BABBLING BOOKS

Tigerlily · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: BB Birthday Book Box idea

Hello!

Have been thinking of ways to mark BB's 2nd birthday next month and came up with the idea of a themed book box.

What's a book box? Well, BB members sign up to take part, then the organiser (me!) puts together some books, packages them up and sends them to the first person on the list of participants. On receipt of the book box package, that person takes the book(s) they'd like to keep and replaces them with book(s) relevant to the chosen theme (so there's always the same number of books in the box), then sends it to the next person on the list.

We'll keep a log on BB to track the book box - see how long it takes for it to come full circle and see how the contents change over time. Participants post to say it's been received, which books they've taken and what they've replaced them with.

Books should be of good quality (no tatty covers, yellowed pages etc) but don't have to be new, and freebies from papers/mags are ok as extras, but not as replacements. You can add lightweight items as extras - bookmarks, bookplates etc. I'm thinking of adding some beaded bookmarks I've been making.

Of course, we'll keep the number of books in the box to a minimum to avoid excessive P+P costs.

I'd love to know what you think to the idea and if you'd like to take part. Also if you have any ideas for a theme we could use - say prize-winners or 1001 reading challenge book box.

Thanks

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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

blueflower · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:

Sounds an interesting idea, especially if it is 1001 books, it may encourage me to actual get some read. You can sign me up for it.

annecater · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject:

Oh me too! I especially like the 1001 Books theme.
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Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden

1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
1001 Challenge Books read in 2008 - 8
1001 Challenge Books read in 2007 - 13

heathera · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject:

I love that idea Glynis! Count me in.

As for themes, I like the 1001 book challenge theme so then I can try to read a few more.

Other themes to consider.... perhaps books set in a particular era like 2nd world war, or victorian fiction. Or maybe books set in a particular region - Asia or Africa or Europe.

Hmm, food for thought anyway.
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Currently Reading:

The Moonlit Cage - Linda Holeman

1001 Book Challenge:
2009 - 4
2008 - 14
Books Available for Swapping on RISI

miranda · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

Sounds great - count me in!
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Currently reading: The Human Stain by Philip Roth
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.'

RonnieJacobs · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

definately count me in please quite fancy the 1001 theme, and i have a spare shoe box here if you want me to keep it here for you hon that will be a usefull and v strong box
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too many books so little time

Tigerlily · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your feedback

I love your ideas for themes Heather. Perhaps we could do one book box per year...?

Great idea to use a shoe box Ronnie! I hadn't thought of that.

Well BB is 2 on 22nd July, so I'm aiming to send the box out then.
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

RonnieJacobs · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject:

can bring the shoe box to you on the 9th july when i see you?
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too many books so little time

Lauzc · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:

Sounds great - count me in! Perhaps we could do a Summer theme one for books to take to the beach, or a Winter one to cosy up to alongside a fire.
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handmade by Laura Croxson

Tigerlily · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:

Ok, thanks Ronnie hon

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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

sparkymarky · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject:

sounds fun-i'd take part....

Tigerlily · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:43 pm Post subject:

Great

I like your ideas too Laura. I'll put all ideas in a poll to decide a theme.
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

nicnic · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:09 am Post subject:

Woo! You know I'm on board with this

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Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster

Tigerlily · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:20 am Post subject:

Cheers Nic, it's you who inspired me in the first place!
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

Daniela-26 · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:21 am Post subject:

Sounds good to me ~ count me in too!

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Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':

eightlegs · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:18 pm Post subject:

Great idea - like the 1001 idea.

How many books are we talking? Just wondering whether those who are widely read might find they have already read or own on TBR pile most of those in the box. Then of course, if there are too many it will be huge and heavy to post. Just a thought!

Tigerlily · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

I'm due to receive a bookbox soon, Sarah, so will see how many books are in it and check the postage cost. I've already mentioned that we won't put in too many books as want to avoid excessive P+P costs - we don't want anyone paying out too much. When I get home, I'll weigh a few books and see how much they'd cost to send, and get back to you!
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

nicnic · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject:

Most bookboxes I've been in have had from 8 to 10 normal sized paperbacks in. This keeps weight down so postage is less.

I think you're bound to find something you want in a box. Part of the fun for me is not knowing whats inside. But if we're going to keep track of whats in it then you could check before you have it sent to you and asked to be skipped. I've been in about 7 different boxes now and this has never happened to me, in spite of my massive TBR

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Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster

Tigerlily · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject:

Just had a thought...if we go for a 1001 bookbox, when compiling I'll check which books have been read.
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

eightlegs · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

I'm in anyway, and my TBR is a modest 80 but wasn't sure for people with piles in the hundreds. Good to hear your experiences Nicnic.

Just another thought. If they are going to be in something like a shoe box, how about we decorate it as it goes along. For example, if it were covered in white paper we could all add a little bit, written or artistic, then there would be an end product too! And alternatively or in a addition, a lightweight notebook journalling the box's journey. The books that started out, what is taken and replaces, and why's if people want to. Could be interesting. But obviously it would be up to individuals to do as much or as little as they liked, both of decorating and writing in the journal. No one should feel obliged. Might be nice if everyone participating signed somewhere though.

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