July Stats

Wild Releases: 50
Catches: 5

Year-to-date:
Wild Releases: 193
RABCKs: 85
Catches: 33

Wild Releases #695 & #696

I'm on a mini road trip to State College this weekend for the second annual American Cancer Society Daffodil Days Leadership Conference. If I learn half as much as I did last year, it will be a great success. Road trips are always great opportunities to leave books in new places, and this one is no exception. I left Garrison Keillor's "Book of Guys" on top of a gas pump at Sheetz in New Alexandria, and I left Kathryn R. Wall's "Perdition House" on a couch by the elevators on the third floor of The Penn Stater in State College.

Wild Release #694

I was fully expecting to eat at home this evening, but was surprised by Mom's suggestion that we head to Applebee's in Mount Pleasant instead. The bench in front of the restaurant looked empty and lonely, so I left "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," by Kate Douglas Wiggin, there to keep it company.

Wild Release #693

The weekend is fast approaching and in an effort to satisfy someone's creative cravings, I left "Making Gift Scrapbooks in a Weekend," by Pam Klassen, on the bench on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse. Happy crafting!

Wild Release #692

I stopped by the Shop 'n Save on East Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg on my way home from work today so I could get some dinner fixings. Dinner will have one less guest, since I left "Jane Eyre," by Charlotte Brontë, on the wooden railing outside the front door.

WIld Releases #690 & #691

Today, with camera and books in hand, I made my way to Linn Run State Park, near Rector, Pa. I was happy to find a nicely kept trail that led to the (locally) infamous Flat Rock, sort of a natural waterslide in the cool mountain spring. The trail had several benches and large rocks along the way, perfect places to leave books. I left "Nickety-Nacketty Noo-Noo-Noo," by Joy Cowley, and "The Adventures of the Dancing Men and Other Stories," by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, along the Flat Rock Trail. By the time I was done taking photos of the lovely scenery and made my way back to the car, both books were gone.

Wild Release #689

It was a lovely day for a drive, so I headed out to Latrobe and left "Ghost Moon," by Karen Robards, in the gazebo at Legion Keener Park. Don't be afraid to go find it!

Catch #95!

There is a god, of small things, that is. I just got my first catch from the 2009 American Mensa National Convention—Arundhati Roy's "The God of Small Things" was logged in by kristen-chicago. Thanks for the journal entry, kristen-chicago, and enjoy!

Wild Release #688

I stopped by the Rite Aid on East Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg, not to do any essential shopping, but to do an essential book drop. I left Patricia Cornwell's "The Front" on the pay phone on the sidewalk at the front of the store.

Catch #94!

FrederickZ saved "The Secret Life of Bees" from a watery fate. He writes: "I was walking a friend home on a rainy day. The book was sitting upright against the back of a park bench. I noticed it but didn't pay much attention to it going up the path to my friends home but on the way back I thought I would stop and see what the book was about. As I was looking at the book, a random thought entered my mind that there was a message of advice or guidance in the book specifically for me. This is one of the ways that Universe speaks to me. I took the book home with me yesterday. I am now about to sit down and read the book and see what messages of guidance and/or advice are in the book for me." I hope you find what you're looking for, FrederickZ! Welcome to BookCrossing!

Wild Release #687

The skies were threatening when I put "The Secret Life of Bees," by Sue Monk Kidd, on a bench at the Nature's Way access to the Five Star Trail, but I did it anyway. It is safely sealed inside a BookCrossing release bag just in case it decides to rain.

WIld Release #686

On my way home from picking up Chinese takeout, I left "Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul," by Jack Canfield, et al., on a chair on the sidewalk outside Craftique where the Humane Society of Westmoreland County has a booth. Here's hoping a cat/dog/book lover checks in soon!

Wild Release #685

I went out of my way a bit this afternoon as I ran errands around town, just so I could release a book. I left Agatha Christie's "They Came to Baghdad" in the yellow apartment rental guide box on the sidewalk of the Helman-Ghrist Parking Lot on North Main Street in Greensburg.

Catch #93!

I can't figure out whodunit, but I'm glad they did! An AnonymousFinder picked up "Ten Little Indians" and says: "Found the book in Mt. Odin Park where it was left eight hours earlier. What a nice suprise! I never met an Agatha Christie book that I didn't like. Will read it and let you know." Please do!

Wild Release #684

We are being blessed with one beautiful day after another here in southwestern Pennsylvania. Today's weather had me heading to Mt. Odin Park to enjoy lunch al fresco. After I discarded my garbage in the can at the really old, possibly pre-Revolutionary war building near the playground, I left Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" on a picnic table nearby for someone else who is enjoying the fine forecast.

Wild Release #683

Sister No. 6 was screaming for ice cream, insisting that I bring some over to her house so we could enjoy the lovely weather from the comfort of her side porch. Since I was feeling compliant, I did as she asked and left "We Scream for Ice Cream," by Bernice Chardiet and Grace MacCarone, on a ledge outside the front door of The Meadows Original Frozen Custard on Mt. Pleasant Road in Greensburg. Bon appetit!

Catch #92!

"The Rocksburg Railroad Murders" has been caught! New member 1ofakind says: "I havent read all of it yet. Just found it in the train station, and stole it..I will leave it somewhere cool, for others to enjoy." Thanks, and welcome to BookCrossing!

