On entering Worsall Village Hall, Yarm for a dance last night, I was tempted by an overwhelming selection of books set out on tables in the entrance hall . . . I was very restrained and came away with only two. This is one of them, chosen because I'm familiar with Michael Palin in various guises - but not yet as a novelist!

I don't know why I didn't get into this, there's nothing wrong with it, but for some reason it didn't capture my imagination, so I quit!

I can't remember when I last attended a meeting of York BookCrossers but from time to time, when I'm in my favourite city, I like to enjoy a pub lunch at their usual venue and release books on the shelves in the hope that they might find an appreciative reader.

Well over a million people around the world give their books a unique BookCrossing IDentity number (BCID) before sending them out to find new readers. Since the start of the scheme in April 2001 nearly twelve million such books have been put into circulation. This is one of them!

Our hope is that we can track the progress of our books once they've left our hands - and that's possible if finders like you visit the website, key in the BCID and leave a comment, however long or short. It's fun, it doesn't have to cost anything, although the site always appreciates donations towards running costs, and you can remain anonymous if you wish. You don't have to join but if you do you'll be able to number and track your own books!