Friday the 13th

Produced from Google search hosted by Getty Images

In spirit of the marked day I thought I would search for a suggested reading list.  Spooky and superstition themed these classics would also work well with Halloween evenings in.

Good Reads Friday the 13th suggested read list.

The Giving Spot

Matadors Pizza was slow moving at first but has picked up and in the best way.  When I first glanced I thought nothing had moved and I was preparing to pick up the books and take them to my car when a book caught my eye.  Go ask Alice by Anonymous.  One of my favorite books and a great song (white rabbit).  

My copy was passed on to a cousin and then victim to a house fire.  Eager to review its pages again I snatched it up with a smile that not only were people donating, they were donating quality items.  I scanned the shelf more closely and found more additions and noticed a few missing.  Some even looked like they had additional wear - as if already taken and returned which is wonderful.  I plan to return Go ask Alice when I'm finished with it, which is a pristine copy.  

Looking Slow

Medical reasons have kept me inside for some time now but I am hoping to leave today if all goes well.  However my errands won't take me by any of our drop points so I won't be able to look in on them and update the community on what is available there.  I would like to start a new drop point today but I don't have enough books for donation right now.  Only one waits to be donated (see image on right).  It looks like November may be a slow month but I had expected a lull in my participation come winter months.  

There is a box of paperbacks waiting to be read that my mother has started on so I expect more books soon and will deliver them as soon as possible.  Hopefully I will soon have enough books to replenish drop points as well as create a new one.  

I am going to visit a friend on my errands and will ask her if she has any books laying around she would like to donate.  

Monthly Donation Count

Books were counted as donated in the month of

October, 2015.  Did you donate a book?  Make sure your donations make the count, go here to find out how.

Directly from this office 23 books were donated. This office directly relocated 15 books from one drop point which sat for several month's to another book point where they moved in a matter of days.  

Other Free Book Programs

There are many people in the spirit of giving setting up "free book" drops in various places.  Many end up abandoned while some remain maintained by staying close to home.

Any of you who have pre-existing "free book" drops you created in your community are more than welcome to join our community to use the available system of tracking and posting donations as well as creating community without all the set up as it's all here and waiting for you.

Just visit our Downloads to get a sign and coming soon label templates with QR codes to stick into each donated book at your point for easier tracking.  If you're outside our current operating states just contact us and as mentioned in our About section we will custom make some options for you ASAP.  

Thank you for your participation, stay posted and enjoy!

Don't be Shy!

Tell us who your favorite authors are so we can get them out there!

Book Drop: Durand

The Drop:

Star Trek - The Next Generation - Ship of the Line - Diane Carey
Star Trek - The Next Generation - Metamorphosis The First Giant Novel - Jean Lorrah
Star Trek - The Next Generation - Invasion Book Two - The Soldiers of Fear - Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Star Trek - The Next Generation - Gemworld book Two of Two - John Vornholt
Star Trek - The Next Generation - A Rock and a Hard Place - Peter David
My Sister from the Black Lagoon - Laurie Fox

Durand is a Hot Spot

Technically "yesterday" (I haven't gone to sleep yet) I visited our newest drop point in Durand, Michigan at the Maytag Laundromat attached to the Valero Gas Station.  I was shocked to find all the books have moved already.  See previous post to see how many books were dropped off only three day's ago at this location.  The image to the left was taken "yesterday".  

I've never actually encountered a bare drop point before, normally people bring books as well as take them, however this is a laundromat and considering the books were taken by patrons most likely and it has only been three day's the participants haven't really had time to organically return with donation bounty, if that may even be on their minds.  

New Drop Point! OPEN 24/7

Durand Maytag Equipped Laundromat

The Drop:

Star Trek - Deep Space Nine - The Tempest - Susan Wright

Star Trek - My Brothers Keeper - Constitution, book two of tree - Michael Jan Friedman

The Kennedy Curse - Edward Klein

Alert - James Patterson

The Marcel Marceau Alphabet Book

Photoshop Elements Drop Dead Fantasy Techniques

Second Matadors Delivery

Main Street, Byron, MI

Yesterday I made a successful second free book delivery to Matadors Pizza and Take Out.  

The Drop:
Star Trek Death Count - L.A. Graf
Star Trek Yesterdays Son - A.C. Crispin
Star Trek Ice Trap - L.A. Graf
Star Trek The pandora Principle - Carolyn Clowes
Jennifer Archer - the me I used to be
Chuck Palahniuk - Diary

Increased Goals

We are now proudly associated with the Better World Books affiliate program.  This is in hopes to up our "donations" game.  Hopefully in a few short months we will be able to produce enough revenue for more donations, increasing selection at each drop point.  

Better World Books

We are big supporters of Better World Books here at FreeBookUS.  All monetary donations to our community are used to purchase books for donation from Better World Books.  Why don't we just donate the money to them?

