September 23, 2005
[This occasional newsletter is sent to members of BookCrossing.com. See the bottom of this newsletter for simple removal instructions.]
400,000 And Going Strong!
We've reached another milestone! September 19, 2005 at 1:15 BookCrossing Time, our 400,000th member joined! Please extend a warm welcome and hearty "Woo Hoo"! to msigalat, of Barcelona, Spain.
A BookCrossing Wish for you:
May your shelf never be empty;
May your heart always be full;
May you never lose your place,
In life or in your book.
May your friends list grow.
And may the next story always
Be more enchanting than the last.
Look What's Back! The Return of SSMS!
And now, a hearty round of applause to welcome back the SSM! Many a BookCrosser has inquired, requested, begged, bartered, and pleaded for the return of the SSM. While we can't promise to have a weekly one, we're up for a semi-regular event. We're throwing down the challenge to you, though, to help come up with ideas. Submit them via the contact us link. (choose the fourth option which says "This is just FYI — no need to reply to me") If we choose your idea, we'll give you wings for a month and a mention in the Newsletter that announces your idea. (For a list of previous SSMs we refer you to the ever wonderful TexasWren's site. We last SSMd in July of 2004 with SSM27, so look for details of our planned SSM28 elsewhere in the Newsletter. Have fun!!!
BookCrossing Heads for Orbit
 Back in 1999, the United Nations declared the October 4-10 annually to be World Space Week as "a yearly celebration at the international level of the contribution that space science and technology can make to the betterment of the human condition." (October 4 is the anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, in case you are wondering). Since then, World Space Week has been celebrated in more than 50 countries around the globe each year.
As both BookCrossing and World Space Week are grass roots activities, and real examples of �think globally � act locally� someone saw a connection between the two. Mindful of the similarities, UK BookCrosser and genuine rocket scientist UrbanSpaceman set about seeing if a little synergy couldn�t be generated between them. The result? The World Space Week — BookCrossing themed release! Add in some specially-designed labels by Australian BookCrosser Saine and you have a plan which gets both BookCrossers and space enthusiasts around the globe releasing space and science-fiction books during World Space Week and publicising both activities. So, if you think the sky is the limit, see the special WSW-BC bookshelf for more details and start registering those books in preparation for lift-off!
Somebodies and Nobodies Available Again for BookCrossers Everywhere!
Last October, BookCrossing and The Dignitarian Dialogues joined forces to give away thousands of copies of Robert W. Fuller's Somebodies and Nobodies. Now, we are able to offer 3,500 copies more to BookCrossers across the world. You and this book can help change the world. And while quantities last, it won't cost you a thing.
BookCrossing.com and The Dignitarian Dialogues, a project of the Harnisch Family Foundation, have joined forces to give away 3,500 copies of Somebodies and Nobodies — Overcoming the Abuse of Rank by Robert W. Fuller. We want each copy of this important book to travel far and wide, reaching as many thoughtful readers as possible. If you're interested and want to help this project, at absolutely no cost or obligation, sign up for your copy at www.bookcrossing.com/freebook. We'll even pay the shipping!
Somebodies and Nobodies is a book about "rankism" (a new blanket-term that covers racism, sexism, ageism, etc.) that dares to imagine a "dignitarian" world: one in which we treat each other with dignity regardless of our rank. When we treat people of different ranks with equal dignity, we overcome rankism, just as we overcome racism by treating people of different races with equal dignity. Overcoming rankism is the next, natural, evolutionary step for democracy. And this book explains how best to do it.
Since there will be so many BookCrossers reading Somebodies and Nobodies concurrently, we've given it its own discussion forum. Click on over and join the conversation.
Help BookCrossers.de make the Semifinals
On Saturday, September 17, 2005, the German Support Site BookCrossers.de was announced on German Internet Radio as one of the six winning websites of the inital voiting in "The Better Page" contest. The next round of voting is happening on September 18-24. The 3 websites with the most votes go into the semifinal! Want to vote? Click here. Good luck! All of us at BookCrossing Central are voting for you! (Want to see the site? Click here.)
In The News
 We noted a decided multimedia flavor to the news this issue. For starters, we're hand in hand with the Webbys again. What nice company! But from then on, it's anybody's preference: print, television, radio...Go Ballycumber!
There are many adjectives that come to mind when describing BookCrossers in general, but perhaps a recent article in a Forsyth, Montana paper came up with a first — "radical readers". Hmmmm...something to add to the list of descriptors for us all! Thanks to 1stlite, who gave a brilliant interview that is documented in the article (which, whilst not online via the paper, is available here). We seem to have taken on an international flare of late, with an article by the Associated Press in Paris which has been picked up by over 50 newspapers worldwide (at last count), including such notable as the Chicago Tribune and Aljazeera. Featured are some of our marvelous Parisian BookCrossers, as well as an interesting follow-up from author Angelo Rinaldi, that the "find" of a manuscript attributed to BookCrossing in this article (and in a previous In the News article of ours) was indeed a "humorous way to disguise a leak of the book, La possibilite d'une ile, which he planned." There's also a separate article from the Shanghai Daily News here. As for the BBC...click on over here for details. It's truly amazing! Be sure to check in the Announcements forum — there seem to be scads of book sales going on just about everywhere. Maybe there is one happening near you and you can replenish your shelves!!
