Where's Alice Bliss?

Last month I posted about an author event with Laura Harrington and her novel, Alice Bliss. The novel is a coming-of-age story for 15-year-old Alice, who has to navigate the rough waters of her father’s absence (he’s been deployed to Iraq), her sometimes antagonistic relationship with her mother, and the aches and pains of adolescence, replete with frenemies and emerging feelings toward boys.  It explores both the “typical” teen questions of today, as well as some more difficult ones brought on by Alice’s family situation; I felt at times as if Laura had channeled my 15-year-old daughter, the subtleties are so perfect!

Laura recently told me about a campaign to send Alice Bliss on an around-the-world adventure – I think it’s fun and clever, one of the most original campaigns I’ve seen, and a unique way to share the story of fictional Alice Bliss.

She’s inviting YA and adult bloggers (you!) to request a copy of Alice Bliss through a submission form on her website. The books will be sent with a BookCrossing book plate attached. You’re asked to register your copy of Alice Bliss at BookCrossing, and receive a unique ID which will allow you to follow the book’s journey. After you read the novel, “release” it in a public place, log it into BookCrossing, and watch where it goes.

The ultimate goal is to have Alice Bliss travel all 50 US states and four continents.  As Laura says, “You will be part of an international movement encouraging readers to read, register, and release books for others to enjoy.”

This is “pay it forward” on a grand scale!

There are special Where’s Alice Bliss website and Where’s Alice Bliss tumblr pages where we can see photos of Alice being released; the project also has a Where’s Alice Bliss twitter account. I’m already scheming where I might place Alice Bliss in my area – maybe a coffee shop, a historical site, a park bench?

How would you answer the question, “Where’s Alice Bliss?”