March 9, 2005
[This occasional newsletter is sent to members of BookCrossing.com. See the bottom of this newsletter for simple removal instructions.]
Love BookCrossing? Let Lovemarks know!
 Lovemarks reach your heart as well as your mind, creating an intimate, emotional connection that you just can�t live without. Ever. Take a brand away and people will find a replacement. Take BookCrossing away and no doubt people would loudly protest its absence. Lovemarks are a relationship, not a mere transaction. You don�t just buy Lovemarks, you embrace them passionately. Simply put, Lovemarks inspire "Loyalty Beyond Reason". And BookCrossing does just that. Since October 2004, BookCrossers across the planet have been sharing their inspirational stories with the rest of the world via Lovemarks.com. And since then, BookCrossing has attracted thousands of votes, and cultivated hundreds of inspirational stories from their ever growing global community. BookCrossing is now the number 1 worldwide Lovemark. Come and tell the world your inspirational BookCrossing stories, and help BookCrossing maintain the positioning it so rightly deserves on Lovemarks.com.
Register for US Conference before March 17 and SAVE
Registration for the upcoming Fort Worth, TX convention in April is currently $60. But register now, because after March 17, the price will go up. If the registration form is postmarked after March 17, 2005, please add a $5 late fee. The $60 registration fee per adult includes two catered lunches and two coffee/snack breaks at the hotel. If you are registering for one day only, the cost for Saturday is $45 and for Sunday is $20.
The deadline for hotel registration is March 15. It is suggested that you make reservations, even if you aren't sure that you can attend, so that you would be able to get the special group price. You can still cancel, with no charge, up to 48 hours before the convention.
For more information, visit convention pages at texaswren's site or yvi-1's site, where registration forms are also available.
A note from the Support Team
Having trouble logging in? Notice that the "secure" link at the Supply Store seems to be missing? Can't find a feature you are looking for? The culprit may be an incorrect url. Remember our web address is www.BookCrossing.com, not bookcrossings or Bookcrossers or Crossingbooks. While we do have domain name rights to similar sounding urls, the real McCoy is www.BookCrossing.com.
Our Support Team (all are active BookCrossers!) is very happy to hear from you and help in any way we can. From time to time, we shall try and run hints and tips to help you out with your BookCrossing adventures. In the meantime, read and release...your books will thank you!
BookCrossing as publishing's "potential Napster crisis"? Not!
While we have had plenty of positive press lately, we though this speech of Caroline Michel of Harper Press reprinted in the Guardian worth sharing. According to Ms. Michel, BookCrossing is a potential publishing Napster. Equally interesting is the forum discussion the article generated.
BookCrossing celebrates World Book Day in style
BookCrossing helped celebrate the UK World Book Day on 3 March with great fanfare. Aside from all the media mentions (see related article in this newsletter). Phantomgirl, peaceangel and littleted set up a temporary OBCZ at Andersonstown Library Belfast and a group of libraries from the Isle of Wight, the coast of Southern England, did a mass release. The WBD Challenge and the WBD Challenge II helped keep folks active. Saine created some fantastic labels for the challenge, which can be viewed here, along with some others of her creation. And finally, anyone want to guess how many books were released on March 3? A whopping 1,563 are now out there in celebration.
If you missed the occasion, never fear! The US celebrates World Book Day on 23 April. Start saving your books!
Creativity Corner
Did you see a really great release photo for a book? Or did you find a clever way to use one of our Supply Store products? If so, send a message with "newsletter" in the subject to us from our Contact form(use the "feedback" option), and we'll try to feature your find in a future edition.
For example, here's a mountaintop release of swan-scot's Summer Gone on the summit of Sgurr Eilde Mor (1010m), the eastern-most of the Mamores...and it was caught by an Anonymous Finder!
BCAUS Convention Sweepstakes! Enter Now!
The next Australian Bookcrossing Convention will be held 24-26 June 2005 in Brisbane Queensland Australia!
There will be a GRAND SWEEPSTAKES (with a difference!) held in conjunction with the Convention. All BookCrossers, with the exception of Australian and New Zealand members, are invited to enter.
Just add your member name to the forum thread, and you will be added to the list. The winner will be notified by private message (PM). The drawing takes place at the Convention in Brisbane. The Winner Takes All. And the ALL will be books donated to the Convention by Australian and New Zealand members.
