Swamped with an alarmingly high pile of recently read books during lock down, I found myself with no way of disposing of them. Charity Shops, Pass It On and my old favourite Barter Books all being a no go. Last month I therefore held a competition to win Book Social’s #RecentlyRead pile of books. But what have other people been doing with their books during lock down?
Little Library
Throughout lock down one woman has been using her recently read pile as a way of reaching out to her local community. Anne Brooke from Northumberland has created a little library of recently read books and placed them at the end of her garden. The books (which have all been cleaned beforehand) are free to anyone passing. “I always give my books to a charity shop but it hasn’t been possible during lock down. I would never just put a book in the bin but space was becoming an issue.” Thinking people might have restricted access to books at the moment she placed a box at the end of her garden with a sign inviting people to take whatever books they wanted. She expected maybe one or two at most to go.
Reaching out
At first only one or two did go, but then word spread. “Neighbours that I had previously only smiled at started to (socially distance) chat to me. The books became a way into a conversation.” As a thank you Anne started to find little presents arriving on her doorstep. “I had one neighbor leave me a garden chair as she noticed I had been sitting on my step when the weather was nice. She said she had taken two books and it was the least she could do in return.” Anne also started getting books left on her doorstep either to place in her little library or for her to read first. “I even got a copy of Normal People which is sold out everywhere at the moment. I will be reading that one before it makes it’s way in to the box.”
What about you
Anne will keep on with her little library for as long as people need it. “Although the recent rain has caused one or two issues.” We love the idea of a little library connecting people through this time of social distancing. Online book clubs, rediscovering the joy of reading and finding comfort in books are all positive things that have come out of this very strange period in our lives. If you have been using creative bookish ways to keep in touch or recycle your recently read pile we would love to hear from you.