Dinosaur Summer Friday, 16 October 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Found books.Tags: arthur conan doyle, bookcrossing, books, dinosaur
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Did you know there’s a sequel to The Lost World? Arthur Conan Doyle wrote several more Professor Challenger stories, but didn’t go back to South America. Instead, Greg Bear continued the story in his novel Dinosaur Summer. It’s set in 1947 and considers what would happen in a world where live dinos had been found. The answer: dinosaur circuses!
We’ve sent a copy around the world. Readers so far say:
“This was a fantastic adventure story with an old fashioned feel to it” (Shimmy-crazy in the UK)
“The prose here isn’t as flowery as Doyle’s, but the story is equally compelling, as the story builds to a dramatic climax on the plateau.” (ResQgeek in Virginia, USA)
“It was such a gripping story that I could not bear to lower it even for a moment!” (TomHl, pictured at Logan International Airport in Boston)
“Really good for a sequel novel… Good to see also the updating of the plateau to include dinosaurs with feathers” (davemurray101 in New South Wales, Australia)
A second copy has just started travelling the world, brought into the project by hyphen8 in Hawaii. If you’d like to read it you can join BookCrossing and get in touch with hyphen8.
Stories on a postcard, please Friday, 25 September 2009
Posted by Helen in Found books.Tags: bookcrossing, books, story, writing
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A while ago, we told you about the books-and-storytelling experiment we’re running with a copy of Un Lun Dun by China Miéville.
The book (signed by the author) is travelling around the world, gathering readers and stories along the way. Each reader – there are 29, in nine countries – will add a postcard to the package, and each postcard will contain a story about their home town. The stories can be true or fictional.
Un Lun Dun is in Austria at the moment and we’ve had a couple of great fictional postcard stories from Wüppertaal and Graz, inspired by Miéville’s book.
To read all the postcard stories plus reviews of Un Lun Dun, take a look at all the journal entries over at BookCrossing.com.
Falling from a clear blue sky Thursday, 10 September 2009
Posted by Helen in Found books.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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The first two books released by molekilby from the Fourth Plinth on Tuesday have checked in.
There’s a copy of Jostein Gaarder’s Through a Glass Darkly, provided by waderwomen from Derby. The finder says “The book was great but its not a book i would have picked up in a shop but now i have read it i would like to read more by Jostein Gaarder.”
Secondly, a fantastic journal entry for a slightly unusal book – Strong Shoulders: A Funeral Director’s Guide to Life and Death. Hanmoynihan says “The best thing about the book was the amusing way in which I first recieved it. Falling from a clear blue sky on a sunny day in Trafalagar square. One of those days that has come to trick us into think that summer is still here when the calendar is creeping closer to autumn and winter.”
The Fourth Plinth! Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Events.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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But it was a very different Challenger who greeted us in the morning … His beard bristled exultantly, his chest was thrown out, and his hand was thrust into the front of his jacket. So, in his fancy, may he see himself sometimes, gracing the vacant pedestal in Trafalgar Square, and adding one more to the horrors of the London streets.
The quotation is from The Lost World – but Professor Challenger didn’t ever make it onto the vacant pedestal. However, BookCrosser Molekilby is on the plinth right now. He has 160 books to BookCross, including quite a few copies of The Lost World. He’ll be talking about BookCrossing and The Lost Book – and he’s got quite a crowd! Go, Molekilby!
Watch Molekilby live from Trafalgar Square.
Hello also to all the BookCrossers who have made it to London to support Molekilby. The latest list is: dirtydancer2, veganbob, gingergeoff, gingerpeter, Sherlockfan, lytteltonwitch, WishfulDragon, Vekiki, samulli, MissMarkey, Beqi, cyzaki, scarlett17, weebly, LyzzyBee, Candy-is-Dandy, Cassiopaeia, rahar109, Potok-fan and smallbluepebble.
Lost and forgotten books Monday, 17 August 2009
Posted by Helen in News.Tags: bookcrossing, books, interview
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Ginger Gorman has blogged over at the ABC Canberra site about her “Afternoons” show on 6th August, which featured Adam talking about The Lost Book.
There’s an extract from Adam’s interview plus Ginger’s summary of the other lost book stories she uncovered for the show. BookCrossers and book sharers will be particularly interested to learn about the Footpath Library and there’s a great tale from the National Library of Australia.
