Leaving Stories Behind: The Impact of Random Acts of Literacy

Imagine you're rushing through an airport, sitting on a train, or just waiting in line for coffee on your way to work, lost in the blur of daily life. Your mind is full of to-do lists, travel plans, or the anticipation of reaching your destination. Suddenly, you spot a book—left behind on a bench, a café table, or tucked into the corner of a waiting area. Its cover catches your eye, and curiosity pulls you in. Who left it here? Why? And more importantly, could this be the story you didn’t know you needed?

This is the magic of random acts of literacy—small, intentional moments where someone leaves a story behind for someone else to discover. It’s a simple act, but it carries the power to connect strangers across time and space through the written word.

For me, this project is deeply personal. It’s about honoring my best friend, Laura, whose love of reading and travel was never fully realized due to illness. She and I shared a love of books for nearly 40 years, and after her passing, I knew I wanted to keep her spirit alive in a way that reflected both her passion and her kindness. Thus, Books That Travel the World was born—a project dedicated to leaving books behind for others, so that Laura’s love for stories could keep traveling even when she no longer could.

The Joy of Discovery

There’s something special about finding a book where you least expect it. It’s like discovering a gift, and for the person who finds it, the timing is often serendipitous. Maybe they’ve been looking for a distraction, something to brighten their day. Or maybe they haven’t picked up a book in years, and this spontaneous encounter reignites a love for reading they’d forgotten. Whatever the case, it’s a moment of connection between two people who may never meet—linked by nothing but the shared joy of a good story.

Books have a way of finding us when we need them most. They can offer comfort, challenge us, or provide a much-needed escape. By leaving books behind, we’re not just passing along pages—we’re passing along potential, the possibility that this story will make someone’s day, change their perspective, or give them an unexpected adventure.

Building a Global Community

Beyond the simple pleasure of sharing stories, random acts of literacy create a ripple effect. As a book travels from one person to the next, it builds an invisible community—a web of readers who are now connected through their shared experience with that book. Perhaps one person will leave a note inside the cover for the next reader, or someone might be inspired to start their own version of the project.

What begins as a single act—leaving a book behind—can grow into something much larger, a movement that encourages more people to share stories, explore new perspectives, and connect with strangers through the written word.

Leaving a Legacy

For me, every book I leave behind is more than just a gift to a stranger. It’s a way to honor Laura and keep her spirit alive. Each book that travels is a small piece of her story—a story of kindness, friendship, and an unending love for the power of books.

In a world that often feels disconnected, random acts of literacy remind us that we are all part of something bigger. The stories we leave behind may travel farther than we ever imagined, touching lives in ways we’ll never know. And that’s the beauty of it. The story never really ends.

So next time you’re traveling or even just out and about, consider leaving a book behind. You might just change someone’s day—or their life—without ever knowing it.