Because of the book for book program.  By taking your monetary donations to us and purchasing our used books for our donation programs from them we not only help locals get free books, every book we buy from them gifts a book to another person in need.  So each purchase we make helps two people.

The Truth - Neil Strauss

I would love to get my hands on this book.  I would love to say I would donate it when I was done
but the truth is I always regretted never keeping my copy of the game... My copy of "Long Hard Road out of Hell" could fall apart with a medium breeze.  Two copies would have to be purchased so I could donate one to the program as it is most definitely a read everyone who is interested get a chance to enjoy.  

Not having read it I can't offer much of a review but you can read all about it here.

Take a Look!

All books personally dropped off by me are tagged with address labels featuring our community info.  I try to tag books donated by others waiting at drop points when I arrive.  I am however running out of address labels (left over from various ventures) and as this is an out of pocket project and I am disabled and unable to work - I won't be able to purchase more labels but I will continue to hand write the community info inside on the front or back pages pending on book condition.

For now and in the future pending on monetary donations keep a look out for these labels inside books.  

Coming soon downloadable templates of these labels plus the Avery product number for the labels so you can download them yourself to tag books you donate to help better track your donations and  identify them as being part of the FreeBookUs program.  

Thank you for your participation and enjoy!

Undercover - Danielle Steel

Summery

4.6 stars out of 5 - Amazon

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 
Marshall Everett has traveled a twisting, perilous road from the jungles of South America to the streets of Paris. As an undercover DEA agent, Marshall penetrated a powerful cartel and became the trusted right-hand man of a ruthless drug lord. The price he paid was devastating, costing him everything—and everyone—he loved. Back in the U.S., on temporary assignment to the Secret Service, on the presidential detail, Marshall performs an act of heroism that changes his course forever. Ariana Gregory has her whole future ahead of her, with an exciting life in Manhattan and a coveted job at an online fashion magazine. But when her father, recently widowed, is appointed U.S. ambassador to Argentina, she reluctantly agrees to accompany him to Buenos Aires. Then an unthinkable act of violence shatters her world.

The Kennedy Curse - Edward Klein

Summery

3.2 stars out of 5 - Amazon

Death was merciful to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for it spared her a parent's worst nightmare: the loss of a child. But if Jackie had lived to see her son, JFK Jr., perish in a plane crash on his way to his cousin's wedding, she would have been doubly horrified by the familiar pattern in the tragedy. Once again, on a day that should have been full of joy and celebration, America's first family was struck by the Kennedy Curse.

In this probing expose, renowned Kennedy biographer Edward Klein--a bestselling author and journalist personally acquainted with many members of the Kennedy family--unravels one of the great mysteries of our time and explains why the Kennedys have been subjected to such a mind-boggling chain of calamities.

My Sister from the Black Lagoon - Laurie Fox

Summery

3.9 out of 5 stars - Amazon

"I was born into a mentally ill family. My sister was the officially crazy one, but really we were all nuts." 

So begins My Sister from the Black Lagoon, Laurie Fox's incandescent novel of growing up absurd. Lorna Person's tale is wrested from the shadows cast by her sister, Lonnie, whose rages command the full attention of her parents. Their San Fernando Valley household is off-key and out of kilter, a place where Lonnie sees evil in the morning toast and runs into the Burbank hills to join the animals that seem more like her kin. Lorna, on the other hand, is an acutely sensitive girl who can't relate to Barbie. "Could Barbie feel sorrow? Could Barbie understand what it's like to be plump, lonely, Jewish?" My Sister from the Black Lagoon is a wisecracked bell jar, a heartbreaking study of sane and crazy. Laurie Fox's delightful voice is knowing yet wide-eyed, lyrical, and witty.

Alert - James Patterson

Summery

Made Amazon - Best of the Month list.
4.3 out of 5 stars - Amazon

"This is not a test"--every New Yorker's worst nightmare is about to become a reality. 

New Yorkers aren't easily intimidated, but someone is doing their best to scare them, badly: why? After two inexplicable high-tech attacks, the city that never sleeps is on edge. Detective Michael Bennett, along with his old pal, the FBI's Emily Parker, have to catch the shadowy criminals who claim responsibility--but they're as good at concealing their identities as they are at wreaking havoc. In the wake of a shocking assassination, Bennett begins to suspect that these mysterious events are just the prelude to the biggest threat of all. Soon he's racing against the clock, and against the most destructive enemy he's faced yet, to save his beloved city--before everyone's worst nightmare becomes a reality. 