Thanks, Ginger, for the shout-out!
Molekilby on the fourth plinth Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Posted by Helen in News.Tags: arthur conan doyle, bookcrossing, books
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Have you been watching One & Other, Antony Gormley’s “living monument” in Trafalgar Square?
We’ve just heard that BookCrosser and Plinther Molekilby plans to tell the world about BookCrossing, The Lost Book, and the Edinburgh City of Literature when he’s on the plinth. He’s even planning to wild release a copy of The Lost World by throwing it from the plinth.
Congratulations Molekilby on getting a place! He’ll be there during week 10 – that’s the week of 7th September. We’ll remind you nearer then and give you the exact date and time.
Molekilby won’t be the first BookCrosser on the plinth – that honour went to Natalie_M who BookCrossed in the wee early hours of 21 July.
Star Gazing Monday, 10 August 2009
Posted by Helen in News.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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The shortlist for a new literary award was released this week. The Robin Jenkins Award is for fiction or non fiction and “is designed to promote new Scottish writing that draws and builds on Scotland’s cultural heritage using our unique environmental assets, in particular trees and forestry”. (via LyzzyBee.)
I came across Robin Jenkins’ work as part of The Lost Book – Jenkins’ The Changeling was one of the books donated by sponsor Canongate. It’s a fantastic book, one of my best reads of the year. Our bookray copy, which is travelling the world, has been getting great reviews. One of the readers, karen07814, was inspired to start a bookray for Jenkins’ The Cone Gatherers, so I got the chance to read that too.
Anyway, I want to tell you about one of the books shortlisted for the Robin Jenkins Award: Star Gazing by Linda Gillard. It’s a novel about Marianne, blind from birth, as she starts to live and love again many years after losing her husband in an industrial accident. We have a signed copy! We’re sending it out on a BookCrossing bookray – if you’re a member of BookCrossing you can sign up on the forum. (If you’re not a member, why not join?!)
(What’s a “bookray”? Take a look at the BookCrossing FAQs to find out – you want Q57.)
Winners – Invisible Inc. release challenge Friday, 7 August 2009
Posted by Helen in Found books.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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When we announced the Invisible Inc. Secret Society of Bibliophiles “release challenge” on BookCrossing.com we hoped a few books would be shared.
In fact, an amazing 134 books have been released! The challenge was to set free books that members of Invisible Inc. would enjoy. Participants scored one point for each book, an extra point if the book was left somewhere “themed” (linked to the book or the challenge) and an extra point for each book “caught” (found by a stranger and journaled on BookCrossing.com). The challenge ran from 24 June to 24 July.
Thanks AileenAdler, a-usual-suspect, awaywithfairies, Bascula, GoryDetails, KiwiinEngland, ResQgeek, rhythmbiscuit/shadowwolves, RockDg9, tabby-cat-owner and waderwoman for taking part. Books were set free in the UK, USA, Ireland and Australia. (more…)
A jug of Pimms (or two) Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Posted by Helen in Making of..., Story teamwork.Tags: actors, bookcrossing, characters, cora bissett, Poll, sean biggerstaff, soundtrack
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Fun times! The last recording session with our voice actors Cora Bissett and Sean Biggerstaff was on Sunday. For once, Cora didn’t have to do a million mad voices – she was simply (and beautifully) Aileen Adler.
Sean, on the other paw, had the challenge of putting a voice to the thoughts of Watson. “Urbane gentleman spy” was an option for a while… and led inevitably to “Bond, Sean Bond” and much hilarity. The final voice is neither of those, but is a glorious big voice for a small but important dog. You’ll have to wait until Friday to hear it.
L-R: Helen Jackson, Adam Brewster, Cora Bissett, Sean Biggerstaff and Stephen Gilmour
At lunch afterwards it emerged that Sean is a great fan of Pimms, so we celebrated with a jug or two of Pimms and lemonade. It’s appropriate, then, that the popular vote has decided that Pimms is the drink of choice for Aileen and Kyle (thanks Kiwi for the suggestion, and thanks DJ for letting us know the Sheep Heid Inn can “rustle up a fantastic classic Pimms No 1″.)
We also have a decision for a book to feature in the last episode – it will then be BookCrossed in the Sheep Heid, so if you’re in Duddingston this coming weekend you might want to pop in and see if you can pick it up. The winning suggestion is another one of Kiwi‘s, seconded by Treehugger – The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle. Watson’s grabbed it already; it’s one of his favourites.
