It all started when Janssen asked the internet what she should read. In the fourth edition, Shelly made her suggestion, and I quickly followed:
Shelly: Have you read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo yet? I will keep suggesting it until you do!
RA: Shelly, I’ll read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo! I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.
But for you, Janssen, I submit The King’s Flower, by Mitsumasa Anno. It’s a picture book from the 70s, but it’s my very favorite from my childhood. The illustrations are so wonderful.
Soon after, Shelly left a comment in this neck of the woods to reaffirm the awesomeness of the book, so I went straightaway to my library’s website to reserve it, only to find that it was in very high demand and I wasn’t going to get it any time soon. I sent a quick note to Shelly:
To: Shelly
From: RAOkay, I thought you would appreciate this. I went to my library’s website to reserve this book, and there were FIFTY-SIX holds on it. Gah. I put my name on the list, but I will have to wait my turn. I assume this only bodes well for how good the book will be.
And then! She asked for my address so that she could send it to me! Woo! After a week or so, I received this super cute care package.
I devoured the book at an alarming rate and immediately joined the very long waiting list at the library for the second book in the series. When I asked about sending the book back to her, Shelly said she wouldn’t mind if I passed it along to anyone who wanted to read it. How nice is that? OPH had mentioned that she added the book to her to-read list after seeing my review, so I already had my recipient. Last week, I put together two little packages with stationery and office supplies. Since OPH was getting the book, I packed a dozen double-chip brownies for Shelly. It was only fair.
I love how this whole scenario played out from the internet to the real world. How else could I get a book recommendation via a Boston-based blog from a North Carolina reader who would send me a book in Pennsylvania (along with cute stationery) that I would completely enjoy and then send to a Baltimore blogger with punny coffee thank-you cards and whimsical binder clips?
People, this is The Power of Nice People on the Internet.
9 comments
The only problem with this delightful exchange is that there’s no way I can pay it forward with the same level of adorable treats. I mean, where do you even FIND polka-dot binder clips (which just happen to by my favorite office supply)?!
It’s a happy problem to have, and I can’t wait to read the book. Thanks, internet!
firstly, oh my gosh, binder clips make me go all weak in the knees. and secondly, ditto: the power of nice people on the internet never fails to amaze me. what a lovely sequence of events.
seriously with the wait list. I just put it on hold at my library and there are FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY holds on it. Granted, there are 155 copies of it in the system, but 580! Yikes. I think it will be awhile! And I love nice internet people!
Wow, Janelle, I feel fortunate to be number 71 now! (Because, seriously? 580? Dang.)
It warms the cockles of my heart (anatomically, I don’t know if that even makes sense…) to hear stories of Nice People on the Internet– especially because we so often hear about how many jerks there are. Thanks for sharing this story, RA!
How cute! It is amazing how many wonderful packages I’ve gotten in the mail thanks to the Internet. Random care packages as well as specific gifts including the perfume I wanted to wear for my wedding. The Internet is an amazing place.
I absolutely love this story. The Internet is nice!
That is so nice indeed! I have this secret wish of winning the lottery, quitting my job, and sending people cool things in the mail all the time (with all my free time). Instead, the reality is that I rarely do nice things like this. Maybe that will be a resolution!
I love the internet.
)
xox
That’s so cool!
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