Wild Release #208

I had to stop at the Hempfield Square Giant Eagle on my way home to pick up a few things, so I thought I'd drop one as well. I left the board book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Eric Carle, in the fire engine ride on the sidewalk outside the café.

Wild Release #207

Chick-fil-A is giving out little Chronicles of Narnia books in their kids' meals, so I thought it was an appropriate place to release "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," book number 5 in C. S. Lewis' series. I left it on the ledge outside the front door on my way in, and it was still there when I left. Happy hunting!

Release #43 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Releases #204 - #206

I must have been in a wild releasing mood today, because these were the second, third, and fourth books I released today. Sister No. 6 again demanded my company for a walk, so I left "ESP TV," by Mary Rodgers, and Disney's "The Prince and the Pauper" on a couple of benches in a park in her neighborhood. After all that healthy walking, I stopped at The Meadows Original Frozen Custard to pick up some a la mode for an apple pie waiting at home and left "Madeline and the Gypsies," by Ludwig Bemelmans, on the bench outside their front door before I left.

Releases #40, #41, and #42 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #203

This is my second copy of "Spencerville," by Nelson DeMille, that was released at a restaurant (see Wild Release #92). This time, I left it at Panera Bread on the table between the cozy chairs by the fireplace when I was finished with my lunch. I *love* when it's Potato Soup day!

Wild Release #202

Sister No. 6 wanted me to come over for a constitutional after work, but I was able to convince her that she wanted to accompany me to Kmart in Latrobe instead. While there, I left Disney.pixar's "Toy Story 2" in a BookCrossing release bag in the Sesame Street Elmo and Zoe ride out on the sidewalk. We ended up walking around the store for about an hour--far less time than we would have spent walking in her neighborhood. Live and learn!

Release #39 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

RABCK #90

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," by C. S. Lewis, is on its way to ladybug74 in Alabama on its first leg of a journey that may take it around the world. ladybug74 is planning on hosting a book spiral of all the Narnia books and just needed this first one to get started. Happy travels, little book!

Wild Release #201

When I first heard the theme of this week's SSM, I almost felt like kicking myself. I had just sent a Peterson's guide to North American birds off as a RABCK, and it would have been the *perfect* book for this week. The feeling lasted only a millisecond because I truly *am* glad that the book has found a good home with chevylady1 and Mr. Tenney, who is getting good use of it, and I now had a legitimate reason to go shopping at Goodwill in search of other *perfect* books. I didn't find any birding books at Goodwill, though I did come home with a bagful of other books I couldn't resist. When adding my new books to my already overflowing shelves, I discovered John Grisham's "The Pelican Brief," and decided to send it out on an adventure. I left it with the bird seed in the Giant Eagle supermarket in Eastgate Plaza in Greensburg.

This week's challenge, set by dicentragirl, follows:

SSM 042708: For the Birds
When: April 27th 2008
How: John J. Audubon’s birthday is April 26th and Harper Lee’s birthday is April 28th. Pick a book about birds and release with birdseed or other birding supplies (birdhouses, etc).

Release #38 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #200

I can't believe I have wild released 200 books in the last 365 days! Or that I have read 92 books in the year since I have joined BookCrossing. Or that I still have 170+ books on my bookshelf waiting to be read! Enough about statistics: I left my 200th wild release--"A House Called Awful End," by Philip Ardagh--on the ledge outside the door of Subway in the Greengate Commons Plaza on Route 30 East in Greensburg. I hope that whoever finds it enjoys it, and has something in their life that brings them as much satisfaction as BookCrossing does for me.

Catch #23!

Wow! Another quick catch for me this month--I'm really loving April. Carolyn Keene's "Nancy Drew: The Teen Model Mystery" was caught at The Meadows and journaled about an hour after I released it there! Thanks for picking it up and helping it on its journey, tbk420, and welcome to BookCrossing!

Wild Release #199

Today was a good day to stop for frozen custard on the way home from work. I promised myself that if The Meadows Original Frozen Custard, on Mount Pleasant Road in Greensburg, had good flavors of the day, and if the benches outside were unoccupied, that I would stop to release a book and indulge my taste buds. Happily, both conditions were met and I was able to leave "Nancy Drew: The Teen Model Mystery," by Carolyn Keene, on the bench and walk away with Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup for me and Georgia Peach to bring home for Mom.

Release #37 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Releases #197 & #198

The veggie subs at Sheetz were calling to me today at lunchtime, so while I was waiting for mine to be assembled, I left Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon" on the endcap with the Red Hot potato chips. I headed over to Lynch Field to sit in the sun and eat my delicious sandwich and was inspired to leave "The Boy Who Saved Baseball," by John H. Ritter, on the visiting players' bench on Field #1.

"Red Dragon" was release #36 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Catch #22!

