I have quite a few paper back books I've bought over the years. I need to get rid of some of them since I don't have nearly enough shelf space to house them. In addition, there are plenty of books I own that I just don't feel the need to read again. I'm only too happy to get them into the hands of someone who will enjoy them.
I've tried paperback exchange stores in the past. They seem to work on a store credit scheme, where I get a percentage of the cover price applied towards the next book I buy. That's reasonable but the one in my neighborhood doesn't have the best selection and is open very odd hours. In the end, it seemed like the book ended up being worth exactly 1/2 of a different used book. In my mind one used book (in reasonable condition) is worth one used book, although I'm willing to pay a small transaction fee.
I once tried to sell a few items on Amazon, but I was competing with people selling 49¢ copies. It was hardly worth the bother.
So I mentioned this to my scrabble playing & prolific reader pal, Jennie. She looked around, rejected one site and came back with a solid recommendation for paperbackbookswap.com. I figured I've got nothing to lose, I'll try it. Within 12 hours someone is shipping me two books, "Out of Africa and Shadows on the Grass" by Isak Dinesen & "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown. Coincidentally two people want books that I listed, so I'll be shipping those out tomorrow. They even give you a label to print out so that it's super easy to ship.
So what does this cost? Each person involved pays their own shipping, which is about $1.59. The web site indicates that they want to start charging a membership fee in the future to be part of the exchange, but right now it doesn't cost anything. Every book you send allows you to get one book. In addition when you sign up listing 9 books gives you three credits right away.
If you join and list 9 books, I get a credit. So join up and try it. List me or better yet, Jennie, as having referred you.
