Books seem to have lost their appeal. Who would want to sit down with a book on our daily commute if our smart phones bring us gossip and games? In Beijing, subway riders are now being seduced to pick up a book without doing away their phones. A simple scan of a QR code inside the train car gives them instant access to a list of free e-books. This collaboration between the National Library of China and subway operator Beijing MTR is aimed at increasing the popularity of books in today’s digital times.