(German)
BOOKCROSSING RELEASE PARTY IN SALZBURG AM 23.9.2005
Das Salzburger Literaturnetz schickt 50 B�cher von Salburger Autoren auf Weltreise!
by Literaturnetz
Mit einem Infostand am Platzl/Anfang Linzergasse startet das Salzburger Literaturnetz eine gro�e Release-Aktion! 50 B�cher von Salzburger Autoren werden bei Bookcrossing.com registriert und zur Mitnahme an �ffentlich zug�nglichen Orten ausgesetzt. Die Liste der B�cher wird unter www. literaturnetz.at/salzburg am 23.9. ver�ffentlicht werden. Alle Informationen zu den B�chern, Fundorten und dem Literaturnetz gibt es auch am Infostand zwischen 15.00 und 19.00 Uhr am Platzl/Anfang Linzergasse gegen�ber Staatsbr�cke....
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1983]
TO THE FINLAND STATION
BookCrossing's New Platform
by Skyring
Works of public art, such as statues, are often used by BookCrossers for unofficial release points, and there is a lot to be said for seeing some fusty old politician clutching a copy of Harry Potter with a "Free Book" label attached. But here is a case where an artist is actually requesting BookCrossing releases to decorate his installation!...
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1980]
(German)
DER LANGE WEG ZU MEINER EIGENEN OBCZ
The long way to my own OBCZ
by Katti
(for an English translation please scroll down)...
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1981]
(French)
CROSSED LIBRARIAN
Comment une biblioth�caire fut prise au jeu du bookcrossing
by nanoutaze
Voici comment, par une belle journ�e d'�t� 2005, une coll�gue m'a innocul� le virus du bookcrossing :
Cela faisait � peine 15 jours que bossait � Wavre, lorsque un matin en arrivant au bureau, je rem
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1984]
A BIT ON THE BEEB
More on the Recent Events and Happenings with BC and the BBC
by BCNewsletter
BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire will include a BookCrossing segment on the Annie Othen Show next Tuesday, 27 September from 12:15 BST.
Local listeners can tune in to 94.8FM, 104FM, and 103.7FM. National
coverage available on DAB digital radio. "Listen Live" Internet service
for anyone else is at www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/local_radio. Be sure to tune in!...
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1985]
BROADENING HORIZONS THROUGH BOOKCROSSING
Bumma Dreams of Waltzing Matilda
by bookczuk
The other night at supper, bumma was telling us how she is cleaning up her little library corner in her part of the house. (For those who don't know, bumma and the czuks reside together as a three generation family on the coast of Carolina. It is a lovely arrangement, and I wouldn't have it any other way.)...
[read it all at http://www.bookcrossing.com/articles/1986]
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 |  184,661 (46%) |
| UNITED KINGDOM | 36,834 (9%) |
| CANADA | 28,888 (7%) |
| GERMANY | 26,083 (6%) |
| SPAIN | 18,730 (5%) |
| AUSTRALIA | 18,064 (4%) |
| ITALY | 13,420 (3%) |
| FRANCE | 6,950 (2%) |
| PORTUGAL | 5,732 (1%) |
| NETHERLANDS | 5,511 (1%) |
Top 10 Countries Last Week
| USA | 956 (37%) |
| UNITED KINGDOM | 319 (12%) |
| GERMANY | 163 (6%) |
| CANADA | 145 (6%) |
| CHINA | 137 (5%) |
| AUSTRALIA | 91 (4%) |
| FRANCE | 89 (3%) |
| SPAIN | 67 (3%) |
| ITALY | 51 (2%) |
| TURKEY | 50 (2%) |
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...
 I was tickled to get this catch - and a new member! - but how'd the book get to...
...the medical center from where I left it? [I know, I shouldn't complain that one leg of its journey didn't get recorded, but sometimes it's just so frustrating! {grin}]
http://bookcrossing.com/---/2981450
by GoryDetails
After a year hiatus, check out all the journeys of this book!
http://bookcrossing.com/---/862922
by Ri
"Backpack" really travels
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/1091195 Starts off in the US, traded to a bookcrosser in Hawaii. Then apparently went as a RABCK to England, where it was read and then wild-released. It was the first bookcrossing book found by Lord-Trotsky, and then was wild-released again, this time in Canada. Someone from the UK found it (and became a member), so it may bounce back over to the Old World again. Wow!
by Cpetersky
Nice catch and new member (with four books already registered) for Valkyerie
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/3186324
by Cpetersky
This person didn't seem too interested in the book...but they joined anyway!
