Belgians are Hunting Books, Instead of Pokemon

In Belgium, a new social trend is encouraging people to track down hidden novels rather than virtual monsters. Drawing inspiration from the global phenomenon of Pokemon Go, a local primary school principal has launched an online community centered on book scavenging. Within just a few weeks of its debut, the game has already gained tens of thousands of active participants.

While the official Pokemon Go app utilizes GPS technology and augmented reality to help users find digital creatures, this low-tech alternative operates through a Facebook group titled "Chasseurs de livres," or "Book Hunters." The premise is simple: participants stash a book in a public location and then upload photos and cryptic clues to the group to help others find it. Once a seeker discovers a book and completes it, they are expected to "release" it by hiding it in a new location for the next person to find.

The project was conceived by Aveline Gregoire, who hit upon the idea while organizing her personal collection. After realizing she lacked the shelf space for her library, and having recently spent time playing Pokemon Go with her children, she decided to distribute her surplus books throughout the local environment. Since its inception, the Facebook group has seen explosive growth, surpassing 40,000 members in a short period.

The variety of literature available is vast, ranging from illustrated stories for young children to suspenseful Stephen King novels. These volumes are hidden across Belgian cities and rural landscapes, typically protected from the elements by transparent plastic wrapping.

For many residents, the game has become a regular family activity. The Detournay family, living in the southern town of Baudour, noted that hunting for these literary treasures is now a staple of their morning strolls. During one outing, they discovered a single book while contributing four of their own back to the community. Family member Jessica Detournay compared the excitement of the search to a traditional Easter egg hunt. The interactive nature of the group also provides quick feedback; the Detournays noted that shortly after returning home, they were notified online that two of the books they had hidden had already been discovered by other hunters.

Following the unexpected success of the Facebook community, Gregoire is considering expanding the project. Her future plans include the potential development of a dedicated mobile application to streamline the book-sharing process.