Monday, April 20, 2009

Mine. All mine.

EH2ED


Green Tip of the Day (for Readers)

Confession: I want to own my books. I don't want to borrow them from the library. I want to own them. I want to read them quickly (or not), loan them to a friend (or not), or... just... have them. I like books. I like the way that they feel... I like the way that they smell. The library is one of my most favorite places on the planet and I am like a book-oholic when I walk into a bookstore. I give books as gifts and I like to receive them as gifts. I love them.

There is one problem with this. I do not have the place to store all of my books and it is a waste of money (sad to say) and trees (yes,
trees) to buy a book, read it once, and sit it on the shelf. I just doesn't make sense.

PaperBackSwap to the rescue. According to the PaperBackSwap web site, it is a way to
Mail a book. Get a book. Any book you request is yours to keep, share or trade. No late fees. No processing charges. No hidden charges. Every time you mail a book to another member, you can request one for yourself from over 3 Million.
PaperBackSwap was advertised on the Today Show over the weekend. The idea was touted as a way to read, own, and/or trade books economically. The upside is that this also saves trees! Check it out and see what you think. I haven't tried it yet, but I do have a few books on my shelf waiting to be traded, including this new one that Matt mentioned. Now that we are over the "Is Twilight appopriate for my tween" dilemma. I can read something for myself.

Do you rent your books from the library, borrow from your friends, or buy new?


5 comments:

Mrs. Bird said...

I saw this on Facebook. Thought you might be interested: http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/stop-yellow-pages/ There's my "green" effort, just for you ;) JK, since having Brooklyn I am trying much harder to be "green-er." For example we all now have a lunchbox and plast reusable containers. Cheers!

kiwimeg said...

Awesome site! I am so thrilled to discover it!

I'm like you - I like to own my books. I write in the margins occasionally, and fold the corners of pages over in my fav parts . . . I like to reread them, and read in my own time . . . and when you have kids (as I am sure you know) the couple of weeks the library lets you have is sometimes just not enough!!

But I do have a couple of books I could possibly part with if it meant I could get something else . . .

Grand Matriarch said...

You come by it naturally! I have hundreds of books. I keep trying to cut down on the number.. every week I try to take a couple to the thrift store to sell, but I come back with more.. it isn't working! The bookshelf by the front door is packed.. I have books stashed all over the house.. they are stacked in our "downstairs attic" and I actually have some packed up in cases... I'll leave them all to you when I pass on! Hahahahaha.....

mimbles said...

I buy new, it's an addiction I tell you. Hubby has been referring to the owner of my favourite bookshop as my dealer for some years and now that I've ended up working there the metaphor is complete LOL

Nap Mom said...

Thanks for all of your comments (I mean, support). I see that I am not alone. I'll let dear husband know that I am in good company and forewarn him that this might get worse before it gets better!