May Stats

Wild Releases: 25
Catches: 8

Year-to-date:
Wild Releases: 118
RABCKs: 85
Catches: 23

Catch #85!

When I saw this journal alert in my mailbox, I thought it was for TheLostBook's copy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World," which I released last month. Imagine my surprise to find that it was for Michael Crichton's "The Lost World," which I released 11 months and 20 days ago at the foot of the Diplodocus outside the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh! Thanks for checking in with the book, AnonymousFinder. Maybe it won't be long before the *other* Lost World is found.

Wild Release #621

The eggs packaged in green styrofoam in the dairy department of the Hempfield Shop 'n Save have a new, chilly friend: Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" is keeping them company until it finds a new home.

Wild Release #620

Why does the grass have to keep growing? Having gone through one 2.5 gallon container of gasoline in my lawn mower already this year, I stopped at the Spee-D on Route 130 in Greensburg to fill it again and to leave "Final Flight," by Stephen Coonts, on top of the gas pump.

Wild Releases #618 & #619

It's Memorial Day Weekend, so that means it's time to go camping at Deer Meadows in Cooksburg, Pa. Sister No. 2 and her family have been going there forever and ever, and while I used to go with them in my younger days and stay overnight in a tent in the cold and rain, I have since come to my senses and only go up for the day. Mom and I got there in time to play bingo and on our way to the pavilion I was able to leave "Stella & Roy Go Camping," by Ashley Wolff, on a bench across from the arcade. After I lost all my money at bingo (Sister No. 2 was the only winner in the family) I left Anita Diamant's "The Red Tent" on an Adirondack chair on the porch of the camp store.

Wild Release #617

Mom and I were in search of a steak and a TV that was showing the Pittsburgh Penguins playoff game, so we headed to Applebee's in Mount Pleasant, where I left Irving Wallace's "The Miracle" on the bench outside the front door. The steak was delicious (though the veggies were swimming in a too-salty-too-buttery sauce) and the Penguins won. What could be better? Maybe a quick catch! Fingers crossed.

Wild Releases #615 & #616

A new glass show opened at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh earlier this week and since I enjoyed the Chihuly show so much last year, I high-tailed it to the Fräbel show, with camera and books in hand. I left "Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes," by Eleanor Coerr, in the Discovery Garden near a Japanese plant, while "The Flying Saucer Mystery," by Carolyn Keene, is keeping some Longfellows company.

Wild Releases #613 & #614

I had a two-fold mission today. First, to get some lovely flowers to plant around our mailbox, and second, to boldly go where noone has gone before. I'm happy to say that both missions were accomplished. I found lovely Mexican Heather, Verbena, and Scaevola at Laurel Nursery/Garden Center in Latrobe, and I left Pearl Buck's "The Good Earth" on top of the piles of topsoil on display in the parking lot. After dropping my purchases at home, I headed to Westmoreland Mall's Carmike Cinemas to watch the new "Star Trek" movie (loved it!). I left Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons," also playing at the theater, on top of the water fountains by the exit. Missions accomplished.

Catches #83 & #84!

I'm three for three with my road-trip releases yesterday since "Food Politics" AND "Divine Evil" have both checked in.

"Food Politics" was logged in by new member 4shumbert, who says, "This is an interesting read. I would not have purchased it but to have read it now, I think I would..." I think that's one of the many great things about BookCrossing--it expands your reading horizons.

Meanwhile, "Divine Evil" was caught by another new BookCrosser, Jazz-Inked, who says, "Today I was filling up my car with gas at the local WaWa. I parked my car and went inside to prepay my gas. When I returned I looked up and found a curiosity silently trying to catch my attention. The book was sitting on the top of the pump, leaning against an advertisement. I never would have seen it. I picked it up and I realized there is still wonder in the world. This was the most magical experience I've yet to encounter, and that's saying something, as I just came back from a trip to Walt Disney World... Imagine that." What a great journal entry. Truly magical.

Catch #82!

"Dumbo: Not So Fast!" was caught before I even had a chance to get home and make release notes. And I don't mind it being caught so fast! It has found a new home with new BookCrosser nantruck, who simply says, "very nice thing to do." Welcome and enjoy!

Wild Releases #610 - #612

Mom and I went on a road trip today to visit my cousin and uncle in Bethlehem, Pa. Of course I brought some books to release: what better way to get books travelling than to release them while I'm travelling? To that end, I left "Dumbo: Not So Fast!" by Ronald Kidd, on a light post in the parking lot of the Sideling Hill Travel Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike; "Divine Evil," by Nora Roberts, on top of a gas pump at Wawa in Bethlehem, Pa.; and, on this primary election day in Pennsylvania, "Food Politics," by Marion Nestle, on a pole by the picnic tables at the Somerset Travel Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Wild Releases #608 & #609

I went to my local Lowe's in search of some flowers to plant, but last night's frost left everything looking rather droopy. Still, my purse was a little emptier when I left because I left Dr. Seuss' "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" with the pond paraphernalia in the garden center. My next stop was Giant Eagle, where I left "Little Miss Trouble and the Mermaid," by Roger Hargreaves, in the prize door of the claw machine in the lobby. No luck with this release method yet, but I hope it changes soon!