The good, but slightly sad, news is that you’ve now made all the decisions needed for us to finish the final episode of The Lost Book. Instead of a story poll, I’ve resurrected our character popularity survey. Who’s your favourite character? Vote now in the sidebar poll to the right.
Life of Pi Sunday, 19 July 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Found books.Tags: bookcrossing, books, twitter
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It’s nearly the end of July… did you know that in August there will be a “worldwide readalong” of Life of Pi? Canongate are encouraging people to discover or re-discover Yann Martel’s Man Booker prizewinning bestseller by being part of a shared reading experience.
We’ve been BookCrossing copies of Life of Pi donated by Canongate. One copy found in Edinburgh has already travelled to Essex.
If you’d like to join the readalong you’ll find all the details on www.lifeofpi.co.uk. You can sign up to get tips and extras. You can also join the readalong through Twitter – simply use the hashtags #LifeofPi and #readalong in your tweets. Watson (@followyournose) will be twoofing!
Lunch and storyboards Friday, 10 July 2009
Posted by Helen in Making of....Tags: actors, bookcrossing, script, story, storyboard
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We really did have lunch at the Sheep Heid Inn, Duddingston. Many thanks to D.J., who didn’t just give us lunch but made us welcome, gave us a tour, a history lesson, and an introduction to the sheep heid that gives the pub its name (well, the 19th century copy – made when the original, presented by James VI, was sold).
The photos here show the sign and the BookCrossing shelf in the main bar area.
Adam and I have been talking about storyboards for the last several days, but today is the day they need to be finished. We have a script roughed out – I’ll post it later – and, of course, we know which stories need to be included.
Episode 6 is very different to normal, because it will be told using voiceover narration rather than dialogue. We normally record the actors before we start animation – typically we’d have had a recording session this week – so that we can match the animation to the dialogue. But, that’s not needed with voiceover so we won’t be going into the recording studio until the end of next week.
What this means is that we’ll be using a “scratch” voice track as we work. A scratch track is a rough recording we make ourselves, so that we have a guide to timings. It’s very rough – you’ll hear it on the animatic.
It also means that we can continue to tweak the script for a little longer than usual…
BookCrossing UK Unconvention Monday, 6 July 2009
Posted by Helen in News.Tags: bookcrossing, books, scottish chamber orchestra, writing
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This weekend saw Edinburgh hosting the BookCrossing 2009 UK UnConvention (like a convention but more, well, unconventional!). (more…)
The Lost World password needed Sunday, 5 July 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Story teamwork.Tags: bookcrossing, books, story
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Hello! If you’re reading this, you must have a copy of the campaign edition of The Lost World, and you must have visited BookCrossing.com.
We need your help! We need a book recommendation for Aileen. You see, during most episodes of The Lost Book Aileen and Watson have read books and “wild released” them for anyone to find. We need to choose the last book for Aileen to read and release in the cafe in episode 6. What’s it to be?
Any link to Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World, investigative journalists, stolen books, secret societies, dogs or dinosaurs would be acceptable – or anything else you can persuade us is relevant. If you come up with a good idea, the book will be used in the animation – and then released in the real world!
The Earth Hums in B Flat Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Posted by Helen in Found books.Tags: bookcrossing
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The Earth Hums in B Flat, the debut novel from Mari Strachan, was BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime at the end of March and was one of eight of Amazon Rising Stars for spring 2009. We’ve BookCrossed fifty copies donated by sponsors Canongate. They’ve been turning up all over the place!
One copy was picked up at an exhibition in Edinburgh – the finder was “intrigued enough to take home and now about to start reading”. Another copy was found at Glasgow’s City Halls by JuJuDollie who says, “I’ve just started reading it but when I’ve finished, wherever that is I will release it and let you know.” There’s a copy in Dublin with KiwiinEngland. Another copy has made it to the Kyles of Bute, thanks to MMaggie who picked it up at a Scottish Chamber Orchestra concert: “Enjoyed it thoroughly;took it from Glasgow to the Kyles of Bute and then handed it over so it could continue travelling…”
There’s a BookCrossing bookray copy travelling the world. So far it’s been from Edinburgh to Swansea, Colchester, Maidstone and Derbyshire. Next stop Rome! Readers say: “I liked having to read between the lines to work out what was going on” (Nell-Lu); “The title is beautiful, and really reflects the synaesthetic experience that Gwenni has of the world when she goes flying at night. I like the way the meaning of the title unfolded gradually throughout the book” (Lottiotta); “Perfect. Total poignant escapism.” (karen07814); and “I really enjoyed this book,Gwenni is such a warm and likeable character, you can’t help but empathize with her” (yorkshire-lass).