The "Berenstains' B Book," by Stan Berenstain, has found a new home and will be continuing its travels soon. Thank you for finding and journalling the book, goirish65, and welcome to BookCrossing!

Wild Release #196

Two releases in one day for Mom! She provided cover for me during the release of "Berenstains' B Book," by Stan Berenstain, at Bob Evans Restaurant in Greensburg, so I could put the book on the bench outside the front door without being observed. We had a lovely dinner that included leafy green vegetables and the book was gone by the time we left!

Release #35 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #195

This was a wild release by proxy: Mom had an appointment with her eye doctor this morning and kindly offered to take a book with her and leave it behind because I asked her to. What a great mother! She was planning to leave this with the magazines inside the waiting room or on a bench outside the waiting room. I can't wait to see a journal entry!

Wild Releases #193 & #194

I was walking through Sears at Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg, wondering where I could release "The Adventures of Spider-Man," by Michael Teitelbaum, when I came upon a display of Spider-Man clothes, backpacks, toys, and accessories in the boys' department. I ever-so-slyly was able to leave my book there as well, where I am sure it will catch the attention of a small Spider-Man fan.

It's Sunday today, and that means it was time for another SSM. Today's mission called for the release of a book relating to Shakespeare or poetry and releasing it at a local theater. This was the nudge I needed to finally read "William Shakespeare's Henry V," by Kenneth Branagh--the screenplay for his 1989 movie. The book has probably been sitting on my shelf since then, but no longer! It is on the move, off to conquer foreign territories, beginning with Seton Hill University in Greensburg, where I left it on a bench outside Reeves Theater.

This week's challenge, set by dicentragirl, follows:

SSM 042008: To Be or Not To Be
When: April 20th 2008
How: Shakespeare’s birthday and World Book & Copyright Day are April 23rd. Celebrate by choosing a book relating to Shakespeare or poetry and releasing it, ideally at a local theater.

Releases #33 & #34 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #192

It's been another beautiful day in the neighborhood, but rain is in the forecast tonight, so I wanted to leave a book in an indoor location. I went to The Home Depot to look at a new lawnmower, and I left "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel," by Virginia Lee Burton, in the carpet aisle on a display of children's play mats.

Wild Release #191

It was a beautiful day today--sunny and warm with temperatures in the low 70°F range--perfect for dining al fresco. Somehow, however, I ended up dining inside the Hempfield Plaza McDonald's. They still have the winter plastic up around their outdoor playland, so I sat inside and kept an eye on the book I left inside the front door: Lemony Snicket's "The Miserable Mill." The book was still there when I left, and *I'll* be miserable if it's not caught and journaled soon!

Release #32 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #190

I settled on Arby's in Greengate Centre for lunch today because: 1) I haven't been there in awhile; 2) I was looking for someplace where I could sit and read my book; and 3) I was looking for a new place to release a book. The chicken salad wrap was pretty good, as were the chapters I was able to read, and I left Eric Carle's "The Grouchy Ladybug" board book on the ledge outside the main door on my way out.

Wild Release #189

In search of a mailbox, I made my way to the closest one at 101 North Main Street in Greensburg, catty-corner from the Courthouse. I deposited my mail in the box and Tom Clancy's "State of Siege" on the bench by the front door.

Wild Release #188

"Disney's Flubber," by Cathy East Dubowski, has a new temporary home at Blockbuster on East Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg. It is sitting on the shelf with the movie in the Kids' section, patiently waiting for some kind reader to spot it and adopt it. Don't make it wait too long!

Release #31 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #187 & Catch #21!

Two birthdays were celebrated today--the 19th of Niece No. 1, and the 7th of BookCrossing! I met my family at the Olive Garden in Greensburg and was pleased to see that the benches out front were unoccupied, allowing me to drop Scott Turow's "The Burden of Proof" unnoticed. We had a fabulous time and meal inside and I was glad to see that the book was gone when we finally left. Imagine my surprise when I got on my computer at home to see that it had already been caught and journaled before I even got the chance to make release notes! Looks like it was a day for celebrating all around :D Thanks for finding and journaling the book, mustanggma, and welcome to BookCrossing!

This week's challenge, set by dicentragirl, follows:

SSM 041308: Make the World a Library
When: April 13th 2008
How: Happy Birthday BookCrossing!! Leave as many books as you can in the wild.

Release #30 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

RABCK #89

Peterson First Guide to Birds of North America is winging its way to chevylady1 in North Carolina for a Spring RABCK.

chevylady1 says, "I am a caregiver for an older man who loves birds. I would love to find a book that would help him id them. He is 84 and this is the only way I know to get him outside and walking more." Enjoy the walks and the book!

