Headphones On

Some time ago I joined BookCrossing in an effort to a) unclutter my always overflowing bookshelves and b) feel like i was leaving little presents for strangers all over the city. I first felt a little furtive about leaving my books here or there but I've quickly gotten over that and now drop them whenever and wherever. The best part of this process has been tracking where the books go. Granted, I don't actually hear about each book's travels but the ones I do are always fun.

I dropped Lamb : The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal on the eL back in March. It somehow made it's way to New York City. That in itself is rather cool, but now taken up temporary residence in Dublin, Ireland when it was discovered in a Mulberry St. cafe by an Irish traveler.

This detective novel I was given by a friend was left at the bench at the end of my street. It was picked up mere minutes after I walked away by one of my neighbors. Amazingly this neighbor already participates in BookCrossing.

This Illinois literary magazine was left at Argo Tea near Michigan Ave. It was a busy tea shop full of Loyola college students but I figured maybe it would be passed around the dorm for awhile. Two days later it was in Columbus, Ohio.

I hope that whomever picks up my deposited books finds some pleasure not just in the novel but in the experience. A few weeks ago I dropped a book near a bus stop and ended up waiting a few minutes on a nearby corner to meet a friend. As I was waiting an older man walked past me with his dog in tow (actually it was more like the man was in tow)... in the man's hand was my recently dropped book. I didn't say anything because I wanted the process to remain anonymous but I couldn't help but flash him a gigantic smile.