By Kathryn Hill
Alumna and R.E.A.D. Book Club President
When I was a kid, I used books to escape the real world. I loved to read. When I was in trouble, having my books taken away was the worst punishment.
However, I didn’t have that many books. My family did not have a lot of money, so new books especially were a rarity in my house.
I visited the library as often as I could, which was not very often because I lived with one parent and had to take care of my siblings. When I got a new book, borrowed or bought, it was magic! I had a new world to explore.
As an adult, I can go to the library whenever I want, and I buy my own books (maybe too many!). However, millions of people in the world can’t do the same because they struggle financially or do not live near a library. To provide books to other people, especially children, who cannot easily go to a public library or cannot afford to buy books is why I participate in Random Acts of Reading.
What Is Random Acts of Reading?
Random Acts of Reading is a service project sponsored by the University’s R.E.A.D. Book Club. On Wednesday, September 11 (also known as the National Day of Service and Remembrance) and throughout the month of September, the R.E.A.D. Book Club encourages members and all University students, faculty, and staff to leave books in public places or in Little Free Libraries.
This project began in 2019, and that year, I acted as a “Book Fairy.” I wrapped a gently used book in a plastic bag, along with a note explaining that whoever finds the book now owned it.
The note also said that the finder has the option to keep the book or pass it on to someone else. Then, I left the book in a grocery cart at my local supermarket with the note facing outward so the book wouldn’t be mistaken for trash.
Who doesn’t love surprises…especially if that surprise is a new book?
Every year since 2019, I have left books in other public places, like a park bench and even at the post office. I’ve also placed books in Little Free Libraries near me.
I try to do both activities each year because I love to browse my local Little Free Libraries for both myself and my family. I leave books designed for readers of various ages because I believe that reading is for everyone.
I personally have never found a present left by a book fairy, but I know I would be excited to find a book in the wild. To me, such a surprise discovery brings back all the childhood excitement of reading about magical things coming into being and wishes being granted. I don’t know who finds the books I leave, but I really hope that person is a child or an adult who has forgotten or may be just discovering the magic of reading.
The Random Acts of Reading service project allows me to share my love of new books with people in my community who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access books and all the magic they can bring.
Participate in Random Acts of Reading This Month
Share the magic yourself by participating in Random Acts of Reading this month! You might even win $25 of books from Better World Books for sharing a photo or video of your participation with the hashtag #APUSReads. Find out more at the R.E.A.D. Book Club’s website.
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