One of my dreams has come true. Someone invented a book vending machine. A vending machine. For books. Put in a coin, get a book in return. A book vending machine. I’m figuratively dying.

The vending machine is a partnership with Global Vending and a school district in Buffalo, NY. A second district from Florida has also installed one in an elementary school there as well. The machines are stocked with books purchased and donated and can be “bought” with coins earned through their hard work, good behavior, etc.

All that needs to be said is that this is fucking awesome and I wish my school had one.

I’m assuming most people are like me: pile (or piles) of books stacked near the bed, on the nightstand, on the chair, books in progress, books waiting to be read, the pile changing in altitude, higher, lower, as books come in and go out. Many of these books will never be read, or will be partially read, abandoned for the new or the rediscovered. The ones that will be read will be cherished or disliked, put on the shelf, returned to the library, loaned to a friend, donated. The cycle continues. While the books may change, the pile remains, growing and shrinking. Is this familiar to you?

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