There are a lot of them in my town. I think they are a great idea and they seem to be popular. I did stop once to take a look in one but didn't find anything. Speaking only for myself, I think it would be a needle in a haystack for me to find something I want to read though I still think they are a great idea as so many enjoy them and they encourage reading.

When I donate books, it's to my local library sale as they can make some money from them. I fervently support my library, as I'm sure everyone here does. But the Little Free Libraries are a great idea too.

There is one on the path where I walk my dogs. (yes, it's been over 25 years since RP and my TwoBigDogs name! Although these days my dogs are smaller.) I do try to support it and have found one or two that I have read, enjoyed, and then returned to the LFL for someone else. In fact, just this afternoon, I happily place Project Hail Mary and whatever that Richard Osman book is called, in the little box.

The LFL org has a website and it includes a map of all registered locations.

https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/ 

PAM

There aren't too many around my town because there aren't convenient places for them. There's one at the playground which the library keeps filled. There's one a few steps from an independent bookstore I sometimes visit and I once found a lovely book on Shetland Islands knitting there. I've since given it to my library book sale.

A long time ago my friend had one that she would keep stocked with books from The Book Thing of Baltimore (if you don't know about The Book Thing, they are a big book warehouse that gives away donated books), but she occasionally had problems with someone taking all the books and then filling it with religious tracts. There's always some jerk trying to ruin a good thing.

There is one not far from my house, but I haven’t stopped to check it out yet. Need to do that soon!

PS - my sister read The Martian and Project Hail Mary and felt the same way several of you did. I think she felt the author didn’t try very hard, and that the book would be a success because The Martian was.

I've wondered why the word "free" is used to describe Little Free Libraries. All the big libraries I have visited are free also.

Little Free Libraries encourage you to take books with no need to return them......unlike their big library counterparts !

I'd give away that Richard Osman book too. We had it for Book Club a couple of years ago and it drove me crazy because it was so full of police procedural errors it just didn't hang together for me.

We have wonderful free public libraries, but also some private ones. The Boston Athenaeum is a beautiful library and houses the personal library of George Washington and many other rare collections and art as well as current books. It had many famous members including Lousia May Alcott. You can see her library card and what she checked out to read (link below). It is a non-profit, but it is not free to join, in fact it's pretty expensive. If you ever visit Boston, it's worth a stop, the reading room is classicly gorgeous and there are some great views. Of course, the Boston Public Library is free and equally impressive.

Louisa May Alcott Boston Athenaeum

I was surprised to read that the Osman book was not viewed favourably by some readers and I suppose this is the Thursday Murder Club one? As I know very little about police procedure it would not bother me if there were errors.

I tend to avoid books based in places or on subjects I am familiar with when they are incorrect as that can be irritating!

Hi AnnPan... in my case, yes, it was the first Thurday Murder Club book - I've forgotten the title. I just thought it was stupid and far-fetched. I donated it on Friday and it is still sitting there.

PAM

Pam, I quite enjoyed the series and want to get the DVD of the movie. Perhaps it is because I live in a retirement village that I related! We have a library and I was pleased to see a donated copy of a book that had a long waiting list at the public library. You never know what people will drop off! It was an Osman book ...

I read the first Thursday Murder Club and liked the characters but it had too many plot holes and the resolution of the murder was not believable to me.

I think the movie might have been more enjoyable than the book.

When I go on vacation, I will use the map to find Little Free Libraries in the area. I tend to take paperbacks with me on vacation and as I finish them, I drop them off in the local Little Free Libraries.

PAM