First established in 2001, BookCrossing is a new way of sharing books, discovering authors, and following your favourite books as they travel around the world, touching other people's lives as they continue their journey. If you want to clear away some of those many paperbacks cluttering up your shelves, or just want to share a favourite story once you've read it, BookCrossing might be right up your street.
 | | Jim Hawkins |
BookCrossers register their books for free on the international BookCrossing website, add the reference number in the front, together with a label proclaiming the book's participation in the scheme, then release it into the wild! Popular places for leaving BookCrossing books include bars, supermarkets, cafes, hospitals, car parks... in fact any public place. Those who pick up books are then encouraged to log on to the website, register they've found it, read other people's views on the book and discover a little of the book's travelling history. After that person's read it, they can then pass it on once again, for someone else to enjoy. One of the UK's foremost Bookcrossers, Steve Lucas (aka Netstation in the BookCrossing community) first got into it in 2003, wanting to clear some of the many books he'd accumulated over the years. Steve also wanted to pass on some of the stories which had most influenced him. | "The biggest thing is getting across the idea that reading is pleasurable." | | Author, Neil Gaiman |
Since starting, Steve's passed on over 600 books, around 120 of which he's heard about since, as grateful recipients report back via the website and share their feelings on the book. Steve revealed that it can be a great feeling hearing from someone who's discovered your book on the other side of the world, perhaps passing through dozens of hands as it travels. Mid Morning presenter Jim Hawkins also spoke to one of the founders of BookCrossing, Heather Pedersen in Idaho, USA. While the majority of BookCrossing participants are still in America, it's proving increasingly popular in the UK.
The main BookCrossing website now has around 400,000 members, in 120 countries, with over 2.3 million books 'in the wild'. Most of the books involved are inevitably fiction, although there are also many biographies and other types of books. Around 25% of all those released by BookCrossers turn up again. Heather described it as a "great exercise in fate".
Want to try BookCrossing? Print off one of our BBC Shropshire BookCrossing labels.
Bookcrossing labels > Jim Hawkins also talked to representatives of the authors' community, which has a mixed reaction to BookCrossing. Mark Lefanyou, General Secretary of the Society of Authors revealed both the concerns and hopes of his members. Meanwhile, popular author Neil Gaiman, one of BookCrossing's greatest advocates, explained why he's such a fan.
 | | Elaine with a Bookcrossing book |
BookCrossers in Shropshire and across the world took part in the programme, but perhaps the biggest surprise was reserved for the programme's producer, Elaine Muir. Taking her research seriously, Elaine had a go at BookCrossing the week before the programme, leaving a number of books in Shropshire public places. One of the books involved was 'Lucky' by Alice Sebold, which Elaine left in Shrewsbury's Old Market Hall. Searching the website immediately before the programme, Elaine discovered that 'Lucky' had been picked up by someone... that someone, Josie, just happened to be listening to the show and got in touch. The great news is that Josie is planning to pass on the book when she visits Italy. | 
