Looks like a totally cool concept. Has anyone had any experience with it?
Looks like a ripoff of http://www.bookcrossing.com/ - Cool!
I have experience with it, as my girlfriend uses it. It works exactly like the website says, you mail books to people who request them (which costs about $1.50 in postage for media mail) and in exchange you get to request specific books from others. It’s basically a cheap alternative to buying and selling used books online. You can also find some things that may not be available in your local library (maybe you like time traveling romances or something). If you are looking to increase or decrease your book collection, however, this isn’t the way to do it since you end up with more or less the same number of books. If you want some new books and also have a lot that you don’t want anymore, then it works rather well. The selection of titles is still somewhat limited but you can search without being a member so you can see if there is something you like before you join.
Bookcrossing is a bit different. Bookcrossing is more about exposing people to books they would not know about otherwise, rather than letting people request specific titles. It also doesn’t require postage or formally keep track of credits.
I think I’m gonna give it a try. Our local library doesn’t have much, and we’re po folks, this looks like a good way to keep myself in reading material without going broke. I may need to buy more bookshelves, though.
Hmmm…this gives me an idea on how to cleanout my paperback stash.
I read. I read a LOT. And, usually, I get anew paperback to read on the plane, which equates to a new one every week max, to every two weeks, min.
When Iget home weekend after next, I will attempt an inventory of my books. If I get to do this, I’ll post them here and ask only postage–after the fact, honor system.
I HATE my books just moldering away. My brothers-in-law do not have my tastes in books, and not too many of my friends do. I do book exchanges locally whenever possible, but that is not too often. Here, I think, is a great way of passing them on.