Jan's Books

I read most nights. As I don't have much spare time, I tend to choose my fiction carefully. I look for books which will take me on a journey, have fully fleshed out characters, intricate plots, generally provoke an emotional response.

I rarely perservere with a book I'm not enjoying...with two notable exceptions. I didn't enjoy Cloud Atlas and plodded on....and on...and then it turned a corner and it was one of the most rewarding books I read during 2006. I remembered this the following year when I found the Time Traveler's Wife very dull, despite receiving rave reviews. I wish I was a Time Traveller so I could back and not waste time with that book.

So, if a book appears below, I read it and enjoyed it more or less. I rarely hang on to books or re-read them, preferring to register them with bookcrossing and hope someone else enjoys them (more about Bookcrossing below). A book which may just break this rule is The Moor's Last Sigh which is everything I want in a book and could probably read again and again.

2008:

2007:

2006:

2005:

Everything you wanted to know about Bookcrossing

What is Bookcrossing?

In a sentence: Bookcrossing is the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise. THAT'S IT BASICALLY. Anyone can do it. But, here is the fun bit: if you register your book at www.bookcrossing.com you will be able to see who finds its, what they thought of it and where it has travelled to!

Why bother?

You know that feeling you get when you've read a really good book? Well, wouldn't you want to pass that feeling on? Equally, why let books languish on a bookshelf when you just know you are never going to get round to reading them - better to let them gather new friends than dust. Also, just because you didn't enjoy a book doesn't mean that the next reader won't - they might love it!

How do I go about it?

Just follow the "3 Rs" of Bookcrossing...

The Bookcrossing website makes it really easy for you with example "release labels" and bookmarks etc that can be printed off for free from the website. Alternatively you can handwrite them or design your own.

What is an Official Bookcrossing Zone and Can I Start One in my Shop/Café/Theatre/School?

An Official Bookcrossing Zone (OBCZ) is an area, box, shelf or corner set aside for exchanging books. By promoting the fact that an establishment is Bookcrossing friendly, it generates goodwill, increased visitors and is great publicity for an organisation.

For further information on registering a premises as a Bookcrossing Zone and to print off Crossing Zone posters and pre-numbered labels to start you off, visit the bookcrossing site through this link.

Bookcrossing exists in Prestonpans in the form of a shelf in the James Fewell Bar in the Prestoungrange Gothenburg (known locally as "The Goth"), 227-229 High Street, Prestonpans, EH32 9BE.

What is a "Themed Release"

This is where you can let your imagination run riot! The most popular types of themed releases are:

Matching a place to a book, e.g. leaving "Whisky Galore" on the Isle of Barra"

Being a bit whimsical e.g. "Oranges are Not the Only Fruit" in a greengrocers or "Great Expectations" in the labour suite of the local hospital - you get the idea!

Releasing a book on an author's birthday

Releasing a book at a special event

A Random Act of Bookcrossing Kindness (RABCK)

Do you like the idea of surprising someone with a book they want? Linked to Bookcrossing, RABCK.com acts as a global address book for people who like to receive books through the post along with a note of their preferences/wishlist.