Hundreds of books are travelling independently on Melbourne's trams, trains and buses in search of a reader.

The free range books have been set loose on the city's public transport by "book ninjas" as part of a new movement called Books On The Rail.

Co-founder Michelle Kalus said each book was festooned with a sticker on the front and a flyer inside the cover explaining the project.

"It says who we are and instructs people to take the book, read it, enjoy it, and then return it to a service," she told 774 ABC Melbourne's Rafael Epstein.

Publishers, authors donating new releases

Ms Kalus started Books On The Rail in April with friend Ali Berg, who met the founder of a similar initiative while living in London.

She and Ms Berg have set up a website where members of the public are able to sign up to become book ninjas — people who place books on public transport.

"We'll send you out a book ninja pack with stickers and flyers," Ms Kalus said.

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She said there were about 300 books in circulation on Melbourne's public transport network, most of which were new releases.

"We have been really lucky to work with great publishers and authors who are sending new release books," she said.

"We're happy to have a whole range of books. We're trying to keep it as diverse as possible.

"Given the randomness of public transport, you never know who's going to find it and what they'll enjoy."

Book ninjas part of 'quiet movement'

Ms Kalus said her greatest fear was that the books would be thrown out by cleaning staff.

"We're hoping that most of the books go into safe hands, people who are excited to read the books."

She said Books On The Rail was yet to formally approach Metro Trains, Yarra Trams or Public Transport Victoria about the initiative.

"At this stage we're a little bit more subversive and we're enjoying this quiet movement.

"It's a lot of fun and we're just hoping to enrich people's days."