Wild Release #682

Greensburg's SummerSounds concerts are in full swing, and with a show planned for this evening, I thought St. Clair Park would be a great place to leave a book this afternoon. I left "The Ambassador's Son," by Homer Hickam, on the ledge of the bulletin board at the Maple Avenue entrance to the park.

Catch #91!

Yes! The finger crossing must have worked, because "The Crush" has turned into an honest-to-goodness catch. New member MrsSteelers says: "I love to read and I was so excited to find this book. I love to read Sandra Brown and am really looking forward to reading it." Thanks for the catch, MrsSteelers, and welcome to BookCrossing!

Wild Release #681

Mom and I got an unexpected invitation to join Sisters No. 3 and 6 and Niece No. 2 for dinner at the Sunset Cafe on Urania Avenue In Greensburg to celebrate Niece No. 2's birthday. Since both Sister No. 3 and Niece No. 2 are fellow Janet Evanovich lovers, I decided to leave her "Back to the Bedroom" behind on the ledge under the Sunset Cafe logo outside the lounge doors.

Wild Release #680

I visited Steak 'n Shake in the Greengate Centre for lunch today, and left Sandra Brown's "The Crush" on top of the garbage can by the front doors on my way in. As I'm waiting in line to be seated, I hear a group of people come in behind me, talking about the author and how they can't wait to read the book I left just seconds before. My fingers are crossed that this "catch" turns into an honest-to-goodness catch!

Wild Releases #678 & #679

It has been years since I visited Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pa. I think the last time I went, Niece No. 3 was 9 years old: she now has her driver's permit. This time I went with Sisters No. 4 and 5, their husbands (Brothers-in-Law No. 3 and 4), and their children (Nephews No. 2 and 3 and Nieces No. 7 and 8). It was a beautiful day--sunny, but not too hot--and not very crowded, either. Hopefully someone in the crowd picked up the books I released there. I left "Flipped," by Wendelin Van Draanen, on a bench across from the Aero 360 ride, and "Ralph S. Mouse," by Beverly Cleary, outside The Exterminator in Lost Kennywood.

Wild Releases #668 - #677

Happy Independence Day! As in years past, Mom and I staffed the welcome booth at the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes in Greensburg, as volunteers for Excela Health Home Care and Hospice (she's the volunteer; I'm just company). After our shift ended, we walked through the park, leaving a trail of books behind us. The ten books I released today are:

1. "The Red Badge of Courage," by Stephen Crane;
   
2. "O Pioneers!" by Willa Cather;
   
3. "Indigo," by Alice Hoffman;
   
4. "Flying with the Eagle, Racing the Great Bear," by Joseph Bruchac;
   
5. "Where the Wild Things Are," by Maurice Sendak;
   
6. "Favorite North American Indian Legends," by Philip Smith;
   
7. "The Wind in the Willows," by Kenneth Grahame;
   
8. "The Ugly Duckling and Other Fairy Tales," by Hans Christian Andersen;
   
9. "The Mystery of the Cupboard," by Lynne Reid Banks; and
   
10. "The Red White and Blue," by John Gregory Dunne (appropriate for the day, I thought).
    

Wild Releases #648 - #667

This is a big weekend for Pittsburgh: not only is it Independence Day, with an always awesome fireworks show, the Pirates are playing at home and Pittsburgh is playing host to the Pittsburgh Regatta, the Furries Convention, and the Mensa Annual Gathering. BookCrosser and Mensan stinalyn was unable to attend the Mensa Annual Gathering this year, so she asked BookCrossers in the Pittsburgh area to wild release some books during the convention. I gladly complied. Twenty books are now in the wild in or around the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. They are:

1. "The God of Small Things," by Arundhati Roy;
   
2. "Downsize This!" by Michael Moore;
   
3. "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert;
   
4. "Unnatural Selections," by Gary Larson;
   
5. "Tom Clancy's EndWar," by David Michaels;
   
6. "Edge of Battle," by Dale Brown;
   
7. "Pretty Boy Floyd," by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana;
   
8. "Brought in Dead," by Jack Higgins;
   
9. "A Table by the Window," by Lawana Blackwell (left on a table by the window in the lobby);
   
10. "Wish You Were Here," by Stewart O'Nan (who is from the Pittsburgh area);
    
11. "The Soul of a New Machine," by Tracy Kidder;
    
12. "Women Who Think Too Much," by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema (I couldn't resist!);
    
13. "The Devil Wears Prada," by Lauren Weisberger;
    
14. "The Silmarillion," by J.R.R. Tolkien;
    
15. "Fighting Back," by Rocky Bleier and Terry O'Neil (another themed book: Rocky Bleier played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s);
    
16. "Star Wars: Darksaber," by Kevin Anderson;
    
17. "Tales from the New Republic," by Peter Schweighofer and Craig Carey;
    
18. "Simple Genius," by David Baldacci (I couldn't resist!);
    
19. "The Stories of Eva Luna," by Isabel Allende; and
    
20. "Sourcery," by Terry Pratchett.
    

Wild Release #647

K. C. Constantine is from my hometown of Greensburg, Pa., and reportedly writes about the people who live and work here. Written in 1972, "The Rocksburg Railroad Murders" is his first book and centers around the train station I pass every day on my way to work. How often do you get the chance to wild release a book in the exact setting it takes place? To that end, I left it on the back of a bench in the tunnel under the railroad tracks.