Australian and New Zealand Members take note: If you would like to donate a book, please pm cackleberry for the Post Office Box Number you can send it to. There have been many books promised from both sides of the Tasman already. The postage costs will be met by a raffle to be run at the Convention. All the books have to be about Australia or New Zealand, or by an Oz or NZ author, photographer, biographer, historian, poultry farmer or whatever. The winner gets to release a whole heap of Oz and NZ books in their country! The NZ Convention Committee has agreed to run a similar Sweepstakes at their next Convention, since it is too late to organise one for the immediately upcoming Convention.
All the OZ and NZ BookCrossers wish all our BookCrossing friends from around the World GOOD LUCK IN THE SWEEPSTAKES!
Calling all US BookCrossers wishing to donate to Book Aid International
 Rutledge Coffee and Cream (in Charleston, SC), which hosts the RutledgeCoffee OBCZ, has volunteered to be a state-side collection point for Book Aid International. We've contacted our friends at BAI to determine any particular needs they have regarding book type and content. They let us know that while they get lots of donations from UK publishers, the subject areas they are lacking and thereby "in desperate need of" are Reference Books, Vocational Books, and Teacher Training Materials.
BookCrosser Netstation has volunteered to be the point person to help coordinate donations. If you think you may have a suitable book, send the details (not the book just yet, please!) by PM, and he will compile a list for the Book Aid folks. Once a book has been given the thumbs up, RutledgeCoffee will collect them from US BookCrossers and send via m-bag to BAI. If there are other volunteers who aspire to be a collection point, welcome! The more the merrier! Just let Netstation know or use the feeback option on our contact us form, putting Book Aid in the subject line.
And remember, financial donations are massively appreciated! It costs Book Aid International approximately $2.80 to get a book into the hands of an overseas reader. Your donation would make a real difference to the lives of readers in the developing world. If you can, please donate now!
Austrian Bookcrossers raise up a song for the victims of the Tsunami
Austrian rock'n rollin' BookCrosser,
JoeFritzHaller, and his Band Once More gave a benefit concert 17 February for victims of the December Tsunami in Southeast Asia. All procedes went to SOS-Kinderdorf (SOS Children's Village project)in Southeast Asia (which was also featured in this article in our last newsletter). Ever wonder what the Austrian crowd of BookCrossers look like? Now thanks to 5Schwammerl, you can visit the website for the Vienna OBCZ zum Schwammerl and see!
BookCrossing makes news everywhere!
 BookCrossing seems to be hitting the news in all sorts of places! As articles appear, we shall add them here for you to read.
First off, our own Olliebear (UK) is featured in a 26 February Independent article. It begins: "If you are passing through London's Waterloo station next week and notice an abandoned book with a label saying, "Read me", don't dismiss it as a hoax."
Then there is the Times Union of the same date that spotlights several BookCrossers in the Albany, NY area, including Josho, poppinjaye, and GreySquirrely.
And while it may be Greek to you, there was an article in the Greek paper, TA NEA. Aris1 kindly translated it for us in the Announcement Forum.
BookCrossing got a mention on BBC Radio in Wales and a thumbs up from The Scotsman writer Lee Randal in his article "How the book world's worst enemy became its best friend".
And once again, there was a marvelous BBC Radio Humberside interview with Olliebear, Lucycat, and ellamegalast that aired 2 March. It was recorded at a Meet-up in Hull, so listen for the background noise of clinking glasses. (Audio link coming soon). Also, the Beeb's (that's BBC for you non-Brits) 'Page Turners' host, Jeremy Vine, gave away hundreds of books to members of the public at Waterloo station on Wednesday to mark World Book Day. The event was reported on the London SE1 website, and in the News Telegraph and the Guardian.
Hot off the press is an article in French in Le Nouvel Observateur and one by dolphingirlie, which can be found here.
And our fearless leader, Reno, made an appearance on REM.FM in the south of Spain, which broadcasts to about half a million English-speaking listeners. Those of us who missed it are hoping it will be up on line somewhere soon. (Hint, hint, Reno!)
Congratulations all! And a huge thanks to jellylava for outfitting our favorite book to help alert us to the news. Keep watching for more reports. And Keep on 'Crossing!