I did a small themed release of about 5 books in a park the night before a medieval faire (Friday night), and so far only one has been caught&journaled.... the person didn't seem to be very interested in the book/like it very much, but they became a member anyway! That's the first member I've got from a catch, I'm excited! I'm off to PM this new member! http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/3107559
by JessicaEby
a new member and a great catch - 4 months later!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/ Looks like you were right about the Ben Folds concert attendees, Inkognitoh!
by Ri
This bear is travelling pretty well!! :o)
http://bookcrossing.com/---/2556551
by rarsberry
Book found in Tesco...but not where I left it!!
This was strange...I'd left it at one of the check-outs in the Tesco in Abingdon about 3 weeks ago on top of the spare plastic bags which is not where it was found!....(new member too!:))
entries at http://bookcrossing.com/---/2831973 anytime. Book Title: Babyville
Author: Jane Green
Saturday, September 17, 2005 I found this book on the shelves in Tescos underneath the books for sale.
I was actually looking for a Jane Green book, so I picked it up. Then I
noticed it was a Bookcrossing book and wasn't sure what to do with it.
Nobody in Tescos knew either so I brought it home with me and I am going to
take it on holiday with me in 3 weeks time. By taylor61 from Wantage, Oxfordshire United Kingdom
Book Rating: out of 10
by Molyneux
The quickest keenest new member I have ever found! - Peterborough Catches
I went to a meet in Peterborough Uk yesterday, and left a book on a pay and display meter just outside the pub. It was a release for the ANIMAL CHALLENGE too! When I got home I already had a journal entry before I could make the release notes, and they had already registered their own book and left it in a geocache! What is more- they posted a lovely poem on their profile page. Found a book...
Picked it up...
hope all day I'll have good luck. Give the book to a friend...
then your luck will never end. http://bookcrossing.com/---/3005918
by weebly
Almost a year later, great catch for prospero2u
http://bookcrossing.com/---/2081825
by Jare
American Gods can't decide whether it wants to be in England or America!
I'm from England (and am in England now) but lived for a while in Virginia, USA. While there I released "American Gods". Another English person on holiday in the area found the book and has brought it back to England- and by the sound of it released it in England. Confused? I am! http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/1676183
by Kernow8
From South Carolina to England
It had a little help getting there: http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/3245155
by Cpetersky
A workplace release got caught by AF.
Shame AF only said "Left book in staff area for someone else to read and enjoy".
Does not really tell anyone much.
At least it got caught. :)
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/1597138
by dinobore
Yay! An AF has kindly rescued another book from the garbage.
http://bookcrossing.com/---/2011669 They even jounaled it after it had been in the wild for about a year.
by Buffheart
this book keeps getting caught!
This book just keeps getting caught over and over. it's one of my first.
http://bookcrossing.com/---/2988811
by Ktbean
SSM 28 Return of the Prodigal SSM
To welcome back SSMs and celebrate our growth beyond 400,000 members, we thought we'd choose a family theme to get us all back in practice. Think about the folks you have met through BookCrossing. It can be on the Forum, through a BookRing, at a gathering or through a release and catch of a book. Once you've thought about who has come into your life via BookCrossing, check your stash of books for something that reminds you of them. It can be the title of a book, the author's name or the subject — whatever — just so that it is meaningful for you. When you've got your BookCrosser in mind and your book in hand, release it in a manner that is themed to the book or to the person. Your choice. We're keeping it simple this time, so we all can get back in shape. This Sunday, September 25, gather your book(s) and your thoughts and let them go thusly... Your SSM28 Assignment: - RELEASE ZONE: Anywhere
- RELEASE METHOD: Pick a book, release zone or release method that means BookCrossing Family to you
- RELEASE TIME: This Sunday, September 25, 2005
The 10 Rules of Sunday Sunset Missions:
- Don't talk about SSMs!
- Don't talk about SSMs! (you need to read or see Fight Club for that to make sense)
- Be on time! You can get the exact sunset time from http://www.weather.com/
- Label the books properly. At a minimum, this means a sticky-note on the outside making it clear that the book is FREE and NOT LOST (don't write anything on the outside to cause others alarm!), and a good, descriptive label inside the cover explaining BookCrossing and including the BCID for the book
- If possible, choose a book with content appropriate to the release location
- If possible, print out one of the press articles from http://www.bookcrossing.com/press and include it with the book (the Utne Reader or Reader's Digest articles work well)
- Take pictures! Those of you with digital cameras, try to take a picture of the release zone with books, upload it with your journal entry, and make a post with the journal entry link in the SSM forum at http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/21
- Be safe! Use your common sense, and don't do anything to endanger persons or property
- Pay attention to the media the following day or two, try to note any mention of the SSM, and post such mentions to the SSM forum
- And finally, have fun!
All of our newsletters, including this one, are archived on the web at http://www.bookcrossing.com/newsletterarchive.
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