If you love sharing books but have never heard about BookCrossing, you’re in for a treat.
BookCrossing is a lot like geocaching—but with books. It also reminds me of chain letters, just without the evil curses attached.
Here’s how BookCrossing is supposed to work:
- You leave a book somewhere “out in the wild” (a public place)
- Someone finds it and takes it home
- They read it (or put it on their shelf, where it may stay forever)
- One day, they release the book again
- The cycle repeats
That’s the general idea—but it doesn’t always work that way.
When I first discovered BookCrossing in 2004, I became completely obsessed. It became my entire world for several years.
I’m writing this post to share tips and lessons on how to get the most out of BookCrossing—especially after doing it for so long.
After a long hiatus, I’ve recently picked the hobby back up, and it’s just as fun as I remember. BookCrossing truly is special, and hopefully these tips will help you fall in love with it, too.
Clearly Feature the BookCrossing ID (BCID)
The inside of the front cover is usually the best place to put the BCID. After all, that’s where people naturally look—and personally, I love finding notes and inscriptions there.
Some BookCrossers suggest placing the BCID on the outside of the book, or along the page edges. I’ve had bad luck with that approach. It can make the book less appealing, and ink on the outer edges can rub off onto hands or clothing.
If I really care about a book’s journey, I sometimes add the BCID to the last page of the story or the back cover as well. However you choose to do it, just make sure it’s easy to find so the book can be journaled.
Protect Wild Releases from the Elements
If you’re releasing books outdoors, I recommend placing them in Ziploc bags. Rain and snow aren’t the only concerns—fog, wind, pests, and even pollutants like cigarette smoke can damage books.
BookCrossing sells specialty release bags, like the ones shown below. I’ve always stuck with simple plastic bags and labels. They work just fine.
Mark Your Book as “Released”
This might seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing. Marking your book as “released” alerts other BookCrossers in the area that a book has been set free.
I can’t tell you how exciting it is to see Release Alerts in my inbox. It’s one of the most exciting parts of BookCrossing!
If there’s a book someone really wants, they might even go hunting for it before anyone else finds it. So keep your fellow BookCrossers in mind—you never know who’s eagerly waiting for their next treasure.
Visit Little Free Libraries
Little Free Libraries (LFLs) are some of the best places to release books.
If you’ve never noticed them before, you might start seeing them everywhere. I’m so lucky to live in a place that has one around every corner.
People who visit LFLs are already on the hunt for books, which is a huge plus. Releasing your books at these boxes helps ensure they won’t get thrown away or truly lost in the wild.
Try Niche or Unusual Books
Speaking of Little Free Libraries, I laugh when I see Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy titles. Those books sit there forever until the LFL owners finally remove them.
When BookCrossing, it helps to think outside the box. Niche, unique, or unexpected books tend to get more attention—and are more likely to be hunted down and journaled.
Think About Where People Like To Read
When planning a wild release, think about where you would be tempted to pick up a random book.
Some great spots include:
- Park benches
- Outdoor café or coffee shop tables
- Waiting rooms
- Community centers
- Laundromats
- Public seating areas
I’ve had the best luck in places like these. If you have other great ideas, feel free to share!
Plan Themed Releases
A themed release is when you match a book to a location that fits its theme—like leaving a coffeehouse mystery book at a café or a gardening book near a nursery.
For example, Larkspur, Colorado hosts an annual Renaissance Festival. One year, I filled a backpack with medieval fantasy books and released them all over the fairgrounds.
Another time, in Las Vegas, I released a bunch of sci-fi novels around the Convention Center during CES.
Themed releases can be incredibly fun—and surprisingly successful—especially when you match the right books with the right audience at the right time. Most of the books I released at the Renaissance Festival were eventually journaled. Success!
Embrace the Concept of Paying It Forward
Most books you release into the wild will never be journaled online.
But that doesn’t mean they weren’t found, read, and enjoyed—it just means the finder didn’t log them.
It’s easy to get caught up in waiting for journal entries, but the real joy of BookCrossing is paying it forward—sharing stories with fellow readers you may never meet.
Connect with Other BookCrossers In Person
In-person meetups are far more meaningful (and fun) than online groups.
They make it easier to trade books, do “controlled” releases, and learn from others.
I’m not the most social person, but I genuinely love these meetups. Here’s why:
- You go home with a huge stack of books
- You get to pass along books you’ve finished
- You discover new authors and titles
- You learn new release strategies
- You meet fellow book lovers
- You leave with great recommendations—for free
Avoid Risky Locations
Airports, post offices, and government buildings are not good places for releases.
Employees in these locations are trained to remove suspicious or unattended items—which includes your books.
It’s always better to choose relaxed, low-risk environments.
Don’t Leave Books At Major Retail Chains
Most retail stores have strict policies about merchandise and displays—and BookCrossing books don’t fit into either category.
Avoid leaving books at places like Walmart, department stores, or similar chains. They’ll likely be thrown away or sent to lost and found.
I learned this the hard way years ago when I thought it would be fun to leave books next to their DVD counterparts at Blockbuster Video. But even their policy required staff to discard the books immediately.
Make Your Books Stand Out
Presentation matters—especially in public spaces.
Consider adding stickers, labels, or notes that clearly say “FREE” so people know the book is meant to be taken.
A random stack of books can sometimes confuse people or even get tossed out. The more inviting and obvious your display is, the more likely someone will pick one up.
Don’t Expect Immediate Results (or Any at All)
Some books will never be journaled. Others may take months—or even years.
Try not to focus too much on the results. Just enjoy the process.
Every once in a while, I’ll receive a journal entry for a book I released back in the mid-2000s. That’s part of what makes BookCrossing so magical.
Patience is part of the experience—but as readers, we always have plenty to keep us busy in the meantime.
Parting Thoughts: BookCrossing Is About the Journey
BookCrossing isn’t just about tracking books—it’s about sharing stories, creating connections, and adding a little surprise to someone’s day.
Some books will travel far. Some will disappear forever. And some will come back with incredible stories.
If you’ve never tried BookCrossing, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Pick a book, label it, and set it free—you never know where it might end up.
Do you have any favorite BookCrossing tips or experiences? I’d love to hear them!
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