Wild Releases #185 & #186

Sister No. 6 has been forcing me to meet her at her house after work so we can walk around her neighborhood; something about good health. Blech! On our walk today, we happened upon the Amos K. Hutchinson Elementary School on Welty Street in Greensburg. Since I just *happened* to have two books stuffed in the pockets of my hoodie, I left one--Matt Christopher's "Wingman on Ice"--on the bench of a picnic table near the playground, and the other--Joanna Campbell's "Wonder's Promise"--on the porch of the one-room schoolhouse on the opposite side of the school's campus. The schoolhouse was open, so we went inside to have a look around. It turns out that they were holding a book exchange--bring one, take one--and that they do it the second Thursday of every month. So I started out with two books and ended up with none, while Sister No. 6 started out with no books and ended up with one. Funny how life works sometimes :)

Wild Release #184

Every time I pass by Nature's Way Market on Highland Avenue in Greensburg, the bench at the Five Star Trail access beckons me. "Leave a book here," it cries. Today I obeyed. I left "Elsewhere," by Will Shetterly, on the bench, as requested.

Wild Release #183

Sister No. 6 and I ventured to Jioio's for takeout this evening, and I felt it was only right to leave a little something behind--a tip of a different kind--so I left C.S. Lewis' "The Magician's Nephew" on a chair in the waiting area on my way out the door.

Release #29 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

RABCKs #82 - #88

I finished (re)reading "The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing," by Melissa Bank, a couple of days ago and have been trying to decide where to wild release it. Gander Mountain, a hunting/fishing/manly-man store? Dick's Sporting Goods? With the camping gear at Wal-Mart? None of these seemed to be the right option for this particular book that came to me via generous BookCrossers in South Africa, California, Scotland, Italy, and Texas. This seasoned traveler seemed to want a grander adventure than a local wild release. What to do, what to do?

Inspiration struck when I remembered reading a thread in the Announcements forum for books to be sent to BookCrossing Japan for a large book festival in May. Here was an opportunity that couldn't be passed up. The little book practically jumped into the padded envelope all by itself. I tucked a few friends in with it for company and mailed it at the post office this afternoon. The lucky travelers include: an autographed copy of "The Giver," "Twenty Pageants Later," "Baseball Pals," "Catcher with a Glass Arm," "Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower," and "The Raven and Other Favorite Poems."

幸せな走行の小さい本! (My Systran Widget insists this says: "Happy travelling, little books!")

Wild Release #182

Fate placed me at the Greensburg Country Club earlier this evening and common sense demanded I release a book. I complied; after all, who can resist that dynamic duo? I left Scott Turow's "The Laws of Our Fathers" in a chair that was nestled in a cubbyhole with a courtesy phone near the restrooms and coat room.

Wild Release #181

Sunset is getting later and later every week, which can only mean that winter is being left far behind. I mention sunset because it was time for another SSM today, this one to celebrate World Health Day on April 7. I left "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul" in a BookCrossing release bag outside the MedExpress Urgent Care center in Eastgate Shopping Plaza in Greensburg. It is on the sidewalk, leaning against the far-right glass window. I wish good health to the one who finds (and hopefully, journals!) it.

This week's challenge, set by dicentragirl, follows:

SSM 040608: Doctor Doctor, Give me the News
When: April 6th, 2008
How: April 7th is World Health Day. Celebrate by releasing a book at a doctor’s office or medical center.

Wild Release #180

Another pizza run today, this time to Pizza Hut on Route 30 West next to Pool City. There are two lovely benches outside that were just begging for a book, so I left Anna Sewell's classic "Black Beauty," on the one nearest the door. Here's hoping the book has as happy an ending as Black Beauty did (this is one of the few books about animals that *does* end happily).

Release #28 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #179

I stopped off at the bank on my way to pick up a pizza for dinner--not because I needed cash, but because I needed to release a book! I left "Robinson Crusoe," by Daniel Defoe, on the ATM of First National Bank in the West Point Plaza in Greensburg. Happy travels, little book!

Release #27 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #178

I have had this book in my purse for a couple of days, just waiting to be released somewhere. Today, I left it propped up against the base of a tree in the Pennsylvania Avenue Parklet around 3:40 p.m. Rain is expected for later this evening, so even though it is in a plastic BookCrossing release bag, it hope it is found soon!

Release #26 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Catch #20!

At first, I thought the e-mail from BookCrossing must be an April Fool's Day joke, but indeed, it's true! I got a catch and journal entry on "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Creatures of Narnia," by Scout Driggs, which I released almost exactly four months ago for an SSM. Thanks for continuing the book's journey, AnonymousFinder!

Wild Release #177

I wasn't planning on leaving a book at Eat 'n Park this morning because I haven't gotten one catch or journal entry from the what seems like dozens of books I have left there, but the lure of the newspaper boxes on the sidewalk was too great. I left Allison Brennan's "Speak No Evil" on top of the boxes around 8:30 a.m., and it was still there when I left around 9:45 a.m. Keeping my fingers crossed that *this* is the one that writes back home.