A Pack-Rat (and Reporter) Discovers BookCrossing
The ever-alert mojosmom brought our attention to an article in the Nashau NH Telegraph, Pack-rat salvation may await at BookCrossing. Reporter Jennifer O'Callaghan (aka Encoregirl) shares a common plight and delight with many of us: a love of books. Be sure to click on over and read about her discovery of BookCrossing, and her release of Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress. GoryDetails, who lives in the area, plans to clip the article and include it with some future releases.
CAN I SHARE A SECRET?
and it's OK if you share it too!
by ottawabill
One of the real delights of BookCrossing are the delicious notes people write about how they savour the books they get, especially those tasty treats that arrive unrequested as RABCKs (Random Act of BookCrossing Kindness). Another remarkable aspect of the site itself is the personal stories people share and they way in which other BookCrossers reach out to them. And then it occurred to me...a way to combine these things...a secret bookring!...
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1648]
RELEASING FOR A CAUSE
The Real Karma of Books
by Holly (kz4ufo)
Over the past two years of BookCrossing, I have released thousands of books. Several hundred of those have been devoted to special or themed-releases benefiting children. Yet the most rewarding books I have released only amount to a dozen or so at this time. What is so special about these few books? They deal with cancer....
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1653]
MUGGING FOR LITERATURE
read, drink and be caffeinated
by MaryanneStahl
A good book, a roaring fire and a comfy couch--or a desk chair or kitchen stool --and a nice cup of coffee. What could be better? For a reader, not much....
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1649]
BOOKCROSSING HELPS WITH LINGUISTICS!
Losing my Portuguese
by Aquina
I�ve been living in London for two years now. As time passed, I began to realize that I was �losing� my Portuguese. Since I was no longer talking or reading Portuguese on a daily basis, I was forgetting words and grammar. I clearly remember waking up one morning and thinking, �I really need to sweep the floor, and��, only to realize five seconds later that I was actually thinking in English!...
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1652]
RABCK STARTS MY HUSBAND READING!
Two Copies of Gone with the Wind
by book-spy
My husband has never read a book in his adult life. I find this so hard to believe, but yes, it's true. I am an avid reader and I never really could grasp the fact that my husband wasn�t! However, a great revelation has occurred in my family since I joined BookCrossing. ...
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1654]
CALL FOR WRITERS
Want to write for BookCrossing? If your article is accepted, you could see it featured here in the next newsletter. What topics do we need? Anything about books, reading, or BookCrossing — tutorials, release and catch stories, well-traveled book stories, funny BookCrossing experience stories — you get the idea. Write it up, then submit it here:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/submit
Top 10 Countries All-Time
| USA |  162,882 (48%) |
| CANADA | 25,498 (8%) |
| UNITED KINGDOM | 24,901 (7%) |
| GERMANY | 21,517 (6%) |
| SPAIN | 16,394 (5%) |
| AUSTRALIA | 15,262 (5%) |
| ITALY | 12,433 (4%) |
| FRANCE | 4,836 (1%) |
| PORTUGAL | 4,469 (1%) |
| NETHERLANDS | 3,995 (1%) |
Top 10 Countries Last Week
| USA | 683 (30%) |
| UNITED KINGDOM | 531 (24%) |
| GERMANY | 158 (7%) |
| CANADA | 125 (6%) |
| FRANCE | 115 (5%) |
| AUSTRALIA | 105 (5%) |
| SPAIN | 69 (3%) |
| NETHERLANDS | 51 (2%) |
| BULGARIA | 43 (2%) |
| ITALY | 30 (1%) |
Wild books released by our members are being caught all over the world, every day! Our site watch forum is where members post news of great wild book catches. Here are some of the best from the last few days...
A nice catch Down Under
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/2569589 We may get a BCer from this one yet.
by Secretariat
Thrilled to have happened upon a book!
Check this catch out. And welcome cogleite! http://bookcrossing.com/---/1747981
by abs
Check out the BBC's new Bookshelf!
This has been mentioned on the Announcements forum, but the BBC mass released books at Waterloo Station, London, for World Book Day. They were also promoting their new book programme- 'Page Turners'. They've already had 2 catches & 2 new members! http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/BBCPageturners
by Anne-Elliott
Thirtieth Birthday trek weekend success...