Diary - Chuck Palahniuk

Summery

3.68 out of 5 from goodreads

Misty Wilmot has had it. Once a promising young artist, she’s now stuck on an island ruined by tourism, drinking too much and working as a waitress in a hotel. Her husband, a contractor, is in a coma after a suicide attempt, but that doesn’t stop his clients from threatening Misty with lawsuits over a series of vile messages they’ve found on the walls of houses he remodeled.Suddenly, though, Misty finds her artistic talent returning as she begins a period of compulsive painting. Inspired but confused by this burst of creativity, she soon finds herself a pawn in a larger conspiracy that threatens to cost hundreds of lives. What unfolds is a dark, hilarious story from America’s most inventive nihilist, and Palahniuk’s most impressive work to date.

The me I used to be - Jennifer Archer

Summery

3.66 out of 5 from goodreads

Coming to a Michigan drop point soon.

That Was Then

Me, Allyson Cole. Age sixteen. Living in the world of endless summers, of going wherever you wanted. And yes, my parents may have worried that I was riding into trouble -- but I was young and in love, and growing up was something I had to do.... 

And This Is Now

Me, again. Allyson Cole. This time, age fifty-one. I have everything I always wanted -- almost. I don't have him...and I don't have me. Now's the time to find what I lost. To do that, I have to hit the road, and find the father of my child. And start a journey I never could have anticipated....

Coming Soon!

Actual books to be donated

These great reads are coming to a local Michigan drop point soon.  

The Drop:
Danielle Steel - Undercover
Edward Klein - The Kennedy Curse
Laurie Fox - My Sister from the Black Lagoon
James Patterson - Alert
Chuck Palahniuk - Diary
Jennifer Archer - The me I used to be

Successful Drop!

Hemphill Wellness Center 

in Burton Michigan got a visit from me today.  Seems that their latest donation of books have sat stagnate for some time.  They weren't all too eager for me to add more books until I said I would take some of the ones that weren't moving.  The books that I drop off personally move very quickly at this location but it is sad to say this will probably be my last drop here.

Dropped Off:

Danielle Steel - Message From Nam

Danielle Steel - The Ghost

Danielle Steel - Silent Honor

Danielle Steel - Daddy 

Danielle Steel - Bittersweet

Marika Cobbold - Frozen Music

Anthony Kiedis with Larry Sloman - Scar Tissue

New Drop Point!

Today we welcome a new drop point to our community.  A booming small town business - Matadors Pizza was kind enough to give us space to display our "take a book, leave a book" program.  

Dropped off:

Danielle Steel - The Long Road Home

Danielle Steel - Jewels

Alfred Coppel - The Eighth Day of the Week

Gayle Wilson - True Blood Texas

Two Star Trek Books

Robin Cook - Acceptable Risk

Find free books on the middle shelf of their counter in the ordering parlor of this great little eatery.  

Grab a personal pizza on your way out too, a decision you won't regret.

Successful Delivery

Durand Amtrak. 

Todays drop
Danielle Steel - Lightening
Nora Roberts - The Liar
Danielle Steel - The Ranch
J.D. Robb - Indulgence in Death
Danielle Steel - Irresistible Forces
Danielle Steel - Star

Danielle Steel - Star

Summery

Actual book to be dropped off

Young, innocent and strikingly beautiful Crystal Wyatt was an outcast, envied and resented by all but her devoted father, with whom she shared a deep love for their remote California ranch. When her father dies, Crystal is alone and unprotected. Devastating events shake the once peaceful valley. With nothing but her dreams, her beauty, and her awe-inspiring voice, Crystal escapes to embark on the career that will ultimately make her a star. But stardom itself is shadowed by danger and violence and haunted by a memory that must be resolved before Crystal can find happiness and peace.

3.73 out of 5 from goodreads

Coming to a Michigan drop point soon!

Irresistible Forces - Danielle Steel

Summery 

Actual book to be submitted to one of our drop points.

For fourteen years, Steve and Meredith Whitman have sustained a marriage of passion and friendship--despite the demands of two all-consuming careers.  Meredith, an investment banker, has achieved partnership in one of Wall Street's top firms.  Steve, a gifted physician, chose an urban trauma ward over the big money he could have earned elsewhere.  The only thing missing in their lives is children.  Steve longs for them.  But Meredith keeps putting off motherhood, saying she isn't ready and doesn't have time.  Not yet.  Especially now that she has been offered an extraordinary opportunity, a chance to reach for the brass ring--in San Francisco, three thousand miles away.  Meredith is thrilled and surprised when Steve urges her to accept a top position at an exciting young high-tech company.  Traditionally, men's careers forces families to move to new cities, compelling their wives to abandon friends, home, and lives to follow.  But Steve is more than willing to uproot himself. Saying he'll join her as he can find a new job himself, they can begin their family at last.

Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in this community.  Take a book leave a book programs are popping up everywhere and as well as starting them- we want to unite them.  Visit our 'About us' section to learn more about what we do and our goals.

Tomorrow six new hard covers will find their way to a (hopefully) new drop point.  If not they will be defaulted to the Amtrak station in Durand Michigan.

We look forward to these books finding new homes.  Stay posted and claim your free book next time you're out!