[More photos of our BookCrossing releases can be found in our Travelling Books set on Flickr.]
BookCrossing news Friday, 26 June 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in News.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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Thanks to our friends over at BookCrossing who’ve posted a news update about The Lost Book. They’ve also published a longer article we wrote.
And, thanks to the BookCrossers who have already taken on our Release Challenge. ResQgeek’s the early leader having released four books. AileenAdler’s released one and tabby-cat-owner has released two. KiwiinEngland, LyzzyBee, wearealldoomed and Bascula are making plans…
There’s plenty of time to join in – the challenge runs until 24th July. More info in our blog post and on the BookCrossing Release Challenges forum.
Invisible Inc. “release challenge” starts today Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Found books.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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More BookCrossing fun! If you’re a BookCrosser, why not join in our release challenge (and if you’re not a BookCrosser… why not?! It’s free to join!).
The challenge is to wild release (leave in public places for others to find) books that Invisible Inc., our secret society of bibliophiles, would be interested in.
The first release is by our very own Aileen Adler – a copy of Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, because Macavity the Mystery Cat could teach Lyn and Otto a thing or two about invisibility!
If you want to take part, the forum post over at BookCrossing gives you all the details of the challenge. Post your releases on that thread to make sure they’re counted. There are prizes!
Concert books Sunday, 14 June 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Found books.Tags: bookcrossing, books, scottish chamber orchestra
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Two books left at Scottish Chamber Orchestra concerts have checked in this weekend.
A copy of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World has made it all the way to Oslo in Norway. Ajer says:
I got the book from my grandmother, who had picked it up someplace in Edinburgh, at an opera or something, while visiting her son who lives there. We live in Oslo, Norway.
I have now read the book, and I liked it quite much, but the constant hints in the beginning of each chapter of what was to happen annoyed me slightly. But the story itself was exciting and Arthur Conan Doyle language is good.
I plan to give the book to a friend of mine, who really wants to read it.
Thanks, Ajer – great to read your review!
And, MaryMillar in Glasgow has found a copy of Lilian’s Story by Kate Grenville that she plans to pass on to a daughter in Texas USA. Thanks, MaryMillar, for taking this book on a journey.
[The photo shows Alison Mitchell, Principal Flute of the SCO, with another copy of Lilian's Story - this one was hidden as part of our treasure hunt in May.]
Books ready to run free Thursday, 4 June 2009
Posted by Helen in News.Tags: bookcrossing, books, scottish chamber orchestra
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Many thanks to Lucy and Kirsten from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, who turned this box of books donated by the lovely Canongate (publisher of the year at the British Book Industry awards this week) …
… into a neat stack of books containing BookCrossing stickers, wrapped in bookbands, and ready to be wild released! We bribed them with penguin biscuits (and bad penguin-based humour):
Did you know the SCO tweet? For musical thoughts and penguin jokes, follow @SCOmusic.
Time for books Saturday, 30 May 2009
Posted by Helen in Found books.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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Here’s a quick look at some of the books we’ve been tracking, and their readers. BookCrossing.com lets us follow books on their travels – we’ve left some in public places for people to pick up, given some away through the BookCrossing forums and handed some out at concerts. (more…)
More Canongate books Thursday, 28 May 2009
Posted by Helen in News.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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June’s consignment of books from our lovely sponsors Canongate has arrived – another 100 books to give away.
This time there’s Man Booker prizewinner and bestseller Life of Pi (in time for the worldwide readalong in August – see www.lifeofpi.co.uk for info and to sign up) and One Moonlit Night by Caradog Pritchard, in a brand-new 2009 edition with a foreword by Jan Morris and an afterword byNiall Griffiths.
Books will be given away at Scottish Chamber Orchestra concerts, shared through the BookCrossing forums, and left in public places for people to pick up. Keep an eye out!
Many thanks to Canongate.
The Lost Book is an animated web series where you wrote the plot.
