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Hide a Book with Goodreads on September 18th (with Updates)
-Hazel, The Fault in Our Stars
You have (at least!) one. That favorite book you recommend over and over again. You love it, and you want the rest of the world to experience it. Now's your chance to make that happen.
This year, as part of our Ten-Year Anniversary Celebration, Goodreads is teaming up with our fellow book lovers at The Book Fairies for a special Hide a Book Day on Monday, September 18.
Who exactly are The Book Fairies? They're readers who hide books around the world for people to find, read, and pass on. Anyone can take part. There are currently over 5,000 Book Fairies sharing books in 100 countries—one of them is Emma Watson, who has hidden copies of her Our Shared Shelf book club's picks in Paris, London, and New York City.
Join us on Monday, September 18 in hiding our favorite books for other readers to find and enjoy. Don't forget to ask a friend to do it, too! Here's everything you need to know to get involved.
Book Fairy Emma Watson hides
copies of The Handmaid's Tale in Paris.
Select Your Favorite Books
We know this is easier said than done. Take your time browsing your own shelves. What book would you want an unsuspecting passerby to discover? Will it be a beloved classic or an irresistible bestseller?
Order Your Stickers
We have custom Goodreads and Book Fairies stickers to put on the covers of each of your hidden books. Order them here! Update: Unfortunately, it is now unlikely that you would get your stickers in time for the official date (The Book Fairies are based in the UK). Some people are making their own bookmarks, and you're welcome to use our downloadable note, too.
Find Your Perfect Hiding Spot
Where will you hide your books? Keep the weather in mind for any outdoor locations (soggy books are sad books) and remember that the books should be hidden…but not too hidden (abandoned books are the saddest). Some of our favorite hiding spots: train and bus stations, national monuments and museums, and parks.
Share Your Books
Once you've hidden a book, take a picture and share it with your fellow Goodreads members and Book Fairies on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtags #goodreadsturns10, #hideabookday, #ibelieveinbookfairies.
Decisions, decisions… What book will you leave for other readers to find on September 18?
We hope you'll join us on Monday, September 18. RSVP to our Facebook event here and invite your friends to participate! Invite your friends to participate and tell us what book you want to hide in the comments!
UPDATE: We can't wait to celebrate our inaugural Hide a Book Day with you on Monday, September 18! It's been wonderful seeing everyone's enthusiasm for the event and we look forward to seeing which books you share with the world in your social media posts—don't forget to use the following hashtags: #goodreadsturns10 #hideabookday and #ibelieveinbookfrairies.
Several commenters have suggested including a note with the book. To make things easier, we've created a simple note you can download, add a personal message to, and sign. (Of course, you can just use the note as it is too.) You can download it here.
Since we're a few days away, we've provided answers for some of your burning questions…
Q: "I would love to participate, but I don't think many people in Peru are going to participate."
A: We'd love for you to be the first! And who knows, you may find there are others hiding books too. We're seeing comments from people all around the world.
Q: "I love this idea and I would love to participate, but September 18th is a Monday and I have school. Is September 18th the only day we can do this?"
A: Monday, September 18th is the official event day, but you can still participate at a time or day that works for you. It's absolutely fine to go one day early or wait until the next weekend.
Q: "Where should I hide my book? Any suggestions?"
A: Chief Book Fairy Cordelia recommends interesting statues and monuments, as well as doorways, sheltered benches, and shopping centers. She says, "The list goes on and you can get really creative." The main thing is to choose somewhere people walk by often and that the book is still easy to find. And don't forget to keep the book out of the rain—some people are going to use a clear plastic bag as an extra precaution.
Q: "Is this a US-only type thing? I'm not sure if I ordered stickers today they'd get here in time."
A: This event is for everyone in all countries! That being said, it is now unlikely that you would get your stickers in time for the official date (The Book Fairies are based in the UK). Some people are making their own bookmarks, and you're welcome to use our downloadable note, too.
Q: "So, I have to get rid of my favorite book? What's up with that? I like my books. Or do we buy a new one to do this with?"
A: You don't have to buy a new book for this event, but you certainly can—after all, we know how hard it is to part with a favorite book. Whether it's new or used, just share a book you think another reader would love! It's all up to you!
Several commenters have suggested including a note with the book. To make things easier, we've created a simple note you can download, add a personal message to, and sign. (Of course, you can just use the note as it is too.) You can download it here.
Since we're a few days away, we've provided answers for some of your burning questions…
Q: "I would love to participate, but I don't think many people in Peru are going to participate."
