Paperback Swap

I'm back. Had lots to say over the last few weeks, but couldn't really figure out how to put  it on the blog. Perhaps it will start leaking out over the next few weeks.

No matter, on to more important and practical business.

In a new bid to put Border's, Barnes and Noble, and other assorted new book dealers out of business, not to mention the publishers, let me refer you to one of my new favorit sites. Paperback Swap.com is a place where you can trade in new books for old. The only money you will spend is the money to mail a book to someone else. But they will be mailing books to you also. Here are the details of how it works (from the website).

Do you have any used books lying around? Ones you've already enjoyed, but you're never going to read again? I did, and I finally found a great way to share them with other people!

It seems that a few guys were sitting around one night talking about all the paperback books that they purchased over the years while traveling on business. Each of them had a large stack of books that they had read, so they decided to set up a website at http://www.PaperBackSwap.com/ that allows all of us to swap books with each other.

Let me tell you how it works -- because it is so easy! I listed a bunch of books on the site (listing 10 books gets the first member in your household free credits!) and I got 2 free book credits to get started. So you can order 2 books right away - free of charge -- and have them mailed directly to you! No strings attached. No gimmicks. No spam mail. Nothing. You just have to love reading books.

When another member selects one of my books that I have listed, I mail it to them. Yes, I pay for the postage. But then I get another book credit and I can select a book that I want. So another Club Member returns the favor and mails me one of his or her books free of charge. For every book I mail out, I get another book in return - a true shared system!

When someone requests one of your books, all you have to do is print two pieces of regular paper from your printer which includes the mailing address and the recommended postage. Apply the postage, and drop it in the mail. Hey, for a typical paperback, you don't even need to go to the post office.

Right now the annual club membership is free. Eventually the founders will ask everyone to help contribute to pay for the upkeep of the web site, but for now the annual club membership is free. The annual dues will probably be between $10 and $20 based on the number of people in the club. But again, right now you don't even have to pay any dues for at least one year if you become a Member.

You really need to check this out. And if you do sign up, please use the following link:

http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?r_by=dubbahdee@gmail.com

If you use the link above to join, I'll get a free book when you post your first ten books (and you'll still get free books for posting them!)

For more information about the site, you can visit the Help area, by clicking the link below, and select 'About PBS' to read how it works:

If you like it and sign up, feel free to share the love with your friends too.

BTW - I have nothing against booksellers or publishers. In fact, I love them. But I have been reading news reports lately that attribute a large portion of the recent troubles in the publishing world to the fact that so many people are buying used books via internet channels that it is hurting new book sales. Nobody blames people for doing this, they just worry about the impact. As Bob Dylan says, "The times, they are achangin."