If you are into reading as much as I am, you may often find yourself in the same dilemma I do. How is my budget supposed to keep up with my reading pace? Or, if I am travelling, either I carry my own library around, or I may run out of reading rather soon. Well, before you start reading shampoo bottles out of desperation, allow me to introduce you to the most special piece of public furniture there is: the Public Bookcase, or in German, the Bücherschrank.

In Frankfurt you can find public bookcases in several places (check the official website for a full list), but not all of them will offer many English editions. Bockenheim (close to metro station Leiüziger Straße and a stone’s throw away from Bodrum) and Bornheim (on your way to Cafe Kante) are the neighbourhoods where books in English are most likely to be found. The instructions are very simple: anyone can take a book from it, or leave one of their own. There is no registry nor obligation to return the books borrowed, but the principles of civility apply, and therefore it is nice if you either leave one of your own or return the one you took.

What an elegant way of promoting a reading and sharing culture and of engaging in community life, even if you are only passing by. The one in the picture can be found right outside “Dornbusch” metro station. Have fun and enjoy your reading!