I Used to Know That...new (non-givable) book

I saw this book in a bookstore at the airport in Washington/Dulles. It caught my eye as I walked by. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough room in my carry-on luggage to buy it and take with me. I was too tempted by items at the Duty-Free store and the Wild in Africa store at the airport and bought a few impulse purchases :)

But, I just received my order from Amazon for I Used to Know That by Caroline Taggert http://www.amazon.com/Used-Know-That-Forgot-School/dp/0762109955/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253227533&sr=8-1. It is a great book that gives you simple summaries of things you learned in K-12 but might not remember. Quick reference guide to education. I think its a keeper!

I am really looking forward to reading it. As soon as I finish my library book - Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg. http://www.amazon.com/Home-Safe-Novel-Elizabeth-Berg/dp/0345487559/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253227711&sr=8-3

Book left at Detroit Metro Airport - Sept 11

So, I wasn't able to finish my most recent book in time to leave it in Chicago. However, I did finish Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson during my return flight. So, I left it in the Women's restroom by Northwest baggage claim on the bathroom counter. It was a great book, so I hope someone finds it to read.

No responses yet from people that have found any of my books yet. But, its only been a week or so :)

Finishing a book in time for Chicago Sept 8

I just returned home from South Africa this morning at 9:30am. I am exhausted but so filled with excitement and wonder, from my trip.

But, no rest for the wicked...I am working at my local office on Wednesday (tomorrow), but flying to Chicago on Thursday morning for overnite training. I am hoping to finish my next book Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson http://www.lisajackson.com/book.cfm?bookID=126 by then so I can leave the book at either Midway Airport or on the el to/from downtown.

I better read fast!

Book left at CapeTown Airport - Sept 6

My 4th completed book was left on a table at the CapeTown Airport, domestic terminal. I left it right before I boarded my plane from CapeTown to Johannesburg (heading home to Detroit). The entire airport is being renovated to prepare for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, so the terminal is actually a temporary facility. Joel called it "tent city". It looked like the setting for a celebrity outdoor wedding...except for the planes and passengers :)

The book was "The Girl Most Likely To" by Susan Donovan http://www.susandonovan.com/bkDetail.aspx?id=71

Who will find it? Will they be a local South African or a tourist traveling through?

Book given to fellow passenger - Sept 4

While flying on South Africa Airways from PE (Port Elizabeth) to CapeTown, South Africa - a short 1 hour flight, I sat next to a pharmaceutical sales rep who travels from her home in CapeTown back to Johannesburg or Port Elizabeth or Durban throughout the month for work. She was interested in my 3rd completed book: Between Sisters by Kristen Hannah http://www.amazon.com/Between-Sisters-Novel-Kristin-Hannah/dp/0345519469/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252434323&sr=8-1

She said she will read it and leave it during her travels for someone else to enjoy.

Danielle Steele book left at Pumba! Sept 3

During my visit to South Africa, I visited a private game reserve. This is a common way to experience a traditional African safari, but in a most luxury-style setting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_reserve

I stayed at Pumba Game Reserve www.pumbagamereserve.co.za/. It was about 75 minute drive from Candice/Joel's house in Port Elizabeth (PE). While there, I went on the game drives with 2 couples - both from the UK - a newleywed couple and a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary. Danaiva (I should have asked how to spell her name) was the new bride. After sharing my Book with Travel idea, she said she'd love to take the book.

I know that they had a few more trips during their honeymoon before returning home. But, I look forward to hearing from her when she has a chance. She mentioned she may leave the book in Scotland - which made me so excited since my Dad's side of the family is Scottish.

August 30, 2009

My first book...

I finished the Janet Evanovich book Grand Finale (http://www.evanovich.com/novels/novel/219) during the flight from Detroit to Washington Dulles Airport. So, I left the paperback on a table in the international boarding area for South African Airways. I really hope someone enjoys it as much as I did. Great quick, fun read, as hers always are.

Can't wait to see who finds it.

I am completing my second book - Danielle Steele's Amazing Grace (http://www.randomhouse.com/features/steel/bookshelf/display.pperl?isbn=9780440243274) tomorrow. I plan to leave it at the Pumba Game Reserve while I am there.

August 29, 2009

To keep you updated, here is my itinerary for South Africa:

Detroit to Washington/Dulles
Washington/Dulles to Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, Senegal to Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa to Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Port Elizabeth, South Africa to Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa to Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa to Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, Senegal to Washington/Dulles
Washington/Dulles to Detroit

Plenty of places to share my books.

August 29, 2009

I woke up so excited. Sometime during the nite, my subconscious suggested I create a blog for my Have Book Will Travel idea. BRILLIANT, I thought as soon as I woke up :)

So, I've created the brief history of my idea and shared it here.

Today, I leave for South Africa. Before I go, I will print new labels that include this blog address, so that people can chose to either email me or post directly on here.

I really wish I had thought of this idea years and years ago. Or, at least back in January before I went on my cruise (Bahamas, Grand Turk, Miami), Key West in April, and LA in August. But, better late than never :)

I do already have my next vacation planned for January 2010 - an awesome cruise to Mexico, leaving from LA. That gives me a few more chances. Not to mention, I travel for work - Chicago and Cleveland, and other locations in Michigan.

The possibilities are exciting to me. Who knows where this will lead.

August 28, 2009

I created labels that say:
I printed 2/page so they are large enough to read but small enough to fit inside a typical paperback.

Today, Adam (my boyfriend of 3 years) helped me by cutting them and gluing them into the front or back cover of the 5 books I purchased at the Books Connection (7 Mile/Middlebelt, Livonia, MI).

I plan to take these 5 books with me to South Africa when I leave tomorrow. I will leave them when I finish them, and hope someone will find them and contact me.

I am so excited to see where the books go, who reads them, who gets them next. I'm hoping I will find out the books' history.

August 26, 2009

August 25, 2009 - Roger's Roost, Sterling Heights, MI
Sitting with my sister at our annual birthday dinner for my Grandpa (he turned 97 this year), she and I had a conversation that instantly made my heart start racing and my had my adrenalin flowing. That conversation led to this blog, and my new crazy idea.

While Aunt Janie/Dave, Dad/Carol, Anthony/Lisa, Dee's husband Jon and their kids, and Grandpa were all in their individual conversations, Dee (Deanna) and I had one of our own. We were discussing my upcoming trip to South Africa. A ONCE IN A LIFETIME trip to stay with a friend of mine who was temporarily located in Port Elizabeth, South Africa while her husband was working at a GM facility there as an Environmental Engineer.

During our conversation, I mentioned that although I usually borrow books from the library, I chose to purchase some used paperbacks for this trip. I was concerned about being responsible for the library books - I'd have to take them everywhere with me, even when I was finished with them.

I was telling her that, for the last 10 years or so...whenever I have traveled and taken a book with me to read, I just leave it wherever I'm at when I am done with the book. We began taling about how it would be neat to know who read the book I left - at the airport or the hotel room or the hair salon or the restaurant.

After more conversation around the idea, and much thought...I decided to act on my excitement. I came home and did some internet research about books that travel around the world. Although I did find a great database website - www.bookcrossing.com - which has members register and print labels for their books, asking the person that finds that book to log onto the site and register, etc...that wasn't really what I was hoping to do. I didn't find any Amazon listings for a book idea similar to my own.

To make it work, I created a new email address BookWillTravel@gmail.com, and bought a domain name from www.godaddy.com - www.BookWillTravel.com.