“I’ve got a book for you.”

 

It all begins with Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace – a book I have not read.

 

I was showing off my lately re-established habit of reading books to my friends, when my friend Linda – who now retired and was also a part-time English tutor misjudged my sincerity about reading and gave me that book as a gift. I was happy to receive it but I was worried about whether or not I could finish that thick and small-font book. I am more of a two-pages-per-night kind of reader.

 

It was a miracle indeed. When I bought the book back home that day, my daughter was reading in her room as always.

 

Now what was the odds that she was, in fact, reading the same book – out of thousands of all other possible titles?

 

From that moment I knew I could rely on my daughter. I did not need to finish that book myself to still communicate intelligently with Linda. I was shocked. But this also gave me a message.

 

After several different stages of planning and many discussions, I came up with this project – “ I’ve got a book for you”. Thus began its launch in a Chinese radio in Toronto, as well as in this private blog of mine.

 

So, even if you don’t buy my story, I am not asking a lot. I am asking my friends, or new friends if you like to be, to give me a book that I will pass on to others for free.

 

When you give me the book, please try to also send me an audio clip, written review, or video review explaining your choice for the book. Did it has a particular impact on your life? Did it help you understand something you were struggling with?

 

It doesn’t matter if this is a new book, an old book, a book for adults, or one for children. Any language is welcome as well.

 

In this blog, you may see the books and the messages I have collected thus far.

 

You may click “Contact Me”  if you have a book to donate or you would like to receive one (and fill in your information and message). Some of the books listed may already be given out. In that case, it just means it’s a good book, and you’ll have to find your way to get it!

 

Please feel free to write me any comments or ideas that you may have.

 

You may call this a book club, a promotion for reading, a way to indulge in good habits, or whatever else you like. As long as it sparks your interest in participation.

 

Thank you.

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一起傳書的日子

 

攪這個看書、傳書的運動，其實没有抱着太高理想。自己也不是看書專家，只是學生时看書也太馬虎，糟撻了不小當年曾在手邊的好書，如今一把年纪再看那些書，但覺回味無窮。也有些是當年要考試必讀的書，今天拿來再看，又覺得它們欺騙片了我當年的青春。

 

往往看到一本好書都會有奔走相告的衝動。跟些朋友提起我這個傳書的鬼主意，有些比我更着緊，馬上送上好幾箱的書過來。 開了這樣的一個大頭，就來個順水進舟吧。兄弟姊妹街坊叔伯三姑大姨媽都聽着–又不是壞事，又不太廢事，大家都不要跟我太計較吧，來跟我＂一起傳書”可以嗎?

 

對了，不管是新書舊書，中文英文其他外文，適合大人、小朋友、男人、女人、高尚風雅或是閒情娛樂的書，通通歡迎。 除了送書過來，最要緊是傳來閣下的感想。 最好是錄音（因我會在電台播放），文字，錄像也可。

 

閣下可以瀏覧捐贈書目，如有意索取或捐贈。請點擊聯絡 “Contact Me” 填上內容便可。 索取者先到先得。如書目已送出，証明刻書炙手可熱，值得閣下再自行想想辨法吧。

 

多謝收看、傳書。