A box of books, 2006

The Augustana Library Book Sale. A once yearly celebration of collecting other people’s old books. It’s gross, really, to see a group of college students and older women scrambling for the best books while trying their hardest not to look like they’re actually scrambling for the best books.

Oh, yes. This was my second year. For half an hour each year, I become one of them. I scramble.

This year, however, I didn’t bother as much with finding books for myself. Instead, I bought books that I’m going to release to the public – to “lose” somewhere in the hopes that someone out there will find them and pass them along themselves. Yes, as much as I hated the idea of giving away books, it’s a lot easier when they cost 50 cents and I already have a copy.

So this weekend, I am going to be registering, stickering, and releasing 20 books – the Black Marks on Wood Pulp BookCrossings fest. It should be fun – if you live in Sioux Falls, look around for them. I’ll be giving updates periodically, and each book will be sent out with the BMOWP name attached so hopefully people will stop in and comment themselves.

And I’m not just throwing crap out there. There’s a good selection: Toni Morrison, Truman Capote, John Steinbeck, Paul Theroux, Umberto Eco. Classics. Books people should be reading. No Danielle Steele or Tom Clancy. No Harlequin Romances.

It’s exciting, I think. Be on the look out.