Seven States, Three Countries: The Journey of Our Traveling Books

When I started Books That Travel the World, I had a simple dream—to honor my best friend Laura and share her love for reading with people around the globe. What began with a few books left behind in local coffee shops has now blossomed into something bigger than I could have imagined. As of today, our books have traveled through six states and three countries, including Greece and Portugal!

The idea that a book, once shared, can journey to unexpected places and into the hands of people we may never meet is part of what makes this project so magical. Books create connections across time and space—unspoken bonds between the person who leaves a book behind and the person who finds it, between readers in different corners of the world who may never cross paths but share the same love for stories.

Our Journey So Far

Since we began, Books That Travel the World has already made its mark. The books have crossed state lines, making their way through the U.S., from airports in Minnesota to hotels in California, and beyond. Recently, we’ve had books reach even farther, traveling across oceans to Greece and Portugal, where they’ve been discovered in bustling airports or hotels.

Imagine a traveler pausing in Athens, picking up a copy of a well-worn novel left behind at the airport, or someone sitting on a park bench in Porto, flipping through pages that have traveled across multiple borders. These moments remind me of Laura and her love of adventure, books, and the connections they create.

How You Can Help Books Keep Traveling

The beauty of this initiative is that anyone can be part of it. If you’ve found a book, we encourage you to take it with you, read it, and once finished, leave it somewhere new. It could be at your local coffee shop, a park bench, a restaurant, or even another country!

If you haven’t yet stumbled across one of our traveling books but want to join the fun, consider donating a book of your own. I’ve found that books with personal meaning or that remind you of special moments in life are the ones most likely to spark connection. You can drop them off at any public place where others can pick them up and continue their journey.

What’s Next?

As we celebrate how far the books have traveled, the journey is far from over. We are building momentum, and I can’t wait to see where our books will go next. My goal is for Books That Travel the World to make it to all 50 states and as many countries as possible. With your help, I know we can make that happen.

Whether our books are shared in the U.S. or find their way to a far-flung destination across the globe, they carry a bit of Laura’s spirit with them. Her love for stories, her joy in sharing with others, and her dream of seeing the world are now living through each book’s travels.

The next time you see one of our books, remember—you are part of something bigger. You’re helping share the gift of reading, one traveler at a time.