Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Instead Of Buying Books, How About Trading Them?

The Chronicle/SF Gate had an article recently about two book swap sites; Bookmooch.com and Paperbackswap.com.

Now this is a wonderful idea whose time has literally come, but towards the end of the article comes one of my main caveats-

Mooching is one thing. But lending - and expecting the book to return - may still not be advised for many a reader. Even Milner keeps her favorites from Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse or Henry James for herself.

"I only lend books," she said, "to people who I know really well and I know where they live."

7 comments:

Rosaria Williams said...

Lending is giving something to a friend, not worrying about getting it back.

Pyzahn said...

I became a library girl several years ago. I know writers hate to hear that because it slows down their sales, but economy and space have dictated.

The couple shelves or so that I do have filled with books that are dear to me (and many are signed), so I'm like the lady you quoted, I don't loan them out freely.

I do have a few cheezy paperbacks that you are welcome to.

Cormac Brown said...

Rosaria,

Exactly and emphasis on friend.

Pyzahn,

Thank you very much, but when ti comes to cheese, save yourself the postage ; )

"I know writers hate to hear that because it slows down their sales, but economy and space have dictated."

Well, virtually every writer has been to a library, and they should also realize that one has to find a new audience somewhere.

Creepy said...

Books are one thing I don't feel comfortable lending out. People's mitts all over them, no thanks. Go buy your own, or visit the library.

Cormac Brown said...

Creepy,

I don't mind lending them out to friends and even one friend has a tendency to eat, which really ticks me off because I don't want grease on my books or them smelling like food. I had to learn to let that one go to a degree.

As far as germs, I hit the used book stores, so I'm not a germaphobe when it comes to books, though I wash my hands everytime before I eat, regardless.

Valerie said...

Found my way here from somewhere or other so stopped to say hello.
I lost a sentimentally valuable book through loaning it to a so-called trustworthy friend who, although she had promised to return it, passed it on to someone she hardly knew. I never saw it again.

Cormac Brown said...

Valerie,

Welcome and I'm sorry to hear that, if you can't rely and trust on a friend to the book back, well...

I have leant books to some of my coworkers and I have a fifty-fifty return rate, not good odds.