If you are a frugalite you probably love the library. I don’t buy books really anymore because I prefer to borrow them from the library or read them at the store while drinking a coffee. Actually the bookstore is more to browse, write down a list of books I want to read, then go home and reserve them at the library.
Anyway at work, this very cool book swap started. We have a couple of big brown paper bags and you bring in books you own and toss it in. Then take a book out for the book you tossed in. It works great if you have a large office. Our bags are in our lunch room so people are allowed to read books during lunch as well. I do this quite often, but since I don’t really buy books, I can’t really participate in the swap.
But this is a fabulous way to exchange books easily. Everyone at work seems to enjoy participating, and granted we have about 30-40 people, so the selection is very diverse and varied. I noticed however that most people stick to paperbacks of popular authors. Also because people don’t have to trek to the library, they really find it convenient. I admit that I’ve read an entire book over a week during lunch.
Also people are allowed to directly exchange with someone else then toss the used book into the swap. And because it’s anonymous people don’t feel so bad about the condition of the books, or even the book itself. The only rule is take a book, leave a book!
Consider starting one where you work and see if you can’t save a buck! You’d be amazed at how many people read during a commute or before bed, and how much they spend on books!
6 responses so far ↓
1 Kristy // Jan 16, 2009 at 9:25 am
I go to the library since its only a few blocks from my house and I love it! The only time I buy books is if the library doesn’t have the book I need for book club or if I am traveling I will buy a paperback.
I also go to yard sales in the summer and you can buy paperbacks for 25 to 50 cents apiece. I will usually stock up in the summer and then read them randomly throughout the winter. My library closes early during the week and are only open for 4 hours on Saturday, so I can’t always make it there with work, kids, etc. So I usually have a reserve of paperbacks for when I can’t make it!
2 Fabulously Broke // Jan 16, 2009 at 11:33 am
I like that idea!!! I could be reading a wider range of books.
If only I had office mates.
Fabulously Broke in the City
“Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.“
3 LAL // Jan 16, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I don’t buy books but I read them during lunch.
4 Monevator // Jan 17, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Great, unless you’re an author in which case it’s even worse than the library where at least you get a few bucks from the public lending rights.
The paradox of thrift all over again. Not knocking the tip, but I’m a bit wary of things that drive the value of creative content down to zero.
Then again I write a free blog, so I’ve wilfuly signed up to it.
5 LivingAlmostLarge // Jan 17, 2009 at 7:10 pm
How is it any different from getting books from friends and swapping? Then the author is still losing out on money. And who charges their friends for books?
No different. Except your throwing it in a bag with not friends but coworkers!
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