We at the Threaded Traveling Book Project love people, love books, and love people who love books.  Avid readers, occasional readers, and even non-readers have something in common:  They can name a book that had an important impact on their lives.

 

          When we think of those special books from our pasts, our hearts respond with fireworks.  What was that book for you?  Has that title ever come up in conversation? 

 

          Perhaps it was a stranger on a bus, your distant cousin, a special coach or teacher, or the lady in the checkout line.  We have had many experiences like that, and you probably have, too.  It is likely that that conversation about the special book from your past lifted you up and made you feel something magical.

 

          Threaded was inspired by the magical feeling that results from connecting with strangers over special books.

 

How to Thread Books

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          We start book Threads by tagging books and introducing Threads to the world.  Then, we let fate (or intention) take over and watch the book travel the globe. As our books travel, we can literally track their impact next door and around the world.

 

          We invite you to join us by Threading special books of your own.

 

       Here are some ideas based on books that have already been Threaded:

• For Baylee, The Doll People represented the wonder and awe of magical places; so, she Threaded the novel at Walt Disney World in the shadow of Cinderella’s castle.

• Dave Threaded Barbarian Days, a surfing memoir/intellectual biography at his favorite surf shop in Venice Beach..

• When Mimi went through a breakup, The Sun and Her Flowers was the balm to her broken heart.  She Threaded the book to her best friend when she needed it most.

• The Thing About Jane Spring mirrored Suzanne's sassy, independent spirit.  She Threaded the book in the coffee shop in the John Hancock building in Chicago.  (It was our first found book on 1/1/2024!)

• To Daniela, Look Here was a love-letter to her hometown of London and an ode to travelers everywhere.  She Threaded the book in a little lending library along the shore of Lazise, Lake Garda in Italy.

• Nichon loved Coraline because it is a short-but-powerful, heart-pounding page-turner.  He Threaded the novel to a classmate who also loves gothic books.

• Brendan loves Unreasonable Hospitality's themes of creativity, excellence, and leadership.  He Threaded the book to his product-development team at work.

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Fate-Guided Book Threads​

The main way to Thread books is with Anonymous Book Threads.  These are books that find their way to readers through fate; the book Threader does not know who will find the book nor where it will travel.  These Threads are fun because it's up to fate to decide who finds, reads, and Threads your books forward!  

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Another element is the fun that comes from deciding where to Thread your books.  In many ways, books and places are already woven.  For instance, Threads could be

• city-specific (like Devil in the White City in Chicago, Paddington in London).

• author-specific (like EB White in Brooklin, Maine; Roald Dahl in Great Missenden, UK; or Lucy Maud Montgomery in PEI, Canada).

• location-specific (like Charlotte’s Web at a State Fair, Le Petit Prince in France, The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, Into the Wild at the University of Alaska).

• interest-specific (like Coach K’s book at Duke Universtiy, an Alice Waters' book at a farmer’s market, a career-specific book at a trade show).

• philanthropic (neighborhood lending libraries, school book donations, nursing home donations, children’s hospitals).

 

User feedback helped us discover that many readers already leave books in special places; with Threaded, they are excited to track the impact of their books.

• Jennifer leaves books behind at hostels and hotels when she travels; with Threaded, she can actually see that others are reading her books.

• When authors fly to book events, they often leave signed books in the seat pockets of airplanes or the back seats of taxis.  Threading the books provides an online record of the Threads and personal messages from the author!

• Fundraisers like trivia nights, runs, and rides incorporate Threaded books (themed to match the event) as prizes.  

• Neighborhood lending libraries are perfect!  They already have visibility and readership; with Threaded, users can track their books’ reaches and leave messages about the books they share!​​​

 

Intentional Book Threads​​

An Intentional Book Thread is a Thread that is shared among people who share an interest or purpose.

 

Intentional Book Threads are just plain FUN, especially for

• Birthday Party Gifts or Swag-bags

• Girl / Boy Scout Troops

• Classrooms

• Playgroups

• Book Clubs

• Professional Learning Communities

• Special interest groups

• Inspiration Circles

• Recovery Communities

• Spiritual Circles

• Religious Organizations

• Hobby Groups

• Athletes, Coaches, & Teams

• Mentors/Mentees

• Library Events

• Museum Events

• Summer Reading Programs

• Holiday Celebrations

 

Let's Start Threading Books

 

Threading books is easy!  Click here to purchase book stickers.  (An Instructions card will be included in your mailing.)  Affix your stickers to the book, register the title and location on the app here, write your message, place your book, and watch for the notification that your book has been found!  

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Enjoy the magical feeling that occurs when you discover that your books impacted friends and strangers alike.  Your Book Threads are unique connections to the world.  How exciting!

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Let's Connect!

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The Threaded Traveling Book Project is excited to meet you!  Whether you're a casual book lover or an entity wanting to partner, we'd love to hear from you!  Share your Threaded stories and photos with us by emailing thethreadedproject@gmail.com.  We love to feature users on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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Happy Threading!

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