Wild Release #607

There are all kinds of people who visit and live on the South Side of Pittsburgh, so I thought it would be an OK place to leave this semi-themed-maybe-I'm-stretching-it release. I left "Fat Land," by Greg Critser, on top of a brick post in the courtyard of the Double Wide Grill on the corner of 24th and East Carson. May it find the right reader soon.

Wild Releases #604 - #606

I have been slacking off on my releasing this month, so I had an oxymoronic mini mass release today. First up, "The Summons," by John Grisham, which I left outside of the Westmoreland Bar Association entrance on North Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg. Next, "Earthquake in the Early Morning," by Mary Pope Osborne, outside the only remaining Denny's in Greensburg. Finally, another John Grisham book, "Disclosure," was left outside the Geyer Theater in Scottdale, and happens to be the very first BookCrossing book released in Scottdale. Quite a momentous occasion with which to end the day.

Catch #81!

Another catch and another new member! neffy from Beaverdale, Pa., reports: " I caught the book a resturant called steak and shake. I plan on releasing it at college near by." Welcome to BookCrossing, neffy!

Wild Release #603

First a ghost sighting on the Five Star Trail, and now The Boulevard in Greensburg has one as well! "The Ghost," by Robert Harris, is sitting in a BookCrossing release bag on one of the benches by the main doors. I tried to take a photo, but strangely, nothing came out but a semi-transparent blur ...

Wild Release #602

I may have said this before, but Steak 'n Shake has the best french fries. They are more like fried hash browns, that's how thin the potato is cut. But I digress. I went there for lunch today and when I left, I left "The Two Towers," by J.R.R. Tolkien, on top of the garbarge can outside the entrance. I hope someone catches it and saves it before it falls in!

Catch #80!

"An American Childhood" has been found and journalled by new member TerrierCyn from Johnson City, Tenn., who says, "Husband at a seminar in Pittsburgh. I was walking along the river with my 2 Westies and a rock-climbing friend who lives near Pittsburgh, and we found this book. What a great idea! I'm swamped right now, but look forward to reading this book and learning more of Pittsburgh and of Annie Dillard. I'll pass it on to a friend or release it back into the wild when I'm done. Thanks!" Thank *you*, TerrierCyn, and welcome to BookCrossing!

Wild Release #601

When I started BookCrossing, there were very few release locations already in the system for my hometown. One that was there was the Super 8 across from Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg. Today I released *my* first book there: Tom Clancy's "Executive Orders" is in a BookCrossing release bag on the bench outside the front door.

Catch #79!

This journal entry in my inbox caught *me* completely by surprise. I gave "George's Marvelous Medicine," by Roald Dahl, to Nephew No. 2 to read and enjoy a few months ago. A few weeks later, my sister told me that he had won the exact same book in some sort of contest, so he was very excited to be able to release this book and see where it went. They must have released it at the library in Scott Township, because that's where libsgal6, from Bridgeville, Pa., encountered it. "Roald Dahl is always a marvelous treat!" she writes. "Found this book sitting outside of the library and went to return it on my way to work. Lovely read on a rainy night, hope the next time it finds a child." Thanks for the group effort, all. Happy travels, George!

Catch #78!

"Star Wars, Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace" encountered an AnonymousFinder and jumped out of hyperdrive almost six months after starting its journey in Hamburg, Pa. The AF is short and to the point, reporting "It is a good book." Glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for reporting in!

Wild Release #600

I ended this excellent day with my 600th wild release on BookCrossing! I left "Peter Pan," by J. M. Barrie, on the automated postal machine in the lobby of the Post Office on South Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg,

Wild Releases #598 & #599

Even though today was another chilly, overcast day in southwestern Pennsylvania, it was a fantastic day because I started it by meeting Phil Keoghan, host of "The Amazing Race," as he bicycled through Pittsburgh on his Ride Across America, which is raising money and awareness for MS. After hanging out with Phil, his dad, his wife, his crew, and a few dozen other fans and well-wishers (including Sister No. 4, Brother-in-Law No. 3, and Nephews No. 2 and No. 3) at the GNC in Robinson Town Center, I headed over to the North Side to release a couple of Pittsburgh-themed books.

The first was "We'll Never Forget You, Roberto Clemente," by Trudie Engel. From the moment I saw this book at my local Goodwill store, I knew I would be releasing it at the Roberto Clemente statue at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

After taking lots of photos of Roberto and the city skyline, I headed across Sixth Street to the North Shore Riverfront Park where I left Pittsburgh native Annie Dillard's "An American Childhood" on a piece of sculpture along the river.

Wild Release #597

Bob Evans Restaurant in Greensburg has been a pretty good release spot for me, so I decided to press my luck today by releasing "Jemima J," by Jane Green, on the bench outside the front door. Keep your fingers crossed that my luck holds.