A: We'd love for you to be the first! And who knows, you may find there are others hiding books too. We're seeing comments from people all around the world.
Q: "I love this idea and I would love to participate, but September 18th is a Monday and I have school. Is September 18th the only day we can do this?"
A: Monday, September 18th is the official event day, but you can still participate at a time or day that works for you. It's absolutely fine to go one day early or wait until the next weekend.
Q: "Where should I hide my book? Any suggestions?"
A: Chief Book Fairy Cordelia recommends interesting statues and monuments, as well as doorways, sheltered benches, and shopping centers. She says, "The list goes on and you can get really creative." The main thing is to choose somewhere people walk by often and that the book is still easy to find. And don't forget to keep the book out of the rain—some people are going to use a clear plastic bag as an extra precaution.
Q: "Is this a US-only type thing? I'm not sure if I ordered stickers today they'd get here in time."
A: This event is for everyone in all countries! That being said, it is now unlikely that you would get your stickers in time for the official date (The Book Fairies are based in the UK). Some people are making their own bookmarks, and you're welcome to use our downloadable note, too.
Q: "So, I have to get rid of my favorite book? What's up with that? I like my books. Or do we buy a new one to do this with?"
A: You don't have to buy a new book for this event, but you certainly can—after all, we know how hard it is to part with a favorite book. Whether it's new or used, just share a book you think another reader would love! It's all up to you!
Comments Showing 201-250 of 429 (429 new)
message 201:
by
Lauren
(new)
Sep 04, 2017 11:55PM
Is this an American only type thing? I'm not sure if I ordered stickers today, they'd get here in time? (I live in Australia) It sounds like a great idea, I would love to be able to participate!
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Melissa wrote: "I love this idea, but would it be possible to have bookmarks that can be ordered or printed? I'm one of those people who hate to put stickers on books. Thanks!"Hey! I think you just can put them on the inside!
I love this idea and overall concept. I will be participating and ordering the stickers but turning them into bookmarks or something- hate stickers on my books.
Melissa wrote: "I love this idea, but would it be possible to have bookmarks that can be ordered or printed? I'm one of those people who hate to put stickers on books. Thanks!"Seconded! Stickers suck! I always remove them - Even if the book looks worse after the removal.
who is the author of the book "touch" at the back of the picture?
Madison wrote: "who is the author of the book "touch" at the back of the picture?"Courtney Maum :)
BookWolf18 wrote: "I am looking through my shelves to do this!!"Exciting!!!
Lauren wrote: "Is this an American only type thing? I'm not sure if I ordered stickers today, they'd get here in time? (I live in Australia) It sounds like a great idea, I would love to be able to participate!"Hey, probably around 50 / 50 chance BUT Goodreads is celebrating their 10th Birthday for the whole month, and also - book fairies do this every day. So even if it's late, you can still be involved :)
Great idea! I ordered my package and I look forward to hiding my books :-)
I would worry not enough are participating to recognize the book as what it is, so it would end up in the lost and found, or thrown away. Either of the two scenarios would be very sad. Where I lived previously had a https://littlefreelibrary.org/ box which was a great idea as well.
This is a nice idea; however, I always get my books from the library. Am I the only one here who does?
You want us to ... pay, in order to give a book away? Why not just go through Bookcrossing.com?
Just ordered my stickers - immediately after getting the Goodreads e-mail. Just wish I'd heard about this a week ago instead of today. Hope I get the stickers in time.
Shirley wrote: "Wouldn't it be better to promote Bookcrossing who have been promoting just this for ages? www.bookcrossing.com"Exactly!
I hide books for people to find normally. It's what I do with books I don't want anymore. Doesn't everyone do that? I leave them in Starbucks and other coffee shops, leave them on a tree stump in the forest. Don't need no stinkin' stickers or any special day. Highly recommended.
Isabella wrote: "I love this idea, but how high are the chances that besides me someone in Vienna would participate?!"
Aw!! Sad.
Aw!! Sad.
So, I have to get rid of my favorite book? What's up with that? I like my books. Or do we buy a new one to do this with?
PLEASE TELL ME THERE WILL BE SOME BOOKS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN MADRID
Good idea! I don't have any extra copies of a book I love and don't want to buy a new one, but this is such a good idea!
Want to participate, but I don't want to buy stickers!
