Books in Unexpected Places

Books. The printed kind with bright coloured covers and dog-eared pages. They are becoming rarer and rarer in my life as the convenience of downloading e-books to my phone directly from Amazon or the library takes over. But there is still something about the real thing calling to me from the coffee table or the nightstand, filling my bookcases with memories of favourites.

My grandchildren’s shelves are overflowing. A few months ago the second grader came down the stairs well after bedtime to confess to her parents that she had been reading by flashlight under the covers after the lights were turned off. Her parents looked at one another. How could they punish their kid for reading too much? She is now permitted to read for ten minutes after the lights are out. She still likes it best under the covers with a flashlight, but at least she doesn’t have to worry about getting caught.

On a recent trip to Korea to visit my other daughter, we took a day’s holiday at Nami Island. It is a cultural centre that celebrates books among other things. Besides the books in every room of our rented hut, this little shelter stood outside with a view of the river.

The playground included this collection of children’s books.

There were even books in the public toilet stall!

I’ve seen little libraries in other places. A red English phone box filled with books stands next to a bakery in Hungary where we stopped for coffee.

On her walks a friend makes the rounds of several free libraries (built by Lions Club) including this one in her own front yard. She scans her shelves at home for things someone else might want to read. Take one/leave one is the rule.

So where have you found books in surprising places? Where would you like to see one of these little libraries set up?
(Google Little Free Libraries to see lots more examples.)

[Republished from International Christian Fiction Writers.]