Commuters on the Los Angeles Metro Transit System might find an unexpected surprise on their daily journey: a free book. A volunteer organization known as Metro Books is on a mission to get people to swap their smartphones for a good read.
Founded by Flinder Boyd, Metro Books operates in both Los Angeles and New York City. The group’s primary goal is to encourage more reading and help transit riders cut down on their daily screen time. Boyd, who grew up in the city and is a frequent Metro rider, noticed a common trend among passengers. He observed that almost everyone was glued to their phones and saw a clear opportunity to bring literature directly into their hands.
Initially, Boyd considered simply leaving books on the trains for people to find. Realizing that approach might not be effective, he gathered a group of volunteers to personally hand out books to commuters. According to Boyd, the public response has been incredible. He believes the time spent commuting provides the perfect opportunity for people to put their phones away and dive into a story, even if it is just for a few minutes.
Metro Books volunteers can be found out and about nearly every weekend distributing their literary gifts. The organization also hosts special events, including an upcoming initiative focused specifically on handing out comic books to riders. Watch the CBS LA Feature here or through the embedded video below:
For more information about their mission or to get involved, you can explore the following links:
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Website: https://metrobooks.org
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metro__books/