Shirley wrote: "Wouldn't it be better to promote Bookcrossing who have been promoting just this for ages? www.bookcrossing.com"Feeling the same as you. I always thought they where somehow connected too as you can log in to Bookcrossing from Goodreads. Looks a bit strange when they promote another company:/
I´ll do it with some friends here in Colombia :)
Rita wrote: "This is a nice idea; however, I always get my books from the library. Am I the only one here who does?"Yes, I guess I am.
Where are the people in Los Angeles? I'm down to be blessed by a fairy! 💚
Heather wrote: "Just ordered my stickers - immediately after getting the Goodreads e-mail. Just wish I'd heard about this a week ago instead of today. Hope I get the stickers in time."I hope so too! But they are celebrating for the whole of September really, and there is no date on the sticker.
Cordelia wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Is this an American only type thing? I'm not sure if I ordered stickers today, they'd get here in time? (I live in Australia) It sounds like a great idea, I would love to be able to ..."It would be fantastic, I think it's a great idea! If I get them today, they might still get here! Because today's Australia is yesterdays America...or something like that?lol
Elsa ➰ wrote: "PLEASE TELL ME THERE WILL BE SOME BOOKS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN MADRID"There will be some books in the middle of nowhere in Madrid... where and what, who knows :)
Lauren wrote: "Cordelia wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Is this an American only type thing? I'm not sure if I ordered stickers today, they'd get here in time? (I live in Australia) It sounds like a great idea, I would lo..."Hahahaha well hopefully! But even if you don't, they are celebrating their birthday alllllllll month :)
Cordelia wrote: "Leo (velleochor) wrote: "instead of using stickers and bookmarks, can I just leave a note or something?"Of course! We find that the sticker means it is far more likely to be picked up, that's all :)"
Thank you so much! c:
Melissa wrote: "I love this idea, but would it be possible to have bookmarks that can be ordered or printed? I'm one of those people who hate to put stickers on books. Thanks!"You could always put the stickers onto notecards yourself!
This sounds like so much fun! Just ordered some stickers and bookmarks:-) I hope I get them by the 18th, but if not, the finders will think it took them a few days to find the books:-D
I'm ready. I've ordered my stickers. I think this is a great idea. It can be a fun activity that grows your following and gives you internet exposure if you do it right. List it as an event on your Facebook Author page ahead of time and video tape the hiding process for your YouTube Channel as well.
I'm thinking of putting the books into ziploc baggies and putting the sticker on the outside of baggie. That gives me more options if I want to hide some in outdoor areas.
Shirley wrote: "Wouldn't it be better to promote Bookcrossing who have been promoting just this for ages? www.bookcrossing.com"Yep, I do this weekly via bookcrossing.com but yay for spreading the joy of free books!!
Wonderful Idea. I just ordered stickers from the bookfairies and I will hide my book Ausgerechnet Muse in Berlin!http://carolawolff.weebly.com/ausgere...
Melissa wrote: "I love this idea, but would it be possible to have bookmarks that can be ordered or printed? I'm one of those people who hate to put stickers on books. Thanks!"http://ibelieveinbookfairies.com/prod...
I ordered stickers and the bundle with the cute book bag. I'll combine my love of bookcrossing with the book fairies and do my best to spread the word about both.
Is there a way to know if there are people in your area that are participating?
I tried to buy stickers for the Hide A Book Day, but it keeps saying it's a bad gateway when I try to put them in my basket. Is there an online JPG or creative we could pay to download and print ourselves for the sake of time? I would love to participate! Thank you!
Dracula by Bram Stoker. Maybe an odd choice but it is one of my absolute favorites and re-read it about every other year. I love the hope threaded throughout the prose.
Melissa wrote: "I love this idea, but would it be possible to have bookmarks that can be ordered or printed? I'm one of those people who hate to put stickers on books. Thanks!"I agree!!
I never find a book and I am a little weary to hide one of my own. I can't part with them. It sounds fun though.
Shirley wrote: "Wouldn't it be better to promote Bookcrossing who have been promoting just this for ages? www.bookcrossing.com"So right! I've been bookcrossing for over 13 years...it's a great way to share books and watch them travel. My books have traveled to places I'll never likely get to go (Nepal...New Zealand) as well as a few I hope to get to (Scotland...Finland...Australia...Italy). What a marvelous way to share your love of reading with the world!
Hey, this is so cool, it is like the children's book "The Book Scavenger". I looove this idea, but I live a place where winter starts in September and ends in may, so I am just worried about the book in the weather!?!?!?! But I will attempt something :)
What all information are you gonna put on the stickers? I would love my finder to know my name and email address (and GR profile?) so that he/she can let me know where my book has reached. Some sort of book tracking will be great!