Woo-hoo! http://bookcrossing.com/---/384991 Yee-haw. We released sixteen this weekend, in Quebec City, Montreal, and Ottawa- hopefully some more come in soon. :) 'Nathan, older, not wiser.
by N8an
Another themed release catch
My daughter released this when we went to Cadbury's chocolate factory last year, we'd given up on it despite seeing it caught, but it got journalled today and a new member referral too!! Oooh, and check out my daughter's World Book Day picture too- and my sons( Callumg), he won first prize at school for it!! http://bookcrossing.com/---/book_-Charlie-and-the-Chocolate-Factory-Roald-Dahl
by blum
LOL at this great entry - "the book is terrible"!
Really funny catch for peaceangel! Glad the 'trashy' book hasn't put AF off BookCrossing though! http://bookcrossing.com/---/2467923
by Anne-Elliott
"What a fab idea Bookcrossing is!"
Hope AF eventually joins! http://bookcrossing.com/---/2500683
by Anne-Elliott
This was fast! caught, joined, released and caught in 11 days!
This is cool, I started an OBCZ about 3 weeks ago and a few people have journaled books but one person who found and journaled a book Feb 14 joined on Feb 24, released some of their own books and had one caught already on Feb 25, the same day they released it! http://bookcrossing.com/---/book_-The-Mark-Of-The-Angel-Nancy-Huston
by PaperbackPal
A RABCK catches a new member and goes back home to VA!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/1952521 :D
by Metropolitan
"the thrill was tremendous"
http://bookcrossing.com/---/2527896
by erulissenen
A very nice catch for 84 Charing Cross Rd...
...one of the perfect-for-BookCrossing books of all time! This copy has already done some traveling, but its latest wild release and catch are quite sweet. [The entries are in French; I can just muddle through well enough to get the gist, but will leave actual translation as an exercise for the reader!] http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/1555090
by GoryDetails
A BookCrossing Catch? A "Cool Omen"? or both..!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/2523148
Very cool catch, too, by a person en route to see Christo's Gates in Central Park..(I'm so envious..) And the Gates are already gone- in even less time than Martha Stewart's prison sentence....
by SCOUT-FINCH
Wild Animus caught!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/1715467 looks like it's going to travel some more, too!
by grooble
A World Book Day Release Success Story!
Congratulations to ermintrude75 on this catch by an enthusiastic new member!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/1805326
by SCOUT-FINCH
Stuck in a bookcrossing rut? Seeking guidance for your next wild book release safari? Here are some fresh ideas posted by members in our Release Challenges forum to whet your adventure appetite. And if you can think of other timely or unique challenges, post them to the forum and you may see them here in the next newsletter!
New Challange: Bookcrossing Anniversary
by Jas330
Accomplishments for the March "Oh, the Places We Can Go" Release Challenge
by Secretariat
updated...offical, and with PRIZES!! CHALLANGE!! - Taking the lead from the BC newsletter
by princess1984
Calling all Cowboys (or their fans!) An April Release Challenge
by 1stlite
My 52 towns in 52 weeks release challenge for 2005...
by bluepointjive
Our forums offer hundreds of new topics each day. Here are a few recent ones you don't want to miss... jump right into the conversations!
Re: Dr Zhivago by Pasternak
started by Secretariat in Book Talk
Absolutely bizarre thing just happened
started by bookczuk in Site Watch
BX featured in The Guardian newspaper
started by Anne-Elliott in Announcements
[About wings] Unbelievable!!!
started by Wyando in Site Watch
BC-Excursion to the Vienna Zoo + Pics
started by Vargas in Announcements
BookCrossing is publishing's "potential Napster crisis".
started by Netstation in Announcements
I'm a bit discouraged.
started by jennannej in Release Techniques
Radio interview in a few minutes
started by Reno in Announcements
bookcrossing on Radio Wales
started by hterag65 in Announcements
BookCrossing makes greek newspaper...
started by aris1 in Announcements
Have you ever tried a "this book wants to get to [Ireland, California, Chad]" note?
started by erulissenen in Release Techniques
Great article on BC from The Independent, today.
started by Netstation in Announcements
Are you a BC author? Are you coming to the Convention? (X-post)
started by mojosmom in Announcements
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