Go to article index for other articles written by Eric Shackle.
DON'T JUST READ IT - SET IT FREE!
by Eric Shackle
Next time you've finished reading a book, leave it around for someone else to enjoy. That's what Ron Hornbaker urges you to do. And more than 130,000 readers around the world are following his advice, sharing their pleasure with thousands of strangers.
They leave books bearing bright yellow stickers saying: "I'm FREE. I'm NOT LOST!" on park benches, in planes, trains and buses, airport lounges, waiting rooms and countless other places.
Hornbaker, who is president of a software firm in Kansas City, Missouri, founded Book Crossing two years ago. The idea has rocketed. Today's membership is more than twice what it was last December. Ron predicts he will have a million members in three years. His company's website claims to receive more than 25 million hits a month.
"Our goal simply is to make the whole word a library, " the BookCrossing website proclaims.
Leading magazines and newspapers have applauded the concept. Libraries and even some publishers welcome the idea, as it encourages more people to read - and perhaps buy - other books.
"With no advertising or public-relations campaign, BookCrossing.com has relied on word of mouth and stories such as this one to spread," James F. Sweeney wrote in the Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer, in an article entitled If You Love Some Books, Set Them Free..
Jan Moran wrote to Hornbaker: "BookCrossing is a fabulous idea; what a unique way to share the beloved books we hold so dear, books that have touched our hearts and, because of your efforts, will now go on to touch so many more.
"As an author, I write in solitude. What a great way to follow our little 'children', to learn of their deeds--or misdeeds!--along the way. I'll spread the word to other authors and booksellers, too; after all, we all share books, even though we love to see them sold."
Describing BookCrosing, Hornbaker says,"The real credit for this site should go to my parents. Both school teachers, they taught me the joys of reading and learning at a very early age. BookCrossing is just an indirect culmination of their good influence over the years.
"I have an eight-year-old daughter, Lydia, who is the light of my life, and I'm married to a beautiful woman, Kaori, who spoils me rotten. We live in a quiet little lake community near Kansas City, Missouri, with two cats, a dog, two hamsters (at last count), and 10 or so leopard geckos.
"Kaori not only helped me conceive of BookCrossing and design the logo, but also shares many favorite pastimes with me: shooting pool, black and white photography and printing, riding motorcycles (especially vintage Moto Guzzis), driving in weekend autocross events in my old 911, singing/songwriting with keyboards and guitar, playing tennis and golf, boating, fishing, flying, and of course reading."
In a way, the e-book you are reading right now is an example of BookCrossing, so please don't just read it. Pass it on, by telling your friends about The World's First Multi-National e-Book, at bdb.co.za/shackle/ebook.htm If they're senior citizens, they may be more interested in reading Life Begins at 80... on the Internet, at the same address.
Eric Shackle is now an 84 year old web author, and his writings have appeared all around the world. He has written a lovely and funny book, which he has published on the net for you to peruse. Hop over to Eric Shackle's eBook and have a read. A lovely way to pass that coffee break time, reading a well-written book.
Advertising Information 
