where they went. I’ve not done this is years! Hope you’re having fun with it. 🙂