The Book Read 'Round the World
Hello all you international book bloggers out there! Lately I've been wanting to connect with more international book bloggers because I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of their blogs. So, I thought I'd try to connect with some by organizing an event!
I would like to send a book around the world and have people report back to it by doing guest posts on my blog (and post on their blog about the experience as well). Depending on interest, I am not opposed to sending more than one book out and having two groups (Book A and Book B...etc.).
This is roughly how it will work:
- I will purchase two brand new, shiny paperback books that we choose as a group
- I'll read the book within 1-2 weeks (no War and Peace length books of course) and send it on to the next person on my randomized list
- The package sent must include: the book -AND- a local treat of some sort that cannot be found anywhere else (it can be something as simple and cheap as a postcard or bookmark, or could also be more expensive like a book by a local author or something like that)
- Before you send the book onto the next person, you must sign the inside cover with the name of your City/Province(State)/Country
- Write two facts on a piece of paper about your City/Province(State)/Country to send in the package as well
So you are interested in joining?!!
- To participate you must be willing to pay international postage to send the package onto the next person
- Commit yourself to finishing the book within a reasonable period of time (no longer than 1-2 weeks).
- Review the book on your blog and write up a post about the experience for my blog (you can also post the experience on your blog). Don't worry, it will be a short post (What you received in the package including the facts the previous reader sent you, a short summary of your thoughts on the book, and where the book is headed next)
Because it takes time to read a book and then have it mailed to another country, the group will have to be small so if there is a lot of interest I may have multiple groups (with the option for a different book).
This event is also open on a limited basis to U.S. book bloggers, but the goal is to get bloggers from all over the world to participate so only a few U.S. bloggers will be chosen. If you are interested in joining or helping in any way, please fill out the form or send me an e-mail at carin.buffington[at]gmail[dot]com.
Click Here to Sign Up! (signups are closed)
Click Here to Sign Up! (signups are closed)
Please also leave a comment on what book(s) you think would be good for this event.
Book Suggestions
Book Suggestions
- The Ridiculous Race by Steve Hely and Valy Chandrasekaran
- Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
- Stern Men - Elizabeth Gilbert
Posts
27 comments:
Sounds like a lot of fun! Count me in!
I love love love this idea! Please put me down as a participant!
Me, too. What an awesome idea! This is going to be fun!
I love the idea (as you know) and I love the book - it looks exactly the right sort of book for this. Well chosen!
Since you have Iris from the Netherlands AND I'm running my own international event, I think I will opt out for the moment, but will join if you need that one more participant. Gladly!
@leeswammes - you are still welcome to join in. Like I said, depending on the interest, I can split two books/two groups. I also won't make it so that if there are two bloggers from the same country they would end up sending to each other. That would be lame...hehe!
What a great idea! I am in the US but if you need any help I will be glad to pitch in! Good luck and have fun. Cant wait to read all the posts.
Considering I live just a relative hop skip and a jump from you I don't think I qualify but I did want to say how much I love the idea of this! It's almost like a type of book chain letter.
Look forward to watching the progress!
I'm definitely in! No real suggestions, but I'd like to join. I'm from Canada, and am a new follower!d
This sounds like a great idea! :)
@Zee, irisonbooks, and Rikki - Adding you to my list. Do you know other European book bloggers out there?
@Senora G and @Trish - A few American book bloggers would be good of course! I'll put you on my list for interest.
@Trish - My 100 Mile Challenge this time around has been an Epic Fail--it's so hot and awful. I'm lucky if I clean house for exercise...not really, but I am not really exercising a lot now. :(
@Carina - Oooo...I like your name! Haha! Awesome! I've been finding a lot of Canadian book bloggers lately (and not-so-secretly, Canada is my favorite country that I've been to). I haven't made it to Toronto yet though! Someday!
Sounds like such a cool idea! Enjoy, I will be watching to see how it goes :) I assume you don't need participants from the US.
@Lily - I might have a few! Especially if we have enough people to split into two groups. I'll keep in touch with you to let you know!
@Milka - Added you to my list
Carin I'd love to be part of this... what an excellent idea! I know you don't need many US participants, so I understand if those are filled. However if you need an extra hand I would love to do what I can!
I've signed up - wonderful idea.
If I can be of any help let me know.
@Cat - So excited! A NZ blogger! Need more Oceania bloggers to join! If you know any that would like to participate, send them over! BTW, my dream vacation is to New Zealand. So beautiful!
This is a fantastic idea. I live in Ontario Canada and would love to participate.
Thanks :)
Sandie lee
(I already filled out the form :)
This sounds like fun. If you have room I would love to be included, but if not that is okay, too!
Excellent idea! I've signed up.
@Kat - So glad you did! You were one of the first bloggers I networked with when I started blogging!
I have a question: When someone sends the package to the next person on the list, does that next person get to keep the goodies left from the previous person? (like the postcard or whatever)
@Lisa - Yes. The package you receive is yours to keep except for the book which you will send on to the next person in the list. It's just meant to bring a little bit of community and cultural goodwill to the event. It doesn't have to be anything expensive. Just something that is unique to where you live. :)
Ah, okay! (also thanks for visiting my blog)!
Do you think the postage will be expensive? Do we have to pay for the quick delivery?
You do not have to pay for quick delivery, but international mail is typically more expensive than domestic mail. I plan on using a paperback book so that it will not be as heavy. You will be responsible for reading the book within 1-2 weeks and mailing it out after that. The goal is to have the book in the next person's hand within one month (I'm assuming 2 weeks time for delivery between each person). Does that make sense?
I have sent a package to Canada before and it was probably about 1kg (~2 lbs. give or take some) and it cost me around $15 USD I think. Don't quote me on that, but I think the expectation of the package costing between $10-20 USD for shipping is a reasonable expectation of cost (use XE.com for currency conversion).
What a great idea!
But I'll wait to see what book gets chosen, is that OK? I'm on a tight schedule and have a huge backlog as it is, so it'll have to be something I really really really want to read! ;)
I hope you'll all enjoy it anyway!
@gnoegnoe - OK! I got a request to find an non-American author, which I completely understand given that I'm trying to get more community with bloggers from around the world. I would like to find a short, but fun book aimed a world travel experience. The Ridiculous Race or Lost on Planet China (have to keep it paperback so it's lighter). If you have any suggestions for a book like this, please let me know.
This is a great idea. I can't commit for now though because so much to read in the next few months plus some books I have to review from some publishers. I'll wait and see what book you all choose and decide then. Either way, I'll definitely enjoy reading all the posts.
No problem Mrs. B! Thanks for dropping by my blog. If you know of any other bloggers from the Phillipines or any country outside the U.S. that might want to participate, please let them know about the event. Good luck getting all your reading done! :)
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