Geo Caching meets Book Crossing

[+rmayjr]

Here is a different twist for larger caches. I know of a few cachers that are interested in Book Crossing. Book crossing is when you leave a book you have read in a public place for someone else to pick up. What if... There was a way we could leave books in larger caches and have the titile of the book show on the cache listing. Similar to how coins and bugs show. Then if someone wanted to read that book they could go get it. Just a thought.

[+doingitoldschool]

Here is a different twist for larger caches. I know of a few cachers that are interested in Book Crossing. Book crossing is when you leave a book you have read in a public place for someone else to pick up. What if... There was a way we could leave books in larger caches and have the titile of the book show on the cache listing. Similar to how coins and bugs show. Then if someone wanted to read that book they could go get it. Just a thought.

 

There are a few caches that are dedicated to book trading - ask around to see if one is near you. As for keeping track of what is in them, people could list the titles they leave or take on their logs , but it wouldn't be comprehensive.

[+hydnsek]

I found my first BookCrossing cache - Big Bookworm - back in 2004 (placed in 2003 and still active). I've found a few others since then. Great concept - hope you decide to place one!

 

I wouldn't hold high hopes for finders recording the books they take and leave, though. It's hard enough getting TBs logged correctly.

Edited November 19, 2009 by hydnsek

[+WRASTRO]

I found my first BookCrossing cache - Big Bookworm - back in 2004 (placed in 2003 and still active). I've found a few others since then. Great concept - hope you decide to place one!

 

I wouldn't hold high hopes for finders recording the books they take and leave, though. It's hard enough getting TBs logged correctly.

We found this cache even before hydnsek! It was one of our earliest finds and we still point to the location when we drive by. Our entire family reads quite a bit and this was a memorable find for us.

 

I hope you place one and that it has at least as long of a life as our local one has.

[+Morning Dew]

Just so you know, this is already being done.

 

-You get a book

-Get a TB tag

-Attach TB to book. The best way is just use a long piece of bead chain so that it can be used as a book mark while the book is being read. You run the bead chain through the page you're reading and around the back spine so it makes one complete circle.

-Put the title of the book in the TB; i.e. BOOK - "The Grapes of Wrath"

-Describe the book in the TB description and tell people to read it and then drop it in another regular sized cache.

-Drop your TB in a cache and you're all set.

 

For the one I did, I wrote a note on the inside cover of the book, thanking the originator in case he/she ever got it back.

 

I believe this meets all your criteria, because the TBs will show up on the cache page. Anyways, the method I described above is already being done. Jump on board .

Edited November 19, 2009 by Morning Dew

[+Maingray]

Yup, I also own a bookcrossing cache, put out about 3 years ago. Very nice idea.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...d9902&log=y

 

plus a few TB books

 

e.g. http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=551040

[CacheCoeur]

Sounds interesting...does anyone have a list/bookmark of caches or Tbs related to bookcrossing?

[+Ms.Scrabbler]

GC19FGA is one on Ocracoke, NC. It's set up as a library cache in an ammo can.

 

I went down the trail carrying a book only to find a plastic bag hanging out and pins missing on the ammo can. The 2 days before there had been 8" of rain. The water inside was to the brim, I drained the water the best I could but the books in it will never be readable again. I would have removed them but didn't have anything to put them in.

 

Since then others have found it and most said the same thing.

 

Have to wonder if books in a cache would wick water. I've only found one other cache that was wet so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

I like the idea of a book exchange cache or TB

[+Morning Dew]

In my limited experience no a book won't wick water. The one I read, had been passed several times. Besides the writing on the inside of the cover it was in perfect condition.

 

I found it in a sealed 1 gallon (I believe this was the size) freezer zip loc bag. Before I sent it on it's way, I replaced the bag with a brand new one. It didn't need it but it couldn't hurt.

 

With some luck and proper handling from geocachers it should be fine.

[+Annie & PB]

Bookcrossing caches are quite common in New Zealand - well in our island anyway, as one of the cachers is a bookcrossing fan too.

 

I have an account at Bookcrossing for tracking any books that we move from cache to cache, but we don't actively participate (have just joined PostCrossing though!!)

 

We have one cache that caters for Bookcrossing books. Book & Bug Box

 

I suspect if you put 'bookcrossing' in the keyword search on the Hide & Seek page that you will come up with lots of bookcrossing caches around the world.

 

Annie

[+succotash]

We've been to several bookcrossing-related caches, including these two in South Carolina:

 

Deep Forest Bookcrossing Crossover. Here's part of our log entry for this one: "We learned about bookcrossing from geocaching, when another cacher placed a bookcrossing book in our Ridge Road Rocks cache. We have been participants ever since and have looked forward to getting out to this crossover cache ever since we first learned about it. Imagine our surprise when we opened the container and resting right on top was a book we'd left in another book exchange cache in April 2007!"

 

The Secret of Villa Sesqui

 

We've slowed down on bookcrossing but maybe it's time to get inspired to move some books again.