Local literary life just got better in two American cities.

In New York City, ReLIT  is recycling books by distributing donations once a month near major transportation points, usually subway stops. Commuters get a good read free of charge and help keep books out of the landfill. Readers continue the cycle by depositing books at drop-off stations. Hanging on to books is okay, too.

In Long Beach, CA, the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is cultivating place-based writing by residents. BKBIA has installed two poetry boxes outside coffee shops on Atlantic Avenue. Locals are encouraged to write Bixby Knolls-inspired “wives’ tales, lore, histories, mysteries” and more. When one hundred worthy poems are in, the collection will be published.

Tell us what’s new in literary life in your neighborhood.