Chapter 1: A Parisian Park Encounter

Throughout the year, I have been traversing the Square des Batignolles on my daily commute. This quaint park, located in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, epitomizes the essence of 'Parisian' charm. Tucked between the renowned Champs-Élysées and Montmartre, it boasts a crêperie, a greenhouse, a fence, and a collection of benches painted in the city's signature green. Its hidden nature, seldom frequented by tourists, ensures that it remains a treasured spot for locals.

Walking through this park each morning has significantly enhanced my daily routine. Before diving into the demands of my workday, simply being surrounded by nature—trees and water—adds a touch of tranquility to my mornings.

One day during my stroll, I stumbled upon a public bookcase. Its unique V-shaped roof resembled a letterbox, but a peek inside revealed shelves filled with books. This sight piqued my curiosity not only about the books displayed but also about the evolving nature of their collection. I decided to embark on a project: photographing the bookcase over the course of a month to capture these daily changes.

From late May onward, I made it a ritual to stop by the bookcase every morning, snapping photos with my iPhone before proceeding on my way.

Here’s an introduction to my project:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 18:06 on 16 May 2023.

The following day, I captured a wider shot:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:08 on 17 May 2023.

I adjusted my framing to focus more on the bookcase:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:23 on 22 May 2023.

This angle seemed effective, and I maintained it:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:46 on 23 May 2023.

The bright morning sun highlighted the bookcase beautifully:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 10:54 on 24 May 2023.

However, some days didn’t allow for the same clarity:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:39 on 25 May 2023.

Incorporating this mini ritual into my commute was remarkably effortless. As someone who often finds themselves consumed by work, I cherish hobbies that I can enjoy en route, rather than allowing them to fall prey to my busy schedule.

While I am not a scientist, I recognized that my approach—photographing a bookcase for a month—might not meet rigorous scientific standards. Nonetheless, I was less interested in precise data and more intrigued by the microculture of individuals contributing to this bookcase. Although the books changed frequently, my curiosity lay in understanding the motivations behind these exchanges.

Initially, I felt somewhat awkward taking photos of the bookcase. I often glanced around to see if anyone noticed, pondering their thoughts on my unusual activity. However, when pursuing a project—whether it’s a quest for greatness or simply a month of photographs—sometimes you have to tune out the opinions of those around you.

The sun became a constant backdrop in my photos:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:12 on 26 May 2023.

On several occasions, my shadow appeared in the frame:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:18 on 30 May 2023.

Even my hand and phone made their way into the shots:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:16 on 1 June 2023.

As my project progressed, I began to realize that the books on the shelves were changing rapidly—often daily. It became clear that any book I captured one day would likely be gone the next, making it impossible to determine any patterns in their popularity.

I also speculated whether the time of my visits affected the turnover of books. Given my flexible work hours, I typically arrived at the park around 9:30 am. It struck me that this timing might be too early for new books to be placed on the shelves, as they could have been taken just before the park closed the previous evening.

Chapter 2: The Dynamics of Community Sharing

The act of sharing books in this manner is fascinating. While one might liken it to a mini-library, the absence of a managing librarian creates a unique dynamic. Without oversight, the bookcase operates on a sort of informal social contract, as individuals respect the unwritten rule of taking a book and leaving one in return.

I was also curious about the variety of books available. Most were in French, but I noticed several in other languages, including English, Mandarin, and Japanese. Occasionally, the bookcase featured not just books, but also newspapers, magazines, and even discarded items like empty beer cans.

Interestingly, some individuals may use the bookcase as a means of promoting their beliefs, as evidenced by the presence of religious and political texts among the fiction. While many books were simply unwanted items, others could reflect a desire to influence or inform.

The long workdays I was experiencing were draining:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:04 on 23 June 2023.

During this busy period, I was pitching to clients for an extended stretch:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 08:34 on 26 June 2023.

With little time to spare, I found that this project provided a much-needed break from my routine:

Shot on iPhone by William Sidnam at 09:35 on 29 June 2023.

The most compelling aspect of the bookcase, however, was not the items themselves but the thoughts and passions of the individuals who engaged with it. Each book represents a hidden emotional world; when one sees someone reading, their inner dialogue remains a mystery, even if they can articulate it.

The public bookcase stands as a site of shared passions—where private thoughts and emotions are made public. It exists as a small letterbox of sentiments amidst a largely unaware crowd.

This paradoxical item enriches the fabric of the city, revealing layers of community and connection that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the park appears serene, it holds deeper currents that invite exploration.